Once I felt normal again, I climbed out of the water and went to lunch, still feeling mentally drained from the overexertion of my mana. I settled into my usual seat beside Gwen, who greeted me with a warm smile.

Soon after, we were joined by two other noble girls—Winter and Fawn. I couldn't help but notice how their names perfectly matched the types of magic they wielded. Winter had an air of frostiness, and I could sense her affinity for ice magic. At the same time, Fawn exuded a natural warmth and vibrancy, suggesting a connection to nature or earth magic.

Both girls were dressed beautifully, their elegant attire showcasing their noble status. As we began to chat, I felt a sense of camaraderie growing among us, a welcome distraction from the past few days' events.

Gwen's announcement snapped me out of my thoughts. "We're all going shopping after school," she said, her excitement evident. "You need a gown for the gala my mother is throwing for you, Sam."

I had almost forgotten about the gala, but as soon as Gwen mentioned it, I remembered its significance. This event would be crucial for me to meet the other world leaders, establish connections, and present myself as the Queen of the Seas. The thought of the gala filled me with both anticipation and a touch of anxiety. I wanted to make a good impression and knew the perfect gown would help set the tone for the evening.

"Shopping sounds great!" I replied, trying to match Gwen's enthusiasm. "I can't wait to find something that truly represents who I am now."

"Gwen, can we invite my sister as well?" I asked, hoping she would be open to the idea. "Megan hasn't had a chance to shop for clothes since we moved to Faen Shanta."

Gwen's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Of course! The more, the merrier. It'll be fun to have her join us. We can help her pick out something beautiful, too."

I smiled, feeling relieved and excited. It would be nice for Megan to be included in this new chapter of our lives, and I hoped the shopping trip would lift her spirits as well.

I had a guard bring me a messenger so I could let Megan know when and where to meet us for the shopping trip. As I sent the message, Fawn clapped her hands and squealed, "I've never been shopping with a human before!" Winter and Gwen chimed in, agreeing with her excitement.

"Wait, seriously? Do you even have any human friends?" I asked, surprised by their collective enthusiasm.

They exchanged glances before answering in unison, "No."

"But there are so many humans around here! You've never befriended any of them?" I asked, genuinely surprised.

Winter shrugged, and Gwen replied, "Noble life can be pretty isolating. We're expected to interact primarily with other elves, especially those of higher status."

I nodded, understanding their situation. I would have been excited to befriend another species, but the world of nobility seemed to come with its own set of barriers. It made me even more grateful for the friendships I was building, both with elves and now with my sister.

The afternoon dragged on, with each class feeling like a repeat of the year before. It was the same old material, and none of us had much interest in it. By the time the final bell rang, I was more than ready to escape the classroom and dive into something more exciting.

The anticipation of shopping brightened my mood. It took a bit to get everything organized and packed, but soon enough, we were on our way to the mall. The thought of finding the perfect gown for the gala filled me with excitement, and I couldn't wait to see what kind of styles awaited us.

As we arrived at the mall, a commotion caught my attention near the front door. I quickly spotted Megan being manhandled by a couple of security guards and a group of elves. They were spitting at her and hurling insults, and my anger boiled over instantly.

"Let her go!" I screamed, channeling my magic. A powerful spray of water erupted from my hands, slamming the elves into the side of the building with a force that surprised even me.

Turning my gaze to the security guards, I conjured bubbles of water that danced around my hands, ready to defend my sister. After my outburst, I could hear the police calling in the Mage Corps, and I knew this was only the beginning of what could escalate into a much larger confrontation.

I never took my eyes off the guards. "Why are you roughing up my sister?" My voice dripped with anger. "You will let her go, or I'll have you all fired from your jobs."

The guards exchanged uncertain glances, clearly caught off guard by my outburst. They looked between me and the police, who were keeping their distance, seemingly unsure how to intervene. The tension in the air was palpable as I stood my ground, ready to defend Megan at all costs.

The Mage Corp finally arrived, but they began barking orders at me instead of assessing the situation. "Release your spell, or we must take you down."

"I will release my spell when those guards let my sister go," I shot back defiantly. They glanced at me, then at Megan, who was still restrained.

"I'm sorry, but we can't do that. She is under arrest for trespassing," one of the guards replied.

