Disclaimer : MFB and the little mermaid don't belong to me.
It's Ryuuga's fault. Really, Kyouya, a merman ?
The little mermaid
Kyouya slipped skillfully into the currents, moving with his fin. The rest of the marine fauna moved away greatly, fearing to be in his path, knowing his temperament and having no desire to endure it – instinct of survival compels.
Kyouya approached the surface, crossing the increasingly powerful rollers of the waves. He emerged and filled his lungs with air with delight. He loved that feeling.
He opened his eyes. A great storm was breaking out. Violent gusts of wind hit his skin and raised powerful sheaves of water. A chaotic world, with shades of bluish grey, was opening to him.
With a half-smile, Kyouya settled on a rock. He loved storms. This outburst of the power of nature, this savagery... All this echoed his deep nature. He wanted to see this show in all its splendor. To witness directly its strength. The other inhabitants of the ocean hid in the shallows, like the cowards they were. They had neither his courage nor his audacity. They would wait trembling for the end of the storm while he lived every moment of it.
"Watch out!"
The cry came to him despite the sound of the waves and the wind's roars. He turned his head, annoyed, and squinted his eyes. Through the storm, he was able to distinguish one of the stupid inventions of humans – a boat – pitching, battered by the waves. The humans on board were unable to keep their balance. They fell, got up painfully and immediately fell back.
Kyouya sighed with contempt at this pathetic spectacle. His fin struck the surface of the water.
"Hold on!" threw a human on board.
He proceeded cautiously on the bridge. The others followed him with their gaze, with an almost reverential attention. Kyouya focused his attention on him and detailed him. He had red hair, which detached from the darkness like a flame, and clear eyes. He was neither large nor imposing, nor overflowing with savagery or dangerousness. There was no reason for him to attract so much attention.
"We're going to get through this storm. Don't worry."
The other humans nodded and seemed to post themselves in specific places by mutual agreement. They were so easily suggestible!
The first human placed his hand on his hip, in a gesture more instinctive than well-thought-out. Something caught his attention. He frowned and suddenly set in motion. He joined a human and caught him before he fell overboard. The second human looked at him with gratitude. He helped him to move away, remaining behind him to ensure it.
There was a violent jolt. The boat leaned so hard it ended up almost on the flank. With a cry, the red-haired human lost his footing. Kyouya followed his fall with interest. He made several involuntary rolls back and fell into the water in a loud splash. He won't surface again.
He's probably gonna die.
That wasn't his problem.
Kyouya was about to dive, when the screams of panic from the humans reached him.
"Don't come near the water if you aren't able to hold your breath two minutes," he muttered. "Losers."
He slipped into the water, just below the surface, before coming out into the open. He would miss this storm. Too bad those humans came to ruin everything.
He comforted himself by thinking there would be another soon.
"... prince!"
The word caught his full attention. He looked at the boat.
Prince? This is some sort of human leader, right?
The tip of his fin jerked with anxiety. Humans clung to their leaders, as far as he knew. They didn't behave like a sensible species. Instead of fighting loyally and appointing a new leader, they remained subject to the previous one and waited for him–or one of his lineage–to take back the reins, so as not to have to make any decisions. If the redheaded human were a prince, the other humans would search the entire ocean to find him. The only idea of all these humans swarming on his territory repulsed him to the depths of his being. He looked at the area where the human had sunk.
"I can't believe it!"
Kyouya plunged and swam to the exact place of his fall. He dove into the raging ocean, feeling the currents, searching for the trail of the human. He saw him. In the water, his inert form seemed incongruous. Displaced.
He came from another world after all. The earthly world.
Kyouya joined him. He grabbed the back of his jacket and pulled it up. He swam with laborious flick of tail. The human was heavier than he expected. All his muscles were tense. A rumbling resonated in his chest. The violent currents weren't helping him...
A treacherous current struck his side and made him lose his way momentarily. Kyouya fought against the violence of the waves, rising ever higher.
When he pierced the surface, he had the impression of a strange calm, despite the high waves, the rain that poured from the sky and the gusts that hit his skin.
He scanned his surroundings. The boat was only a point on the horizon.
"Stupid humans!" he roared.
He would never lead the human that far–prince or not. So what was he going to do with him?
He advised a group of rocks. He went there, the weight of the human still at the end of his arms. He stopped next to it and pulled the human out of the water. Kyouya pushed him further on the rocks before perching next to him. He pulled him by the collar of his jacket until he was fully emerged–if not dry. Kyouya stared at him. He seemed too still...
He slapped his cheek. The human head rolled to the side. He had no other reactions.
"Don't you dare to be dead!"
He didn't do all this for nothing.
Kyouya put his ear against the breast of the human. There was a strange sound– He straightened up sharply and glared daggers at him.
"What kind of moron breathe water when you don't have gills?!"
Any infant knew that.
Kyouya applied his hands to the human breast and began to exert regular pressure. The human spat out a little water, but did not regain consciousness. Annoyed by the slowness of the process, Kyouya shifted. He used his fin to give him a violent strock in the belly. The human folded in half under the violence of the blow. (Was there a cracking? Kyouya didn't care.) He vomited more water. Kyouya started again and the human began to cough. His eyelids tingled and he opened his eyes.
That close, Kyouya realized they were golden.
He slammed his fin on the surface of the water with irritation. He leaned towards the human.
"The next time you come to my territory, I will drown you with my own hands."
Kyouya dove into the water without adding anything.
XXX
Kyouya was untangling his hair in his private cave–you could live underwater and still have style–when an announcement rang out.
"The sea witch is looking for Kyouya Tategami. I repeat: the sea witch is looking for Kyouya Tategami. She has a matter of the utmost importance to deal with him."
The cry went away but the announcement seemed to go on. Those who launched it were sweeping wide. Kyouya had always done his best to hide his living space, even if it meant changing it when it was discovered. He congratulated himself every day for it. Life was much easier and more pleasant when no one could disturb him directly.
Kyouya tied his long hair in a ponytail. He held out his hand in a rocky outcrop and brought out an object. On the front, there were six thick branches that formed a circle. In its centre, a hexagon showed the profile of a creature he did not know but that had fascinated him as soon as he laid his eyes on it, so many years ago. Its open mouth revealed fangs. A crown surmounted its thick hair. A single word was written on it. Leo.
Kyouya didn't know what it meant.
Kyouya put a cord through the interstices of the object before tying it around his neck. The object rested in the hollow of its clavicle, as if in its rightful place.
