Mermaid 10

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Catherine

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Erik was visiting the village. Again. I wondered what allure it could possibly still have for him. He was an outsider to them, and sometimes I privately thought it might be for the best. I never wanted to give him any excuse to go back to that place.

" It's odd not having Erik out here with us. You'll have to talkative enough for two today, cousin. Although heaven knows that you talk enough for five each day, so I doubt that will be a problem," Prince Christian drawled with a smile as we walked out to the balcony.

I laughed­it was true. Christian too had an affinity with the sea, but it was more tolerable. Perhaps I thought that because he was crown prince or maybe just because I wasn't in love with him. I just was in a particularly gay mood that morning, though I still wished Erik was here.

" Christian, exaggeration shall be the death of you. Surely I talk enough only for four."

We both laughed, and the servants trailed along behind us as we approached the wide balcony. The wind picked up, and several of my blonde locks flew from their place. I beamed at the sparkling sea, knowing with a bit of satisfaction that I myself looked very attractive today. In the sun light, my dark blonde hair shone like gold and my green eyes sparkled prettily. My skin was smooth, my figure was perfect, and my green gown completed the package.

In the corner of my eye, I caught a glance of something. Turning my head to the right, I gasped. Forgetting to say anything to Christian, my slippered feet carefully walked down the marble steps to the sea. A naked girl clung on to the last step, barely holding on with her arms from being gently swept back with the tide. I stared for a moment, then crossed myself.

" Cousin?," I heard Christian call out, concerned.

I continued to stare, trying to find words and trying to figure out what to do. She looked to be dead, but even in death she was rather pretty. Her hair was an exotic shade of red, with almost a purple tint to it, and must of fallen down to her waist. Her skin was beautifully pale, and never had I seen eyelashes so thick and luscious without face paint. Her figure looked to be perfect, and instantly I wondered what the cause of her death had been.

I suddenly heard one of the servants gasp, and Christian utter a mild swear. Within moments, Christian had bounded down the stairs and knelt beside me, with the servants peering at a respected distance.

I had never seen such a look on Christian's face. A naked girl is something no man turns his eyes away at, and his expression held lust, for all the gentleman he was. Even if she was dead, I frowned; it wasn't proper.

I took off my light cloak, feeling sorry that such a beautiful girl was dead. It would of had been a horrible shipwreck, to rip off her clothes as it did.

As I draped my cloak over her body, she suddenly stirred. Her eyes flickered open, and I heard Christian and all the rest gasp along with me. The girl's eyes were a breathtaking violet.

I stared and backed away slowly, not sure what I was afraid of. Christian, on the other hand, laughed and patted my hand.

" It seems you have a talent for finding shipwreck victims and bringing them back to life, cousin. This is your third, correct?," Christian mused, grinning ear to ear.

I smiled at the joke, and turned my attention back to the girl. Christian had wrapped my cloak completely around her, and she was now decently covered.

The girl lifted herself up in a delicate motion, and looked around her. I couldn't help but feel envious--I didn't want to, but I did----but she was the most beautiful woman that I had ever laid eyes on, and everyone around me seemed to silently agree.

Christian especially. His eyes widened and danced as he gazed at her, and I wondered when I had last seen him this happy. Before the shipwreck? His hand snapped for a servant, but his eyes never left her as he spoke.

" Bring her some clothing, and clean an open suite immediately to make it fit for this maiden." Without scarcely waiting for a second word, he turned back around to stare at the girl. " Who are you?"

The girl opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She stared at him sorrowfully, and I realized that she was mute. I hated myself for it, but a small triumph in me emerged. Proof that she wasn't perfect! I immediately chided myself for my last thought. For god's sake Catherine, she's just been in a ship wreck and already you have rivalry for her. What confessing you'll have in Mass!

" She's mute," I told Christian quietly as I edged my way toward the girl.

He nodded, but his eyes continued to shine. " Perhaps temporarily, she's underwent a hardship. I scarcely spoke after my shipwreck," he told me, dismissing my advice.

Privately I knew he was mistaken. I had seen the way the girl tried to speak words , and the glimmer of despair when nothing came out.

Christian and one of the men servants already were on their feet, helping her up. " Can you walk," Christian asked gently.