"What do you mean trespassing?" I snarled, incredulous. "How could she be trespassing in a public place?"

Just then, one of the Mage Corp officers attempted to send a stun bolt my way, but I quickly raised a wall of water, causing the bolt to sizzle out harmlessly.

"Stop everything! Do you all know who I am?" Gwen stepped up in front of me, her presence commanding. She looked back at me, saying, "Sam, drop your spells. Trust me, I will get your sister out of this."

With determination, Gwen approached the guards, locking eyes with them. "Let the girl go. There's no way you can tell me she was trespassing. If I find out this was racial profiling, I will not only have you fired, but you will be sent to the dwarven mines as slave labor. You see, the woman you just pissed off is the Queen of the Seas, and this is her sister."

The guards quickly released Megan, who rushed over to my side. Gwen then turned to the Mage Corp, her voice steady and fierce. "Are you going to try and arrest a queen while she was defending her sister? That seems like the quickest way to lose your job, as well. Officers, have these despicable elves arrested on assault charges."

With that, the tide of the situation shifted dramatically in our favor.

The manager hurried out the door, bowing deeply as he approached me. "You wanted me, Your Majesty," he said, his voice shaky.

"Tell me why your guards are harassing innocent humans and having them arrested for trespassing?" I demanded, my anger barely contained.

"Your majesty, that's the order the shops in the mall give us," he stammered, clearly uncomfortable under my gaze.

"Oh really?" I replied, my voice sharp. "Then fire your guards for injuring my sister. If I ever hear of another human being arrested on trumped-up trespassing charges, I will take your job, and you can explain your actions to your Queen."

His eyes widened, and I could see the realization that I was not someone to be trifled with. The gravity of my words hung in the air, making it clear that I was serious about protecting those I cared for.

"Thank you, Princess Gwen, for again saving me from disrespectful elves," I announced loudly enough for everyone to hear, ensuring my disparagement of those involved was evident.

Turning back to my companions, I added, "Let's get Megan cleaned up and find her some proper clothes." The girls giggled and moved to surround Megan protectively while I held her hand as we entered the mall.

Megan looked a bit upset. "Why are you going to spend money at these stores after what they did to me?"

"Who said we were paying them?" I replied, a determined glint in my eye. "It seems to me that they owe you this after what they put you through."

Reclaiming what was rightfully hers, her dignity would seem to brighten her mood, and I felt a sense of satisfaction knowing we were taking control of the situation together.

As the five of us walked into the mall, I caught snippets of grumbling from the elves nearby, but I ignored them. "Which store were you looking at, sis?" I asked Megan.

She pointed across the hall at a shop. "That one!"

"Perfect! It would be best if you had clothes befitting your status as a noblewoman," I announced, making a show of emphasizing her noble status.

Winter quickly caught on to what I was doing. "Exactly, Megan! As the sister to the Queen here, we can't have you going around looking like anything other than the noble you are."

Megan's expression shifted from upset to a mix of pride and amusement. It felt good to turn the situation into something empowering for her, and I knew she would shine in whatever we found for her.

Megan leaned in and whispered, "You're laying it on pretty thick there, little sis."

"Absolutely, big sis. No one messes with my family now that I can protect you," I said, giving her a wink.

Once we entered the store, I told her to browse and pick out anything she liked. I approached the cashier directly. "Are you the one who called security on that woman over there?" I asked, keeping my tone steady.

The cashier's eyes widened. "How did she get back in here? I'm so sorry that this offensive human is here. I'll make sure she gets what's coming to her this time. I don't know what security is doing today."

"Security? Oh, that's right; I had them all fired for laying a hand on her. I want to see your manager or owner."

"I'm sorry, but they've gone for the day. I would ask you to leave and take your pet human with you."

"Princess Gwen, can you come over here for a second?" I called out.

"As you wish, Your Majesty," she replied, rushing over. The cashier looked baffled, clearly taken aback by the princess's following of my orders.

"How can I assist you, Queen Sam?" Gwen asked, her demeanor professional.

"This is the lady who called the police on Megan," I explained.

"Oh dear, this is not good for you," Gwen said, her tone shifting. "You insulted nobility. You see, my friend Megan over there is the Queen's sister. You must do something significant as retribution for insulting the Queen and her sister."

I smiled at the cashier, who was now wide-eyed. "Now, do you want to contact whoever is in charge of this store?"

