It was day three of Seth's human experience.
The boy in question was currently curled up in the guest bedroom. Dreaming away about him and Caleb together. It was so peaceful...
Until Marcus decided to squawk him awake. "Seth, wake up! Wake up! I just heard the news!"
Seth was confused by what his waterfowl friend said. Picking up his notepad, he wrote, What news?
"What are you babbling about now?" Josh groaned from his position on the desk.
"Don't be so uptight! You know what I'm talking about! It's the talk of the town!" Marcus said happily, "Caleb's choosing someone to marry him today!"
Seth immediately shot up. Caleb was choosing someone to marry him? Today?! The former merman's jaw dropped at that claim.
"Yessir, you my friend hit the jackpot!" Marcus said before preparing to take off, "I'll see you on the wedding boat!"
Seth thought about for a while. Caleb did say he wished he could stay. They almost kissed. He enjoyed their waltz in the ballroom his first night here. But he had to be sure.
Seth hugged Josh for good luck before getting himself dressed. For today, he chose his pink dress shirt, trousers with a belt, black dress socks, and dress shoes. He combed his hair to the best of his ability to get it neat. After that, he clutched his aquamarine necklace, praying to Neptune that he had a chance. Seth hurried out the door and came down the stairs before coming to a brief halt at the display in the ballroom.
There were six princesses from what Seth could decipher, all lined up and looked ready to present themselves. Caleb and Alex were there, the former looking like he would rather be anywhere else right now. Seth watched from the second floor of the ballroom, wondering what this was about. Caleb was dressed in a navy blue button up prince jacket with gold fringes, epaulettes, and chain details, along with black slacks, dress socks, and dress shoes, Alex was dressed in a blue tailcoat jacket, white dress shirt, blue trousers, white dress socks, and black dress shoes.
"Welcome dear friends, to our contest," Alex announced, "the first that our kingdom has ever seen. We've gather here today for a vocal display, so our prince may at last choose someone to rule by his side!"
Seth gaped at the announcement. A contest to see who Caleb would choose to be his bride! No wonder Marcus was getting all giddy this morning. The former merman just hid behind a pillar before hearing each princess before.
"The six princesses posses the most accomplished voices in the land!" Alex said, "Tonight, one of you will join Prince Caleb on the throne. May the best woman win!"
The first princess started to sing, in an overwhelming tone, "Listen to me! Don't I sound rich? Loud, am I not? Plus, I've got perfect pitch! Wouldn't you think I'm the girl, the girl who was everything!"
Both prince and advisor cringed at her tone. "That's not their voice. I'll know it the moment I hear it," Caleb said defiantly. Alex simply beckoned the next princess to come next. Seth felt relieved he was still looking for his voice, only he couldn't say a single note.
The second princess started to sing and like the previous it was awful, "Listen to this! Clear as can be! You'll know I'm it when I hit my high C! AH!"
Caleb and Alex had to cover their ears from the sheer volume before beckoning the third princess next.
"Wouldn't you think I'm the girl! The girl who has everything? Everything! EVERYTHING!" the third princess sang at in obnoxious tone which Caleb gave his friend a look saying she wasn't the one either.
The remaining princesses took their turns singing.
The fourth princess boasted, "I'm a world famous coloratura!"
The fifth princess boasted next, "My vibrato is second to none!"
And the sixth princess danced as she sang, "I'm a walking display of bravura!"
Caleb gave all these a disapproving stare, not even interested in them. Seth watched from his position, relief that he still might have a chance to perform and possibly win Caleb's hand.
The princesses, on the other hand, didn't take the hint and began to sing all over the place, much to Caleb's chagrin.
"It's so clear... Can't you hear?/I'm the one!/I'm the one!/I'm the one!/I'm the one!/I'm the one!" each princess claimed. Alex, thankfully, made them stop singing and waited for Caleb's response.
"Surely one of these 'lovely' voices matches the music that you have been searching for," Alex 'complimented' the princesses' voices.
"I wish I could say yes," Caleb admitted and the princesses began to have sparkles in their eyes, "But they are not here."
Alex muttered a small thank goodness before trying to persuade Caleb about a potential wife without the voice he had heard. "But her father owns a nice cozy mansion in Prussia," gesturing to the second princess, "She's richer than Midas," gesturing to the fourth princess, "She's one of triplets, but they're willing to break up the set!" gesturing to the first princess.
"No, Alex!" Caleb said, "None of them are like the one I heard that day..." he was almost admitting defeat with his search.
