The Dominant Species

Merpeople start school when they’re six and they graduate when they’re twenty. After that, they hire a tutor to teach them what they want to do for the rest of their lives. There are also plenty of libraries that help us with our research. For royalty, it’s different because we learn how to be politicians while we go to school.

It’s a pain in the ass.

We don’t teach magic at schools because we think schools should be saved for the subjects that are harder to learn than magic. We hire tutors for magic too.

I was glad to have gone through school with decent grades. I always wanted an education. During my graduation I looked at the other students and I felt bad that many of them had gotten better grades than I had. I didn’t feel special. I decided to ignore that feeling as best I could and have fun. I was happy for my own sake and my friends’ sakes. I was glad to put this part of my life behind me.

Next week, I will turn twenty. After that we will plan my coronation.

I was scared.

I didn’t know if I could handle the responsibility of a whole kingdom. To make myself feel better I remembered the lessons I took in politics and my parents believing in me. I stayed with Giselle the entire evening of our graduation.

I spent some time thinking about Alastair and wishing he was there. I didn’t like the fact that he missed something this important in my life. I wished I could hold him. And I wished everyone would be okay with it. I didn’t care about their opinions personally, but I didn’t want to break the law. I felt tears in my eyes because I wanted to be with Alastair. He understood me because we both took our jobs as royalty seriously and wanted to do a good job. And we were both worried we might not. He shared my passions. And one of my dreams was to make all of his dreams come true. And one of his dreams was to make all of my dreams come true.

I rejoined reality and tried not to think about how desperate things were with Alastair. Not only was this not the right time, but maybe he was right and we would find a solution. His hope gave me more hope.

After the graduation ceremony was over I went home. I changed into clothes more fitting for sleep. I was tired and I wanted to sleep.

Mom came to my room.

“Did you have fun at your graduation?” Mom asked.

“Yes, and it’s such a relief.”

“Why?”

“Because I was a terrible student and I suffered while I was trying to get good grades or in some cases just passing ones. It’s nice not to be beaten down by school every day anymore.”

Mom gently took my arms and turned me to face her.

“You were not a terrible student,” she said.

“Mom, you complained about my grades.”

“I didn’t mean to say that you were terrible. You were a good student, just not the best.”

“Everyone else was better.”

“Not everyone else. And even if they were, no one is perfect and you have other talents.”

“You think?”

“Yes.”

“I’m willing to put school behind me and focus on the future.”

“That is wise, but don’t forget what you’ve learned.”

“I wasn’t planning to. I didn’t go to school for years and want an education only so I would forget everything.”

“Your father and I will use whatever we can from our studies to help you when you’re queen."