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She took a deep breath, shaking her head. She didn’t need to think about that. She was outside. Thankfully, Father had been reasonable when she’d suggested that it would do well for the people to see their princess out, undisturbed by the mayhem that both Angie and Team Xen had wrought upon the town. Even up on the hill where the royal palace sat, she could see just how ravaged her small realm was. Though the snow and ice had melted, the local flora still suffered, the flowers wilting, the trees mostly barren of leaves. The town itself didn’t look much better as she descended down the stairs, away from the palace and towards the town itself. The buildings still bore scorch marks, tiled roofs were still cracked, and wooden planks splintered. Even the marble of the museum had been chipped. She looked back at the palace, looming high above the town, noting that it seemed to be the only place to escape the devastation, or if it had been damaged, it was the first building to receive repairs.
She could hear the townsfolk murmuring as she walked by them, none daring to approach her. Though she’d hardly wish for conversation right now, preferring to simply take in the outdoors once again, there was an unpleasant distance between the townsfolk and her. One that a blue haired man,overlooking the ocean, didn’t seem to take heed of as she approached. “Well, I suppose that’s all that settled.”, the man would say, as speaking to himself, “I really should call Martin, let him know I am alright…”. He’d only notice Odessa once she was right next to him, also looking over the ocean. “I beg your pardon?”
“Apologies, I simply wished to watch the sunset. Will that be a problem?”
“The only problem is that you need a lesson in not sneaking up on people. But, by all means.” He’d gesture at the outcropping. “There it is.”
“Thank you.” She couldn’t help but smile. It was rare that someone would treat her like this. Like, she’d assume, normal people treated each other. The man would look at her a second more.
“Would I be wrong in assuming that you are this island’s princess?”. She’d grimace a little.
“You wouldn’t be…” Then the man would bow slightly.
“My apologies for not making an introduction earlier, I am Kreiss Wickham, the Aevium League’s ice-type gym leader.” He’d then return to looking at her straight on. “I had meant to make introductions earlier but your father is… rather touchy about who he lets speak to you.” She couldn’t help but smile seeing someone not afraid to say something even slightly critical of her father.
“That is one way to put it, yes.”
“And, I must say, he was valiant in fighting off Team Xen. Bravely sacrificing his own glory on the front lines to stay back and protect the palace, a safe distance away from the fighting.” Odessa covered her mouth as she giggled at Kriess’ description of her father’s performance. “Why, I would say he even gave Aspen a run for their money for the person of most importance on that day.”
“Aspen?” Odessa would ask.
“Yes, one of the children who stepped up to the task of saving this island. They went through quite the ordeal, and Team Xen is gone thanks to them. I gather they’ve gone toe to toe with Team Xen and other foes all throughout the region.” Odessa couldn’t help but smile. To be pleased at being able to simply talk to someone.
“I see. On an unrelated note, will you be staying much longer?”
“I’m afraid not. The issues I was here to resolve, that Angie woman, and Team Xen, have been dealt with, and I have been away from the gym for far too long. Besides, my husband would kill me if I went any longer without letting him know I was alright.” The look of excitement vanished from Odessa’s face. “I am sorry princess, but I have other responsibilities. Please don’t let this poorly color your perception of the league.”
“No, no it’s… fine.” She cursed herself slightly, for not having the Prince of the sea here. “What about this Aspen, will they be visiting?”
“I suppose it’s possible, though I don’t have their travel itinerary on hand.” The two would be interrupted by Odessa being tapped on the shoulder. It was one of the royal guards.
“Your highness, your father has requested that you return to the palace.” Odessa tried to hide the sigh of disappointment she gave. She knew what would happen if she resisted.
“Very well.” She’d turn back to Kriess. “It was nice to meet you, Mister Wickham.”
