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underwater-mm · 10 months ago

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Light of the Seven Seas

She didn’t desire anything more than she already had. Her kingdom was safe and prosperous, her people happy, and she was surrounded by love and joy. She wouldn’t have traded that for anything in the world. Little did she know, soon enough, her life, Kaito’s, and the entire history of their underwater world would take a sudden, unexpected turn.

All it took was one choice of hers.

Among the many things Lucia had learned, one stood out: life was unpredictable. Just when everything seemed to be going right, when you thought you had everything figured out, things could take a sudden turn and change your life’s trajectory, for better or for worse. She had learned to treasure everything and everyone close to her heart and not take anything for granted, knowing that a single choice, event, or simple word could change everything forever.

She was happy. Maybe for the first time in her life, she could say she felt truly, unconditionally happy. Since her return to the Ocean, things couldn’t have been better. The underwater world was slowly healing after years of wars, and the future finally appeared bright. As she helped her sisters rebuild their kingdoms, Lucia dedicated herself completely to her people. She was much more mature than when she had left, and her mermaids noticed that. Though she kept her enthusiastic, bubbly personality, she was now much more attentive to her subjects’ needs and worked tirelessly so that the North Pacific Ocean could have a princess to be proud of.

She had many friends she could count on: Hippo, Madame Taki, and Nikora. They helped and supported her tirelessly, and she couldn’t have been more grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people.

And then there was Kaito, of course. Her husband. For the first few weeks, Lucia had a hard time fully realizing they were actually married. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw him walking along the main hall. She couldn’t trust her ears when she heard his deep voice echoing between the palace’s pink walls.

Kaito had fully honored his vow to Aqua Regina. He had left his home on land and moved to the North Pacific. Sure, it took a while to adjust to their new life; although mermaids weren’t the only creatures living in the palace, it was still a bit odd to see a human-like being wandering around, and knowing he was a Panthalassa didn’t help. But Princess Lucia trusted him, and so did Aqua Regina, who went as far as restoring his full powers and appointing him Prince of the Oceans.

Kaito – Prince Kaito, as he was now known among the people – did his best to fit into that magical world he knew so little about, despite Lucia having told him countless stories about her enchanting homeland. He was committed to learning everything there was to know and studied hard to be worthy of his new role. He would spend hours in the royal library, reading as much as he could about the history of the North Pacific, the other oceans, and the little information he could find about his own lost homeland, the Panthalassa Kingdom.

Lucia couldn’t have been prouder. In the beginning, she feared he would regret leaving his life on land, but every time she confessed her worries to him, Kaito would reassure her, telling her that never in a million years would he leave his beautiful mermaid. She could see in his eyes that he wasn’t lying, and eventually, her fears vanished.

All it took was one choice of hers.

It had been one year since their wedding, and neither Kaito nor Lucia had returned to land, but this was a special occasion. Kaito’s 20th birthday was approaching, and Aqua Regina had no objections to them celebrating the event on land with their human friends. The Princess and Prince had been working hard for the peace of the Oceans; they deserved a little time off.

They left a couple of weeks earlier to set everything up. Maki was delighted to see them again, and he happily agreed to host Kaito’s birthday party. All his friends from middle and high school showed up, and both Hanon and Rina, accompanied by Shirai and Masahiro, took a break from their royal duties to join the celebration. The party was a success. The beachside restaurant was filled with laughter and chatter, and everyone enjoyed reminiscing about their adventures together when they were younger, before Kaito and Lucia moved to Hawaii for good, or so they all had been told. By the time the lights were switched off, it was already past midnight. The cold moonlight illuminated the cheerful group as they hugged and said their goodbyes, promising to meet again soon. Then everyone went their separate ways.

Kaito and Lucia walked back to their home, still dizzy from all the laughter and conversation. But the party wasn’t over for the couple. A more romantic and intimate celebration awaited them. When they woke up the next morning, still tangled together, with messy hair and content smiles on their faces, they could barely remember how they made it to their bedroom the night before.