The girl looked surprised at that statement. She glanced at her legs beneath the cloak and a smile of pleasure spread across her face. But upon taking a step, the girl suddenly gasped and her knees buckled slightly as an intense expression of pain crossed her face. Christian looked terrified as she stumbled, and he swept her up in his arms without another moment to lose. I was puzzled as I watched him carry her up the steps. This girl was beautiful, no doubt, but he acted different around her then any other beautiful girl he had ever been around.

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The girl rested for several days; during the evening of her fourth night in the palace she was fully recovered. My ladies-in-waiting and myself regarded the angelic looking girl who was perched at the end of the bed. Christian--not surprisingly--had immediately put her into my hands to 'fix-up' the moment we reached the suite. I turned to Mary, my most valued maid, and gestured for her to speak. Normally I didn't sully my hands with people who came from village filth, as I assumed this girl had. Mary would of had plenty of experience, as I had rescued her from being the 9th child in a family of twelve. The girl stared at us, wide eyed. Her violet gaze was unsettling and intensely beautiful, in a way that wasn't all together human. All the same, I assumed my jealousy was biting me, and nodded my head to Mary again.

" You're opinion, Mary. Perhaps the one time in my life I will wish to hear it," I told her directly.

Mary raised her eyebrows a fraction on an inch.

" Well, in that case milady, I'd suggest that the hard part's done. Milord Prince has kindly put her in a palace suite, and seems inclined to providing for her until she's bettered herself. I'd have to order material for make some dresses for her, but in the mean time perhaps you could lend her one of your old frocks you've planned on giving away. That purple one would offset her eyes nicely­of course I'd have to take in it a bit and let the hem down, given her height and that perfect figure," Mary mused.

I frowned slightly at the last remark, but let it pass. I'd speak with her later about treating her betters properly.

" Well go then, girl. Fetch the dress, find some slippers, and prepare to do some work. She stinks of salt water and fish, but apparently my dear cousin is too blinded by love to take time to smell. Run along, we'll be working all day to have her presentable for dining tonight. There will be a small party in one of the private royal dining halls, and I suspect the prince will have her dine there tonight so he can have a more clear view of her before tomorrow evening. Christian will no doubt make a show of it, and it rests on my shoulders," I said tersely.

Mary annoyingly hid a smile, and she and the maids scurried off in different directions. Sighing, I sat down next to the girl and smiled. She would have many enemies in court, particularly among the women. The frightened look on the girl's face made her look as if she were born yesterday. She could use a friend, even if she was perhaps a bit slow. I myself was always happy to gain a new companion.

" I'm Lady Catherine Elizabeth Victoria, but you may call me Catherine, or Cat if you will. I hope we can become friends. Do you understand me," I said slowly, smiling.

Huddled in the cloak, the girl observed me for a moment before nodding shortly. Her eyes keened with intelligence, and I hadn't doubted that she was perfectly capable. I ventured another question.

" What's your name?"

The girl hesitated, and I wondered if she had understood me. Her lips formed the word, but once again no word came out. At that moment, Bitten­one of the maids--came scurrying in with a comb, Mary trailing after her with the purple gown and slippers, and three more maids carrying a bathing tub with pails of water. Standing up once more, I walked over to my mirror to have another servant comb my mane. I was rather proud of my hair; it fell halfway down my back and gleamed like a lion's mane itself.

The day flew past as we changed the girl we had plucked from the sea into something more prince worthy, the bathing itself at least two hours. I chose face paint that would best compliment her features, and a lovely diamond necklace from my own collection.

" You have beautiful hair," I heard Mary tell the girl as she combed it.

It was nearing dinner time, and we nearly had the girl presentable. I turned my head slightly to see the maid gawking at the girl's hair. It was longer than I had thought, hanging down to her hips, and indeed magnificent--the girl indeed looked like a siren or something you'd hear in a Greek myth. Particularly with her shining thick hair in that exotic shade of red.

The girl smiled at Mary's comment, twirling her finger through a loose strand. I was positive that she had grown up impoverished; the way her eyes stared wonderingly at everything around her marked her for nothing more then a cobbler's daughter at best.

" For all those knots I had to yank out, it was worth it. Feel her hair, milady. It's akin to silk," Mary breathed.

