THE MERMAID HUMAN MATE

ZOE PALACE, ZUIK RIVER

"Long live the king, "the palace guards said in unison and everyone bowed as king Dylan swam into the palace majestically in his usual stern appearance

The waves of the water stopped, the wind ceased, the fishes stopped moving, and the sea shell halted their movement as they all paid homage to the king.

The moment he swam in, the palace's bright shiny red light came on and the palace became even more beautiful

He's holding his sceptre, wearing a golden amulet and his golden crown is sitting regally on his head

Everyone maintained their bowing position till he took his sit beside his queen .... sierra

The king's officials are all present and the son of great people in the kingdom which includes Richard ... the son of the closest man to the king

The princesses Entered and all the males present at the gathering turned their attention to them, it's actually a hard task to not stare at them anytime they are sighted, they are enchanting

Richard was disappointed when he didn't see Judy, only JoJo and Judith came

"Where is Judy?" queen Sierra asked when the two took their seat beside her

"She left the palace a while ago" Judith replied her mum

"How could she not be in the palace when the king specially called everyone, which means this gathering is important," Brett said worrying

Brett is the closest man to the king, therefore he's Richard's father

"She's probably out in the city performing her useless magic again" JoJo stated hatefully

"Stop hating her for nothing JoJo" Judith defended

"Who said I hate her? am just saying my mind" JoJo snapped

"That's enough!!"Dylan cautioned and they both bowed as short turbulence happened in the water, the young fishes ran into hiding

"We can still go on without her, tell me the news about the preparation," he asked staring keenly at brett

Brett stood.

"It's all set like you ordered your highness, the festival is ready to kick off," brett said

"When?"king Dylan asked

"Tomorrow, your highness" Brett replied bowing

"I can't wait!

Gosh, tomorrow should please come fast!!

Who do you think will sing?!!

I guess it's princess Judith!

No, she sang last year Already!!

It should be princess JoJo this year!!

I want it to be princess Judy!!"

People kept murmuring

Jojo held her breath and Richard smiled, knowing the chosen one already.

"It's up to you to choose the princess that Will sing so that'll finalise the preparations your highness"Brett bowed

"Judy is singing, "Dylan said and JoJo stand up shaking her tail in anger

"Your highness, Judy sang last three years, she sang last two years too, Judith sang last year, I wanna sing this year too, why can't I sing?, aren't I a princess too?, stop treating me like an outcast, I don't like it" she yelled and Dylan folded his fist angrily

JoJo's voice ceased immediately, she tried to speak again but she couldn't.

"Jojo" Queen sierra called worriedly rushing to her

"Her voice won't be back till after four hours, no one dares to defy me, even if you are my flesh and blood!!, I'm still DYLAN, the one and only ruler of ZOE!!! my words are final, Judy is singing" he said and great turbulence happened as she swam out of the palace angrily

Everyone had to hide behind the wave, it took close to five minutes before the water calmed

"Why would you yell at your father like that? are you out of your mind? have you forgotten he is the king? just be grateful you are his daughter otherwise it would have been another story, and now your voice is gone"queen Sierra rebuked

Jojo left the palace angrily too without showing any form of remorse.

"She'll never change, "Judith said before walking Away

Richard left the palace too and sneaked into the princess's chamber, he peeped at JoJo's room through the window she was busy breaking all the treasures in her room in anger

"So pathetic," he said and she stopped to look back at him

She started going closer to him

"I must confess that it is so great to see the almighty JoJo break her room treasures because of jealousy, that's nice" he mocked and immediately she got to him she hold his face and tried to kiss him but he pushed away

"What the heck, I can never be for you Jojo, try loving Judy as a sister, then I'll consider being friends with you," he said and swam away

"Judy this is all because of you!!"Jojo kept saying as she broke more treasures

*** ***

In another part of the river, mermaids and mermen gathered around a figure, forming a circle

A soothing tune is playing and the water waves are carrying it everywhere as it is played

A tiny voice is singing aloud

The closer they moved the clearer the figure became, the backside of a girl came to view and her long hair reached her waist as she sat, she was the one playing the violin, singing along

Take me to the land of ecstasy

Take me!,take me!!,take me!!! .....