Without a word, she rushed off, clearly flustered by the turn of events.

Megan approached me with a cheerful smile, holding up a lovely top. "I found you a lovely top. It'll go well with your scales."

I examined the top, and it really did look good. The other girls nodded in agreement. "Put it in the pile," I laughed, feeling a surge of confidence as we continued our shopping.

An elven woman charged into the store with an angry scowl on her face, heading straight for the cashier. "What is so important that you had to interrupt my date?" she snapped. The cashier attempted to explain, but all the woman heard was the word "human" in the store.

She rushed over to Megan, her hand raised as if ready to slap her. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," Fawn warned, stepping before Megan. The woman paused, taken aback by the interruption.

I slipped in behind Megan, my presence a protective barrier. Gwen stepped forward, her tone commanding. "You know who I am, right?"

"Of course, your majesty. I will be right with you once I get rid of this vermin," the woman replied dismissively.

"Now you've really done it. You've insulted nobility to her face," Gwen countered, her expression serious.

"I am very sorry, Your Majesty. I will make it up to you once I've got this human out of my store so that you can shop in peace without her," the elven woman insisted, still unaware of the gravity of her mistakes.

"Oh, you misunderstand what's going on," Gwen said, shaking her head. "Your cashier and you have not offended me. No, you two have offended Ms. Megan here."

"I don't understand, Your Majesty. Why do you call this human a noble? Surely, the Queen hasn't granted nobility to any humans."

"You're right; my mother has not granted nobility to any humans. The woman standing behind Megan with a huge scowl on her face— that would be Queen Sam, and Megan is her sister and also my friend."

The realization hit the woman like a wave, and her eyes widened. Megan smiled smugly, saying, "I have already picked out a bundle of clothes that I think would be adequate repentance for the insult and abuse I received because of the cashier's actions."

"Are you sure that this repentance is enough, sis?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"I think we have wasted enough time on these pieces of trash. You promised me you would get me a gown for the Queen's Gala," Megan said, throwing in that dig with a smirk.

The tension in the air shifted, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph as we took control of the situation.

Megan looked at me as the ladies handed her the bags of clothes, curiosity shining in her eyes. "What would you do with this store, sis?"

I smirked, feeling a mischievous glint in my eye. "Megan, I might just give it to Mom and Dad so they can manage it and put more money in my coffers."

Megan laughed at the idea, and I could see that the earlier tension was fading away. It felt good to lighten the mood, especially after the chaos we had just faced. We had turned a troubling situation into a win, and I was determined to keep the momentum going.

Fawn's serious tone cut through the lingering excitement. "We've had our fun, but now is the time to buckle down and get you two gowns for the gala."

We all giggled at her earnestness. I had to admit that now that the seriousness had passed, I was genuinely enjoying spending time shopping with my friends. We sifted through racks of beautiful dresses, each of us picking out our favorites, though I noticed that nothing really caught my eye.

While my friends seemed to find gowns that perfectly matched their personalities, I felt a little out of place. Still, I was determined to support Megan and have a great time with my friends, even if I hadn't found my own gown yet.

As the four of them found their dresses, they began to help me search for mine. Finally, I spotted one that would work for me. It was a long sleeveless sheath gown with a rounded neckline, and I was admiring it from the front. "Hey everyone, I think I found one!"

Megan came around the corner and burst out laughing. "What's so funny?" I asked, feeling puzzled.

Soon, the other girls joined her, and their laughter filled the air. "What's going on?" I asked, completely confused.

Megan managed to catch her breath and said, "Turn the dress around. I believe you would make quite the statement in that dress if Mom or Dad ever let you see the light of day in it."

Curious, I turned the dress around, and that's when I saw it—a giant cutout on the back that would expose my entire back down to my butt. My eyes went wide, and my face turned a deep shade of red. I quickly put the dress back on the rack and shivered, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me as the girls erupted in laughter.

"We never speak of this again," I said firmly, trying to regain some dignity.

"What's the big deal? The whole world has seen you already," Gwen teased, a mischievous grin on her face.

"Really?" Fawn and Winter chimed in, clearly enjoying the banter.

I shrugged, feeling a bit shy. "My chest is always covered in scales, so I don't really think that's all that bad."