"Well, then what do you suggest?" the royal advisor said before everyone in the ballroom heard someone come do the stairs.
Seth walked in a steady pace as he descended down the staircase. The princesses whispered among themselves about the boy's intrusion, Caleb had a look of hope on his face, which Alex took notice of. "It seems we have one more contestant."
"Him?" One princess said, clearly not understanding why he was making his way down, "He doesn't he look like royalty."
"Shhhh!" said Caleb, "Wait. Be quiet and listen! Go ahead, Seth."
Seth had the floor and all eyes were on him. He was nervous before steeling his nerves and began to do a small dance. Caleb recognized it as the dance he first demonstrated to him his first night. After his routine, Seth gave a bow before raising and having a sheepish face expression.
The former merman felt like a klutz. Who was he kidding? He turned to leave but he was stopped by a grasp at his arm. Caleb had grabbed him and stared with a gaze of wanting.
"Well looks like we have our winner," Alex said, secretly grinning his friend had made his choice.
"But he didn't even utter a sound!" Another princess said indignantly.
"Really?" Caleb said before smiling, "Because I heard every single note." The brunette began held both of Seth's hands, which made Seth look up at Caleb's. The former merman blushed and leaned in, ready for a kiss...
"Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah..."
But the voice returns and this time...
it's coming from someone.
Everyone turned their attention to the newcomer. It was a female with brown hair and eyes. She was wearing a sleeveless blue dress under a deeper blue corset. She had black pumps and a seashell necklace. And Seth could have sworn her necklace was glowing.
Caleb immediately stopped holding hands with Seth and walked over to the mysterious newcomer. Seth's expression of joy at being chosen turned to one of heartbreak as Caleb began to approach her.
"It's you," Caleb said before the girl found a place on his shoulder. "Of course, it's me," the girl said, "Sorry, I took forever to find you."
"It's alright," Caleb droned, "Alex! I have made my decision."
Seth's face turned to one of horror. On the balcony, Josh had made his way just in time to see Seth's routine but his eyes bugged out as he saw the girl claim to be the savior.
"Um, well," Alex stuttered out before composing himself, "Yes, yes, of course. This mystery savior clearly does exist. It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss..."
"Callie," the female introduced with a curtsy.
"Well, I do have the wedding ship ready..." Alex muttered, "So congratulations! We shall take off at sunset."
"That would be lovely," Callie said as she hooked her arm around Caleb and landed a kiss.
A kiss that made Seth tear up. The former merman couldn't take anymore of this affection and left, running pass the happy couple as he did. Callie saw the boy leave... and had a small smirk crept onto her face as she idolized her seashell necklace.
He headed to his room and cried. Caleb was so close to kissing him, even choosing him and this 'Callie' character came in and ruined his chances. Seth wept on his bed, clutching his aquamarine necklace.
His chances were over.
Later that afternoon, the sun began to set, turning the sky into a red and gold masterpiece, as the wedding barge took off the pier. Everyone who wished to attend had been invited and there to witness the happy celebration between the happy couple.
Except Seth, who snuck onto the pier and watched the vessel take off. The former merman spent the rest of the day in his room. He held off any human interaction, only trying to nurse his broken heart. Even Alex tried to explain, but he was shunned. He was too upset to do anything else. Seth couldn't bring himself to pretend to be happy about Caleb's wedding when his heart broke right as he chose her. It was too much for him to endure. The merman took a few deep breaths before sitting down on the pier. He hugged his legs together since this would be the last time he would ever get to enjoy them and cried.
Josh came next to him, patting the former merman. "I'm sorry, Seth. We tried our best." Seth looked up briefly and his tear fell into the ocean where Haven and Breanna were, the former slightly crying herself as the latter let out small clicks of sorrow.
Seth was glad his friends were there alongside him to support him, but it killed him he would never see them again as Addison's little trophy. Seeing the sun, slowly reach the horizon, Seth continued to ache and soon return to the place he originally came from.
Goodbye legs, hello again fins and gills.
In the air near the wedding vessel, Marcus hummed a happy tune, unaware of his friend's depression. He came to stop when he heard a strange tune.
Said tune sounded like Seth's voice, only in a feminine tone. The voice lacked Seth's emotions, which made Marcus suspicious of the tune. He found the source of the voice and peered into the window of the barge. Marcus saw Callie dressed in a vanilla-white blouse singing himself in front of the mirror on the vanity in a rather smug tone.
"What a handsome young bride I'll make
My dear, I'll look divine,"
Callie pulled out a hairpin and threw it to the angel on the mirror, causing it to lean back. The action made Marcus gulp his beak.
