When the morning sun bathed the island kingdom with its soothing glow before ultimately shimmering through the lilac lace curtains of Vanessa's bedroom, there was no trace or hint that a world-shattering hurricane had occurred the previous evening. It was like magic that nothing had been destroyed or that there was any debris to clean up. While mourning their sovereign, the kingdom's citizens couldn't help but wonder if dark magic was involved, considering the hurricane's lack of aftermath.
Still, the sun's golden rays, ordinarily a symbol of hope, did little to brighten Vanessa's spirits. She curled up on her enormous, purple-themed magnificent canopy bed, clutching her father's final gift, which she had discovered concealed under her enormous velvety pillow the previous night. His annual voyage always took place on the day before her birthday. Her birthdays were only joyful because she spent them away from her toxic mother. Yet how in the world he knew he wouldn't be able to give this gift, she didn't know.
Regardless, she clutched the golden nautilus shell necklace tightly, as it was her last gift from her cherished father. Her eyes were bloodshot and swollen from hours of inconsolable weeping. The room was a vacuum of sound, save for her soft, heart-wrenching sobs. "Daddy! I miss you! Why did you have to leave me alone with a monster?" She whimpered till an unforeseen quiet knock on her bedroom door broke the silence.
Princess Vanessa quickly looked up and towards her bedroom entrance. She saw an alluring auburn-haired woman in gorgeous velvet sea-green attire waiting to enter. This extraordinary woman was named Lady Elara, her lady-in-waiting, and had always been more of a mother to her than her own.
Today, Lady Elara's expression was overflowing with empathy. "Vanessa, my dear," she spoke gently as she slowly approached the bed. This was a breach of etiquette since she was supposed to wait for the princess to permit her to enter her bedroom. However, neither had cared for years regarding what her monster of a mother believed was appropriate conduct.
Vanessa attempted and failed to wipe her tear-streaked face. "Elara, he's gone... My father's gone," she whispered, her voice trembling. Somehow, she managed not to crush the fragile shell necklace.
Elara sat beside her and gently pulled her into an embrace. "I know, Vanessa. I'm so sorry," she murmured, stroking the young princess's long, dark, silky hair. Your father was a remarkable gentleman and king—the best the realm ever had! And he loved you more than anything," she said as she rocked her back and forth.
Vanessa buried her face in Elara's shoulder, allowing herself to be comforted. "Why did this have to happen? We've always gone on the annual voyage together..." she choked out before she couldn't speak anymore.
Elara held her tighter, her voice filled with quiet strength and tenderness. "Sometimes, life is cruel, my darling. However, we must remember the love and the good times we shared. Your father would want you to be strong, to carry on his legacy with hope in your heart," the motherly lady-in-waiting told her soothingly.
While Princess Vanessa, who the people deeply loved, was crying her heart out in her chambers upstairs, her attractive but heartless mother, Queen Lorelei, had summoned the full court to the throne room. Among the masses in the throne room was the leader of King Jericho's knights, Sir Cedric, who was as handsome as he was devoted.
He took a deep breath, his dedication to the kingdom fueling his determination. As Queen Lorelei entered the throne room, he braced himself for the impending threat to his beloved realm, his true feelings concealed beneath a mask of stoicism.
As Queen Lorelei addressed the gathered court, the once vibrant and lively chamber was shrouded in a heavy, ominous silence. Draped in black, she stood before them, her expression a carefully crafted mask. "Today, I stand before you with a heavy heart, mourning the loss of our cherished King Jericho," she began, her voice steady but tinged with something sinister.
Sir Cedric stood among the courtiers, his eyes narrowing as he listened. He knew Lorelei well enough to see through her facade. She spoke of her heartache, but her eyes betrayed no genuine grief. Nor did she shed a single tear that her husband had perished, a stark contrast to the courtiers who were openly weeping.
"As your queen, I will guarantee the stability and prosperity of our domain during this challenging time," Lorelei continued, her tone shifting to one of authority. "We must move forward and honor King Jericho's legacy by maintaining order and strength," she spoke slightly louder. The courtiers, though respectful, exchanged apprehensive glances, sensing the underlying threat in her words.
Her mask slipped briefly, showing her true callous and greedy nature. However, a second later, she continued as if she were a grieving widow. Cedric exchanged a wary glance with another courtier. They both knew what this meant: Queen Lorelei was tightening her grip on power, which would ruin the fair island kingdom of Aigygo.
Little did anyone on Aigygo know that in the submerged palace of Merrow, Prince Merrick was sitting on the edge of the bed in his room. He was playing with a small golden charm bracelet that had once belonged to his mother, Queen Aquamarine. Her absence bore down on his heart, a heavy burden he couldn't shake. Unlike his father and brother, who seemed unaffected by her death, Merrick felt his mother's absence as a continuous ache in his soul. A soft knock at his door drew his attention. "Come in," he called his voice a mere whisper.
