A/N: Was originally gonna post this in May for MerMay but decided to post it now just in case if anything happens. So here's an R/C "The Little Mermaid" AU to make up for abusing Raoul this April Fools'...

I will be alluding to not only the Disney version but the Hans Christian Anderson tale. Moreover, there will also be some additional plot points I added.

Enjoy!

Raoul smiled as the wind whipped through his hair and slightly open shirt. Nothing felt better than exploring the open seas… the salty air lingering on his lips, the endless possibilities, the summer breeze blowing through his hair, the view from up there… It was such a perfect day for a voyage!

"Isn't this great?" he excitedly asked his tutor, Reyer "Having an adventure out in the open seas?"

"Why… yes," Reyer sighed, feeling himself becoming seasick as the ship rocked gently against the waves "Absolutely wonderful…"

"A fine strong wind and a following sea. The Sea King must be in a friendly-type mood." a sailor commented on the weather.

"The Sea King?" the prince cocked his head curiously, eager to learn more.

"The ruler of the merpeople. Thought everyone knew that!"

"Merpeople?" Reyer looked up from the railing in shock before regaining his composure "Why, that's nautical nonsense – nothing but a superstition!"

"Well, I once knew a sailor who survived a terrible shipwreck!" he defended his claims, placing a hand on his chest "He said that some of them heard a mystical singing voice from the sea! And then, the ship sank to its doom! Luckily, many of them survived!"

"Preposterous!" the man was still in denial about the possibility despite the sailor's tale.

Raoul pondered for a moment as the two argued. Could it be possible? Could merpeople actually exist? No. It's impossible! Such things could be figments of the imagination to tell stories of. But with fewer ships arriving at the trading ports now… the prince couldn't help but wonder about their possible existence. After all, that's what he liked about adventure. He could see new things that he didn't know about!

Suddenly, he saw a somewhat blurry flash of blonde hair and a fishtail with purple, pink, and blue scales. His eyes widened at the sight and he blinked to check but it was gone in a flash.

"Did… you see that?" Raoul finally spoke up after a while, speechless from the sight.

"Hmm?" a few raised their eyebrows in confusion. He shook his head, probably just his own imagination… "Never mind…"

Raoul thought about the sight he saw for a moment and found a strange, warm feeling in thinking of merpeople. Even if it wasn't true, he still liked the idea of such people living in the sea…

A/N: Short yet simple. But don't worry. The next chapter will be longer.