Kyouya swam to the entrance of his cave. He looked out. No one. He engaged outside and advanced among the seaweed plains.
"Kyouya-san!"
He stopped and turned around, casting a vague look over his shoulder. A fish was swimming at full speed in his direction.
"Benkei. You know what the witch wants from me?"
The fish looked extremely worried.
"I was going to ask you."
Kyouya sighed with annoyance before resuming his progression.
"Aren't you going to see her?"
"No time to waste with that."
Benkei did not answer, yet Kyouya felt his concern. He looked up to the surface.
"You're not afraid of her?" he said with contempt.
"She's a witch," replied Benkei reluctantly.
Kyouya grumbled. The only reason she deserved her witch name was her character. Not her hypothetical powers.
Everyone knew there was no such thing as magic.
Kyouya decided to go and see her anyway. He was not afraid of her–he wasn't afraid of anything–but with all her henchmen, she would eventually find him and the longer he dragged things out, the more unpleasant the encounter would be.
He took the direction of the witch's lair, ignoring Benkei's deep sigh of relief.
The imposing cave appeared. Kyouya approached with boredom. The assistant of the witch–the fiddler crab Yuuki–was stationed in front of the entrance.
"Welcome! Her greatness is awaiting you."
He turned half-way and plunged sideways into the cave. Despite his six legs, he moved very slowly.
Kyouya followed him in the dark corridors with a growing annoyance. So long as it was over that he could move on!
They arrived in a huge cavern. Bright algae hung on the walls, delimiting the size of the room. A multitude of jellyfish–of all sizes, shapes and colors–floated lazily near the ceiling. In the background, on a platform, stood a throne, decorated with shells, on which the witch sat. Her fin was covered with pink scales. It matched the top that concealed her chest. Her short brown hair framed her face.
Kyouya crossed his arms.
"What do you want from me? I have better things to do than talking to you."
She struck her hands against each other and dared her blue eyes on Kyouya. She offered him a smile– which immediately incited him to distrust.
"Hello Kyouya. It's been a long time!"
He merely squinted his eyes.
"Hello Benkei!" said Kenta–a sea sponge–joyfully from the platform.
"Hi."
"I promise it's important! I won't waste your time." She turned to Kenta. "Leave us alone."
"Are you sure, Madoka?"
"Yes. We need to talk in private."
Kenta descended from the platform. He advanced to the entrance, joining Benkei and then Yuuki. The trio went out, leaving them alone.
"So?"
"I have heard of your selfless action and the heroic rescue of the human prince."
"How?"
There was no one there when he rescued that stupid human. He knew it. Everyone was hiding because of the storm.
"I guess you'd like to hear from him–"
"I don't care. I just didn't want him to pollute my ocean."
Without taking his remark into account, Madoka stretched out her arm. A water bubble formed and images appeared on its surface–an optical illusion, obviously. They became more and more precise until Kyouya could distinguish the human prince, sitting on the rock where he had placed him. He looked at the horizon, his arms around his bent legs. Kyouya didn't understand. The other humans had not come for him? He believed they had greater consideration for their leaders.
And to think that he broke his fin to save him. What a waste of time!
The human finally raised his head. After a while, a boat approached his rock and other humans reached out to him.
The bubble burst.
"As you can see, he was saved."
"Good for him. How does that concern me?"
"Thanks to you. I thought–"
"You weren't supposed to waste my time, remember?"
She got up, standing on her fin. "You don't have to be so careful. I understand your trouble and I sympathize."
"My trouble?"
What was she saying?
"Falling in love with a human–an earthling–is tragic," she explained, shaking her head with gravity. "But it is not impossible! You can quite win his heart!"
Kyouya was so flabbergasted no word came to his lips, not even an insult. He stared at her, his eyes round, his mouth gaped.
"And I will help you!"
"I didn't ask for anything!" said Kyouya. "I don't give a shit about this stupid human!"
"You saved him–"
"So that others don't come and pollute my territory by looking for his corpse."
It was clear anyway!
"No need to deny–"
"I'm not denying anything, you idiot!"
"I know," she exclaimed with a big smile. "I will make you a human so that you can join him. Of course, magic requires compensation... So here's what I propose: I agree to transform you into a human in exchange for your voice."
"You agree? I didn't ask you! And I don't want to become a human!"
"You are afraid, and it is so natural. You will leave everything you know–"
"I'm not afraid and I'm not going to do anything. How hard is that to understand?"
"–for a whole new world. But I'm sure you're going to succeed. I trust you."
Kyouya stared at her. She allowed the silence to spread. She was mocking him. Of course. There was no other explanation for his behavior.
She approached him and stopped out of his reach.
"You'll get your voice back when the prince falls in love with you."
"I–!"
Something struck him. Kyouya slowly lost consciousness. His eyes closed on Madoka's manic smile.
That! You'll pay for it!
His thoughts were offended by the stupidity of the situation–he, in love with a human–before becoming increasingly confused and sinking into darkness.
XXX
"It worked!"
Madoka burst out laughing. She beckoned to two dolphins to join Kyouya and take him away. As soon as he would reach the surface, he'll turn into a human. Hopefully, he would stay there and not put the fin—or the feet, in this case—back into the ocean.
At worst, he would spend only a few days in the earthly world before returning. It would always be a few days of rest.
"Kyouya far away, the dream," she murmured, settling on her throne.
He was such a pain. When he arrived in this part of the ocean, Madoka was happy: she had never frequented a merpeople of her age and it was the perfect occasion! She was already imagining making him her friend...
What a mistake.
She was very disappointed when they met. He was so mean. And condescending–how did he see himself to imagine himself so much better than others? He spent his time looking down on them, talking to them with contempt–when he deigned to speak to them of course–and throwing constant stings at them.
Not having it around offered a real vacation! No matter how long it lasted.
"Kyouya is gone?"
Madoka opened her eyes and turned her head. Kenta and Benkei stood wisely at the entrance of the cave. The fish turned in all directions, trying to find out if Kyouya was hiding in a corner.
Madoka smiled.
"Yes. For a trip."
Her smile accentuated and imbued with malice.
"A long trip."
She burst out laughing without paying attention to the exchange of anxious looks between the two marine creatures, nor to their slow and cautious retreat.
Several days without Kyouya, the dream.