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Odessa was back in the room she’d been in so many times before. In the basement. Just as familiar was her father scolding her. He’d pace, as she sat, trembling with anger, looking down at the floor. “I trusted you to be able to go out and reassure our people, Odessa.” He’d take a breath. “But, when I send the royal guard they do not see you checking on our people, nor do I see you assessing the damage, rather, I hear that you’re goofing off. Looking at the water.” He would stop pacing, and then look at her. “How am I supposed to trust you to go out unsupervised when you don’t do what you tell me what you’re going to do?” Odessa would continue to look at the floor, balling her fists in rage. “Answer me, Odessa.”
“It’s been so long since I have left this palace, how can you expect me to know who is and is not a resident of Kristiline?” She’d ask, her voice quiet, but sharp as her gaze bolted up to her father. Her father would raise his voice in response.
“Quiet! I am lecturing you and you will listen!” He’d point a finger accusatorily at her. “I don’t know why I have to repeat myself but your attitude is why this has all happened!” His voice would grow yet louder in volume. “If you were just more like your mother and sister, you could have stood up to Angie! Instead of having to wait for some outsiders to come take care of it! Now they’re the heroes to your people, not the royal family!”
“Perhaps if you had given me opportunities to improve rather than locking me down here, things would be different!” Odessa would shout, finally standing. “You criticize me for not being enough like them, but do you provide me with the same opportunities they had?! Or do you simply lock me away to fulfill your sick sense of power?!”. Her father’s voice would raise in mirror to hers.
“Odessa, your attitude is completely unbecoming for a princess and I will have no more of it!” He would turn away. “You are to stay down here indefinitely! Until you calm down and learn to behave properly, like a princess should, we cannot risk you coming into contact with your subjects!” Odessa would stay silent, yet indigent, and collapse to her knees.
None of this was what she wanted. She could feel herself start to shake. The conversation had dredged up memories of her family. How pleasant things used to have been. Though, looking back she could see the cracks, how Father even then obsessed over their royal status. However, she could have sworn it wasn’t as fervent, but after mother died, she noticed her sister getting more distant, reserved, and then one day she was gone. Then all these responsibilities fell to her. The etiquette lessons, her importance to Kristiline, and her importance in ensuring there was a place for Kristiline in the world. As well as these lessons being intense, to make up for lost time. It was enough to send her back to her room, or more often this dungeon, crying. The only thing it had taught her was to harden herself. The only good it had brought her… was being able to know the Prince of the Sea. He would float out of the garden behind the room, levitating over to her.
“Mana?” As he so often did in moments like this, he’d appeared to offer what he could in way of emotional support. Odessa, tears forming in her eyes, would open up her arms, and curl herself around him.
“Oh Prince of the Sea…”, she’d hold him tighter, and could feel him attempting a hug with his fins. “All I wish was I had something that wasn’t this. That was away from Father… I wish I could see the world beyond Kristiline, and never have to worry about that man again.” As she held onto the prince, she remembered something about reading about the Prince of the Sea’s ability. How he could swap the hearts of two people. If only she could find someone who would let her trade places with them. Then she could be free of all of this.
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The rest of the days in the cellar would be long, with little to do but to write in her journal to pass the time. Her punishment disguised as a security precaution against any lingering threats, she was finally let back into the palace proper. Odessa was sat on her “throne”. Taking deep breaths. She needed to calm down. The thumping of her heart, as well as her breaths drowned out the door of the palace opening, her father murmuring, something about Aspen. She’d hear two pairs of footsteps approach behind her, one was distinctly her father’s, the other was one that was unfamiliar. She’d turn around, and her father would introduce her to the guest.
“I present to you, the Maiden of Kristiline Town… Princess Odessa!”
She’d lay eyes upon her guest, Aspen. They were different from how she’d heard them described before, wearing a green coat, and a head of brown hair. Before she’d respond, she’d clutch her pokeball containing the Prince of the Sea. The idea that had started to take shape in her captivity, her means of escape from this wretched life, had found the one who would be able to make it come to fruition.