Serrira's POV :
Far beneath the waves, in the hidden depths of the ocean, lay the mystical kingdom of Undersea" realm untouched by time, where ancient magic coursed through coral towers and glowing kelp forests. Within this kingdom, nestled in the quietest corner of the royal palace, was a room unlike any other.
Princess Serrira lay still in the center of her chamber, her thoughts drifting like sea currents. The room around her shimmered in harmony with the sea. Its walls were crafted from precious ocean stone and laced with veins of pure gold, their surfaces alive with light as they caught the glint of the sea above. Her bed, carved from rare blue diamond stone, stood like a glacial sculpture cool, smooth, and radiant. Silken bedding of white pearl-thread and coral fleece draped elegantly around her, soft as sea foam.
The air in her chamber was alive with the subtle trickle of water. Behind her bed, a gentle stream flowed like a miniature waterfall, cascading down the wall and forming ripples in a shallow, glowing pool beneath. The entire room blended with the sea open to the ocean's heart yet shielded by powerful enchantments.
Above her, suspended in still water, hung a chandelier crafted from hundreds of blue and silver stones. At daylight's peak, beams from the sun filtered through the waves and ignited the stones with light, turning the room into a breathtaking display of color soft blues, silvers, and warm whites mingling in a glowing dance. At night, moonlight and drifting jellyfish cast the chamber in shades of deep, mysterious blue. It was a room fit for royalty, a place of quiet wonder. And yet, tonight, it brought Serrira no comfort.
Her long white hair like flowing strands of sea-light spilled around her as she rested her head against a pillow made from the softest underwater petals and leaves. Her hand lay loosely over it, unmoving. Her eyes were wide open, though heavy with fatigue. Sleep had not touched her since the previous night.
She could not stop thinking.
For the first time in her life, she had seen a human.
Not just seen but touched.
All her life, she had grown up hearing stories passed down through generations. Stories of how dangerous humans were how they captured mermaids, poisoned waters, destroyed coral homes, and brought ruin to anything they touched. "Never go near the surface," they warned. "Humans are chaos wrapped in flesh."
But the boy she had seen on Celix Beach… he was not chaos.
He was alone. Crying.
His tears were not the cries of a destroyer, but the silent grief of someone lost.
Serrira had been passing through the shallow waters at dusk when she saw him. Something about his presence drew her close. Against all warnings, she approached. His sorrow felt so heavy that it reached her beneath the waves. She didn't know what came over her. Her hand had broken the surface. Their skin touched. And in that moment, something shifted inside her.
She had seen the truth in his eyes.
He was hurting.
He was… human.
And yet, he wasn't terrifying.
He was real.
The encounter had left her shaken. Not with fear—but with questions. Why had everyone been so wrong? Why had she never questioned the stories before? And why… did she now feel this longing?
A desire had awakened within her. A desire to know more. To walk where he walked. To feel the sand beneath her feet. To live with the same freedom.
Lost in thought, Serrira barely noticed the soft approach of a golden shimmer. A small fish elegant, bright, and warm like a beam of sunlight swam close and brushed her cheek.
"Serrira, how are you?" the gentle voice whispered.
The princess did not respond, too deep in her thoughts to hear.
The golden fish circled again, this time nudging her cheek more firmly. Serrira jolted slightly at the tickle and let out a soft laugh.
"Arri! What are you doing? That tickles!" she giggled, finally shaking free from her daze.
The golden fish, Arri, flipped her small tail in delight. Though small in size, Arri had the heart of a guardian. She had been Serrira's closest companion since childhood.
When Arri was just a fry, she had lost her parents in a current storm. Serrira, still a young princess then, had found her drifting, frightened, and alone. From that day onward, they had been inseparable.
Arri tilted her head. "You've been quiet since last night," she said, voice soft and curious. "You're different somehow."
Serrira blushed slightly, a pink hue coloring her cheeks. "It's nothing really…" she hesitated. "But... do you want to know what happened yesterday?"
Arri's eyes sparkled like gems. "What happened, Serrira?! Tell me!"
But just as Serrira opened her lips to share the story that burned within her heart, the soft current of the room shifted. Another figure swam into view a mermaid dressed in pale silver, her posture respectful.
"Princess Serrira," she said gently, "you're awake."
Serrira sat up slightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Yes. Is something the matter?"
"The King has summoned you," the mermaid said. "His Majesty King Thalor wishes to speak with you. I've been sent to escort you to him."
Serrira's expression faltered. Her grandfather "King Thalor" was the ruler of the mermaid realm. Stern and wise, he rarely summoned her without reason. Her heart quickened. Had someone seen her yesterday? Did he know?
"I'll come shortly," she said, trying to sound casual.
But the mermaid hesitated. "Forgive me, Princess. His Majesty gave strict instructions that I must bring you immediately. If I return without you… I may face consequences."
Serrira sighed, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. She didn't enjoy being commanded, but she also didn't wish to get anyone in trouble.
"Fine," she said, sliding off her bed gracefully. "Let's go."
She swam over to a smooth stone pedestal near the edge of the chamber a stool carved from deep blue stone, shaped like a blooming sea lily. As she sat, two handmaidens appeared and quickly began their work. With care, they brushed Serrira's long, silken white hair, using a golden comb shaped like a fishbone intricate and ancient. They tied delicate strands back, twisting them into elegant braids. Finally, they placed upon her head a crown crafted from coral, moonstone, and blue pearl.
She looked every bit a princess.
And yet… inside, Serrira felt anything but regal. Her heart was a storm of questions, of emotions she couldn't yet name.
As the mermaids prepared to escort her from the room, Arri swam up close one last time.
"Will you tell me later?" she asked softly.
Serrira nodded. "I will. I promise."
And with that, Princess Serrira of Tolodesh swam toward whatever fate awaited her her heart still echoing with the memory of a boy on the beach, and the impossible truth that maybe… just maybe… everything she had believed about humans was wrong.