XXX
Kyouya felt something... weird. He felt that a pile of sand weighed on his back and that a weight on his chest reduced his breathing. His skin was exposed to the open air. The wind was attacking him. His fin was like... separated into two parts.
It didn't make any sense.
Kyouya opened his eyes. A bright light attacked his retinas. He straightened himself without paying attention. When his sight adapted to the light and he saw the state of his fin, he froze. It was separated in two.
He stared at the two slender things, full of skin, that had replaced it.
Legs.
What. Does. That. Mean?
Kyouya remembered his meeting with the sea witch–she deserved her name, that one–and a flood of insults escaped from his lips. Well, tried to escape. He was unable to make sounds.
He remembered Madoka's words in more details and redoubled his inventiveness for his insults, even if he couldn't shout them out.
He spent more than a quarter of an hour cursing her and promising revenge. Then he tried to concentrate on the present situation. He detailed his surroundings and realized he was on a sandy beach. A piece of cloth was placed right next to him. Kyouya reached out and touched it. He grimaced. The texture seemed strange to him.
He rolled it out and wrapped himself up with the best he could. He had always found humans and their habit of dressing strange but, now that he had a body similar to theirs and faced the elements, he began to understand.
Kyouya tried to get up and fell back. He swore–in silence. Stupid legs.
He made several attempts, but all failed. His legs alone–and their weakness–could not explain this.
Oh. Yes. There was also this ridiculous thing called gravity.
He hated the earthly world.
Kyouya didn't know how long he remained there, fomenting revenge against the witch, when squealing bristled him. He turned his head. His face decomposed. The redhaired human–the prince–came in his direction.
How did he know he was here?
"Is everything okay?" he asked in a worried voice.
Kyouya would have wanted to leave but the prospect of falling and ridiculing himself in front of witnesses prevented him from doing so. He merely turned his head and fixed the horizon.
"Hey?"
One hand landed on his shoulder. The weight failed to tip him over. He suddenly released himself and opened his mouth.
Don't touch me, he would have said. Except that no sound crosses his lips. Again.
Bitch of a witch.
"Are you a mute?"
Kyouya shook his head. The human softened. "It should pass then."
Kyouya showed his teeth. He didn't need comfort.
"Where are you from?"
Kyouya pointed to the sea with his head.
"Did you have a shipwreck? I almost lived something like that yesterday. I was lucky to get away with it."
Lucky? You talk!
None of this would have happened to him if he had not had the misfortune to meet him–and save him. He really should have let him drown.
"Do you have a place to go?"
Kyouya put his chin on his knees and decided to ignore him.
"I see... Would you like to come to my house, while you decide what to do next?"
Kyouya turned to him and stared at him, taken aback. Was he really a prince, this human?
The human smiled at him.
"It would be better than staying here, wouldn't it?"
…He wasn't wrong.
The human's smile increased. He showed himself.
"My name is Ginga. Ginga Hagane. And you?"
Kyouya squinted. Ginga's face fell.
"Oh, sorry! I had forgotten— not really but— well—"
Kyouya rolled his eyes. He leaned slightly and pressed a finger into the sand. He traced characters in it. Who would have thought that learning to read and write Human would be useful?
He would never tell his father he was right.
Ginga watched him carefully.
"Ki-you-ya... Jun or Tate?"
Kyouya added reading the two characters of his family name.
"Kyouya Tategami."
His expression softened. He murmured a "It's beautiful" before returning his gaze on him.
It was indeed golden in the light.
"Nice to meet you, Kyouya Tategami."
Kyouya couldn't take his eyes off him. Ginga smiled a little more. His shoulders relaxed... before tightening again. He turned his head away.
Nonsense! He's a human. It's just this witch's stupid ideas!
XXX
Ginga had asked a carriage to come and get them. The car stopped a few steps from him, led by two huge beasts, perched on four powerful legs. Kyouya couldn't take his eyes off them. Ginga tapped the flank of one.
"They are horses."
Kyouya frowned and nodded slowly. Ginga reached out to him. Kyouya ignored him. He stood up and camped firmly on his legs. It would not fall. It was a matter of pride.
He continued to ignore the help offered by Ginga and tried to move forward. His steps were wavering. He lacked balance at every moment. He reached for the carriage and clung with one hand to the door. He noted that the drawing of a facing horse's head framed by two wings, was engraved on it. His gaze landed on a step. He frowned. How was he supposed to climb that?
Feeling Ginga's gaze on his back, he activated the handle and opened the door. The human stared at him. Kyouya held out. He passed before him, however, without commenting, and entered the carriage. Kyouya was relieved. He again focused on the task at hand. Clinging to the handle, he lifted one of his legs and put his foot on the step. He grabbed the other partition and pushed. He managed to get up again. Another step and he entered the cabin of the car. With his legs shaking, he approached the seat and fell on it. His legs trembled. His muscles hurt. How could travel be so difficult?
Ginga bent down through the other window. He shouted a word. The carriage shook. Ginga came and sat beside him.
Kyouya looked out the window. He saw the sea passing by and gradually moving away. Trees appeared, more and more numerous, and formed a forest. Kyouya watched the landscape carefully. He had heard about it, of course, but he had never seen it with his own eyes.
The carriage stopped. Kyouya glanced at Ginga. They were still in the forest.
Ginga smiled at him. He opened the door and stepped down. Kyouya longed for his agility. He recomposed himself. He had nothing to envy. He would do it. If humans could do it all the time, there was no reason for him to fail.
Gathering his courage, he got up. His legs staggered but he held on. He managed to get out of the car. The feeling of the grass under his feet intrigued him. It was much more pleasant than sand.
He raised his head. His eyes rounded.
There was a castle in that forest.
XXX
Humans were so weird.
Ginga had given him a room–near his own, as he understood–and had rushed into the corridors to inform his father. As soon as he disappeared, Kyouya had fallen on the bed, exhausted. He would have to quickly strengthen the muscles of his legs, to avoid this pathetic state.
Although he wasn't planning on staying long.
Kyouya's gaze drifted over the room. There was some furniture but it was the window that really caught his attention. Outside, he saw the tops of trees moving slowly under the influence of the wind.
Something knocked against the door, interrupting this moment of calm. Kyouya rose up. The door opened. A human he didn't know entered. He held many layers of cloth in his arms.
"Clothes for you. Prince's order."
