Chapter 3: The Princess Who Must Leave

Chapter 3: The Princess Who Must Leave

Auriella stood in the center of her room, staring at the neatly packed bags laid out before her.

“…So this is really happening,” she muttered, spinning slowly, blue eyes scanning every item like she might change her mind.

Behind her, Thalina sprawled across the bed, one arm draped over her eyes. “You’ve said that five times already,” she drawled.

Auriella turned slightly, lips quirking. “Because it doesn’t feel real.”

Thalina sat up, arms crossed, giving her that calm-but-bold glare. “You’re going to land, not disappearing forever.”

“…Same difference,” Auriella said, pouting.

“Drama,” Thalina muttered, flicking her hair over her shoulder.

Auriella sighed and returned her gaze to the bags. Clothes. Trinkets. Things she had used for years. None of it felt important anymore.

“…What if something goes wrong?” she whispered.

Thalina softened. “Then we fix it. You know we always do.”

Auriella hesitated. “…What if we can’t?”

Before Thalina could answer, there was a gentle knock at the door. Both girls froze.

“…Come in,” Auriella called, heart thumping.

The doors opened slowly, and the King and Queen stepped inside. Instantly, the room felt different—warmer, safer, and… heavier somehow.

Auriella straightened. “Father. Mother.”

The Queen smiled softly, walking toward her. “You’re ready?”

Auriella glanced at the bags, then back at her mother. “…I think so.”

The King’s eyes swept the room, lingering on the packed things… then flicked to Auriella herself. He hesitated, then cleared his throat like he wasn’t sure he could say it.

“…You don’t sound convinced,” he said, voice low, almost quiet.

Auriella gave a small smile. “I’m trying to be.”

The Queen reached out, adjusting a strand of Auriella’s hair. “You don’t have to pretend with us.”

That alone almost broke her composure. “…I’ve never left Aquaria before,” she admitted quietly.

The King shifted, fidgeting slightly, hands brushing against each other nervously. “…And yet… you’re willing to go.” His voice wavered a touch, softer than usual, almost pleading.

Auriella blinked up at him. “…Because I have to.”

He took a small step closer, lowering his voice. “…But I don’t have to like it.” His hand twitched as if he wanted to reach out and stop her, then he clenched it into a fist at his side.

Silence fell for a heartbeat. The Queen cupped Auriella’s cheek, voice gentle. “And that is exactly why you’re ready.”

Auriella’s shoulders relaxed slightly, eyes softening. Thalina, sensing the tension, looked away and began pretending to inspect a corner of the room.

The King shifted again, almost unconsciously stepping a little closer, voice softening. “The surface world is… strange. It will not move the way you expect. And I—” he swallowed, “…I worry, more than I should.”

“…I know,” Auriella murmured, reaching out slightly as if to ease his worry.

“You will see things that confuse you,” he added, gaze lingering protectively on her.

Auriella let out a small breath. “…That too.”

The Queen’s lips curved in a faint smile. “And you will probably say something you shouldn’t.”

Thalina snorted quietly from the bed.

“I do not—” Auriella began indignantly.

“—You do,” Thalina cut in with a grin.

The Queen laughed softly. Even the King’s expression softened, but his next words were firm—less commanding, more… clingy.

“You are not going as just our daughter,” he said, voice slightly trembling with reluctance.

Auriella straightened again, eyes glimmering. “I am leaving as…?”

“As the future of Aquaria,” the Queen answered, hand brushing lightly over her hair.

The words settled in the room like sunlight through water. “…I understand,” Auriella whispered, fingers tightening around the strap of her bag.

The Queen reached into a small velvet pouch and placed a delicate pendant into Auriella’s hand. Auriella blinked. “…Mother?”

“It’s for protection,” the Queen said softly. “Keep it close. And remember…” She hugged her tightly, whispering in her ear, “…we believe in you.”

Auriella closed her fingers around it. “…I will.”

For a heartbeat, no one spoke.

Then the King, hesitating, bent down slightly and placed both hands gently on her shoulders, almost like he didn’t want to let go.

“…Make us proud,” he murmured, voice soft, almost pleading, eyes flicking everywhere she moved as if checking she was still there.

Auriella smiled faintly. “I’ll try.”

Thalina stretched, rolling her eyes. “Alright, emotional moment over. If we don’t leave soon, I’m changing my mind.”

Auriella laughed softly, shaking her head. “You were never going to stay behind.”

“…Obviously not,” Thalina said, smirking.

The Queen shook her head, smiling warmly.

The King took a small, almost reluctant step back, hands still twitching slightly.

“…It is time,” he said softly, voice carrying a faint whine, as if he wanted to call her back.

Auriella took one last look around her room—her home, her sanctuary.

Then she lifted her bag, shoulders squared, eyes glinting with quiet determination. “…Let’s go.”

And just like that…

The Princess of Aquaria stepped forward into a world she had never seen before, while behind her, her father lingered for a heartbeat longer, watching every step with a mixture of worry and helpless attachment.

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