I ignored her wonder and gathered several bits of face paint. I beckoned my finger to her, and she rose, almost floating across the floor. I marveled at her grace, and handed Mary the makeup. Mary shook her head at the sight of it.

" She needs it not, milady. Perhaps a bit of rouge on her lips, but other then that she looks like a doll. Milord Prince can't be more pleased then this."

I hated to say it, but I agreed with her. Mary dipped her finger in the rouge, and spread some over the girl's lips. Then myself and the maids turned back to see the final picture.

It was a stunning picture, and no one could disagree. A slow smile spread across the girl's face, and she twirled around once, silent laughter coming out of her mouth. The purple silk flew with her, and envy pierced the heart of every girl in the room. Her exotic hair swung at her waist and after that hard scrubbing, the girl's pale skin shone like porcelain in the lamp light. The beautiful purple gown embroidered with gold that had looked fine on me designed the girl look like a Queen, and made her curious violet eyes glitter like amethysts . As Mary had said, her figure was perfect and her smile lit up the room, brighter than any lamp. The diamond necklace I had given her was poised above her cleavage, and it glittered at all the right moments. But when she walked, we all held our breath. She didn't seem to walk, but more floated like an angel. Cobbler's daughter or not, her parentage must of been spectacular. It was just as well that God had robbed her voice; I could imagine it being airy and melodious. The lack of a voice gave the rest of us a chance.

After twirling several more times in a girlish delight, the girl stopped and smiled shyly. I smiled back warmly; her sweet and kind manner made me hate to envy her. She curtsied once to me, then did the same to the maids. I stopped her midway, the maids blushing.

" No, you wouldn't curtsy to them. They're only the help," I told the girl, pulling her up.

She looked at me quizzically for a moment, then gestured to Mary and mimed combing her hair. Mary shook her head gently.

" Thank you, but milady here is correct. You won't curtsy to us," she told her.

The girl licked her lips, but said nothing. The faint smell of salt water still accompanied her, but there seemed nothing we could do to rid her of it.

Clapping my hands, I beckoned to the door. " We dine at the current moment. Follow me, and we'll properly show you to the prince."

As I led her through the twisting corridors, another sparkle caught my eye. On her finger sat a fantastic ring, an amethyst framed by sapphires. I halted in our steps and picked up the girl's hand. By Mary, mother of God, the ring was worth a king's ransom--one would have to be in league with princes and kings in order to be bestowed such a gift, something of Erik's status in the least. The girl saw what I was staring at, and broke into another pleasing smile.

" Inheritance? A token from a lover?," I asked delicately as I continued to lead her down the magnificent hallway to the Prince's private dining hall.

The girl laughed silently, then blushed as she gave a slight nod. I smiled back at her; I was warming to her. I had no doubt that she owned it in right; perhaps she had been a favorite mistress to some member of high nobility? With her appearance, it wasn't a far fetched thought.

We reached the private dining hall, and I smiled at the servant as he opened the door for us. "Milord Prince is pleased for your presence," he stuttered, blushing madly as the girl smiled in turn.

As we walked in, I immediately felt at ease. Perhaps sixteen people were, all trusted friends of Christian, sat at the long gleaming oak table. I quickly noted that twelve of the seats were filled by men, four by women, and three empty. The golden chandelier sprayed light on those beneath it, and a small quartet of a violin, cello, harp, and viola played in the corner. As my feet and the girl's glided across the marble floor, talking slowly ceased, and Christian stood up. I noticed Duke Balduin give Christian a nudge, and say something to the noblemen surrounding him while making an obscene gesture toward the girl. All, including my cousin, burst into laughter and I glared at Balduin. He caught my eye, and shrugged. He was a mildly handsome man who was nearly thirty and made no move to be discreet about women. As one of the most powerful men in Denmark, there was no outcry about his advances toward women, and he was much too popular among the high court. All the same, I despised him. The girl luckily had noticed nothing, and just continued to grin maniacally at her surroundings.

Christian cleared his throat from his chair, and the room instantly fell silent. Balduin, seated to the left of him, grinned slyly, and I suddenly realized that the Erik's place, Christian's right side, was empty. I pursed my lips; he still wasn't back yet?

