The Dominant Species
11

Alastair also thought I would make a good queen. He said he wished he could come to my coronation. He wished he could cheer me on. He still knew that even if he was there he wouldn’t be allowed to cheer because it would be inappropriate for a prince. He has always told me that I would be great. I have talked to him about being queen before and he always told me he had faith in me. It made me feel better. No matter how many people told me I would be great I still had doubts. I thought talking to Giselle might help.

I swam to Giselle’s house. She was holding a block of stone and reading what was engraved on it. The last time we talked to Caleb he had shown us a book. He explained what paper was, how it was made and how humans wrote on it. Paper was clearly easier and more practical when someone wanted to document information. On the other hand, when we wrote something on rocks it lasted longer and it was harder to destroy. Caleb also explained to us why we couldn’t have paper under water.

“Hey,” I began.

“Hey,” Giselle said, looking up.

She was breathing heavily.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing at the stone.

“It’s about architecture. I’ve been studying for a few weeks and I’m going to hire a tutor.”

“What’s wrong?” I asked, concerned.

“I just had a fight with a neighbor.”

“Why?”

“Because he told me I look ridiculous.”

She was wearing a top that wasn’t exactly made for mermen, but wasn’t particularly feminine either.

“You look great,” I assured her.

She smiled.

“His narrow-mindedness pissed me off and I had to say something, but I decided I wouldn’t bother next time,” she continued.

“You’re not in any actual danger when you get that kind of attention. You could just ignore it.”

“I know. I will probably deal with this for the rest of my life, but I will be who I am.” I stroked her blond hair.

“And already it’s getting better,” she added.

I was relieved.

“If there’s anything I can do, let me know,” I told her. “Thanks.”

“You’ll be at my coronation?” I asked.

“Duh!”

“I wish you could help me run the country.”

“I wish that too, but I don’t have the training you do.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to learn about architecture because I want to build some of the city and maybe some things on land too.”

“Maybe our paths will cross.”

“I hope.”

The idea of having a professional relationship with my best friend on top of a personal one seemed like a great thing. But I wasn’t stupid. I knew the odds weren’t good. “I’m scared,” I confided.

“Why?”

“Because it’s an enormous responsibility and I never had much faith in myself.

Besides, I suck at everything.”

“No, you don’t.”

“You think?”

“Yes, you’ve been learning how to do this job for years. You have advisors and you’re a smart mermaid. I’m sure you’ll be a great queen.”

“I just want what’s best for my people.”

“I want that too, which is one of the reasons I want to be an architect.” Giselle stared.

“Wait a minute,” she breathed.

“What?”

“We both want the same thing, despite our very different careers.”

“Yes.”

Giselle and I have always understood a lot about each other, even though Alastair is the person who understood me the most. Now I felt as though Giselle and I understood each other better than we used to. Wanting what’s best for the country doesn’t just affect our careers, it says something about us as people.

I hugged Giselle.

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