"When we get home, you have to show me those pictures," Fawn said to Gwen, her eyes sparkling excitedly.

"Not happening!" I shot back, laughing despite my embarrassment. It was nice to have friends who could lighten the mood, even in the most awkward moments.

"Let's just find a modest dress that is appropriate for someone my age," I huffed, eager to move past the earlier incident.

We all got back to work, scouring the racks for the perfect dress. It wasn't long before Megan held up a dress and declared, "This is it!" I rushed over to the rack she was at, my heart racing with hope.

The dress was another silk sheath, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me when I noticed it didn't have a cutout. It was a stunning glistening purple, with capped sleeves and a slight dropping neckline. In my mind, it was perfect the moment I discovered it was cutout-free.

Overjoyed, I gave my sister a huge hug, thanking her for finding such a beautiful dress. "This is exactly what I was looking for!" I exclaimed, feeling a sense of excitement building for the gala.

Megan and I enjoyed the carriage ride back to my manor, chatting about the dresses and our plans for the gala. However, our good mood quickly turned sour as we arrived and were met at the door by our parents, their expressions dark and angry.

"Where have you two been?" my mother demanded, her voice sharp. "Do you have any idea what trouble you've caused today?"

I exchanged a worried glance with Megan, feeling the weight of their disapproval settle over us.

"Mom, I was just trying to protect Megan," I whined, feeling the heat of frustration rising.

"Why did Megan need saving?" my mother replied, crossing her arms.

I took a deep breath, explaining, "Gwen, Winter, Fawn, and I were late getting to the mall. Megan was waiting inside when some bigoted elves tried to have her arrested. She ended up getting roughed up by a group of them. When I saw those elves hurting Megan, I got angry and acted to save her."

"Well, those elves you injured are now looking for restitution from our family because you attracted their attention and then had them arrested," she said, her tone sharp.

"I didn't have them arrested—that was Gwen! They won't get restitution from us. If the police let them go, I'll just have a talk with the Queen."

"You don't understand; they were noblemen," she said, her voice rising in frustration.

"Really? That helps the situation even more! Who has filed the complaints?" I asked, my eyebrows raised in disbelief.

She looked at me, confused, and pointed to a stack of letters.

"Thank you. I will write a reply. But remember, all of you are noble because I'm the Queen, and you are my family. You're all of the same rank as the prince and princess. The elves are obligated to treat you as royalty."

I felt a surge of determination. This was my family, and I would make sure they were treated with the respect they deserved.

As I began drafting my replies, I noticed my parents had lost all their steam, staring at me in confusion. I smiled, feeling a sense of resolve wash over me. I quickly wrote a response to the letters I had received, explaining our side of the incident.

In my message to the police, I stated that the men had assaulted my sister, the first princess, and made it clear that I expected them to do their jobs. If they failed to take appropriate action, I would not hesitate to contact their Queen.

Once I finished, I had a messenger take the letters for delivery. It felt good to assert my authority and ensure that my family was protected. I was ready to stand up for what was right and show everyone that I meant business.

It was getting ridiculous—the ongoing hate directed toward me and my family. I knew I needed to take action to protect us, so I started writing another letter, this time to Queen Liatrish.

In my letter, I expressed my concerns about the hostility and asked for her help finding good-quality guards for my family. I explained the situation, detailing the threats we faced and how it seemed increasingly unsafe. I conveyed my hope that she could provide guidance or recommend trusted guards who could ensure our safety.

Once the letter was complete, I arranged for another messenger to deliver it, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination. I needed my family safe, and I would do whatever was needed. I wish there were more mermaids than I could ask for help from.

I fell asleep worrying about my family and whether they would be safe. My dreams turned into nightmares, and I couldn't find them, no matter where I searched. I woke up screaming, tears streaming down my face as I lay on my bed. The remnants of the nightmare made me afraid to go back to sleep; I just wanted my parents.

Gathering my courage, I got up and walked to their room, knocking softly on the door. My mother answered, and when she saw my tear-soaked face, she immediately pulled me into a tight hug.

"Come on, sweetheart," she said soothingly as she walked me back to my room. She lay down beside me, wrapping her arms around me.

I recounted my dream to her, and she simply said, "We are here, and we are safe."

With her comforting presence beside me, I slowly drifted to sleep, feeling secure in her arms.