Christian rose from his chair and strode toward me, looking every bit of handsome as the songs of him said. Giving me a kiss on the cheek, he bowed and I curtsied.

" My dearest some-what cousin Lady Catherine--damn, this is my dining room, I suppose I should forget the pleasantries," Christian drawled, gazing back at the table.

I laughed, and stepped forward in front of the girl. " The only time our prince pronounces my name with a correct accent is it not necessary."

The nobles laughed at our comments, and the girl smiled again. Christian grinned at her expression, and continued his speech.

" Well, we all know Cat here, and how she's saved not one," he began dramatically, letting a pause hang that earned another chuckle from the table. " Not two, but now three of us from the sea! It was only this morning we found this on the step of the balcony, but look what Cat has done!"

Taking the girl's hand, he brought her properly out into the light for the first time. For a moment, the table gaped, and I studied all of their expressions. The women--particularly Lady Sigrid, who had recently become a close companion of Christian's--studied her with a critical eye, appraising her. The men stared with their jaws hanging open. The girl in question blushed as Christian wrapped his hand around her slim waist, and downed another swig of his wine. I frowned; when Christian was among friends and had alcohol in him, the court manners edged off a bit. He never went out of bounds with court women--but that was court women.

He motioned for me to take a seat, and I slid in next to Sigrid. Her pretty black hair was tied back with a bow, and she gave me a ruby lipped smile.

" A ship wreck it was, one so harsh that it ripped every piece of cloth from her body to get to her. She was in fact dead when Cat found her, but I dragged her from the sea and from death."

Christian paused again as cheers and clapping came up. The girl was still smiling brightly, dazzling the room. But there seemed to be a question in her eyes, and I realized that she was searching among the nobles for something.

" ....and Cat set about fixing her up, and now I behold you the greatest treasure of the Court. But she is unnamed, and in shock from the wreck, cannot speak. God has obviously given her to me, so I ask you now, dear friends of mine! What should I name this foundling?," he called out, tightening the girl's body to his own.

Her smile wavered for a moment, and she carefully inched her way out of his grip to put space between them. I held my breath; she was a fool to try to escape his affection in public, if that was what she aimed to do.

" Perhaps Gytha?," Sigrid called out, and I laughed out loud along with the rest of us.

" A name that means warring in the old language? This girl hardly looks capable of holding a sword! Though we all know the one you carry is your tongue, Lady Sigrid," Christian called back, grinning and earning hearty laughter from the room. Sigrid was famous for her sharp wit and tongue.

" Ebba?"

" Inga?"

Several more suggestions were called out, until at last Lord Magnus called out.

" Hanne! Search no further, your majesty, what could be a more perfect name? It means God's gift, and surely that is what she is," the lord drawled, looking pleased with himself.

We all looked back at Christian. He smiled and nodded at Magnus.

" How would you like that, little one? Does Hanne suit your tastes?"

No one waited for a reply, and all roared their approval. The girl, now called Hanne, smiled hesitantly as everyone cheered with a bit of a fearful expression.

Christian snapped his fingers at the quartet, and they burst into a lively mazurka. " Let the dance begin!"

As the noble women and even a servant girl or two were claimed by the noblemen, I noted again with a bit of anger that there was not a male eye that wasn't lusting after Hanne, and a quick glance told me Sigrid and the other women agreed. Perhaps it would be good for 'darling Hanne' to be fearful....before I could voice one of my angry thoughts, the door opened again. I leaped up smiling, for this time it was Erik.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Erik

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Music swam in underneath the door to my ears, and my shoulders relaxed. Finally, no surprises--except for mine for coming home early. Jakob, the serving boy, bowed quickly to me and began to open the door when I stopped him.

" Alright, honest answer--do I look acceptable to barge in on the prince's dinner just back from traveling," I asked, a grin playing my lips.

I knew my traveling clothes were dirty and my boots had traces of mud on them--not to mention my hair was wet from the slight rain I had been caught in. I thought I passed for suitable, but it couldn't hurt to seek the opinion of another

The serving boy ventured a nervous smile. " I wouldn't know my lord, but your one of the finest men in court so anything should be acceptable, shouldn't it?"

I smiled and placed a coin in his hand for treating me as a human instead of a god, as many servants had a tendency of doing with upper crust nobility.

