Things went from bad to worse in the following days. Ramona became more difficult to handle. She would step over anyone she came across simply because she was a royal and even went as far as declaring herself Queen. 
 For the first time in history, the sirens appreciated the curse. Had the throne been that easy to ascend, no doubt, Ramona would have done that even before Almira sensed her. 
Ramona took pleasure in frustrating everyone around her. She wanted everyone including Almira to cower before her. 
Almira was sick of the games. It was barely three days since she returned and the woman had drained her. 
All she wanted to do was go back to land and spend time with the only human she could stand. 
She misses him much. 
Despite that, she couldn't return, not until Ramona returned to whatever hole she crawled out from. 
"Hello, dearest niece," Ramona's sing-song voice interrupted her thoughts. Aura groaned inwardly. 
"What happened? You don't look too happy to see me," Ramona chuckled. 
"I am not," Almira bluntly replied. Ramona chuckled, unmoved by the girl's rudeness. She had seen it several times on display but it was relieving to know she wasn't just the only victim. 
Almira was like that to everyone. Even the ones she liked. 
"May I know who you are thinking about?" Ramona asked, earning a mundane look from Almira. 
The Princess didn't bother to answer. As far as she was concerned, Ramona had no business knowing who she was thinking about.
"Should I take a guess? I'm very good with guesses, you know," Ramona slyly said.
Almira's guard went up. She suddenly sensed something off.
"Go ahead and guess aunt," she urged. 
Ramona was surprised but delighted at the girl's sudden attention. Now was the time to play her cards right.
"Just wondering if it has anything to do with a certain banished specie," Ramona shrugged and Almira's eyes darkened.
"Wrong."
Ramona chuckled lightly, "Really? I guess I was wrong then. Your thoughts have nothing to do with a certain Triton."
Almira went stiff. Even though she had suspected it, she wasn't ready to confront the truth. 
How did Ramona come to know about Jephthah? 
They had been careful. She was sure they were. For years, Almira had made sure no one got a whiff of their relationship. Now it seemed she did a very terrible job and was only deceiving herself. 
If Ramona found out about them, then she was doomed. 
Ramona watched Almira's face intensely, waiting for the expression she was looking for to surface but it never died. Almira's face remained blank, her cold eyes piercing intensely into her amber ones.
"A Triton? You amuse me, aunt. You should up here out of nowhere and assumed control, making life unbearable for everyone and you think I would worry over an abandoned specie? Now why would I do that when you are here?" Almira asked lackadaisically. 
Ramona refused to be fooled by the girl's calmness. She knew exactly what she was talking about. She had spent years monitoring the young princess and gleefully discovered a secret lover. 
To the best of her knowledge, Almira was still seeing Jephthah.
"It must be hard to love a woman like you. I feel for poor Jephthah. Believing he has a woman who genuinely loves him, meanwhile, she heartlessly denies him before others without second thoughts," Ramona drawled, with fake pity. 
The words stung Almira but she hid it perfectly. Ramona had to work better on her mind games if she was hoping to get a reaction.
"You bore me, aunt. A while ago, you were so excited to take a guess that I assumed you might have gotten the right answer. That you for proving me wrong, once again," Almira said flatly.
She attempted to leave, but Ramona swam in front of her, blocking her path. Almira let out a sigh. 
"What is it this time? Don't you have better things to do with your time?" 
Ramona crossed her arms, staring keenly at her. 
"You cannot fool me. I believe you know the consequences of this information getting out," Ramona said.
"Please enlighten me," Almira said sarcastically. 
"You will lose the throne and everything your mother worked hard to build. You will be ostracized, just like those traitors," Ramona stated and Almira faked a gasp.
"Goodness! I am in so much trouble! Please don't tell anyone about your fantasies and wishful thinking. I am afraid that they might think you have lost your mind."
Ramona glared at her with rage. 
"I am trying to help you, you insolent brat! I do not want you to destroy my sister's legacy," Ramona fumed.
"Coming from a desperate jealous woman, who has done nothing but rub the family name in the mud. You are known wide and near across the seven seas as the worthless wayward daughter of Herman. Don't you think it's quite bold of you to lecture me on the legacy?" Almira snorted and Ramona went red with anger.
Her scales began to shoot out like spines as she glared at Almira with gritted teeth.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have other things to do than watch an angry porcupine," Almira added, swimming away.
"You will never ascend the throne," Ramona seethed. 
"Why don't you let me worry about that? Don't stress your pretty head, aunt," Almira replied loud enough for her to hear. 
Ramona had never been so furious in her life. She was determined to punish Almira for thinking she could belittle her and her away with it. 
"Just wait, Mira. I will put that sharp tongue of yours in its rightful place," Ramona growled. 
She needed to let out the anger and she knew the perfect outlet. An evil smirk crossed her face.
"Perhaps I have been holding back too much, that is why you think you can say anything to me and get away with it. Now, your little mate is going to suffer for your smart mouth."