Chapter 3

Chapter THREE 'Mola!' called Delphina, swimming around the courtyard looking for him. 'Maybe I swam too fast and he couldn't keep up?' 'I don't think that's what happened,' I said, frowning. 'He was just behind me a moment ago.' I swam up above the walls of the coral maze and looked around. I could just

make out a figure swimming away in the distance. Mola! I frowned. It wasn't very nice to swim off without telling us where he was going. Poor Delphina! She had been so excited to show him and Melody the royal maze. I know she can be a little bit... over-enthusiastic sometimes, but she had only been trying to be nice. I swam back to Delphina.

'Let's not worry about Mola,' I said. 'I'm sure he'll be able to find his way back to the palace on his own.' 'Oh,' said Delphina, looking disappointed. 'But he's missed out on the gold coins! I better save one for him.' 'I wouldn't bother,' I muttered under my breath.

Delphina, Melody, and I took our time swimming out of the maze, before heading back to the palace for lunch. 'Hopefully, Mola will already be there,' said Delphina as we swam inside. 'I'm sure he will,' said Melody. 'I was just about to come and find you,' Mum said, meeting us in the hallway. 'Will you go and get changed for lunch, please, Emerald and Delphina? King and Queen Seadragon are in their suite now, getting ready.' 'You said I only had to wear this one princess outfit!' I protested, gesturing to the rainbow fish monstrosity. 'So sorry!' said Mum. 'I forgot that

there would be special outfits for the royal lunch too. Where's Mola? I expect he's already with his parents in the suite... I'll take Melody there now.' 'You mean he's not back?' I asked, but Mum wasn't listening. She was already leading Melody to her parents' room. 'See you in the grand dining room in fifteen minutes!' she called over her shoulder as she hurried away. 'More new outfits!' said Delphina excitedly. 'Let's go to our rooms and look at them right away!' 'What about Mola?' I asked. 'Mum said she hasn't seen him.' 'He's probably with his parents,' said

Delphina. 'I guess.' I hoped Delphina was right. I swam to my room. Lying on the bed was a new outfit even worse than the first! It was covered all over with frothy lace and had huge, puffy sea-flower petal sleeves.