" Thank you milord. But you needn't worry about your appearance, all the attentions on a girl milord prince found. She looks like an angel, I saw her with my own eyes! The court's all abuzz of it, that the prince looks at her the way he has never looked at a woman. But that's just what they say," the servant said slyly, as he pocket the coin and reached for the door handle.

I shook my head at his nonsense. " The Prince has a steady head on his shoulders, and it would take nothing less than an angel to make him take a mistress. I don't mind it, but you shouldn't gossip about that around other nobles," I warned him.

The servant boy grinned, and bowed once more before completely opening the door. " That's because you haven't seen her yet."

I shook my head again, and stepped into the room. Immediately cries of Erik were heard all around, and I grinned half heartedly. It would of been nicer if it had just been Catherine and Christian, but a few more acquaintances couldn't hurt.

Immediately a small circle formed around me, and Catherine threw her arms around my neck. I laughed and carefully removed them, giving her a small kiss. Balduin let out a short laugh and conversation flew up around me.

" Good to have you back, Erik. Have you heard....?"

I scarcely heard anything as Lord Balduin nudged me with a jolly elbow, wine slopping over his cup. He reeked of alcohol, as all the men did around me. Catherine carefully removed herself from the circle as she realized the circle of men was slowly excluding her, and I met her eye. She gave me a small nod, and went back to her friends. Repressing a sigh, I turned back to Balduin.

" So where is this woman I hear so much of, and what is she? Cause enough for celebration?"

" Indeed she is," Balduin said cheerfully, and waved at someone over my shoulder. " Prettiest lass we've ever had in court, and though I'm the first to admit that milady Cat is as fair as the sunset, even you would abandon her for this one. Suppose it's luck that Christian beat us all out. Not that we have a choice, him being the future sovereign."

I laughed, and craned my neck. " Where is she? I only stopped in to make sure Cat wouldn't worry. In ten minutes, God himself won't be able to remove me from my bed. Besides, Christians' newfound love will probably be sick of men fawning over her if what I've heard is true."

Balduin grinned again, and swept his hand to the right. " Every bit of it's true, Erik. He calls her Hanne, because he fancies that she's god's gift to him. You'll hear it many times within the week, court gossip is spreading like wildfire. Behold her."

My grin abruptly disappeared. I stared and wiped my eyes once; it wasn't possible. Christian laughed and talked with Lord Niel, but my eyes barely registered him. For the girl attached to Christian's arm was none other then Pearl. Every feature mirrored hers, it had to be her--but Pearl herself had told me that it would be impossible for her to become a human. I could do no more then gape for a moment, nearly as shocked as when I had first seen her.

" She can't talk, but who says thats a drawback? Let us talk of the perfect woman! Perfect in beauty, but he doesn't have to listen to any of the babble other woman try to saddle on you," Balduin told me with a sly grin, earning the laughter of the others.

Pearl turned her head slightly at the laughter and our eyes met. Instant recognition flashed in her eyes, and any doubts I had vanished. Christian turned as well and gave a cry of joy as he strode toward me. I abruptly broke my eyes away from Pearls, and gave him a deep bow.

" Well Christian, it seems that you are the luckiest man in the world. You have indeed found a pearl in the sea," I said, swiftly bowing

My words put a light emphasis on the word pearl, something only she would pick up on.. Straightening, I gazed into her face and met her violet eyes. They flashed with something I couldn't decipher the meaning of.

" I know it, Erik. Meet Hanne, who is indeed the treasure of my heart. Hanne, this is Lord Erik, my most trusted advisor."

Pearl nodded her head gracefully as I bowed; I heard several women gasp from the lack of a curtsy. Christian paid no mind to it, but Pearl jerked her head to the right, and I saw pure fear on her face. What was she doing here? Was I delusioned? Too many thoughts flew in my head, I couldn't think.

" Excuse me, but I must retire now. I've rode like a fiend to get here, and now I discover I'm exhausted. Give my regrets to Catherine for me, Christian," I announced curtly, preparing myself to leave.

I gave a deep bow and turned around before he could give me leave. I strode past everyone, seeting and involntarily clenching my fists. It wasn't until I reached the balcony did I force myself to confront the issues that were in front of me.