"Things are working out according to my ultimate design,"
Callie stepped on the cushion before the vanity, crushing a mirror beneath her black pumps as she did before twirling with such arrogance.
"Soon I'll have that little merman
And the ocean will be mine!"
And Callie admired herself in the mirror...
Only it wasn't her in the reflection, but Addison.
Marcus began to panic, recognizing Seth's removed uncle.
Now it was beginning to make sense! Addison interfered with Caleb and Seth's relationship using the latter's voice to most likely hypnotize which means that Caleb's marrying Addison! He had seen their interactions, no way Caleb was faking those moments with Seth. The human prince fell in love with the person, not the voice! In a hurry, Marcus accidentally hit his head against the barge before flying in a panic notion.
He had to warn Seth about what Addison was doing!
"Seth! SETH!"
The former merman looked in at the call of his name, only seeing Marcus flying in a fast pace. Josh, Haven, and Breanna saw him take a nose dive and land on the pier before panting and explaining himself, "Seth, you are not going to believe what I saw! I was flying- I mean of course I was flying."
Josh was already exasperated with the avian, "Get. To. The. Point."
"I saw the watch- the warlock was watching in the mirror and he was singing with a stolen set of pipes!" Marcus squawked before grabbing the nearest object, which happened to be Josh, much to the crab's dismay.
"Do you hear what I'm telling you?!" the pelican shouted before banging Josh nonstop against the pier, "The-prince-is-marrying-the-sea-warlock-in-disguise!"
"Are you sure about this?" Breanna asked.
"Have I ever been wrong when something important?" the waterfowl said.
"What are we going to do?!" Haven cried.
Seth stood to his feet, furious and ready. "Before the sun sets on the third day," Addison's voice echoed in his head. He was a fool to believe Addison! Of course, he would even double cross his own nephew. Seth should have figured this but he was so caught up by the chance to be human and get even few days with Caleb. This was never about giving Seth a chance to experience life as a human, this was about Addison getting revenge and using Seth as leverage.
Seth couldn't stand by idly as this happened. He had to save Caleb. The sun hadn't set so he still had time. The former merman stood to his feet and dove into the ocean before struggling at swimming.
"Breanna and Haven, help Seth get to the boat! Can you two manage that?" Josh said.
"Don't worry," Breanna said. "We'll get him there!" Haven reassured as the two girls swam beside Seth and began to take off, pouring their energy into their tails as fast as they could.
"I must alert the sea king. He must know about this!" Josh said with determination.
"And me?" Marcus asked before Josh pointed his pincher with authority. "You need to stall that wedding!" And with that the crustacean took off into the water.
"Stall?" Marcus thought before he began to rack a few ideas in his brain. One second later, he got an idea. The pelican let out numerous squawks, cawing out to any nearby wildlife to join him. He soon flew with swallows and seagulls behind him, even some pelicans joined him and scooped up some slower sea fauna like lobsters and starfish. Along the sea, sea lions and dolphins swam with vigor.
Whatever Marcus planned, he would definitely stall that wedding long enough.
On the wedding barge, the ceremony had just began.
Many guest were present and happy to see Caleb get married. Some princesses stayed and were sort of jealous has the prince walked with Callie down the aisle. Among the crowd was Zoe, who snarled at the bride. She knew something was wrong with this girl and didn't deserve Caleb. Alex also showed some displeasure towards the bride, but was more secretive about it. He held Zoe's leash as she growled at the bride who passed them.
Caleb was dressed in a white tuxedo shirt with an ivory white tuxedo jacket, a black bow tie, black slacks adorned his legs, and he had black dress socks and tuxedo loafers. What nobody could tell was that his eyes had a yellow hue in his pupils. Callie was dressed in a white wedding dress, a long white affair with ruffles covering the front and a split skirt. Her dress had large puffs at her sleeves and a large veil that covered her face. She wore white heels as she held the bouquet with roses.
Zoe let out a small growl which Callie heard. Unfazed, she kicked the canine with her heel and continued to walk down the aisle as if nothing happened. Alex noticed and pet Zoe to calm her down, but also shot a glare at the bride.
"Dearly beloved," the priest began.
In the ocean, Haven and Breanna were putting a strain on their tail fins and fluke respectively while carrying Seth, who was doing his best to stay afloat.
"D-don't w-worry Seth!" the bottlenose said, feeling a bit exhausted.
"W-we're a-almost there!" the mermaid said, feeling exhausted herself, "We're going to make it!"
