Page 2 of Coral Prince Conundrum (Runaway Prince Hotel #1)

CHAPTER TWO

Seero

The walk to the Renversé Hotel is about one kilometer.

The soles of my feet are used to the rocks on the ocean floor, so this American gravel has no effect on me.

I try to stride with ease, but the environment is equal parts dreadful and fascinating.

Dark cables drape the skyline. Automobiles race back and forth.

The metal vehicles spew smog, and it sobers me, reminding me that surface world technology continually poisons the environment.

So, I try to ignore the streetlights and buildings, and make my way to my destination.

The hotel is located in the aptly named Renversé Plaza.

A concrete fountain with a tiny statue is the centerpiece, with benches lining the round walkway.

The area appears to be a congregating spot for the local community.

The chill and light rain do not affect my bare chest; the moisture quells my distress over being so far away from the ocean for an extended amount of time.

But I am here to assimilate, so it’s off to the hotel I go.

I pass by the fountain in the center and read the plaque.

My English reading comprehension is stronger than my Corali reading, so it doesn’t take too much effort to study the bronze sign.

I murmur the words, “Prince Bartholomew Renversé. Runaway Royal. Founder of Princedelphia. Lover of hot beverages.” I don’t stop to read the years or other facts, but I smile knowing I’m not the first prince to seek refuge here.

Judging by the number of alien and otherworldly kingdoms that have been discovered as of late, I doubt I’ll be the last.

I enter the hotel lobby to bright lights in contrast to the overcast outside environment.

Cool air touches my bare torso, but fortunately, I have dried off, so I am not too uncomfortable.

The red carpet under my feet guides me toward the desk.

No patrons are around, it is only me and several decorative vases lining the walls.

Being alone in a real American hotel for the first time, the nerves set in.

What if I stand out too much? What if someone recognizes me?

Corali don’t leave the Coral Kingdom, but what if they have media connections here in the US?

My family vowed not to contact my smartphone, but what if they do?

I dread the thought of Father realizing I am not on the designated path I set out on.

I pull back my long, dark hair and look down at the dark metal desk. A shiny object catches my attention—I know this device! I tap the button, and a loud, high-pitched sound echoes through the hall.

“Coming!” a voice calls from the hallway behind the desk. After a moment, a woman appears, wiping her hands on a white towel. She’s wearing a dark button-up blouse with the sleeves rolled up. Her graying hair is cut short, and she has a round face.

“Sorry about that, stranger.” She grins and tosses the towel away. “I believe in fixing what needs to be done with my bare hands, even if I’m the owner. You want something done right, you do it yourself, amiright?”

Her American accent and garrulous nature already put me at ease. “You are the owner?”

“I sure hope so, that’s what the deed reads.” She laughs, and I smile. “What can I do for you, sir? Checking in?”

“I hope to.” I bite my lip and look around. “I…do not have a reservation.”

“Really?” She clicks at the computer on the desk, then her brown eyes fix on me. “That’s unorthodox.”

Her tone isn’t filled with judgment, but it’s inquisitive. At least, I hope she does not find my predicament off-putting. I pray to the ocean gods that the rumors are true.

“Well, my situation is not…orthodox.” I clear my throat and clutch my knapsack. “I need a place to… run away.” I bounce my eyebrows at her.

“I see, Mister…” She looks at me expectantly.

“Searoy—” I shut my mouth. My name literally gives my title away. “Seero. I would prefer not to use last names.”

“Nice to meet you, Seero Nolastname.” She snickers. “I’m Layla Fisher, owner of the Renversé Hotel.” The woman swipes a plastic card in a slot near the computer, then turns to me. “This is a business, so I’m not accustomed to taking in strangers off the street for free.”

I nod quickly. “And I have funds. Many funds. I just need to convert them.”

“I would hope so. We don’t accept Corali silver here.”

Her knowing look gives me pause; clearly, this woman is aware of my people. “Um, uh,” I stammer, trying to find an adequate lie. I touch my neck, but no, my gills are absent since they only flare out in saltwater. Still, I feel completely exposed.

“Don’t worry.” She lowers her voice and winks at me. “Your secret is safe with me. One second.” She leaves to the back and quickly reappears with a larger white towel. “Wrap yourself with this and follow me, son. Don’t want you showing off the goods to all the guests.”

I do not know what goods she is referring to, but I do as she says and cover my torso in the soft fabric. She walks around the desk, and I follow her down a hall. “How did you know?” I whisper.

“I may appear to be some American bumpkin.” She looks at me and smirks. “But I’ve been to many, many kingdoms. I’ve had more than my share of run-ins with royalty.” We walk down several corridors, passing by other workers. “And secrets.”

My mouth goes dry, but I follow her up a staircase.

She strides forward, and I keep up, ignoring the fascinating paintings and patrons mulling about.

This is my first time meeting land-dwellers, after all, and they look so different.

Not only are their clothes so colorful, but no one here has the bronze skin or facial features of my people.

“Now, Mr. Seero, we have some rules in place if you are to stay here.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She snickers as we come to a stop in front of a nondescript door. “This ain’t a monarchy. It’s Layla, please. My rules are as follows: no violence, drugs, or illicit activities. Got it?”

I bow, my dark hair draping forward. “Yes, Layla.”

“And, in order to stay, you gotta work. We could always use more help here at the Hotel Renversé, what with the west wing under construction and all.” She inserts the card, and the door clicks. A moment later, she’s striding forward, and I follow.

