Chapter 1
PRINCE Eric stood on the shores where fate had brought him weeks ago, his spine-tingling with an icy chill. The village of Ipswich, a simple and serene fishing hamlet, lay in peaceful slumber in the early morning hours. The world was hushed, save for the symphony of seagulls overhead and the rhythmic lapping of waves against the sand.
As the sky began to blush with the delicate hues of pink and red, heralding the approach of the sun, Eric, a handsome twenty-one-year-old prince, found himself lost in thought.
He had a physique that caught the attention of passing maidens as he walked through the streets of his kingdom, a princely build that he deliberately concealed beneath loose shirts and well-fitted breeches. His wavy black hair, perpetually tousled and unruly, danced in the salty sea breeze, defying all attempts to tame it.
Eric closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, his mind conjuring the image of a girl with captivating autumn locks, while his ears strained to catch the faint melody of a siren's song. He was certain that the enigmatic being who had saved him from a shipwreck on his birthday was none other than a mermaid from the kingdom of Atlantica, ruled by the mighty King Triton. Yet, since washing up on these very shores, he had been unable to find her. Every day since then, he returned to this spot, hoping against hope for a glimpse of the mysterious girl emerging from the waves.
A frustrated sigh escaped his lips, his heart heavy with the realization that once again, his visit would prove futile. He needed to return to the castle in time for breakfast, lest Master Grimsby scolded him for his perpetual tardiness.
But in truth, Eric was reluctant to return home. The castle had ceased to feel like home ever since his parents had met their tragic fate, perishing at sea while en route to a distant land for the coronation of a foreign princess.
Their ship had met a watery grave, claiming the lives of everyone aboard, including his beloved parents.
With aching bones still battered and bruised from the shipwreck, Eric rose to his full height, preparing to turn back. However, his Old English Sheepdog, Max, disrupted his thoughts with a fervent bark. Eric's ears burned as he turned to see the cause of Max's excitement, and his face drained of color as he beheld a girl with enchanting autumn locks atop a boulder. She seemed frightened by the dog's exuberance, unsure of how to make him cease his barking.
Eric's gaze roamed over her figure, his eyes furrowed in surprise. It struck him like molten lava, nearly causing him to stumble backward—the realization hit him with the force of a revelation. It was her—the mermaid who had saved his life. He stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to move, his eyes fixed on the girl and his faithful dog.
However, the sight of her bare legs shattered his hope. It seemed impossible that this girl could be the same one who had rescued him. To his knowledge, mermaids could not sprout legs and walk on land—such a transformation would require forbidden witchcraft and to practice in the Dark arts would result in exile from the realm.
Yet, propelled by some inexplicable force, Eric found himself moving toward the boulder. The girl had perched herself precariously close to the edge, teetering on the brink of danger.
Max's shrill barks only added to her distress, intensifying her fear.
"Max! Enough, buddy, calm down," Eric scolded lightly, bending at the waist to scratch the dog's ears before gently nudging him aside. A small smile tugged at the corners of Eric's lips as he heard Max huff in frustration.
The expressive nature of his loyal companion never failed to amuse him. Every muscle in Eric's body tensed as he kept his gaze fixed on the girl perched on the rock. When her curious blue eyes met him, he caught himself staring and quickly averted his gaze, feeling a warm blush creep up his cheeks.
The silence between them stretched, filling the air with a sense of unease.
Eric's mind raced, searching for something to say, to bridge the gap that separated them. His eyes wandered to her hand resting on her throat, and it dawned on him that she was unable to speak.
"Are you, uh, alright, miss?" Eric's voice trembled with nervousness. "I'm sorry if Max startled you. He tends to get excited around strangers. You know how dogs can be—they think everyone's a friend."
He chuckled nervously, the sound betraying his unease.
When the girl only stared at him, he took the opportunity to study her features more intently, his brows furrowing slightly at the tattered rags she wore. Her disheveled autumn locks, in dire need of care, only accentuated the paleness of her skin, reminding Eric of whipped milk. She resembled a fairytale princess, a real-life Sleeping Beauty.