Back on the wedding barge, the priest recited the infamous words, "Do you Caleb take Callie as your lawfully wedded wife for as long as you shall live?"
"I do," Caleb mindlessly droned.
Callie/Addison watched as the sun slowly made its way down, smirking as her/his plan would soon begin.
"And do you, Callie, take Caleb as your lawfully wedded-" the priest began.
Callie couldn't hear the rest of the sentence as squawks began to get louder and louder. The disguised princess ducked before Marcus and his avian comrades dive bombed her. She looked up only for the birds to dive bomb her again this time underneath her dress. Chaos soon arose as many animals began to climb onto the ship. Guests did their best to protect themselves from the invading aquatic fauna. Caleb was still hypnotized and at the center of the chaos was Callie.
The disguised princess was drenched by pelicans, one even dropping lobsters which one pinched her nose. She cried out in agony before starfish attached themselves to her face.
The priest was unaware of the anarchy around the ship and continued with his speech, "Now by the power vested in me-"
"Get off of me you slimy little-" Callie was picking off starfish before being bounced in the air by a sea lion.
Seth finally made it to the ship and began to climb up the ship. By the time he got there, he saw Callie being tossed from three sea lions that landed her into the three tier wedding cake.
Callie arose, furious that her wedding dress was covered in the dessert, and adding insult to injury, Breanna and two dolphins hopped to her level and sprayed her with saltwater. And Marcus gave his most irritating caw straight at the disguised princess. "Why you little-" Callie began to strangle the pelican at such close range while the bird snapped at the necklace. Seth would have laugh if he both could and if the situation wasn't dire right now.
Alex was doing his best to restrain Zoe, who was barking as she wanted to take action herself in the madness. Alex soon lose his grip and Zoe was released. The canine ran straight towards the bride, whose necklace was almost free. Marcus added kicking to his struggling to free his friend's voice. Zoe arrived and, with much gusto, bit Callie. Callie screamed in pain and with a final yank, Marcus pulled the necklace off.
The necklace fell in the air before smashing apart near Seth.
"Ah... ah... ah... ah..." Seth's voice began to vocalize in a golden wisp, slowly approaching Seth's throat in front of the everyone at the wedding while Callie was furious that her outfit had become a mess from both seawater and the cake. Caleb's pupils lost their yellow hue, causing him to clutch his head in pain before coming to. And when he did, he focused on the source of the voice.
"Ah... ah... ah... ah... ah... ah~" the vocalization came to end as Seth finished the note. With his own voice this time.
"Seth?" Caleb questioned first, starstruck that the one he was looking for was in front of him this whole time.
"Caleb!" Seth smiled, glad he could finally talk once again. Zoe ran over, yipping in pleasure that the one her owner loves can now talk.
"Y-you can talk!" Caleb before running towards Seth as they held hands like before. "You're the one?"
Seth was happy to oblige with the same song he sang when he first saved him.
"What would I give to live where you are,
What would I do to stay here beside you.
"What would I do to see you
Smiling at me,"
Caleb blushed before joining in with singing the same notes.
"Where would we walk,
Where would we run,
If we could spend all day in the sun
Just you and me
Wish I could be
Part of your world~"
"Can't believe it was you the whole time," Caleb admitted.
"Caleb, get away from him!" Callie said in Addison's voice before covering her mouth.
"Oh, Caleb, I wanted to tell you, even for these past three days," Seth also admitted before the two princes leaned in for a kiss.
"Caleb! No!" Addison shouted.
The two princes were centimeters away from each other, ready to give a kiss... only for the sunset to commence. Seth gasped in pain as he felt himself feel weak. He felt pain shoot through body like when he transformed. He slowly slumped down, out of Caleb's arms and to the floor. Seth's trousers disappeared and were replaced with his blue tail while along his neck, gills returned.
Seth began to tear up as his secret was revealed. "I'm sorry," he weeped, "I w-want to tell you...*sniffles* I'm a merman." Caleb stared in shock as the boy he loved became a merman. Everyone on board shared the same reaction.
"You're too late!" Addison cackled, "You're too late!" Thunder echoed above as the clouds turned dark. Lightning struck him and his original appearance was revealed to the guests. Everyone gave a more terrified form of shock. The sea warlock crawled towards the recently returned merman. Seth made an effort to get away, but due to be on land and in shock, he was grabbed by Addison.
"So long lover boy, I'll be taking your boyfriend now!" Addison mocked before leaping into the ocean with Seth in his grasp.
"Seth!" Caleb cried over the ship's rail. All he saw were ripples from Addison dove in.