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They turn back to me and Tiberias speaks. “We’re going to announce our engagement to Valora, and we’d like you to be with us. I’ll confirm the rumors so everyone can calm down and focus on the wedding instead. I know you don’t want to be in the spotlight.”

Relief washes through me. Not only am I not getting in trouble for my incident, but everyone’s gossip will be focused on the upcoming wedding rather than me. “That sounds great.”

“Perfect.” Tiberias grins. “Would you like to change into a gown?”

I give him a double-take. “You’re going to do the announcement now?”

“As soon as you’re ready.”

“But I have to get back to the academy and study.”

“I’ll excuse you from your assignments. One of the benefits of being king.” He winks.

Before I can reply, someone bows in front of me. It’s the same servant who helped me the first day I arrived. The one I called Sally because she wouldn’t tell me her actual name. “To your room, my lady.”

I don’t bother telling her to call me by my name. I suppose I’ve re-acclimated myself to royal living. I’m not sure that’s such a good thing. Not that I can fight it now, as I’m about to be dressed for the announcement of my parents’ engagement.

We go to my room. I pick out a sleeveless burgundy dress and Sally fixes my hair.

“How did you get flower petals in your hair, my lady?” She holds out a dainty yellow one.

“I was sitting in the garden at the academy.”

She plucks out another, this one pink. “That sounds nice. Are you enjoying it?”

“The garden?”

“The Dark Sea Academy.”

I consider my wording. “It’s been somewhat of a mixed experience.”

“I’m sure it has.” She holds up another petal. “I think that’s the last one.” She quickly styles it into a braid that wraps around my head and tops it off with a tiara that matches my dress. I look more like Queen Sirena than ever.

Sally leads me through the castle to a room I don’t recognize. She opens the door and gestures me in. It’s a giant bedroom, close to the size of the throne room, and fit for a king. It’s probably Tiberias’s.

I turn to her. “Why are we here?”

She motions to the left. “Your parents are on the deck. That’s where they will make the announcement.”

“On a deck.”

“Hurry.” She bows.

I don’t know why I bother questioning anything anymore.

My mom pokes her head out from the doorway. “Marra, over here.”

I swim over and join her and Tiberias. A thick privacy curtain blocks me from seeing most of the deck.

He glances up at me. “Perfect timing, and you look beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

“We’ll go through the curtain and over to the ledge. First, we’ll wave and smile without speaking. A large number of Valoran merpeople have gathered for our announcement. They’ll first just want to see us. Then we’ll share the joyous news.”

My heart races at the thought of all the people watching us. I’d prefer cameras to this.

Mom rests a hand on my arm. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”