He placed them on a piece of furniture before turning to him. He looked down at him, openly scorning him. Kyouya straightened his head. Frowning, he gathered all his anger and let it pour out his eyes. When the human looked up, his face fell and lost all its colors. He rushed out of the room. The door slammed behind him. A satisfied smile bent Kyouya's lips. It worked on humans as well as sharks, apparently.
His attention turned to clothing. A new test of his human life... He would play the game until he could find a way home. And then... Then he would make the witch pay for her dirty trick.
He held his hand to his clavicle. His expression softened. At least he still had this object. He was surprised to still have it again, and relieved. He hadn't noticed it immediately when he woke up on the beach–his body had seemed so strange, so foreign, his interaction with the outside world so disturbed, he hadn't felt his presence. He didn't even think about it before he came to the castle.
At least he wasn't alone.
XXX
The situation got weirder and weirder.
Kyouya was sitting on a chair in front of the huge dining room table–who would have thought classes about human habits and customs would end up being useful?–in front of Ginga. The redhead smiled at him. His father–the king–was at the end of the table. He was the only one who seemed uncomfortable with his presence. He kept glancing at him. Kyouya ignored him. It would probably be a bad thing if he used the glare against the king.
Even if he was thinking about it more and more.
"I asked the cooks to make burgers! I'm sure you'll love it: it always cheers me up. Burgers are the best food in the universe!"
Ginga's father passed a hand over his face.
"To say that we have the best cooks in the country and you always ask them for hamburgers. They will end up considering their work as a condemnation and not an honor."
"Why? Burgers are great!"
His father looked at him with exasperation. A human servant appeared, pushing a wagon on which sat two dishes, cutting the conversation short. He served the king, then Kyouya, surprising him. Wasn't he supposed to take care of the prince first?
Another human servant entered the dining room, pushing a wagon with a stack of burgers. They managed to lift the tray and drop it in front of Ginga, who thanked them.
"Bon appetit!"
He swooped down on his meal like a shark. As he began his sixth hamburger, he lifted up his head and crossed Kyouya's gaze. He stopped. Kyouya raised an eyebrow. What was this way to behave?
Ginga slowly swallowed. He stared at him for a few more seconds and then timidly bit into his burger.
That was better.
Kyouya lifted up his burger. He took a bite.
Not bad.
"Do you like it?"
Ginga grinned at him. Kyouya erased his satisfied look and turned his head away. His meal ended far too quickly to his liking. He was still hungry. Turning into a human was consuming a lot of calories, apparently.
"You can pick from my share if you're still hungry."
Kyouya pretended to have not heard him. He continued to ignore it until he thought weakening was a bad idea. He reached out and took a hamburger under Ginga's tender gaze. He ate it, doing his best to ignore the human.
Their meal lasted an additional half hour.
"Shall I walk you to your room?" said Ginga. "You must need rest."
"Ginga? Could I talk to you first?"
Ginga looked at his father, surprised. He nodded and stood up. He followed him in a corner of the room–the farthest. Kyouya looked them. They faced each other. The father explained something in a voice too low for him to hear. Ginga frowned. His shoulders tightened. He replied in a murmur of discontent. His father went on, looking grave. Ginga grumbled. He added something which didn't seem to satisfy his father but which ended the discussion.
Ginga came back to him, bleak. Kyouya got up. He walked with a little more confidence but the result was far from what he wanted.
He followed him up the stairs, ensuring his balance by sliding his hand over the railing. Ginga looked over his shoulder. When he sees him, his expression filled with guilt. He slows down his pace.
They paused upstairs. Kyouya's legs burned him even though he did his best to hide it.
Their eyes met. He raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? That."
Ginga shook his head.
"Guests are coming. They are important, it seems, but they aren't good people. I would have preferred to never see them again." He sighed. "And this project—" His voice died. He shook his head and smiled at him–a pale copy of the smiles he usually displayed. "Sorry. I'm complaining and complaining, and your situation is not improving."
He resumed walking and escorted him to his room.
"I have to train at Beyblade tomorrow morning, but we can meet in the afternoon."
Kyouya shrugged. He had no idea what the Beyblade could be. Ginga lit up.
"Cool! See you tomorrow, and get some rest."
XXX
He had been in a human body for a day and he thought he had gotten used to it a little quickly. He was hardly unsteady any more when he walked and tired less quickly, even if his legs continued to make him suffer.
He tried to convince himself this was a proof of adaptation and incredible survival skills. Nothing weird about it.
He was walking down the hall with Ginga. They had met late in the morning, as Ginga had promised, and had lunch–more burgers. Kyouya let his gaze drift on the paintings hanging on the walls. Most represented winged horses and mountain landscapes, but others stood out. Snowy landscapes, creatures he had never seen–some of which he knew the name of, some of which he didn't.
Suddenly, a painting caught his attention. He stopped.
Ginga continued to advance before he realized he was no longer with him. He retraced his steps.
"What?"
Kyouya pointed to the picture with a nod of the head. He represented animals, in the middle of a dry landscape, that looked strangely like...
He held his hand to his necklace, concealed by his clothes.
"Lions."
Kyouya turned his head to Ginga.
"Are you interested by it?"
He shrugged, falsely detached, while burning with desire to know more.
Ginga smiled."We can go to the library if you want. There are books on wildlife, even foreign ones. I don't go there often... as seldom as possible even... but if it makes you happy..."
I wouldn't go that far.
But to learn more about these creatures...
Ginga turned back. They went to the other castle wing. They entered a room cluttered with thousands of shelves full of books. A human guarded the entrance. He stared at Ginga with bulging eyes. His jaw dropped open.
"Hello librarian, we are looking for books on animals."
The human stared at Ginga for a long time. The redhead glanced at Kyouya. Finally, the librarian came out of his trance. He nodded and went between the shelves. They followed him. He took them to a corner of the library. Ginga thanked him. He left, glancing at him in disbelief over his shoulder. He eventually disappeared from their sight. There was silence. Ginga cleared her throat.
"I really don't come here often."
I thought I understood.
Kyouya reviewed the shelves. They contained many books on animals. Ginga selected several and placed them on a table. Kyouya went and sat beside him. He opened one.
He doesn't see the time passing by.
A bell rang, drawing him from his study.
"Dinner time."
Kyouya pouted. He took a look at the books in spite. Lions were such interesting creatures...
Ginga touched his hand to get his attention. He smiled at him.
"You can take some to your room if you want."