Ecstasy, ecstasy ec-stacy!!!

Take my hands!!

My hands... take my hands!!

My heart and soul ......

My soul my soul my heart.....

My heart and soul will follow you!!!

Her face finally came to view when she stopped singing

"Princess Judy please marry me!!

She's too beautiful!!

Oh my, I love her voice!

I wish to die for her!!

I wish I have her voice!!

I want the hair!

"Was feeling sick before, but now am healed, her voice really heals!!" various comments from the people.

She smiled, hearing those comments from the people as she stood

Her long hair moved with the waves, making her look more beautiful.

"The three rules of life are?" she said

"Honesty, loyalty and love"the people echoed as she smiled

"Your highness please help me" a woman swam into the circle with her baby in her Arms

"What's wrong," Judy asked quickly

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"She got scratched mistakenly by an ancient shell, dying please help me, he has been bleeding heavily," The woman said crying

Judy swam closer to her and touched the baby's forehead with her index finger

She removed it three minutes and then opened her mouth a violent flame came out and hit the baby's face

"Arii arii manasarii she said the magical words the bleeding stopped immediately and the baby opened her eyes

"She's fine now" Judy concluded

"Thanks your highness, your kindness will always earn you well," The woman said and Judy smiled

"Please take good care of him, "Judy said

"Of course your highness," she said as Judy swam away

Everyone bowed respectfully as she left the circle

She was about to disappear when Richard appeared

"Now what?" she asked not looking back

"Why are you always mean to me?, what have I ever done to you? you will soon become my betrothed Judy," he said feeling hurt

"In your wildest dreams Richard" she replied to him as she swam farther away from him

She finally disappeared and appeared at the palace

The guards bowed as she swarm past them, Judith appeared

"Where were you, Judy?"Judith asked as they swam side to side

"Went for healing, was his majesty angry?"Judy asked

"Not really, but guess what? you are singing at the festival and the festival is tomorrow" Judith chirped loudly

"Tomorrow? it's sudden and JoJo should sing not me" Judy replied

"It is sudden because Brett took long for the preparations, and another rumour am hearing is that you will be betrothed to Richard tomorrow," Judith said and Judy quickly faced her

"Betrothed? without my consent? Judy said aloud

"You Know how his majesty can be sometimes he even seized JoJo's voice because she shouted at him when you got chosen, he seized it for hours, but it's back now" Judith replied

"Of course, it's back" JoJo interrupted swimming past their middle at the speed of light

Judith flew and landed on the chamber walls hurting her left foot but Judy stood still

"Are you okay? "Judy asked worriedly

"I'm...I'm....I'm fine," she said hurtfully

"Why must you take everything away from me you little witch" JoJo spat at Judy

"I don't understand you at all"Judy replied still massaging her foot

"Oh please, don't act like you don't understand what am saying witch, first it was the voice and face! am supposed to have the two! that voice doesn't suit you and that face was supposed to be mine, second was the king's heart, you are the king's favourite and that's why he always chooses you over me! third was Richard, you stole his heart from me, you little witch!"Jojo screamed pulling Judy's heart

"Get the calming water from the queen, you will be fine big sis" Judy said as she released herself from JoJo's grip and went back to Judith

She helped her up and said the magic words in her mind, her wounds healed up immediately and they both swam away

Judy!Judy!!, I will make sure you regret ever taking what belongs to me"JoJo shouted after her, breathing heavily

She saw the guards looking at her, and she grabbed both of them angrily

"Go to hell" she shouted before throwing it at the wall as she angrily swim away

*** ***

CHICAGO, 6 AM, THE GOLD'S MANSION

Alex is currently running, searching for where the tune is coming from.

