Disclaimer: I do not own Mermaid Melody

What did I just do? Did I just collapse in front of everyone? With this situation, there's no way they'll let me swim my way to the North Pacific? I want to go back home! I want to see my home ocean again. I want to see my friends. I…I…desperately want to forget about Kaito…in that way…at least I can still hope to lessen the pain.

Sacrifice of a Mermaid Princess

Part 3

I am now lying in my own bed. When I woke up, I saw all other mermaid princesses like myself surrounding me. They kept asking if I'm fine, if I need something, or if I want to rest. I really appreciate their concern…but I also want to go the North Pacific…what am I going to do now?

"Don't worry. You do not have to worry about going back to your continent." Hanon appeared with a very suspicious smile.

"Yes, we already arranged things for you!" Cocco added. As each of them continued telling me not to worry, I cannot help but feel scared of whatever they intended to do.

"We already asked your fiancé to fetch you. They would probably arrive…I think…a few hours from now."

What are they talking about? There's no way Hiroto would come in land just to visit me…

"What did you just say?" Finally, after regaining my status in normal condition, I realized that that is really big news…something I never expected to happen.

"We said that the royal mermaid princes are already on their way to land!"

"Are you all out of your mind? How is that supposed to make me not worry? Now, chances are I won't be able to go back to the North Pacific if he ever finds me sick in bed."

"Lucia, you do not have to be angry. We're just doing what's best for you. Right guys?"

I really cannot understand what they are thinking…or worse…what they are actually planning to do…but I can sense there's some motive behind all of these. I just can't believe they even asked Hiroto to join them. What if he finds out what happened between Kaito and I? Forget it Lucia…what in the world does Kaito have to do with that? He only cares about Mikaru…

After sometime…

Hanon, Rina, Karen, Noelle, Coco, Sera, Hippo and I are now waiting for our friends to come in land. I cannot help but feel excited because it's been a long time since I last met them…especially Hiroto. When we're young, he always acted as my protector. No matter if it's a shark we're facing or the humans, he always thought of ways to rescue me even if he might be hurt. I really thank him for that. Also that…it would be nice to see him again.

"Lucia, what do you think of Hiroto?" Hanon asked me all of a sudden.

"Yes, we all know he's the most handsome prince in the ocean. I bet you are the luckiest mermaid princess ever!" Coco added.

"What are you talking about? Lucia-sama hasn't recovered from what that Kaito did." Hippo really cared about me. At first, he didn't approve of my relationship with Kaito but then when he saw me crying, he did all he can to help me.

"That's ok. I think Hiroto is a nice guy and I also want to see him so I came with you guys."

And at last…not after a few minutes, a white ship approached our location. Who would ever think those friends of ours would come up with an excellent plan to hide their identities as mermaids.

"Isn't it great? Hippo told us that we might be aware of the possibility that humans might be surprise to see handsome mermaid princes came out from the ocean! Right, my dear mermaid princesses?" Arc is really something. If we do not know, he just acted weird enough because Noelle is also watching him.

"So, aren't you happy Noelle?"

"Stop it Karen!" Noelle is really blushing back then. Arc is a cool guy and he and Noelle are childhood friends just like Hiroto and I. Then after loud shouts created as my friends started quarreling and chatting, a dark violet haired handsome young man with white complexion and pleasing appearance came out from the ship. I kept staring as he walked towards where I'm standing. I am really surprise to see him again. Hiroto…it's really him.

"It's nice to see you again, Princess Lucia." I do not understand those girls. How come they acted so weird seeing Hiroto talk to me? We're just talking after all.

Karen and Rina started teasing me, "Say Hiroto, when will the wedding ceremony occur? Do you plan to have it here or in the ocean?" These guys, I cannot believe this.

"Please…just forget what they said."

"Princess Lucia?"

"And stop calling me Princess!" I saw him smiled after that. Then it occurred to me, when we're young, we already treated each other normally…just like the way we treat each other now…no secrets…no hard feelings…no lies.

We accompanied them to the place where we live. For the mean time, Hiroto, Arc and the others will be staying with us. Since they aren't that familiar with the place, we paired ourselves to tour them around. I recommended pairing with Hiroto since we've been friends for a very long time.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked him directly.

"Well, if there's someplace you want to go, I would be honored to accompany you." Hiroto didn't change at all. He always cared about me. He always thinks of others first before he thinks of himself.

"I refuse. Since it's your first time here, allow this mermaid princess to be your tour guide!" The sadness I once felt…seeing him again…I just can't seem to feel any better than the feeling I have now.

