Page 117 of Mermaid on Heels

“Princess Liriya.” He bowed respectfully, but his words lacked their usual enthusiasm. He straightened and called over his shoulder, “It’s the princess, Bia!”

Liriya threw back her hood when Bianca appeared at the door, looking rather surprised, with a curious Kitty at her heels. Right, Faelinadiddo something wrong. Liriya confirmed, as neither sister flung herself at her asshewas itching to do.

So she did.

Bianca stumbled back in surprise. “Oh.” She placed a hand hesitantly on Liriya’s back.

Liriya pulled away to look at her and grinned. She then glanced down at Kitty and hugged her too. When Kitty returned the hug, Liriya’s heart burst. She had missed them.

“Um… where are Ella and Sessa?” Bianca asked in a clipped voice. “And… I don’t mean to sound rude but, what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the castle, getting pampered for your wedding?”

Liriya pulled away from Kitty and straightened. Keeping an arm around her, she reached into the pocket of her gown and pulled out her notebook. She handed it to Bianca, gesturing to her to open the part with a blue bookmark.

“So, you’re not talking anymore?” Bianca threw her a baffled look. Liriya shrugged with a solemn smile and encouraged her to open the book.

Bianca sighed and began reading, silently. All too soon, her eyes bulged. Her gaze snapped to Liriya in utter disbelief. Liriya nodded and Bianca dropped her gaze, continuing to read.

“What is it?” Kitty asked her sister eagerly, but Bianca paid no attention. Her eyes were running over Liriya’s words hungrily. Gezer read over her shoulder, looking extremely baffled since he didn’t know about Liriya’s identity.

Kitty craned her neck and looked at Liriya as neither responded to her. “Liriya, what is it?”

“She can’t speak,” Bianca said slowly, closing the book aghast. “Faelina stole her voice—”

“Faelina?” Kitty cried in disbelief.

“—and her identity, and is pretending to be her in the castle at the moment.” Bianca met Liriya’s gaze. “In fact, it washerwho declined to accept the wedding gown I made for her—not Liriya. BecauseLiriyawould never do that—she’s the biggest admirer of my creations.”

A smirk tugged at Bianca’s lips, but soon it wavered. Her eyes watered as she stepped forward and crashed Liriya into a hug. “I’m so sorry, Liriya, I didn’t—I didn’t realize! Oh, how come I didn’t eventhinkyou’d never do that to me! I’m so sorry!”

Liriya squeezed her best friend, her own eyes dampening, and pulled away to look at her.I missed you,she mouthed.

Bianca choked a laugh-like sob. “I missed you too.” Her eyes glanced past Liriya. “Who are they?”

Liriya realized that she meant her parents and turned to see them still outside, seemingly giving Liriya time alone with her friend to make explanations before they would make themselves known.

My parents.She mouthed to Bianca.

Bianca’s jaw dropped. “But I thought…”

Long story.

“You better tell me everything.”

Liriya laughed gently.I promise.

* * *

“I’m so glad that you—sorry—Faelinarejected the gown and sent it back. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I learned that your evil half-sister wore the wedding gown I made for you. And may I say,Your Highness, you look stunning—and I’m not praising my work but it looks fabulous on you. You’re going to march into that castle and give King Luke a serious heartache. Don’t you agree with me, Your Majesties?”

“Of course dear, but please, you can simply call us by our names,” Mama said, smiling at Bianca.

“But I don’t feel like it is appropriate…” Bianca flushed, the color on her cheeks matching her stunning gown.

“It is appropriate when you are permitted by the king and the queen themselves. It merely means that you, dear girl, are a close friend of the family,” Papa said warmly.

Liriya clasped a hand over Bianca’s and gave it a little squeeze. When their eyes met, she mouthed:Youarefamily.

Bianca’s eyes dampened and she returned the squeeze.

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