A violin sound is heard, and he can hear the tiny voice of a girl singing along to it, it was enchanting because he was enchanted by it, it kept drawing him closer and he can't resist it.

As he ran he got closer and closer to the voice

He finally got to where the tune was coming from, a girl was sitting on the chair, with her back turned against him, her long black hair is being blown by the air, and the aura around her smells Like fragrance he started going closer.

The sound of her voice made his heart flutter and the tune she is playing with the violin is so soothing it kept dreaming him closer

Take me to the land of ecstasy

Take me!,take me!!,take me!!!..........

Ecstasy ec stacy!!!

Take my hands!!

My hands......take my hands!!

My heart and soul.......

He finally got to her but when he tried to touch her, he woke up from the sweet dream

He got up from the bed and moved his blindfold, hanging it in his hair

His handsome face came into view and he smiled

"Why is this dream always ending anytime I try to touch her??, I haven't even seen her face for once" he pouted cutely

He started having the dream when he turned eighteen the previous month, he has it almost every night and anytime he tries to touch her so he can see her face the dream ends

"Why is it always ending there, I hate it!!, I need to see her face what if she's someone I know, gosh!!" he complained holding his forehead

My name is Alex Gold, the only son of Kate and Kelvin Gold, my parents own the biggest group in America, the Goldline group, obviously named after us and yes!!, I am the only heir

"Good morning my jewel", Kate said entering fully into the room as he smiled

"Good morning mum" he replied giggling

She sat on his bed hugging him

"How was your night?" she asked stroking his hair

"I had the dream again mum" he replied slowly

"Again? did you see the girl's face this time!"Kate asked

"No mum, why is she punishing me I really need to see her face" he whined

You know what?try harder next time" Kate replied as they both burst into laughter

"Aren't you going to school today, it's 6:39" Kate added

"Come on mum, our class starts by 8:00 today, but I have to do some things before then" he replied rushing into the bathroom

"I'll make your bread and......" she waited for him to complete the statement

"And egg mum*he shouted from the bathroom

"Okay, sweetie! don't stay long" Kate replied leaving his room as she headed to the kitchen.

Alex dressed up hastily and came downstairs

"Where is dad?, he's off to work I guess," he said sitting down

"Sure, you know my baby is a workaholic" Kate replied

"Why can't he just rest for once," he said sipping his tea

"My baby is only trying to make life comfortable for us you know" Kate replied to him as she served his egg

"Isn't it weird that you call him your baby while you call honey? I mean I should be the baby not him" he said and Kate laughed

"Is that jealousy" she raised an eyebrow

"Come on mum," he said and she smiled

He ate two slices of bread but made sure to finish the whole plate of egg

"Bye mum," he said as he rushed out of the house

"Make sure you eat lunch at school, okay?" she yelled after him

"Sure mum" he replied before getting into the car

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*** ***

MANTLE MUSICAL SCHOOL

Alex's car halted at the park and he rushed out before checking his time

"Oh God!, how did I run this late?"I shouldn't have visited those dumb head

He was about to leave when two familiar cars he knew drove inside as well

Blake came out of the first one, and Chad came out of the second one

They were his friends

"What a cool coincidence Mr Amos and miss Casey will eat us raw, guys you don't wanna know why am late"Alex added

"We'll have to find an excuse else we'll be punished," Blake said

"Blake can we say your mother fainted and we took her to the hospital"Chad replied

"Fuck you," Blake said raising his index finger and Alex laughed

"Let's use my mum then" Chad replied

"Thanks, bro, you are the best after best, "Alex said hugging Chad

"As if" Blake said as they made their way to the class

They got to the doorstep and each took a deep breath

"We can do this"Alex whispered

Song and different instruments were playing in the class

"Now" Chad whispered and they all went in at the same Time

The songs stopped and the instrument paused as well...all eyes turned to them

Miss Casey and mister Amos were already in as predicted

The girls stared lustfully at the three dudes

The class princes are here

Denika bit her lips when she saw Alex

"He keeps getting more and more handsome," she said kissing her musical note

"Yeah I know, is that you have a dangerous crush on him," Gemma replied from her right side