Kyouya chose several books. They came out of the library, stared at by the guard, who had still not recovered from the shock of seeing Ginga. On their way to the dining room, they stopped by his room where Kyouya left the books. He promised to finish them later. He knew aquatic creatures, but he wasn't interested in them. It was the first time he was so interested in an animal. He wanted to learn more about them.
XXX
Several days had passed–five to be accurate–and Kyouya had not made any progress in his plans for revenge and a return to normalcy. He had let himself be distracted. He didn't regret it: it had enabled him to learn the existence of lions. This animal would be his emblem–Ginga's was the winged horse, the pegasus.
His hand went to his pendant. Lions had been for a long time.
In short, things were going to change.
Today would be different.
Kyouya took a decisive step in the corridor. He hoped to return to the coast. He didn't know exactly what he was going to do once he got there, but it didn't matter. He would go, settle his scores with the witch and find a way to get back to the way he was.
He descended a flight of steps.
"Hey Kyouya!"
He looked over his shoulder. Ginga was rushing towards him. He stopped at his height and failed to lose his balance. Kyouya crossed his arms and stared at him as he restored him. Ginga raised his head and smiled at him.
"Hi. It's the first time you get up so early, isn't it?"
Kyouya didn't understand why he kept asking him questions. He couldn't answer him.
Not that he wanted to, anyway.
He started walking again. Ginga followed.
"Would you like to play Beyblade with me? Everyone else... I beat them easily. I'd like a new opponent."
Play? Wasn't he supposed to practice?
A hand fastened around his wrist. Ginga's face was only a few inches from his.
"You don't know what the Beyblade is?!"
How did he figure that out?
"Okay. We'll fix it. Come on."
Ginga wanted to get away, still holding his wrist, but Kyouya held him back. Ginga turned half-way and looked at him with a questioning gaze. Kyouya freed his arm. He had plans, things to do.
"Please come. Beyblade—you have to see this with your own eyes. You'll want to do it. It won't be a waste of time. I swear."
Strangely, Kyouya believed him.
He looked half-annoyed, half-resigned. A smile illuminated Ginga"s face.
"Cool! Come on."
Ginga rushed down the rest of the steps. Kyouya followed him with less impatience. They came out of the castle. They crossed a stretch of forest and arrived in a landscaped clearing. Various wooden, metal and stone constructions bordered it. In its center, a perfectly rounded hollow, forged by humans' hands. Kyouya wondered what all this was for. It must have had something to do with this... Beyblade, or Ginga wouldn't have taken him here.
"I'll show you the basics— No. I'd rather get one of our knights instead. A fight is better than a thousand speeches. Wait for me here."
Ginga left. Kyouya sat with his legs bent, leaning against a trunk. He hoped this Beyblade would be worth it. He had plans for revenge.
He closed his eyes and waited. Being in the middle of nature was much more pleasant than being locked between the four walls of the castle.
Ginga returned a few minutes later, followed by a knight who addressed a polite greeting to Kyouya before standing at one end of the hollow. Ginga stood in front of him and offered Kyouya a smile.
"We are going to fight in this stadium," he explained, before turning his attention to the knight. "Do your best."
"Well, Your Highness."
Ginga took two objects. One attracted Kyouya's attention. He sat up straight. His breath blocked. He saw only that.
This object looked like its pendant, but was different. It seemed to have the same composition and also had a rounded shape. Three wings, finely detailed, carved its sides. It was mostly blue–of several shades–with a few touches of red. Its symbol, raised in the heart of a hexagon, was a pegasus head.
Kyouya did not lose a shred of Ginga's movements. The human prince engaged this object in the other and put himself in position. He and the knight shouted a countdown before projecting them. The objects landed in the stadium and beat each other. Ginga's opponent didn't last long. He quickly lost his energy and began to waver.
"There are also what we call special moves."
Ginga's object propelled itself into the air. Kyouya's eyes rounded. A blue halo enveloped the prince's silhouette. The object seemed to stop. A pegasus, surrounded by the same aura as Ginga, took his place. It spread his wings. It pitched, gaining more and more speed, and turned into a ray of light.
"Pegasus! Starblast Attack!
It struck his opponent. When the light dissipated, Kyouya saw, unsurprisingly, that the object of the knight wasn't moving any more.
His heart was pounding. A flood of excitement ran through his veins.
He wanted to do that.
He had never wanted anything so badly.
Ginga retrieved his object.
"You've improved a lot since the last time."
"Really? Thank you, Your Highness."
The knight departed. Ginga waited until he was out of sight to approach Kyouya. He stopped a few steps away from him.
"So?"
Even if Kyouya could have spoken, he would have been unable to find the words to express himself. He held out his hand to Ginga's, without touching him, and looked at him.
"You want to see Pegasus?"
Kyouya waved a nod. Ginga took the object in his hand and held it out to him. Kyouya watched it closely.
"We can get you a bey, if you want."
Kyouya raised his head. He hesitated for a brief moment before carrying his hand around his neck. He pulled the rope and pulled the bey out of his t-shirt. He picked it up and showed it to Ginga. The redhead leaned over to look at it.
"A Rock Leone. Excellent defence bey. I understand why you were so interested in lions."
Kyouya looked at his bey. It had a name. Leone.
Something inside of him calmed down.
"I was sure you'd make an excellent blader."
Kyouya raised his head. Ginga smiled at him.
"We'll get you a launcher? That way you can start practicing."
Kyouya stood up and followed Ginga.
XXX
Kyouya hardly thought about the witch's evil trick and his homeworld. He spent as much time as possible training at Beyblade. The whole day, practically. He only saw Ginga at meals and evenings. The redhead didn't hold it against him. He understood. Kyouya saw it in his eyes.
Kyouya had even discovered Leone's distinctive feature, which would allow him to create a special move.
Kyouya began to get used to this new life. He even came to love it.
Until the "guests" arrived.
XXX
Blows knocked on the door of his room. Kyouya frowned. It was unusual. He finished tying his hair before going to open. Ginga was standing in the corridor, looking worried.
"Do you remember the guests I told you about?"
Kyouya nodded soberly.
"They are arriving today. A messenger has just told us."
Ginga began to move away. He retraced his steps and leaned towards Kyouya. His fingers touched the back of his hand.
"Take care of yourself."
He left.
XXX
Kyouya hated the newcomers.
He was at the table for lunch, in front of Ginga, as usual. Except they were there.
Kyouya glared at the girl who was close to Ginga. Too much. His teeth grinded. His hand squeezed around the fork he was holding. He wanted to stab her with it. She inspired him a visceral hatred. Even the witch, with her evil trick, had not created such feelings in him.
