The next day, they were looking for her all through the village. Light had already begun to lose hope that he would be able to find her within these three days. It was even less realistic to expect that he would be able to kiss her when he eventually finds her.

"Don't be so down, Light, we will find her..." Matsuda did his best to cheer him up a little. He went with him through the village because he was eager to help him as much as he could.

Light was already walking normally, but was quickly tired, so they had to take frequent breaks.

"I really hope so, too... but- "

"Well, there are a lot of beautiful young women in this village with blond hair. Who knows how many of them have at home the blue dress that one of them wore at the time."

"I know..."

They were passing the ocean again, when Light noticed her. She stood again in the same spot where he had seen her last time, and looked at her from a distance, when he was still a merman.

"Here she is! Let's go!" Light took a quick step in her direction.

Matsuda looked in the direction Light was pointing and recognized the girl: "Light! That's a princess!"

"What?" Light stopped, "She is a princess?"

"Yes!"

"Oh... that's great, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah, but it doesn't mean it is great for you."

"How do you mean?"

"Well, who knows if she's still free? Maybe she has someone they plan on marrying her, I've heard her parents are a lot picky about it, and not let her date anyone on her own. They do not accept when she is dating someone who is not from a royal family. The last boyfriend she had, she had to break up with him because he was just an ordinary peasant."

"Then that won't be a problem. Where I come from, I'm a prince." Light said proudly and confidently.

"What? You're a prince? You didn't mention that..."

"I didn't want to reveal much about myself, but now you know."

"How come your family haven't come looking for you yet?"

"That's what I'm wondering, but I told them I was planning on going out into the world. Maybe they haven't found out about the accident yet," Light said, heading for the princess again.

Matsuda followed him.

When he was close enough to her, Light paused. He didn't know for a moment how to approach her.

Another woman ran after him, and prevented him from going closer, "who are you? What are you looking for?"

Light was confused by her sudden presence and didn't know what to say.

"I... I-"

"He is with me. He is my friend, and he would like to meet the princess," Matsuda came to his rescue.

The woman with a stern expression on her face, still stood before him, staring warningly.

"Yes, he is my friend. And my name is Light, I'm not from this village, but I was here few times, and I saw the princess only from afar..."

The princess heard the conversation behind her and turned. Rem was still in front of Light, not letting him any closer.

"Rem, what's going on?" The young woman asked and came closer.

"Princess Misa?" spoke Light.

"Yes?"

When her eyes landed on Light, she immediately recognized him. Her big eyes widened and she gasped. "Oh my God! Is that you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, it's you!" She came closer to him and looked at him keenly.

Matsuda stood in place, visibly confused.

Light asked again, "I don't know what do you mean, Princess."

"You're the one who saved me a couple days ago, right?" She said and her eyes literally glowed as she looked at him.

"Oh, yes. It was me." Light said with a small smile, and bowed before her.

"Oh! I'm so glad you came!" Misa approached him and threw herself into his arms. Light hugged her, surprised, "Of course I came... I was eager to meet you."

"That's nice of you. If I heard right, your name is Light, correct?" Misa lifted her head and looked up at him.

"Yes."

Rem was surprised that the man had actually come. She began to suspect that Misa was saved by merman, though their existence had not been confirmed, but rumors were still circulating through the village about the existence of mythical beings beneath the ocean.

Matsuda silently watched the scene before him. He didn't know whether to leave or to stay.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Misa, I'm a princess, but I know you already know that, Light."

She let him out of her embrace, but her smile didn't come off her face. Then she addressed her maidservant: "Rem, would you mind leave us alone for a couple of hours?"

"Are you sure it's a good idea, princess Misa?"

"Of course. This man saved my life, remember?"

"Yes, your highness..."

"Sooo...?"

"All right, but only for couple of hours. And, don't do anything reckless."

"Agreed!" Misa exclaimed happily.

"I want you to be in the palace before sunset. And not a word about this to king or queen."

"Of course!"

Rem reluctantly left them alone. She could not return to the castle, so she decided to spend that time in the village and supervise the princess from afar.

"E-excuse me...?" The black haired man spoke, "Light?"

"Yes, Matsuda?"

"You know the door to my house is open for you. So when you're done, you're free to come..." he said awkwardly.

"Okay. Thanks, Matsuda."

And there were only two of them left. Light was happy that Misa accepted him with ease. He felt he had a great chance of kissing her by tomorrow evening. If Lawliet didn't deceive him, he should remain in human form forever when he kisses her, before three days pass.

"So where do you want to go?" The young woman asked cheerfully.

"I don't know... I'd like to take a walk around a little bit. Take me to your favorite places. I'm not from this village, I'd be happy to see your favorite locations."

"That's exactly what I thought, that you weren't from this village. Tell me then, where are you from?"

'Oh shit. What should I tell her?'

"Well, I'm far away from here, you wouldn't know anyway..."

"Oh... really? Then why I saw you a couple of times swimming here in the ocean?"

Light gulped. 'Think, quick!'

I definitely need to tell her a different story, that I told the fisherman.

"I went on a little tour of the neighboring kingdoms and villages. I've been staying here for a couple of days. Ever since I saved you, I only think about you, and today I finally gained the courage to come to introduce myself to you..."

"Really?" Asked Misa stunned.

"Yes."

"I also thought about you all the time! And wanted to see you again."

"I'm glad that feelings are mutual."

"Yes, they definitely are!" she was looking at him with adoration.

...

By the end of the day, they walked around and visited all the princess's favorite places. Light noticed that Misa was very talkative and told him so much that he didn't remember nearly half of it. But he didn't care. He was pleased that he was finally with her. Most of the time he just watched her, and admired her beauty. He remained silent, only sometimes reacting with a comment to let Misa know that he was 'listening.'

They returned to the place, where they met that day, and watched the sunset.

"Oh, Light. This day was so lovely!"

"Indeed."

"But I am sad that the day is nearing its end..." she made a sad face and looked at him with puppy eyes. "Will we see each other tomorrow as well?"

Light gave her a smile, "Yes. I would love to spend another day with you."

"Yaay!" Misa once again threw herself into his embrace, and pressed their lips together in a kiss.

Light drew her closer, and returned the kiss.

He finally achieved his goal.

Now he only had to go through that third day, and then he can finally relax.

He could feel her lips on his own.

But...

There was no fire there.

There was no passion.

At least not the way Light imagined it would be.

It started to bother him, but he suppressed the feeling, and continued to kiss her.

When they broke the kiss, Misa smiled at him, pleased, "Oh, Light! I'm so happy!" and she laid her head on his chest.

Light stroked her soft hair, which smelled of roses, and tried to push his gloomy forebodings into the dark corner of his mind.