"They brighten up my day I swear"Ann replied from her left side

"Why are you guys late? Mr Amos asked looking stern

"Chad's mum was sick so we had to take her to the hospital," Alex said

"Which hospital?" Miss Casey asked

"Nivea hospital," Alex said

"Sideon hospital," Chad said

"Caret hospital," Blake said

They all spoke at the same time

"Oh my God, I didn't know you have three mothers," Miss Casey said faking ignorance

"Oh right, we forgot to rehearse"Chad muttered.

Chad murmured, "Fuck we got caught," as Mr Amos went to retrieve the attendance book from the front desk.

Alex mumbled, "Wicked man, can not he simply forgive us this once?" as he looked at him.

He told Alex Gold, Blake Luther, and Chad King's that each of them had one point deducted from their score.

Chad pleaded with Mr Amos to listen to his complaints.

"One more point of discipline for each of you," Mr Amos said, as the entire classroom erupted into laughter.

While they were making their way to their seats, Alex rolled his eyes and said, "Congratulations, you just added one additional penalty point for us each."

Chad explained, "But all I was trying to do was to make a case for us."

The focus of the school is mostly on music, and there are departments for every class.

It is made up of the vocalists, the cellist, the pianist, the violinists, the drummers, and a great many others.

Denika, Blake, Gemma, and Ann are all singers, and Denika is one of the greatest base singers in the group. Blake is also a singer and is considered one of the best in the group.

Denika's voice is undeniably high-pitched and exquisitely lovely; as a result of this talent, she has an inflated sense of self-importance and comes in first place among singers.

Chad is a talented violinist who is also considered to be among the greatest in his field; while he is performing, he flashes a charming smile that makes his charming dimple stand out even more.

Phoebe is the only Korean student at her school and plays the violin. She is the top female violinist in her section and also plays the violin.

Alex is a pianist, and he leads while others follow in the department. He is the only pianist in the school who has ever played the piano for three hours straight non-stop without rest, and no one has ever been able to break that record no matter how hard they tried. Alex is the only pianist in the school who has ever done this, and no one has ever been able to break that record.

The class was going to be divided up according to the departments, so all of the male students found their respective seats.

"You should learn how to tell perfect falsehoods the next time, even the dumbest person would be able to tell it was a lie," Phoebe stated as soon as Chad took his seat beside her. "Everyone would be able to know that was a lie," Phoebe said.

Phoebe grinned as he firmly yelled, "Hey, stop," interrupting her.

Denika could not stop staring at Alex as she passed him by from where she was seated; she was in the best seat for singers, while he was in the best seat for pianists, so they were not too far apart.

Miss Casey made her statement sound more like a question when she stated, "I am confident every department knows where is to turn their musical notes to?"

Phoebe made the announcement while demonstrating the violists by raising her hand and saying, "Excluding us."

Mr Amos called out "Page 13," and everyone in the room opened their books.

As each person left the room, Miss Casey called out, "Phoebe and Chad from the violinists' Department, Alex you are playing the piano, Ann you are singing with blake.... from the Cellist group cotton and Vincent," and then she ushered them all out.

Denika spoke to the man with an arrogant tone, asking, "Sir, I should be the one to lead the singers since I have the finest voice, do not you think?"

Mr Amos responded, "Considering that you have been leading the songs since Monday, I do not think it would be inappropriate for another girl to lead this time around."

Denika mumbled something inaudible to herself as she took a seat stealthily as Ann joined the rest of the group.

The instrumentalists all took their seats in front of their respective organs, with the exception of Ann and Blake, who stood throughout the performance.

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