Uninvited Guest

Asher is busy showering morning kisses to Finn, who was still asleep. He's struggling to keep Asher shut though his eyes didn't open completely.

Do you know it's hard to resist your morning face? You look like a baby puffer fish. Asher cooed still immersed in his kissing job.

Stop.....or I'll make you sleep on the rough rocky bed outside for 3 weeks straight. Finn warned. Asher alerted. "That's harsh babe" he sulked. He got up from the bed after one last peck and entered the kitchen to cook. Thanks to his earlier savings, though he lives in the low town there was no scarcity for food and living expenses.

Asher noticed a short merman entering their house. His eyebrows narrowed as the merman looked familiar.

"What's with your uninvited visit" Asher sounded harsh, his hands formed tight curls turning the knuckles white.

"The king (Nereus)..he summoned you to the royal court for your assistance" the older replied. "Only you" he blurted and left

Asher's smile faded as he flipped the kelp-cakes. The playful banter with Finn had been a necessary shield, a way to keep the darkness from the surface, but the shadow of Nereus always lingered.

Finn entered the dining area. He was Asher lost in his thoughts. The food, plates and everything was already arranged.

"They brought a messenger," Asher finally uttered, his voice barely a breath. A royal courier. Not a guard. They said..." The King Nereus wants to see me." He spoke the words with a raw disbelief.

Finn's heart seized. His moved closer to Asher holding Asher's arms, his grip firm

"You know, he can't do anything to us" Asher assured. The air was heavy with tension. He was trying to sound like the prince he used to be, strong and certain. "I'm still his son. He won't strike a legitimate heir down in his own court."

Asher gently set aside all the cutlery. His gaze shifted to the royal robes, that were left untouched since his exile.

He layered each of the fabric neatly and was ready to "I will be back soon. Take care Finn." Asher gave a tight hug before leaving.

Finn nodded though he doesn't like Asher going there, it's the matter of the royal court he knew shouldn't refuse it.

~The royal court~~~~

The court exhibited royalty, bright corals decorated the rock caves, and beautiful sea plankton were woven into carpets and cushions. All the people there were covered in pearls and sea beads.

Asher entered the royal court. Those gossips were clearly audible to his ears. But he ignored it. But whenever he heard Finn's name he shot them a deadly glance remembering each face for his perfectly planned comeback. He halted his steps before the giant pearly throne, where the king was seated.

"How was the low-town district? Are you living well enough there?" Nereus threw a sarcastic smile.

"No worries, better than the one, once you lived." Asher retired with the same smile.

"No haven't changed." Nereus blurted.

" What's the issue to summon me here !" Asher wasted no time and got into straight business.

"I heard you travelled south, what's going on?"Nereus voiced cold and direct.

"What do you think?" Asher returned the question. His gaze, steady.

"If you are into formidable stuff, even the title the crown prince couldn't save you from the court laws." The king said his voice echoed the courtroom

"Don't worry, your majesty, it's nothing serious. Asher said, his voice rising just enough to carry the assembled nobility. My husband wanted to explore the ocean's beauty so we went on a honeymoon." His smile was deliberate and utterly defiant.

The King’s face flushed a deep, alarming purple. He didn't rise, but the surrounding water seemed to churn slightly.

Asher remained steady, unaffected by the king's fury. But the court novels had the opposite reaction. They were shouting in fear to make the king calm.

"You are an insolent brat, I thought of reclaiming your status and here you are uttering the same dirt" Nereus roared.

Asher let out a smirk. "I walked out holding his hand, if I ever stepped in, it was only with Finn" his voice-confident, clear and loud.

"You are equally ignorant as your mother." The king murmured loud enough for Asher to be heard.

"The only mistake, she did in her life was to marry a traitor who came from the sinner-district and backstabbed her for true kindness." Asher yelled. His anger is becoming out of control.

"The king tightened his grip on the thunderbolt. But resisted. "Too informative for a young lad" he left a tight smile masking his evil face.

"If there's not much to talk about, I'll take my leave." Asher bowed. He turned back and swam to the low-town district.

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