]

Gwyneth introduced Cetri to Kai, and while the two shared a rivalry, they temporarily set it aside in favor of developing a civil relationship. Even still, Gwyneth could sense an unmistakable tension in the air.

Kai brought the two to the palace that he explained had been recently renovated when he was a child. Aquaiot was always "changing with the tide" as Kai put it, and frequently updated not only the palace but houses and buildings as well. The palace just happened to be the top priority, with some renovations happening as frequently as twenty years apart. Gwyneth wondered if anyone was upset by the lack of preservation.

Still, Gwyneth couldn't help but admire the palace. Rather than being tall like Aeceria's and Losufea's, it was short enough that you could easily see over it in the distance. What it lacked in height it made up for in length. It must have been as long as three of her own castles combined. No, longer! The white walls managed to reflect some of the light from the sea, as well as the silver and gold roof. While she wouldn't trade her castle (mostly due to familiarity) for anything, something about the layout brought comfort and awe to her.

Cetri remained unimpressed.

As expected, neither could keep their weapons as they entered the palace. Gwyneth begrudgingly parted with Thea for the meantime.

Similar to Losufea, the palace was bustling with all sorts of people. Aquariots, humans, Fae... Was that a Cathruli? Although, none of these people seemed to be working. In fact, they seemed to be enjoying themselves, pointing out various aspects of the castle and whispering to each other.

"I should explain," Kai spoke up, causing Gwyneth to jump. "Not only is the palace my home, but it's also a bit of a... tourist attraction if you will. Many people from all over Halcyone come to visit the palace museum as well as taste our cuisine. Usually, we charge a fee, but because you're both royalty..." Kai chuckle. You're welcome to tour the palace at your leisure. I must let my siblings know of your visit. Excuse me."

"So much for showing us around." Cetri crossed her arms. She rolled her eyes the slightest amount, enough to make Gwyneth upset though she did not verbally lash out.

"He brought us this far. We should take advantage of this time while we wait," Gwyneth suggested as she pushed past Cetri to the entrance of what she assumed was the museum.

Cetri found the exhibits exciting for reasons Gwyneth couldn't comprehend.

Gwyneth imagined that there would be exhibits for weapons, old household items, maybe some sort of ancient family heirloom. While there were a handful of these items, most of the items seemed to be geological, like sedimentary rocks.

"What, they felt guilty about how much history they destroyed so they kept nonsensical fragments of it behind glass?" Gwyneth narrowed her eyes at the display as if the slab of stone before her could agree.

"Gwyneth! Check out this limestone!" Cetri hurriedly motioned her over.

"Yes, I see. It's a rock. Just like all of these other rocks." Gwyneth narrowed her eyes at the rock before her. Never in her life had she been so disappointed by a rock.

"But it's a sedimentary rock!" Cetri corrected as if that made all the difference in the world. "I wonder how it feels on your feet."

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Gwyneth sighed. Part of her wouldn't mind if the Cathruli broke the display to find out.

"Are you enjoying the exhibits?" a voice asked, nearly startling Gwyneth. A young woman not much younger than herself stood there with long flowing black hair and sepia skin. Gwyneth couldn't help but envy how silky her hair was.

"Yes, it's very... educational," Gwyneth answered, trying her best not to be rude. Cetri's eager nodding put her at ease.

The woman before her laughed. "That it is. Princess Gwyneth and Cetri of the Cathruli, correct?"

"That would be Princess—" Gwyneth was quick to correct but was cut off by Cetri.

"I'm pretty sure Aeceria is the only place that actually refers to us as 'princesses'," Cetri explained.

"Allow me to introduce myself. Princess Nadia of Aquariot." The woman before them bowed gracefully. "Though, I do believe we have met before." She smiled at Gwyneth who blushed at her inability to remember the princess before her.

"Correct," Gwyneth replied, still unable to remember ever having met her.

"I'm surprised you remember me!" Nadia beamed. "I clung behind my mother's skirt and practically never showed my face the entire time. It means a lot to me that you would remember me."

The guilt inside Gwyneth bubbled in her stomach, making her nauseous and want to disappear. Nevertheless, she simply smiled and nodded along.

"My brother told us about your arrival. Follow me! Everyone is so excited to meet you!" Nadia beckoned as she practically ran across the exhibit.

"Everyone...?" Gwyneth paled as she turned to Cetri, the other princess already making her way to catch up.

---

Gwyneth took a step outside the palace and let out a long exhale. Children had always made her anxious; being around five of them was like her worst nightmare coming true. When Kai had mentioned having a lot of siblings, she could not have possibly expected nine. And so, she decided to take a walk by the shore before settling in her new room.

She briefly winced at how cold the water was before reminding herself she would get used to it. She held her skirt in her arms as she allowed the water to hit her knees.

"Inheritor of light."

The sudden voice startled her, causing her to drop the skirt of her dress into the water. "Who's there?!" she demanded, turning every which way but finding no one.

"At ease. I am all around you."

Gwyneth's attention was drawn to the water bubbling around her.

And then it hit her.

"Elemental Spirit of Water..." she said respectfully, feeling both relieved that the voice wasn't hostile, but also scared and unsure of how she should address such a being.

"Correct, child." The voice was neither feminine nor masculine, but something undiscernible. It was as if air joined with water to create a harmonic frequency that echoed off the surface of the sea, something Gwyneth could never begin to describe.

"You're real," Gwyneth said without realizing the words had come out of her mouth. She quickly covered her mouth with both hands, her lips unintentionally sputtering as she tasted the salty water.

"Relax, little one. You can speak freely with me."

"Do you speak with everyone? Is it rude to assume that I'm special?"

The Spirit laughed, causing a warm tingling feeling to surge within Gwyneth. "Rude? Certainly not under the circumstances. A bit narcissistic, perhaps. I do not speak with others the way you and I are speaking now. I choose to communicate in a way the ones of the sea will understand."

Vague, okay.

"I chose to speak to you because you carry within you Thea's magic," the Spirit continued. "Quite bluntly, you interest me."

"Because I'm the prophesized hero?" Gwyneth looked up at the night sky, a million stars twinkling back at her. She lazily rolled her head back to stare at the water before her where she knew the Spirit resided.

"No. This... prophecy... isn't absolute. You are your own person, Gwyneth. If you are special, it is because you made yourself that way by your actions and choices in life. Nobody is born special, magic or not. Whether you choose to fulfill the prophecy is entirely up to you. It is neither the right choice nor the wrong."

The Spirit's words shocked Gwyneth speechless. She took a moment to process the words fully, and when she did, she felt a weight lifting off her. Ever since she woke up with magic, she felt the burden of the world on her shoulders. It was her responsibility to save Halcyone — to end her friend's life so that her world may know peace. And now she was being told she had a choice in this? That she wasn't powerless against her destiny? This truth was enough to make her cry tears of joy.

"Thank you..." She cried. Tears silently poured down her face before sliding off her chin to become one with the Spirit. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."