Diana was sitting in a crescent shaped rock in a cove she called Quiet Crescent because she went there when she wanted to be alone. She needed to get away from the loud, bustling, glittering palace, which was her home. Diana was the Princess and the glittering jewel of the Jasmine Sea. If she could have chosen her life, Diana would have loved to be born an ordinary citizen and not have to worry about her future. She wouldn't have fights with her father over her hobbies, bad habits like sneaking out, or most importantly choosing her fiancée.
Since she was born, Diana has been engaged to Prince Alexander from the White Mist Sea. It was an arrangement made by their parents, as it had been done for many generations. Diana dreaded her wedding day as much as she dreaded the days she had to spend in Prince Alexander's company. He hardly paid attention to her, and when he did, he just stared at her chest. He was also rude and conceited and vulgar, yet she put up with it because he was also impulsive and had anger issues. One minor insult would cause a scandal and possibly a war. She didn't want that.
Diana let the waves flow through her light and dark blue hair which also had a small splash of coral pink and let her turquoise-aqua tail sway as if she were pacing. She watched as a school of fish swam by, the seaweed dance in the waves, and the sun glisten on the water surface. 'Things cannot possibly stay this way. That Prince and I don't have anything in common or anything to talk about. All he does is stare at my chest, flirt with other mermaids, and leer at me with those vulgar eyes! Yet all father and mother tell me is "This is for the good of the Kingdom" and "It's your duty to marry and continue our traditions". When will I ever do what I want?!' She thought and sighed. Her tail swayed about in frustration, stirring up some bubbles.
She got up and began swimming again, swimming aimlessly and looking over more of her kingdom's territory. A school of silverfish streamed by her. Their shimmer reminded her of the way the moon glowed of the sea surface. She had only seen it once as a child, but she never forgot it. She was so enchanted by the way the moon and ocean connected with each other that she made a wish. A wish that she kept dear to her heart and still had hope would come true.
After a few more hours of swimming, Diana decided to swim back home to the Neo-Mist Palace. It was made out of Amethyst crystals and mostly built into the sea wall as well. She swam through the gates, getting saluted by the guards on her way. Diana kept up her royal appearance; keeping her head up straight, facing forward, swaying her tail in a way that doesn't stir up too many bubbles, and so on. As she got a little further in, she swam past the ballroom where her mother, Queen Meroine, was talking to some decorators. The decorations were for a ball that was being held for Diana and Alexander.
"Diana, come in here. We need to have a talk, young lady", Queen Meroine said, looking at the doorway.
Diana sighed to herself as she swam back and into the ballroom. She swam over and stopped a few inches from her mother. "Yes mother?"
"Young Lady, where have you been? You were supposed to be here, helping with decoration decisions for the ball. This is an important evening for you as it will mark the finale to your coming of age and start the new chapter of your life in your engagement to Prince Alexander."
"Mother, this is all too rushed. I know you and father have good relations with Alexander's kingdom, but I barely know him since you two saw fit to engage me to him merely three days after my birth…and I have never meet him until about a year ago. We only see each other on semi-formal occasions or on one of his whims. On top of that, he's a brute! He's impulsive and has a foul temper, he disregards everything I say, he touches me inappropriately, all he does is talk about himself, and he flirts with other mermaids. Mother, this marriage will not be advantageous to either of our kingdoms. It's more like you've signed me off to be sold as a servant." Diva said, but knew her mother would find some excuse to smooth over the "false accusations".
"Diana, don't be so selfish. Alexander is a prince and would never act in such manners. Now you will stay here and help me with the decorations then we will get you dressed for the ball. I expect to see you happy for the guests. And do not do anything that could ruin this night." Queen Meroine said sternly and continued talking with the decorator as Diva sighed and looked around to see what was already done. As usual, her mother had done a fabulous job decoration the ballroom. Everything complimented each other and not even a piece of seaweed was out of place.
After decorations were completed, Diana went to her room with her mother to get ready. Diva decided this time it would be pointless to argue and just sat on her chair while her mother started looking through her closet. Calling the maids in, Queen Meroine watched as Diana was tended to. She was dressed in a sea blue dress with a matching clip tying up her hair, pearl bracelets for her wrists and tail, and a shell pendant. Once Diana was dressed, the maids politely bowed and left. Queen Meroine gracefully flittered over and looked her daughter up and down. "Now you look appropriate. It would be so much more elegant if you smiled" she said and gracefully flittered out.
Diana sat in front of her mirror and looked at her own reflection. She stared for a long time before looking away. "Appropriate, huh? I look more like a nicely wrapped present about to be handed off" she mumbled and looked out her room window and saw another school of silverfish swimming by as she placed her hand on her chest. "Goddess Luna of the Moon…Lord Neptune of the Sea…please hear my wish…I know I am a princess and have duties I cannot escape. But I beg of you, please help me to escape this ill-fated union. I do not wish to marry Prince Alexander. He is a brute, ill tempered, devious, and I do not love him. I never could love such a creature. I beg of you, give me three days away from this life that I've known! I want to find someone who will listen to me, cherish me, treasure me like the finest ocean jewel, and love me for who I am. I wish to live as a normal girl…I wish to live as a human girl!" She cried out with all her heart as the last silverfish swam by. Knowing what she did was merely chalked up to an old fish tale; Diana remained in her seat and waited for the ball to begin.