The Land of Grimney - The Illustrated Adventures of Cora Pearl, aged 12

*Carados pushes inside and grabs Philomena's arm. He throws his cloak around her.

No princess of mine will galavant around half disrobed. Go cover yourself. I will wait at the bar.

I am not your princess. You are lucky I am wearing this much.

*Philomena's eyes flash angrily.*

I will go and get dressed but you are very rude barging in like this.

*She disappears upstairs and comes down wearing a very skimpy dress that Carados recognises as mermaid fashion.*

Now I am dressed. What are you here for?

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*Carados tries to control his outward disdain for her choice of attire. Onedina, he loved in mermaid attire but it is different when looking at your beautiful child and knowing your men are seeing the same thing.

Philomena, what is it you see in this, Kalvos? I am inquiring as a father not as the Duke.

I love him.

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Love, what exactly do you mean by love? Is this an infatuation?

Was it an infatuation when you fell in love with Mama?

*She smiles and sighs*

This is true, passionate unshakeable love. We have been in love for a long time, our destinies brought us together.

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*Carados laughed at the thought of meeting Onedina. Infatuation, not until after survival.

Your mother saved my life. Her eyes and her song brought me back. That love has been the fuel to keep me going all these years.

*Carados shakes his head

I do not understand how you can feel that you are in love with him. After what I saw, he is a disappointment.

Well you aren't the one who is going to marry him. I am and he makes me happy. Why were you disappointed? He is tall and handsome, kind, honourable and funny. Besides he rescued me, that alone should command your respect.

*She pours a goblet of wine for her father and one for herself.*

I saved his life too. I saved him with a kiss.

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*Carados softens a little after her reply.

To rescue someone in their darkest hour creates a strong affection. This does not mean it is love. Love develops through friendship and loyalty. From what I see in Kalvos, he is weak when it comes to loyalty. If I hadn't walked up when I did, Kalvos would have played with his food too long and found that it ate him.

*He takes a drink

You are wrong. I know my own heart and Kalvos knows his. It was six months of friendship and loyalty before he declared his love. In that time he always protected me, regardless of his vows to the Queen. And Kalvos didn't intend to kill that old man. He is not a murderer. You underestimate him, he fought five men in the arena to get his freedom to marry me. There is a bond between us that is stronger than you can ever imagine. Kalvos would rather die than abandon me like you abandoned my mother.

*She pours more wine.*

Why should it matter to you anyway? Grandmama has agreed to our marriage as has Mama.

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