An alluring mermaid who looked a few years older then him swam into the room. Her name was Lady Nerissa, and her face was full of concern. "Merrick, I heard what happened. I'm so sorry about your mother," she said soothingly. She sat beside him, her presence a comforting protection against his misery.
Merrick sighed, glancing down at the charm bracelet. "I miss her so much, Nerissa. Neither Father nor Marco even seem to care," confessed the undesirable secondborn.
Nerissa placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm going to tell you what my father told me when I lost my mother years ago. You had an exceptionally devoted mother, Merrick. Moreover, the kingdom had a pure-hearted queen. So remember the lessons she taught you. She wouldn't want you to be consumed by sorrow."
Merrick nodded, grateful for her presence. "Thank you, Nerissa. I'll try to honor her memory. How is your father, Captain Thalass, handling my mother's death?" he asked out of curiosity.
"Not well. I've not seen my father grieve this way since he lost my mother. When my father is consumed with grief, he remains silent and isolated for about a week to process it."
Both were unaware of the dark-skinned merman with a dull tail covered in scars that could barely be seen through a crack in the door. What he'd witnessed broke his heart. Captain Thalass immediately swam to his king's private chambers. The king was engrossed in planning his next conquest, focusing entirely on the maps and strategies before him.
"My king, may I speak with you?" Thalass asked, his voice tentative, his concern for Merrick unmistakable.
King Aalto, a man of power and ambition, glanced up briefly from his maps, his expression apathetic. "What is it, Captain Thalass?" he asked, his tone suggesting a lack of interest in his son's emotional state.
"I've come on behalf of your son, Merrick. He's profoundly depressed by the loss of his mother, and as his father, you should..." Captain Thalass began, but Aalto's impatient sigh cut him off, his disregard for his son's feelings undeniable.
"There's nothing to discuss. She's gone, and we must move on," the king stated dismissively, his words a cold slap in the face of Merrick's overwhelming grief. "I have important matters to attend to. You're dismissed, Captain. Furthermore, do not bring up this nonsense with me again."
The old soldier's heart sank. He turned and vacated the chamber, feeling enraged and heartbroken for himself and the young prince, who was more his son then Aalto's. Outside, he encountered Merrick, who had witnessed the exchange. "Prince Merrick," Thalass said gently, "I know what you just witnessed was harsh, and even I condemn your father's apathy. Yet you are your mother's son. Therefore, she lives on in you. So please return her love to our kingdom before your father snuffs it out forever."
Merrick nodded, taking some comfort in the Captain's words. "Thank you, Thalass. I'll do my best," he said, his voice filled with determination. They shared their grief, comfort, and stronger bond as the two hugged.
Princess Vanessa and Lady Elara were strolling through the palace gardens, bathed in the soft glow of twilight. The air was crisp, carrying the sweet aroma of tropical flowers. Vanessa's eyes were still swollen from tears, but she felt more relaxed as she strode through the tranquil garden.
"Elara, I don't know how to go on without Father. Yes, I know you and your husband, Sir Cedric, are like my second parents. Yet how can I have any hope when my heart has shattered, and my soul feels like it was cut in half?" Vanessa questioned, her voice breaking.
Lady Elara gazed upon her pseudo-daughter momentarily, her eyes filled with love and concern. Then she squeezed her hand gently. "You have his strength within you, Vanessa. More so, my darling, you have your friends and faithful subjects who care greatly for you," she stated firmly, her voice filled with conviction.
Vanessa's voice trembled as she looked up at the stars, blinking back tears. "I'm terrified of what Mother will do now that she's in control. She fills me with dread," she confessed. Her fear of what her mother would do or what would happen to their people was almost tangible.
Lady Elara spun around to face Vanessa before carefully articulating what the princess needed to hear. "You must remain vigilant, Vanessa. Your mother may attempt to exploit you for her own gain. This is why you must remember who you are. Remember, no one can take away who you are. Your father's soul and values live on in you. Stay true to them for all of Aigygo's sake."
Despite being filled with sorrow, Vanessa's voice was determined as she drew strength from Elara's words. "I will. I promise," she declared, her perseverance shining through her tears. Later that night, on her balcony, looking out at the vast expanse of the ocean while Merrick was gazing up at the surface, both young hearts were heavy with despair. Vanessa clutched her father's necklace, symbolizing his love and guidance, whispering to the night, "I will make you proud, Father."
Merrick held his mother's bracelet close to his heart, his thoughts echoing Vanessa's: "I won't forget you, Mother."
Neither was aware that the boundaries of land and sea would shortly be shattered, the trials they would face, or what fate had in store for each broken child. All they felt was unrelenting agony. Yet neither realized more anguish would arrive shortly.