When I woke up, my mom was still in bed with me, and it felt good to feel safe in her arms. I tried to snuggle in closer, but my mom woke up quickly, exclaiming, "Ow!" She pulled her arms away from me, checking her forearms.

Panic washed over me as I realized I might have hurt her. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I was so close to running away, thinking that I had ruined our closeness and would never feel her warm hugs again. But then, to my relief, Mom reached around me and hugged me tightly once more.

"It's okay, Sam. It's just a scratch. I'm okay," she said soothingly. "I'll be more careful, so I don't scrape my arms on your scales again."

Her words eased my fears, and I hugged her back tightly, feeling the comfort of her presence wash over me.

There was a knock at my door, and my dad's voice came through. "Sam, are you okay? Can I come in?"

"Yes, Dad, you can come in. We are both decent," I replied, my voice still a little shaky.

He opened the door and walked in, immediately noticing my red, puffy eyes. "What happened, buddy?" he asked, concern etched on his face as he sat down beside me.

Before I could respond, my mom answered for me. "Bad dream, and she's under so much stress. I think it just finally became too much."

I looked at my dad, feeling grateful for the support from both my parents. It felt good to have them by my side, reminding me that I wasn't alone in facing the challenges ahead.

I finally made my way down the stairs when a knock sounded at the door. Harold opened it and rushed up to me. "The Queen is here for you, Your Majesty."

I walked to the door and ushered her into the sitting room. Despite my efforts, my smile for her didn't quite reach my eyes; I was still trying to get myself straight after the rough night. "It's a pleasure to meet with you today, Liatrish."

"You might want to tell your face that, Sam. I take it you had a rough night?" she observed, her voice gentle yet perceptive.

I nodded, not wanting to explain that I had a bad dream and needed my mom to comfort me. Instead, I focused on the Queen, hoping to shift the conversation to something more positive.

My mom walked into the sitting room, her expression bright. "Your Majesty, would you like to join us for breakfast?"

"I can't turn down a request like this. I would love to join you for breakfast," Liatrish replied with a warm smile. Then, leaning down to whisper to me, she added, "I have never had human breakfast before."

I could see the excitement in her eyes as we followed my mom into the dining room.

As we entered, my dad looked up, his mouth opening to say something. But when he noticed Liatrish, he jumped up quickly, fumbling and tripping over his own feet as he rushed around the table to offer her a chair.

Megan was already seated, but she seemed too shocked to speak at the sight of the Queen joining us for breakfast. The atmosphere was a mix of nervousness and excitement, and I felt a smile creeping onto my face as I watched my family's reactions. This was shaping up to be a memorable meal.

After I settled into my seat, Liatrish cleared her throat. "I have already told Sam this, but I wanted to share how deeply sorry I am for Megan's treatment yesterday. I also brought some of my Royal Guards to accompany you when you leave the manor. They will ensure that nothing like that ever happens again. You are my guests here in my kingdom, and I will make sure all of you are safe."

As Kumar started placing the food on the table, I eagerly explained what each dish was if Liatrish didn't recognize it. The spread looked delightful, and I could tell she was intrigued by the variety.

Liatrish turned to Megan, a playful smile on her face. "I hear Sam has bestowed you with a title."

Megan looked at me, her expression confused. "What title?"

"I gave you the title of First Princess yesterday when I was dealing with those nasty women in the shop," I admitted, cringing a little, knowing I had forgotten to mention it to her.

"Why didn't you tell me that, you little brat?" Megan yelled at me, half-amused and half-annoyed.

"I forgot," I said timidly, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.

Dad chuckled softly, then turned to Megan. "Now, Megan, Sam had a rough day yesterday, too. She had to put out a lot of fires when she got home. Then she was trying to find a way so it wouldn't happen again."

His words made me smile, and the tension in the room began to ease as we enjoyed our breakfast together.

Megan and I stood at the door, saying goodbye to our parents before we left. "Do I really have to go to school with a guard following me all around?" she asked, a hint of exasperation in her voice.

All three of us responded with a resounding "yes" at the same time. Megan gave us a surprised look, then held up her hands in defeat. "Fine, fine! I get it!" she said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide a smile.

As we stepped outside, I couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance knowing we had the guards with us. It might be a hassle for Megan, but I was determined to keep my family safe, no matter what it took.