Selen flitted her eyes and tried to get closer to Ginga. The redhead leaned over his chair to get as far away as possible. A little more and he'd fall.
Kyouya would like to get rid of her for him.
Her three brothers had accompanied her. They were all loud, taking up more space than they should... and sneaky. They hadn't proved it yet, but Kyouya was sure of it.
"It is so kind to welcome us, King Hagane," said the eldest, Argo.
"Yes," whispered Selen. M"aybe it will lead to the union of our two kingdoms..."
She bent over again and what was to happen happened: Ginga fell from his chair and everything knocked down in a great crash. He rose sharply, straightened the chair, and sat at a distance from Selen.
"Let's not go too fast," said Ryuusei, uncomfortable.
"Of course! First of all, we must get to know each other better... This visit will be the perfect opportunity, won't it, my dear Ginga?"
A shiver of horror ran through the prince. He looked horrified.
"I—uh—" His gaze grew that of Kyouya. He lit up. "I have to spend some time with Kyouya. We have a lot of plans." His gaze was begging. Attention slowly shifted to Kyouya who nodded. Argo had a mocking smile.
"What? You can't talk?"
"So what?" said Ginga, turning aggressively to him.
His reaction provoked silence. Even his father stared at him with surprise.
Ginga darkened. He focused on his meal. Kyouya felt strangely flattered.
Ginga's father clears his throat. "Spending time with important guests is a part of your duty."
Ginga did not answer. He merely fixed his plate and stirred his meal, without touching it.
"If you have so much to do with your friend, you could give me only half a day," said Selen.
"Excellent solution!" exclaimed the father.
Ginga didn't seem to agree. Kyouya didn't agree either, actually.
Feeling someone was watching him, Kyouya turned his head. A victorious glow shone through Selen's brown eyes. Kyouya's fist squeezed around his fork. The metal plunged into his palm. His jaw tightened.
If you want to go that way...
XXX
The only way Ginga could devote half a day to him was by sacrificing his Beyblade training.
Kyouya dissuaded him on the third day. He was only a recent blader, but he understood the need to Beyblade and he saw Ginga grieving from hour to hour. He needed Pegasus, just like Kyouya needed Leone, especially with those Garcia parasites around.
Kyouya's fists tightened. The siblings seemed to do everything to separate him from Ginga. At meals, they circled the redhead, two on the chairs on either side of him, and two in front. He never crossed Ginga without one of them around. Whenever he wanted his attention, they would talk to him to ask for information and services.
Kyouya hated them.
His possessiveness towards Ginga surprised him. He tried not to dwell on it.
A burst of laughter resounded, echoing between the walls. Kyouya grimaced.
"You're so funny, Ginga!"
"I didn't say anything special," the redhead muttered.
Only comfort: Ginga had not changed his mind about them.
"What—?"
Kyouya stood up. He leaned over the railing. What he saw froze him.
Selen was leaning towards Ginga who, with his back to the wall, could no longer back down. She was leaning against him. From his high point of view, Kyouya saw her breasts completely flattened against Ginga's torso. She raised her head, her mouth half-opened, her face falsely naive.
"I feel there is a real link between us."
She managed to press against him more. Kyouya's hands squeezed on the railing. He was going to slaughter her.
Ginga grabbed her by the shoulders. He tried to push her back but she remained firmly in her position. She came closer—
Kyouya was unable to endure this show any longer. He took his launcher, engaged Leone and propelled it. His bey went to the wall in front of him, used it as a springboard and rushed to Selen. It struck her in the ribs. She uttered a cry of pain. Ginga let go of her shoulders and she made several staggering steps, finally departing from him.
Kyouya hurried down the stairs. He entered the corridor and picked up Leone, who was proudly spinning at Ginga's feet.
"You!" exclaimed Selen with an accusatory tone.
Kyouya smiled proudly. He shrugged and waved his hand in the air.
"What are you talking about you—?"
"Leone ricocheted."
"What?"
Ginga approached Kyouya. He passed a hand behind his back. Kyouya felt his warmth, and it was not unpleasant.
"It happens. When it's under control, it can be very useful during a fight."
"He attacked me!"
"Why would Kyouya do such a thing?"
Selen was furious. She was about to respond, when Ginga spoke again, with blatant disrespect.
"We had to take stock of his Beyblade progress."
Kyouya did nothing to hide his amused smile at this lie.
"We are going now. To avoid this kind of... incident in the future."
Ginga took him with him. Kyouya glanced at him. He seemed as amused as he was.
Ginga noticed his attention and turned to him. It made him feel funny.
They exchanged a friendly glance.
XXX
Ginga and Kyouya had not only spent the end of the afternoon together: they had been together all night and part of the night. They had skipped lunch and pinched trays they had brought into Ginga's room. They had settled on the bed for dinner and, between moments of pleasant silence, Ginga had told him about his kingdom and, above all, about Beyblade.
Kyouya came out of his room late at night. He walked along the deserted corridors with a light heart.
Ginga was—he wasn't like anyone he'd met.
Kyouya stopped, his senses on the alert. Something had changed in his environment. His hand was on his launcher. He slowly scanned the corridor.
A squeaking, almost imperceptible. In a single movement, Kyouya turned, took out his pitcher and propelled Leone. His bey hit another one in the air and pushed it back. Leone came back to his feet. He heard three separate hiss. They were all heading for him.
Kyouya stepped aside. A bey landed in front of him, the other two behind him. The first one was already closing in.
Leone!
His bey rushed to the nearest opponent. It pushed him aside and then rushed to the others, allowing it to not be trapped. It attacked each of its opponents in turn, never giving them enough time to place themselves in formation.
Kyouya couldn't hold out like that for long.
A breath of air touched him. He could use his special move but he refused. He wanted Ginga to be the first one to ever face it.
He fought with all his strength, managing to damage their endurance. Several blows reached him directly. He did not let himself be impressed.
After long difficult minutes, he put all his opponents to the ground. He looked around him. No one came to fetch the beys. He didn't need it to know who did it.
After a defiant look, he went to his room. When the door closed behind him, a deep fatigue fell upon him. He felt the burning of his muscles and lungs, the pain on his skin.
He went to his bed and fell upon it, a satisfied smile hovering over his lips.
XXX
Kyouya was sitting on the stairs, leaning against the railing. This morning, he planned to spend some time with Ginga before breakfast and accompany him there. He wouldn't let go of him.
