Page 42 of Coral Prince Conundrum
“And now, my son, the future monarch, will present his bill to you all.” Father points to me, and I float to the podium. It’s the following afternoon, we’re in the large courtroom of the underwater palace, and I have prepared my speech. While I did not practice last night, I got plenty of sleep, holding an amazing man in my arms. My parents aren’t comfortable sleeping above the surface, but I beg to differ. Daryl makes me feel so right. But he is not permitted to attend this meeting since he is not technically a royal, so I am here without him.
This large room is the designated meeting area for the Corali Court. Our nation’s elected officials sit on white coral chairs at desks. The rest of my family sits with the audience in the back, surrounded by royal guards and the assistants to the elected board. My brother stands off to the side, where he is managing multiple underwater screens. “The Coral Prince,” Father says. He smiles at me and floats to the side. A hush descends on the room, and all eyes are on me.
Here, in the underwater palace I grew up in, it is my moment. “Thank you, Father. Good evening, Court. I am here today on a mission of peace. I am proposing that we do not enact this bill that would introduce martial law on the seas. While previous evidence has shown that all surface-dwellers are a bane on the ocean, I would disagree.”
The Corali Court mutter to themselves, as do the audience, presumably a reaction of controversy. My sister and Mother whisper to each other, then to my brother. Still, I must carry on.
“I have provided you with packets of information that I have compiled in my time in the surface world.” The members of the court look at the papers in their hands. “For decades, all we have seen is plundering and destruction. Surface world companies collect tuna and other fish at an alarming rate without any regard to population sustainability, causing collateral damage to underwater ecosystems as well. But I am here to tell you all that outside of the Coral Kingdom, there is still good left in humanity.”
I nod at my brother, and he clicks on his phone. Then, all the screens light up with the presentation that Daryl and I made. “Organizations exist worldwide that strive to preserve wildlife, including those in marine habitats. Their contributions are vital to all of the seas. In fact, surface-dwellers have saved many species.”
I nod at my brother again, and he clicks through to the following slide. “I propose a new bill, one that would have us working with the United Regions. There are kingdoms, such as Niralen and the Northwest Kingdom, to name a few, that have resources such as science, advanced technology, communication, and sorcery that can help our cause, in exchange for our abilities as the Corali people. Allow me to demonstrate the many ways that other countries do, in fact, assist in the cause of keeping our oceans healthy.”
For the next several minutes, I regale everyone in the room with facts about conservation efforts worldwide. I think about Daryl and his passion for sea creatures, and I try to channel his knowledge and eloquence. Oroy continues to click through to show photos and charts that prove my point.
When my presentation is over, members of the court raise their hands, ready with counterarguments. “Your Highness, where did you do your research? We were informed you did not complete the great global survey.”
I nod and grin. “I found information in North America. There is much we can learn from this city, Princedelphia.”
The Corali Court members discuss amongst themselves, then turn to me. One member says, “Do you truly believe that surface-dwellers are worth prioritizing over our beloved creatures of the ocean?”
My smile falls, even though I knew this question was coming. “I have always been a firm believer in peace. They may not always protect our waters the way we do, but we have not given them a chance to learn of our ways. We call them selfish and uneducated, and yet, we have hidden all of our research and abilities from them, and that is not fair. Unity with other kingdoms is an option, so let us not plunge our nation into a war that may never end. Instead, my proposal is to lead us into an age where we work together with all humankind to save our oceans.”
After a quiet minute, the Corali Court adjourns to a backroom built for deliberation. I swim away down the halls in an opposite corridor. When I find a private room, I shut the door and float down to the floor, relaxing my back. I let my breath out of my gills and try to calm down. I’ve given it my all, and I can only hope my future will be one of peace and prosperity, for both the land and the sea.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Daryl
It’s an awkward afternoon, ambling about the royal house without Seero or his siblings. The Corali Court isn’t streamed or televised, not that I would know where to look. I pray to all the stars that Seero does well in pleading his case; the fate of my world depends on it. Otherwise, the servants provide me lunch and dinner, and I find ways to entertain myself. I spend my time gazing at the tidal pool, watching the fish come and go as the afternoon turns to evening. I even end up talking to Pelly, the squawking pelican that Seero introduced me to. I give her a leftover piece of bread, and I tell her all about my life back home.
As the sun sets and talking to a bird becomes stilted conversation, I decide to call someone.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Justice. You up?” I recognize it’s early morning in Oregon.
“Yeah. Early to rise for me.” Over the phone, I hear a rustle of what sounds like camping gear.
“Doesn’t sound like you’re at the café, either.”
“No, I am not. What I wouldn’t give for a hotel bed right about now.” We both chuckle. “What’s up?”
“I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to see how things were going back at Princedelphia.”
“Home sick already?” He sounds like he’s walking around, and I frown.
“Not sure. Is this a bad time?”
“Sorry, Daryl. Stuff is, uh…happening in my neck of the woods. Literally.”
“Well, I guess I wanted to talk to someone back at home. I miss my people at the café.”
“Is the prince not treating you right?”
I gaze at the darkened sky reflecting on the tidal pool. “He is…a little too good.”
“Then I’m sure he’ll help you get home in one piece. Princes are…very strong. Very protective.”
