With the years the place where the prince's kingdom had ones been had now become known as the dark void in the ocean.
The place was eternally covered in darkness that would block out the sun, and the waves at the place would be far bigger and far more dangerous than any other place often swallowing up any boat that entered the area by mistake.
That is why sailors now elected to simply not approach the area and always sail around instead, they all agreed it was cursed waters and just better to stay away.

One of these sailors whom knew to stay clear of this dark void in the ocean was an old merchant by the name Farand.

Farand was a decently well off merchant whom owned a couple of ships which would bring in wares from far off exotic places and bring them back to his own country where he would sell these wares for a higher price.

He had a big beautiful mansion with an gorgeous ocean view, and there he lived with his only daughter, Emily.

Emily was quite the little creature. She was nervous and rather quiet by nature, she often preferred to sit inside and study than to go out and socialize. She really wasn't a fan of big crowds nor to many loud voices.
Her stature was small and petite, her complexion pale and her hair the color of chocolate was often left to flow freely down her shoulders in their big wild curls as her large dark brown almond shaped eyes would be looking at a book.
No one would deny that she was indeed very beautiful, also she was well educated and pretty much knew all what there was to know about politics, foreign countries, the animal kingdom, architecture, art, music. There really didn't seem to be the subject she wasn't an expert on.

Probably not a surprise as she would spend most of her days inside of that big empty mansion just waiting for her father to come back home from one of his trips.
She never complained though, never expressed her loneliness, but always met her father at the port with a great smile an open arms to embrace him and eagerly ask him about all the things he had seen.

It was a rather simple but happy life for Farand and Emily, how ever one day disaster struck. One of the ships Farand had send out didn't return home and neither did the next one. Soon Farand only had one ship left and money was running out.

"Don't worry Emily." Farand then smiled. "I'm going to sea with the last boat, i'll bring back some truly exceptional wares and we'll be okay."

Sadly Emily looked at him. "Do you have to go with them?" she asked. "The other ships never returned, if you went out there now and didn't come back I… I…" at that she had to stop as tears was welling up in her eyes. "Please promise me you'll come back!" she begged as she burst into tears. "I wont be able to bear it if you don't!"

Defeated Farand looked at Emily, then pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and dried her eyes for her. "Of course i'll come back, I could never leave you here alone." he said as he took his hand back. "Tell you what, i'm going to bring you a gift!" he said. "What ever in the world you want! Just tell me, what should I bring back for you?"

Emily swallowed. "Yourself." she then asked. "Make sure you come back safely."

Farand chuckled amused. "We covered that already, i'll come back." he assured. "Seriously though, what should I bring back for you?"

"Urhm." Emily bit her thumb. "I don't know, I don't really need anything."

"At the place i'm going they'll have silk dresses unlike anything we have here." Ferrand informed. "And beautiful jewelry made from gold! Their perfumes are quite exsquisit as well!"

Amused Emily shook her head. "Now I know what I want." she said looking up. "Bring me back a rose!" she asked.

That made Farand blink. "A rose?" he asked. "Emily, you can get roses from the marked place here in town. Any color you like."

"I know but I want you to bring me one from where ever you go!" Emily smiled. "A foreign rose!"

Farand smiled a little defeated. "Fine." he said. "What color would you like?"

"It doesn't really matter but if you do have choices, bring me a red one." Emily then asked.

"I see, a red rose." Farand said. "You're sure there's not anything else I can get you?" he asked. "perhaps a golden hair piece for your lovely hair or a glass figurine?"

"Father, your money are sparse." Emily reminded him. "A rose is all I need." he said in a smile.

"A rose it is then." Farand said. "i'll bring you the most beautiful red rose you have ever seen. Just you wait and see." he smiled in a blink.

Soon it was time for Farand to leave with his ship, Emily was at the port and waved the ship goodbye.

The ship sailed to a foreign land where the heat was enough to make most men melt away, the towns were full of sand but they had fineries of the best kind and Farand could spend all his money on silk, dresses, jewelry and perfumes that was sure to net him a great sum at home.
Unfortunately though as this country was very hot, it was not a place where roses grew freely and Farand was unable to find the rose he had promised his daughter.

This filled him with guilt, but he at last concluded he could buy her a whole garden of roses at home with all the money he would earn from this cargo.

Their travel home as well seemed to be going well but then it happened that they were caught in a storm!
Soon all hands were on deck, even Farand had to help by tying up the sails and securing the cargo. The storm though was merciless and suddenly a shout sounded.

"TURN AROUND! WE ARE NEARING THE DARK VOID!"

This made everybody scared, every sailor knew that no one who entered the dark void in the ocean ever came back, and it was a horrible realization as Farand realized what had happened to his other boats! And what was about to happen to this one.

And yes indeed it did, the water current was merciless and pulled the ship closer and closer to the void, and as they were pulled closer the waves became bigger and the wind ever stronger. From the sky came the thunder and lightning blocking out any other sounds.

Every sailor was in a wild panic as they tried to turn the ship around but it was no use, wide-eyed Farand looked over the railing and suddenly saw a number of ship wreckages of ships which had gone to ground and sunk around here and then suddenly, a big rumble went through the ship as that to had run into a stone and now split apart. The sailors shouted but it was not over as they were cast back and forth, shouted for mercy.
Farand tried to hold tight to the railing but it was no help as the ship itself tipped over and flung Farand into the ocean.

As the icy cold water hit Farand it felt like a thousands daggers all over his body, he had to fight to try and get to the surface but the current underneath him was to strong, and above him the wind and waves did not make his struggle any easier.
Soon his lungs would be burning and his eyes watering from pain, he tried to hold on to consciousness but it was a loosing battle.

His last thoughts before darkness finally took him was with his dear daughter. What was going to happen to her? What would happen to Emily now that his last bit of fortune was lost and he would not return?

Please my wonderful daughter, forgive me.

Those were his last thoughts before at last, Farand lost all consciousness.