When she turns on the lights, I gaze at the small room.

It’s modest, with a mattress, white sheets, and a one-person desk in a corner.

I am used to more ornate quarters, typically underwater, of course, but I could get used to this dwelling space.

It’s so nondescript and private, no Corali guards would ever think of searching for me here.

“So, what do you say, Seero?” Layla smiles at me as I gaze at all the generic fixtures. “You’ll need to pitch in.”

“Gladly.” I gulp, and my face flushes. “Um, do you need me to cook?” I refuse to admit that I have almost no skills of use for a hotel.

She guffaws. “No, not that. Though we do have some leftovers in the back of the restaurant. No, how about we get you started at the pool? Something tells me you’d make a great aquatic exercise instructor.”

We exchange smiles. “That sounds wonderful.”

“Meet me at the front desk in an hour.” She leaves the key card on the desk and walks away. “Oh, and Seero?”

“Yes.”

“Your secret’s safe with me. Everyone in the Renversé Hotel is hiding from something. I’m proud of the safe space my wife and I have built here. But if Corali forces arrive…”

Her voice trails off, and I nod and look down. The fear of my father finding me is a shadow I have yet to shake. Still, if they arrive, I would give myself up immediately before allowing them to harm Layla or the hotel. “I understand. I would never put your hotel or your staff in danger.”

“Good man.” She walks to the entrance and taps on the door frame. “I know a prince who needs to hide away when I see one. So, welcome to the staff, Seero.”

She smiles and my heart feels a pound lighter. If all land-dwellers are like Layla Fisher, I will have no trouble assimilating and hiding here.

Two weeks pass in a blur—an awkward, and, at times, difficult blur.

I live and work in the hotel alongside Layla, her wife, Sheena, and the rest of the staff.

I learn about how to clean the pool, even though the chlorinated water feels awful compared to my beloved sea.

The people have been intriguing; there is a blend of cultures, with many royals in hiding, but also locals who need work.

Everyone keeps to themselves, which I enjoy.

Layla teaches me how to use machines to convert my credit card into American currency.

Sheena takes me shopping for groceries, toiletries, and a few clothing items to blend in.

Layla even takes me to a local barber to groom my hair into a much shorter, less attention-seeking style.

But everything here is a culture shock. Layla gives me supplies, but our arrangement has me taking care of my own room.

I anticipated that I would need to clean up after myself, a task the servants accomplished back home.

So yes, it is arduous changing bed sheets and carrying groceries to my room.

Additionally, I am dumbfounded by everything I am learning about land-dweller life.

When I eat in the kitchen with the staff, I’m aghast at the amount of food and plastics the guests waste.

So much of this will end up in the ocean, my precious ocean.

Speaking of my beloved sea, I make sure to go out to the beach every day.

My skin is rejuvenated when I touch the saltwater.

More than once, I have summoned Drakey to come visit me.

In the dark cover of night, I doubt anyone can witness me meeting my pet sea dragon out in the waves.

He seems concerned for me, but I need to see my mission through.

Most of my evenings are spent in the business center, a room not far from the lobby.

Guests are free to use the personal computers, and Layla shows me so much more of the internet than I have previously used.

Between the websites, search engines, and physical books in the business center, I learn so much.

I peruse the atlases and encyclopedias of years past; the authors know almost nothing of the Coral Kingdom.

They believe us to be an arbitrary, useless island not far from the Philippines, and I intend to keep it that way.

The websites reveal to me the horrid fishing practices of the tuna industry. Some of the worst offenders of irresponsibly plundering marine wildlife are here in Princedelphia. Reading the accounts of fisheries plaguing the oceans with their metal vessels makes me sick to my stomach.

On a rare afternoon when I have no pool work, I am once again reading and watching videos on the computer in the business center. Such heinous destruction of fish populations…

“Things look rough, huh?” Layla’s words spook me out of my nightmarish research.

“Huh?” I close the browser and turn to her.

She shrugs and flips over an upside-down rolling chair so that it is right side up. “Those poor creatures. I must admit I like seafood myself. But I’d prefer them caught in a sustainable manner.” She maneuvers the rolling chair, then smiles in satisfaction. “Good as new.”

I grin at her. “You are an expert at building things.”

“When things I care about need fixing, someone’s gotta do it.”

I nod and look down. What can I do to fix the way the world treats sea creatures?

“Hey, listen, Seero.” I gaze up at Layla. “Today’s your first afternoon off.”

“I thought I was allowed to use the personal computers.”

“You can,” she replies. “But maybe, take a break?”

“Hm?”

“Your back seems tense, son. Whatever you’re reading is clearly stressing you out. Go grab a cup of coffee.” She points her chin toward the front door. “The café across the plaza makes a mean espresso.”

I do not know what a mean espresso is, but I am interested in the café. It seems very popular—I am not allowed to go to public eateries back home, lest the press find me.

“Who knows? You might meet people who know a thing or two about the fishing industry.” She winks, and once again, it feels like Layla knows all.

She leaves, and I’m left alone with my thoughts.

In my few weeks working here, I haven’t made many friends.

Practicing my socialization skills could be useful for my line of work as a prince.

I stride across the lobby and gaze out the front door. I notice several—young and handsome—gentlemen walk in and out of the café. Maybe they’re workers, or maybe they’re patrons. And maybe I can go make some acquaintances with good-looking land-dweller boys.

“Maybe,” I murmur with a smile. With that, I push the doors open and stride across Renversé Plaza.