"Then why don't you show me the view of the ocean?"

"The ocean?"

"When we're kids, you used to stare at the humans…that time, all I can do is watching you with sad eyes as you stared at them. Now that we're in land, it's the ocean far from us. I just wish I could see it with you." He said that as he watched the birds flying in the sky. I can tell, he hasn't changed a bit. He always cares for others, without even thinking of himself.

"Ok then, let's go!"

We headed in the ocean. Together, we walked and strolled just like the old days. I felt much better with him around. But I also can't help…but remember that guy…who used to accompany me at times like this…Kaito.

"Princess…ah no! Lucia, would you like to rest first. You look pale." I almost forgot, I just had the fever last night and I am now acting as if nothing happened. But it's ok, at most I felt happy.

"I still don't want to go. Let's stay here first, even just for a little while…please!"

"Fine we will." Hiroto never refuses any wish or request I ask him to grant. But then, as I stare at him...I didn't notice a ball which is about to hit me.

Good thing Hiroto hit it before it hits me.

"Are you ok Lucia?"

"Yes I am. Thanks." But all of a sudden, I felt dizzy enough just like the last time before I collapsed. What is wrong with my body? How can I be sick at a time like this?

Suddenly, I felt being pulled towards him. He touched my forehead to know how high my fever is. He smiled and then said…

"Sorry if I wasn't able to help you before. Now that I'm here, let me protect you just like the old days."

"Hiroto?"

"After all, I never thought you would grow into such a beautiful princess, really I never thought you would."

"Was that supposed to be a compliment or you just love to tease me as always!"

"Calm down princess! I'm just kidding."

We both laughed. That time is supposed to be fun…before somebody unexpected approached us…

"Sorry about the ball!"

"Mikaru?"

"Lucia-chan? I never thought I would see you here. I'm really sorry. Who's he?"

"He's Hiroto. Hiroto, Mikaru."

"Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well."

But seeing her here…does that mean…Kaito…is also here?

"If you're looking for Kaito, he…"

I immediately interrupted her speech. I…I just do not want to hear anything related to both of them…Not seeing them…might be a good way to forget. After all, my fiance's with me. What more…can I ask for?

"Mikaru! Lu-cia?" All of a sudden, the unexpected happened.

"Kaito?"

"I'm sorry, Mikaru just asked me to…who is he?" I cannot understand, Why does Kaito seem troubled of Hiroto's presence. Wait a minute! Lucia, you should not care…just let him be…

"Hiroto, this is Kaito."

"It's nice to meet princess' friends."

"Princess?" Kaito suddenly asked. What's the matter with him? What does he have to do with Hiroto calling me princess? I really…can't understand.

"I'm sorry. I didn't introduce myself completely. My name's Hiroto Suichiro, Lucia's fiancé."

Even I got surprise with what he did. But it doesn't matter…what he said…is the absolute truth. Now that you are with her…Kaito…I sincerely wish for your happiness.

"Let's go, Hiro-kun!"

He nodded and then we made our way to escape from them…or I made my own way rather…to escape from crying again…

Lucia's POV

Now that Kaito already learned what's happening…I hope he can be happy for me as well. Even if it hurts…for your sake…I'd rather hurt myself…Kaito.

Hiroto's POV

I do not know what relationship does that guy had with Princess Lucia. But she wouldn't want to cry and escape if something serious didn't happen. That guy's Kaito, and the girl's named Mikaru. Princess…I promise you…I would risk anything to make you happy…now I'm here, all you have to do is to allow me to protect you.

Kaito's POV

Hiroto? Lucia, what in the world are you planning? Now that I just finished dealing with Mikaru, I actually tried to tell you what I really feel…but then I met your…fiancé…I guess this is all worth it…I deserve it…for hurting you…

Mikaru's POV

Kaito, I won't give up. If I have to fight her by all means to win you back, just wait and see Nanami Lucia!

Author's note: Hiroto likes Lucia. Lucia likes Kaito. Mikaru likes Kaito. What a love triangle we have now? But really, I just don't want to make it that easy for Kaito to win Lucia back, especially now that she already has someone to protect her. In the next chapter, what if it's Lucia who forgets about Kaito? Is that all worth it? Will true love last?

Readers, please leave your reviews before you leave. I would really want to see what you think of this part. It's pretty hard to think of ideas but it's all worth it knowing that you enjoyed reading my works. Thank you very much and God bless you all!