He heard footsteps and darkened. They weren't Ginga's, but he recognized them anyway.
Kyouya leaned more against the railing, slightly shifting his legs. A foot struck his own. A scream and Selen tumbled down the stairs. Kyouya had a half-smile. Well done.
New steps caught his attention. Kyouya relaxed. This time it was Ginga.
The redhead stopped beside him.
"Hello Kyouya."
Kyouya raised his head towards him. The redhead's smile faded, replaced by a worried look. He leaned towards him.
"You—"
"Loser!" yelled Selen.
Ginga turned around. Kyouya did nothing of the sort. He preferred to keep looking at his redhead.
"What?"
"He made me fall down the stairs!"
Ginga rolled his eyes and then turned his full attention on Kyouya. He put a hand on his shoulder.
"What happened?"
Kyouya took Leone out and showed him.
"A Beybattle? Against whom?"
He put his bey away. Next to him, Ginga straightened. Kyouya tapped his hand before standing up. Ginga kept his eyes on him.
Selen wasn't down there anymore.
XXX
When Kyouya followed Ginga into the dining room, he was the object of general attention. Even the king was looking at him. He seemed irritated, almost angry. He had never looked so little like Ginga as today.
"May I ask what that means?"
"What is it?"
"We have a duty to our guests. We cannot allow them to be attacked under our own roof."
"Yes!" exclaimed Argo. "How dare he go after our little sister? I ask for reparation!"
The three brothers were gathered around Selen.
"Oh, yes?" said Ginga coldly. "What if I asked for reparation for the way you ambushed Kyouya?"
Kyouya looked at him with surprise. How had he guessed?
The Garcias wavered.
"Lie! Defamation!"
Ginga crossed his arms and stared coldly at them.
"Are you sure?" worried his father.
"I am."
The Garcias continued to be indignant. Ginga did not retreat. His body language screamed assurance and challenge.
"If that's the way it is, your kingdom can forget the help of ours."
"But—"
"Except... if you agree to seal the union of Selen and your son."
"It's... a little hasty, isn't it?"
"We are staying until tomorrow morning. Then you can forget about us."
The Garcias left in a tight group.
"You are not going to think about this proposal seriously, are you?" asked Ginga.
"No, of course," his father replied. "It is up to you to make that decision."
He got up and went out, leaving Ginga alone with Kyouya. They sat silently around the table and began to eat. Ginga was immersed in his thoughts. He didn't even ask for burgers.
Once they had finished their meal, Kyouya followed Ginga out of the room. Ginga shuffled into the corridors and came out of the castle. He led him into the park. Kyouya touched his arm. The redhead sighed.
"It's just that—such an alliance would be beneficial for the kingdom."
Kyouya shook his head.
"Garcias aren't good people, but it doesn't matter on this scale. We haven't made any real alliances in generations."
Why should you be the one to sacrifice, then?
"I don't know. I have to think about it."
Kyouya rebelled. He did not want Ginga to marry–neither with this Selen nor with anyone.
A long silence fell.
"Did I tell you about my shipwreck?"
I've seen it happen.
"There was someone there that day. Someone who saved me."
Kyouya straightened up, surprised. Ginga remembered.
"It may sound stupid to you, but... this person was not human."
His voice was dreamy. His gaze was lost towards the treetops.
What if it's a way to stop him from making that mistake?
Kyouya put a hand on his shoulder. Ginga turned his attention to him. Kyouya showed himself with both hands.
"What?"
He lifted his eyes to heaven. He mimed the gesture of writing.
"Oh, okay."
Ginga stood up. He ran to the castle. Kyouya followed him, impatient. As soon as he had a paper, a pen and ink, he began to write. He turned the sheet to Ginga.
I'm the one who saved you.
The honey eyes rounded.
"What?"
Kyouya frowned. He brought the sheet back to him and added, I told you that if you came back to my territory, I would drown you myself.
He turned the sheet. Ginga's mouth dropped open. Kyouya pouted. Perhaps he was a little too much frank.
He stressed the first sentence several times. Ginga displayed a puzzled look.
"But... you are human."
Kyouya grabbed his jacket and turned him to face him. He looked into Ginga's eyes. He saw him swallowing. He pointed to his own face.
"I—My memories of that day are rather vague."
You don't believe me?! Kyouya got indignant.
"I don't think you're lying! I just—I dont understand—"
Kyouya stared at him. He grabbed his wrist and dragged him behind him.
XXX
Kyouya stopped where the waves licked the sand. He knelt down and struck the surface of the water with the palm of his hand. Ginga watched him do it, without saying anything. Kyouya raised his head, scanning the sea. At last, there were swirls. Benkei appeared and approached the shore as closely as possible without running aground.
"Kyouya-san! I'm so relieved. Are you okay?"
Kyouya pointed to his throat and shook his head.
"You have a sore throat, right? It's terrible."
Kyouya rolled his eyes.
"Where's your fin? And what are these things?"
Benkei went round in the water, panicked. Kyouya knocked the surface again. Benkei stopped to stare.
Kyouya straightened up and touched Ginga's arm, who was looking Benkei, puzzled.
"This fish is strange."
Obviously, being human, he didn't understand the underwater language.
Kyouya pointed them out in turn.
"You two know each other?"
Kyouya made a gesture towards the castle and then frowned.
"Selen?"
He waved for about.
"A girl?"
Kyouya grimaced.
"A monster? A manipulator? A witch?"
Kyouya tapped his shoulder and turned to the sea. Benkei looked at him.
"Oh, you want me to go get the sea witch?"
Kyouya nodded. Benkei plunged. He waited on the beach, with Ginga, watching for Benkei's return and, above all, the arrival of the witch. His heart was pounding. He felt it was important for Ginga to know the truth.
And maybe that would convince him not to sacrifice himself with this marriage...
"Kyouya! To what do I owe this pleasure?"
When he saw the witch's smug smile, Kyouya forgot his resolution. His fists clenched. That—!
"You brought your prince to us?" she exclaimed.
My prince.
The possessive pronoun immediately calmed down Kyouya's anger.
The said prince was staring at Madoka, his eyes bulging, his jaw dropping.
"You—you're a mermaid?"
Madoka waved a little hello, smiling. "Yes! A true mermaid! My name is Madoka."
"Ginga," the redhead politely replied.
Kyouya pointed to his throat and mouth.