I closed my eyes, thinking. How in god's name had she gotten here? It wasn't as if I didn't have enough trouble already, with my old village. The memory of that alone brought up anger and embarrassment. I couldn't go back there. I'd continue to send my family with a plentiful amount of money, but that was all they would ever see of me. My mother's constant 'milords' and my younger sisters slaving after me, attending to my every need. And my brother.....perhaps that was the worst of it all. Kahis's scornful remarks of my clothes and newfound status, his refusal to talk to me or accept my offers to let him visit me. I felt the anger rise again, and I pushed it away. When could I accept that my life didn't belong there anymore?

Pearl, that was the immediate problem. Perhaps the only problem that existed anymore. All the sane thoughts, deep down my nearly organized mind, had flown apart with questions the moment I had seen her in the dining hall. What was she doing here? How did she get here? I hadn't imagined her as a mermaid, had I? Was I going mad, was this Pearl at all? It had to be....scratch those questions. But what was she doing with Christian? Why hadn't she spoken? Had he touched her, hurt her? Christian was normally not like that, but Pearl was a lot of things that any woman on land wasn't. If he had, prince or not, I knew who would win in combat, and I would spare no mercy..........

I didn't know how long I was out there, but soon I heard slippers lightly touching the stones behind me. I suppressed a sigh of annoyance--the last thing on earth I wanted to do was talk to Catherine about court gossip.

To my surprise, it was Pearl who walked up quietly and rested her pale hands against the railing next to mine. The ring I had given her glistened on her finger, and she gazed out into the sea as I had done many times before. I took her chin and turned her face toward mine.

We stared at each other for a moment. All of the rumors I had heard of her flew to my head. How had Christian found her? What was this rubbish about her silence? Not only could Pearl talk, she could sing like an angel.

" Pearl,?" I asked quietly, glancing inside quickly to make sure no one could hear us.

I had suddenly realized that if Christian gave Pearl a title or a position, being caught with her alone would spell out treason.

She nodded silently, and suddenly looked upset. Shaking her head slightly, she turned to walk back inside. I immediately grabbed her wrist.

" What are you doing here," I asked in a low voice, not loosening my grip.

Pearl opened her mouth, but no words came out. Was she mocking me with silence? Perhaps that game worked when Christian was here, but I knew she was perfectly capable of speaking. I shook her wrist once, tightening my grip.

" What are you doing here? Pearl, what's happened? I'll be damned if I can figure out why you're here if you just stand there like a mute! What are you doing?," I demanded, my voice rising higher. I heard footsteps in the ball room. It was most likely servants, but all the same I fell silent and released her hand. Red marks were left where my hands were, and I was instantly disgusted with myself. I was starting to act more like many of the other noble men in court, with no respect for women who were not nobility.

Pearl snatched her hand back to her side with an air of unmistakable pride, and I realized that her violet eyes were wet. Another thought that had occurred previously to me hurled itself back in my mind.

" Has he touched you, hurt you, in any way? Don't lie to me Pearl, because by god if he has....," I demanded, angry for more her sake then mine.

Even if he hadn't, he wanted to. Seeing Pearl as a human made me realize how young she was, and how different the merfolk's society was. From what Pearl had told me, lust and malice was something that scarcely existed in her world. In the royal court of Denmark, the people lived for it. However, Pearl shook her head violently, and turned away from me.

" Look Pearl, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm just confused. I leave one night, you're out there like I've always known you, and when I come back, you've turned into a human! What is going on?," I asked urgently, briefly touching the red mark on her hand.

Pearl's eyes glistened wetly, and she slowly lifted her hand to her throat then shook her head. She said something, and I heard a faint rasping. I suddenly realized that her silence wasn't a game. Pearl was no longer capable of speech.

" But....how?," I asked her.

She mouthed something, but I couldn't catch it. She turned her face away and I heard a small sound, so tiny it was almost inaudible. I gently turned her back to face me. Tears ran silently down her face, and she looked up as if she expected to see rain. I suddenly recalled what Pearl had told me once when she was sad, that mermaids sometimes sang when they were sad since they had no other way of expressing distress.

I gently took her chin in my hand and turned her face toward mine as I wiped away some of the tears. " You can cry now, Pearl. You're a human," I said quietly, voicing for the first time what would change my life forever.