CHAPTER 40: IT’S BEACH DAY!!!

Evelisse gripped the table.

’This shell is cursed. Or enchanted. Or enchanted and cursed. Either way—no thank you.’

But the shell pulsed again. Louder. A warm note that pressed into her palm without even touching her.

She shoved the plate away.

The hum didn’t stop.

It thrummed through her bones now—calling. Beckoning.

And when she finally dared to lift it...

A flash of light burst from the inside.

And a new symbol appeared—one that hadn’t been there before.

A key.

Etched in gold light.

’Nope. Nope nope—’

She stared at it like it had slapped her.

’You’ve got to be kidding me.’

Then whispered under her breath: "*What do you WANT from me now?*"

"Evelisse?" came Aldric’s voice—firm but concerned.

She jumped. So did the shell. Not literally, but she could’ve sworn the hum flinched with her.

"Evelisse," Aldric repeated, this time standing up from his chair with a subtle but protective authority. "Is everything alright?"

She blinked up at him, eyes wide.

All around the table, her brothers had turned.

Jared’s breadstick froze mid-dip. Leo’s palm paused above the jelly tray. Felix’s sketch was half a doodle of Snugglewuff wearing sunglasses. Lucien set his spoon down silently.

Even her mother had gone still.

’Of course they’d all notice. Great. Wonderful. Let’s all stare at the seven-year-old like I just dropped a dragon egg.’

Fluffy, still hovering beside her shoulder, nudged her lightly.

"Say something. Fast. Something smart. Something princess-y."

Evelisse plastered on the most innocent smile she could muster. "I—I’m well, Father. Just, um..." She glanced down at the plate. "...maybe I’m still a little dizzy from all the, uh, fish-related activity today."

Fluffy snorted hard beside her, trying and failing to muffle a laugh.

"Dizzy... from fish?" Aldric raised an eyebrow.

Jared leaned over. "You mean from getting smacked in the face by one?"

"Don’t mock her," Marcus said gently. "Fish karma’s real."

"I believe it," Callum added. "They’ve been plotting since breakfast."

Lucien, ever the voice of logic, narrowed his eyes slightly but said nothing.

Queen Seraphina tilted her head. "You’ve been very quiet tonight, sweetheart."

"I promise I’m fine," Evelisse said, a little too fast. "I think it was just... too much sun. My feet nearly fell off. I’m considering requesting royal floatation privileges for tomorrow."

This time, Fluffy wheezed with laughter, burying his tiny face in a napkin.

"Royal floatation privileges?" Felix repeated, wide-eyed.

"To be carried on a cloud of pillows and sugar," she said solemnly.

Jared clutched his chest. "An icon."

Evelisse forced her face into a polite, slightly embarrassed smile and gave a shy curtsy from her seat.

"I—um—I just thought the plate looked like a little boat," she said innocently. "And I imagined it sailing across the syrup."

A beat of silence.

Then Fluffy burst out laughing.

"Sailing the syrup?!"

Lucien raised a brow. "That’s... highly inefficient."

Jared snorted so hard he choked on his juice. "A syrup ship?! That’s what had you zoned out?"

"It was a *very* detailed daydream," Evelisse added with a pout, cheeks flushed.

"I’d say," Aldric muttered with a barely-there smirk. "But... alright. Just let us know if anything feels strange."

"Of course, Father."

He sat back down slowly, though his gaze lingered on her a moment longer. Evelisse looked down at her lap, still feeling the shell’s warm hum radiating through her plate.

’That was close. Too close. Just shows they can’t see this piece of shi—’

"Language! Princess." Fluffy reminded her.

Evelisse sighed and rubbed her temples.

Fluffy wiped an imaginary tear from his eye. "You’ve earned my eternal respect for your under pressure lies, Princess. Sailing syrup. Legendary."

’Shut up,’ she thought fondly. ’I bought us time.’

Fluffy smirked. "Barely."

