"Aqua Regina-sama! Aqua Regina-sama!"

"Ah, my Hippo," Aqua Regina said, with her usual benevolent smile. "What's new in the sea?"

"Aqua Regina-sama, there's-" The blond boy skidded to a stop at her feet. Only then did she notice the tears streaming from his eyes. "There's been a terrible accident," he wailed, collapsing to the palace's marble floor. "Princesses Hanata, Narani, and Rira- the earthquake-" He trailed off into incoherent hiccups.

The ocean goddess stepped down from her throne and kneeled down to rub Hippo's head. She was excellent at controlling her emotions, but a careful observer would have seen tears sparkling in her eyes. Three daughters gone so young… and so soon after Sarasa, Kokoro, Noella and Karina's deaths…

"Were there any survivors?" she asked solemnly, standing up.

"O-only one. My friend, Nikora- she was swimming with us when the rock shelf collapsed, and then…" Hippo looked up at Aqua Regina, his green eyes glinting with tears. "She's from the Antarctic ocean, like Princess Karen."

"Hmm." She nodded, but her mind was far away.

"And… She's really strong and really brave and really smart, and she doesn't have any family."

"Hmm." Hanata, Narani, Rira… My daughters…

Hippo dropped to one knee. "I know she's not a princess or anything and she's not very important, but even though she's not a princess, Aqua Regina, I want you to do something to help Nikora! Please!"

Startled, the ocean goddess took a half-step backwards. Shocked by his own outburst, Hippo instantly clapped both hands over his mouth. "Sorry, Aqua Regina, forget I ever said anything, I-"

"Where is this child?" she said quietly.

He looked down. "I-I brought her here."

That was when Aqua Regina noticed the tiny mermaid child standing in her doorway. She couldn't have been more than four or five. Nikora's purple hair was tinted with pink and pulled into a messy spiky bun, and her eyes were wide with fear.

"It's all right," Aqua Regina called softly. "You don't have to be scared."

With a flick of her tail, Nikora crossed the room to stand behind Hippo.

"Come closer, Nikora."

"Go on," Hippo whispered, poking the young mermaid.

Nikora advanced forward.

"I was told you recovered the pearls?"

"Uh-huh," Nikora mumbled. She tugged off her locket and opened it to reveal three pearls- one pink, one green, and one a pale aqua blue.

She truly is a brave child, Aqua Regina thought, nodding slowly to herself. Even princesses are more nervous around me. "For your service to the kingdoms, I shall reward you." The ocean goddess drew herself up to her full height, her ceremonial staff materializing in her hand. Slowly, she tapped the young mermaid on the head with the shiny jewel at the staff's tip. "Nikora, from the kingdom of the Antarctic Ocean, you are now a guardian of the princesses. You shall be granted the responsibility of taking care of all the princesses, starting with these three: Nanami, Hana, and Rianna." The staff disappeared from her hand.

Nikora was frozen in surprise, her eyes open even wider.

"Come on, Nikora," Hippo said. "M-maybe you should lie down for a bit." He took the stunned mermaid by her elbows and slowly dragged her out of the room.

Aqua Regina, a faint smile on her face, watched them go. Nikora… don't worry. You'll do just fine.