"Oh, no. You don't remember? You'll get your voice back when the prince falls in love with you."
Kyouya finched, hurt. It meant Ginga—
He cast a glance at the human. Surprising his attention, the prince turned his head away. His face was red.
"Oh?"
Madoka looked at them with surprise. Kyouya raised his head with challenge.
"I guess I can give you your voice back."
"You guess right, then."
Kyouya was as surprised as the others–except Madoka–when the words crossed his lips. He turned to Ginga, who was watching him, and crossed his arms.
"So I was saying I saved your life. Normally I am—But this bug transformed me!"
Madoka puffed out her cheeks. "Who are you calling a bug? Why are you so annoying?"
"Annoying? I'm not the one who meddles in things that don't concern me."
"Do you know why I took your voice? To stop hearing your unpleasant remarks. You are—!"
Ginga stepped in. "Why have we never heard of you?"
The sea inhabitants exchanged a glance.
"We prefer to stay apart."
"Humans have strange reactions."
"And it's peaceful under the ocean." Madoka glanced haughtily at Kyouya. "Well, it is since someone is no longer there."
Kyouya glared daggers at her.
"Now that you know I really saved you—"
"That was nice."
"Not at all. I just didn't want the humans to come crawling into my territory just to get your corpse back."
Ginga smiled, despite his biting words.
"Well, that's it. The ocean is more impressive than a little kingdom we've never heard of. Selen is not the only wedding ring you can make–and certainly not the best."
What am I talking about?
Kyouya was hot all over. He could no longer look at Ginga. Increasingly agitated, he decided to leave.
"Kyouya?" called Madoka.
He went towards the castle, without stopping.
XXX
Well then! thought Madoka.
She looked at the prince. He was staring at Kyouya's figure moving away. A hesitant smile appeared on his face.
Madoka could not believe her eyes. The human prince and Kyouya? For real?
Her scaring gave way to enthusiasm. She had always known the nickname of witch was not at all suitable for her. She seemed meant to be a fairy godmother.
I mean, a mermaid godmother, in this case.
"Wait, Ginga." The redhead looked at her, hesitating. He wanted to join Kyouya. "This is important."
"Okay."
"Benkei. Tell Yuuki to bring me my safe."
The fish nodded and plunged. The two teenagers waited in silence.
"Here I am Miss Madoka!" threw the crab coming out of the water.
He gave her a little chest. Madoka opened it and poked around inside. She chose one of the shells and held it firmly in her hand.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm bewitching this shell for Kyouya. He would be able to use it to transform at will."
"Wait!"
She raised her head with surprise. Ginga approached the water. He handed her a pendant. It represented an animal Madoka didn't know. She took it away.
"What is it?"
"A lion. Kyouya loves them very much. I wanted to give it to him but I didn't find the right time..."
"I see." She put her magic into the pendant, before giving it back to Ginga. "I have something to offer you if you invite me to your wedding," she said with a wink.
XXX
Kyouya was walking in the castle, hoping and dreading to meet Ginga. He could not believe what he had implied—If only Ginga hadn't understood.
But Ginga had understood. Kyouya saw it in his eyes.
"—it doesn't work!"
Kyouya stopped, delighted with the distraction offered. He stretched out his ear, waiting.
"You're not trying hard enough," cried Argo.
"Not hard enough?" cried Selen. "It's not you who has to mope in front of this idiot. You think it's easy?"
"Why can't you convince him if he's that dumb?" Ian said.
"Do you want to switch places with me?"
"Just push him down the stairs," said Enzo. "No more problems like that. Crazy, no?"
"Not right away," Argo sighed. "The accident can only happen after the wedding. Otherwise it will be useless."
Kyouya grunted. So that was their plan. He knew they couldn't be trusted.
"Selen, I ask you to make some effort. For the family."
Kyouya had heard enough. He pushed the door and advanced into the room. He crossed his arms and looked at the siblings who stared at him, stunned.
"So? Would you mind repeating what you want to Ginga?"
XXX
Kyouya recovered Leone. A triumphant smile, tinged with arrogance, appeared on his face as he watched his opponents beat down. He had won again. Easier than the last time.
"What's going on here?"
Kyouya turned around. The king was advancing, surrounded by several of his guards, following a servant, in the devastated room.
"Your Majesty!" exclaimed Argo. "This madman assaulted us."
"It's a—"
"Lie."
Ginga entered the room. He took an affectionate look at Kyouya, whose heart jumped.
"The Garcias attacked Kyouya. He just defended himself. You're pretty strong."
Shivers ran through his body. "My goal is to surpass you one day."
"I'd better be careful if I don't want to lose my first place."
Kyouya reported the conversation he had heard. The Garcias broke down. The king darkened. When he finished his story, a heavy silence occupied the whole place. The Garcias sought excuses but the king coldly interrupted them. Seeing no other way out, they fled. The king sent guards after them. He apologized to Ginga and left. Only Ginga and Kyouya remained.
"Looks like your marriage and wedding ring are over."
Ginga raised his head and smiled at him. "That's okay. I got a much more interesting proposal."
Kyouya struggled to hold Ginga's gaze. Only pride prevented him from looking away.
Ginga slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a silver pendant, representing a lion.
"Madoka wanted to give you a bewitched shell so you could change your appearance whenever you wanted. I convinced her it would be more appropriate."
Kyouya took it, breathless.
"I had it done some time ago to replace Leone."
Kyouya looked at him. How had he guessed that he missed this weight around his neck?
XXX
Madoka was in her cave when Yuuki stormed in.
"Miss! Miss! Humans are acting strangely!"
She followed him. On the way, Kenta and Benkei joined them. They headed for the beach. Madoka timidly took her head out of the water. Dozens of humans in livery were in formation. Two wore horns and made them sound. The most elegantly dressed advanced to the waves.
"Are you Madoka?"
"I am!"
"You are officially invited to the wedding of Prince Ginga Hagane and his fiancé, Kyouya Tategami, descending from the ocean. You can bring your friends. The wedding will take place on this beach, in twelve sunrises.
Madoka grinned.
"Great! I'll definitely come."
She plunged. Too full of emotions, Benkei was crying. Kenta and Yuuki were looking at her with respect.
She returned to her cave. She advanced to her chest and brought out a shell. She had bewitched him so that the prince could understand the language of the seas.
She smiled. She knew what she was going to offer at their wedding.
The world was going to change—
—but all is well that ends well!
THE END