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

Sunlight burst across Azure Bay like a golden tide. A perfect vacation breeze swept through the open windows of the cliffside manor. Birds sang, waves lapped, and Fluffy was already bouncing on her chest like a deranged alarm clock.

"Get up, get up, get UP! It’s swim day!"

Evelisse groaned, rolled over, and flopped onto the floor.

"Owww!" She groaned in pain.

She didn’t stay down long.

Because this was beachday.

And not just any beach day—full family swimsuit chaos beach day.

"I’ll finally wear my new floaties today!"

She beamed, helping herself up and showing off the dolphin-shaped inflatable arm rings.

They weren’t just dolphins. They were winged dolphins. With glitter.

Fluffy rolled over in the air. "They look like flying sausages."

"Don’t insult my magical swim companions," Evelisse huffed, puffing out her cheeks.

"You’re adorable when you act like a child. Oh wait—"

She stuck her tongue out and wiggled into her sea-pink swimsuit—ruffled, ruched, and royally cute. She adjusted her hair into two curly buns.

"I knew I could dress myself!" Evelisse said with a proud smirk of accomplishment.

♡ ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡

The beach shimmered beyond the window, waves glinting like polished glass.

By the time she joined the others on the sand, her jaw nearly dropped.

Queen Seraphina wore a flowing, transparent wrap skirt over a two-piece that shimmered like pearls. Her long golden hair danced behind her in the sea breeze, her hourglass shape as elegant as a storybook enchantress.

Evelisse looked around to see if anyone else was gawking.

But no. Everyone was used to it.

Leo was adjusting his surf gloves. Lance was stuffing crab bait into a pouch. Felix was already halfway through sketching their mother like it was routine.

’Desensitized. That’s what they are. Desensitized!’

King Aldric strolled toward them with the calm of a man who once fought sea giants. His royal swim trunks were simple—navy with gold lining—but the muscles beneath his skin were sharp and lean, his chest marked by faded battle scars across his back.

Even the sea breeze paused respectfully.

"Dear stars," Jared murmured. "Mother, you’re gorgeous. I swear, if I marry someone half your caliber, I win at life."

"Aw, sweetheart," Seraphina smiled. "I wish you luck with that."

"And Father," Jared turned dramatically, "I will reach your level of physique. Just give me a few months."

Callum nearly dropped his sunscreen bottle. "With what routine? Emotional lifting?"

Leo cackled. "Or that donut lifting you do every tea time?"

Jared flipped his hair. "Greatness takes preparation."

Felix piped up. "Also, genetics. Something you might be lacking, big bro."

Callum pointed a thumb at Aldric. "That body wasn’t made from some noble gym class. It was earned on the battlefield. With dragons. Probably."

Aldric chuckled and pulled Seraphina close. "I don’t need you to be me. I need each of you to be the strongest you."

His eyes flicked—intentionally—to Lucien.

Lucien met his gaze. For a second, something flickered. A shared burden. The weight of expectation, maybe.

But then Aldric grinned and kissed Seraphina square on the mouth.

It wasn’t a little peck, either. It was wet. Sensual. And very married.

"EWWWW!" Evelisse squealed as she shielded her eyes.

"Someone save the children!" Callum cried, flailing dramatically.

"MY CORNEAS," Marcus shouted.

Felix drew the kiss with hearts and sparkles.

Jared, however, simply watched the kiss like he was analyzing techniques. "Interesting angle and tongue work, father..."

Lucien sighed. "I’m surrounded by lunatics."

"Welcome to royalty," Fluffy whispered. "Population: extra."

Aldric pulled back and chuckled. "Alright. Today’s our final day here. Make it count. Games, exploration, swimming, fun. We leave tomorrow morning."

Evelisse nodded, eyes flicking to the satchel where she had hidden the shell from the previous night.

Fun.

Sure.

If glowing shells, prophetic murals, and mysterious keys could be called "fun."

But today—at least for today—she’d try to make the most of it.

Even if something was definitely coming.