Realizing that she couldn't speak, a mix of disappointment and sympathy washed over Eric. "What's your name?" he asked, hoping for a response. However, as she opened her mouth to form words, no sound emerged. Eric's heart sank, realizing that she must be mute. It seemed impossible that she could be the one who had saved him.
Unable to suppress his instinct to help, Eric approached closer and extended his hand to offer assistance, his eyes never leaving the ethereal beauty before him. With each step, a profound sadness etched on her face became more apparent.
"Forgive me," he spoke softly, his voice carrying warmth and reassurance. "But... are you in need of help?" His eyes met hers, searching for a glimmer of understanding.
The girl turned her attention toward him, her blue eyes widening with a mixture of surprise and relief. Eric almost smiled at the sight, finding solace in the fact that she could understand him.
She nodded, her expression conveying gratitude beyond words. A sense of responsibility surged within Eric, accompanied by the realization that she had nowhere to go and appeared utterly unprepared for the elements.
He swiftly removed his royal blue coat, a garment of fine craftsmanship, and stepped closer, draping it gently around her bare shoulders. She clutched the fabric gratefully, her shivering form a poignant reminder of her vulnerability.
"I'm Prince Eric," he introduced himself, his voice laced with compassion. "You must be freezing. It's clear you don't even have a coat." He waited for her nod before continuing. "I suspected as much. Would you allow me to escort you back to the castle? We can provide you with a hot meal, perhaps a bowl of soup to warm your spirit, and find you suitable clothing."
The girl's eyes widened with surprise and gratitude, her gaze locking with Eric's.
Once again, she nodded, her expression brimming with hope and uncertainty. Eric couldn't help but wonder if this girl with the autumn locks was indeed the mermaid who had captured his heart all those weeks ago.
Taking her hand in his, he led the way back to his castle, each step fueled by a newfound purpose.
Their journey unfolded in silence, a serene companionship forming between their two worlds. The enigmatic connection that drew them together seemed to transcend the barriers of speech.
And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over the landscape, Eric found solace in the hope that their destinies were intertwined. Perhaps, in this chance encounter, he had found his true love once again.
Upon reaching the castle, Eric guided the girl through the grand entrance and into the welcoming halls.
The servants, startled by the sight of their prince accompanied by a mysterious maiden, quickly sprang into action, preparing a warm meal and fetching suitable garments for the girl.
As they waited, Eric led her to a cozy sitting area adorned with plush furniture and a crackling fireplace. He gestured to her to take a seat and offered her a gentle smile, hoping to alleviate any remaining apprehension she might have.
"My home is yours," Eric spoke softly, his voice filled with sincerity. "You're safe here, and we will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable." Though her voice remained absent, her eyes spoke volumes, conveying gratitude and a glimmer of trust.
In the warmth and comfort of the castle, Eric took the opportunity to observe her more closely. The flickering flames of the fireplace danced upon her delicate features, accentuating the mystery that surrounded her.
Her eyes held a hint of sadness, yet there was an undeniable strength in her gaze. The sound of footsteps approached, interrupting Eric's thoughts. Carlotta, the trusted nursemaid, entered the room with a kind smile. She had been a constant presence in Eric's life since his parents' passing, offering guidance and care in their absence.
"Prince Eric, I heard we have a guest," Carlotta said, her dark eyes filled with curiosity. "Who might this be?"
Eric's gaze shifted from Carlotta to the girl, silently beseeching her to allow him to share her story. Understanding his unspoken request, she nodded, granting him permission to reveal her presence.
"Carlotta, this is... a friend I've met," Eric introduced, choosing his words carefully. "She is in need of our help, and I couldn't turn her away."
Carlotta's eyes widened in surprise, but her nurturing nature quickly took over. She approached the girl with a warm smile, extending a welcoming hand.
"Well, my dear, you're in good hands here. We'll make sure you have everything you need."
As the servants brought in a steaming bowl of soup and a selection of clothing, Eric watched as the girl's eyes lit up with gratitude. She was visibly moved by the kindness and generosity surrounding her.
It was at that moment that Eric's conviction grew stronger – there was something extraordinary about her, something that touched his heart in a way he couldn't explain.
But what he did know for certain was that the gods had given him an extraordinary gift, and like it or not, this girl whose life he had saved, was for better or worse, now a part of his world.