Over the previous couple of weeks, they had grown fond of their normal, human, married life. Although they both missed their ocean’s waters, they easily fell into a simple yet pleasing daily routine, which included relaxing walks on the beach, surfing, cooking, moonlit swims, and long, passionate nights. Not that they didn’t indulge in marital bliss at the bottom of the ocean. It was just different.

They would have gladly spent a few more days living without a care in the world, but it was time to return to the Palace; duty called. They had arranged to leave in three days, giving Hanon and Rina time to properly greet their loved ones before departing with the royal couple and sharing part of the journey.

That’s when things started to go wrong.

Lucia wasn’t feeling well. She was constantly tired and weak, her mood always seesawing, and she was troubled by an endless sense of nausea that prevented her from carrying on with the simplest daily tasks. But this was just the beginning. Things worsened whenever she transformed back into a mermaid. There came the pain—deep and excruciating—like someone was stabbing right through her stomach. Her baths became as quick as possible, and soon she stopped diving into the sea altogether. Her sudden inability to return to her true form was destabilizing, to say the least. Lucia was confused and scared. No one had an explanation for her illness; neither Hanon nor Rina had ever experienced anything like it, nor had anyone in the mermaid world, as far as they knew. They reached out to everyone they thought might have an answer, but no one could provide a valid explanation. Lucia’s symptoms made no sense. How could a mermaid feel pain in her true form? How could the ocean hurt her?

Kaito was going mad with worry. He couldn’t bear watching her suffer—the wince of pain on her face as she entered the bathtub and the tight grip she had on his arms when he had to lift her out of the water to ease the ache. But the worst part was how terrified she looked. As days passed, Lucia grew more confused and frightened. Her sole comfort was Kaito. He would hold her and comfort her through the pain, promising they would find a cure and that everything would be alright. But when she saw the grief and helplessness in Nikora’s, Hippo’s, and Madame Taki’s eyes, who had joined them on land hoping to help, she realized there wasn’t much to be done.

Was it really going to end like this? After everything she had been through? Was she truly going to leave this life because of an unnamed illness, now that she finally had everything she had always wanted? How cruel and unpredictable life could be.

She prayed to Aqua Regina to make her passing easy—not for her own sake, but for her loved ones. She prayed for her friends not to cry too much, to cherish life and carry on, for her kingdom to remain at peace, and for everyone she cared about to know that she loved them until the end. She begged the goddess to let Kaito overcome his grief and find happiness again. That’s all she wanted.

Lucia never received an answer, until one fateful night. She had somehow managed to fall asleep, Kaito holding her hand, in the quietness of their home. It was sudden and unexpected—an unbearable, stabbing pain in her stomach that made her jolt awake, screaming. Kaito held her close, calling her name louder and louder, but Lucia didn’t respond. Her mind was swirling, her senses overwhelmed, and she felt her body being lifted until it all stopped. Everything was quiet now, and warm. With her eyes still closed, she took a moment to realize her pain was completely gone. She felt fine, perfectly fine, as she had a month earlier before the nightmare began. It was when she finally opened her eyes that Lucia noticed she was in her mermaid form, floating in bright, warm light. For a moment, she wondered if her time had come. Then, a beam of white light blinded her for a second, and when it faded, Aqua Regina manifested in all her gloriousness. The Goddess had listened to the Princess’s plea after all, and without wasting time, she addressed the matter of Lucia’s illness.

The reason no one could find a cure for Lucia's illness was, in fact, that there was no illness. The confusion on Lucia’s face softened Aqua Regina’s heart, and in a swift move, the goddess drew closer to the princess. Lucia held her breath in astonishment as Aqua Regina lifted her hand and gently placed it over her belly. Before Lucia could comprehend what was happening, she was back in her human form. Aqua Regina’s hand lingered on her, spreading a comforting warmth throughout her body. The words the goddess spoke then would echo in Lucia’s mind for years to come, sending a shiver down her spine every time she recalled them.

“A mermaid cannot conceive a child, but a woman…”

Aqua Regina left those last few words hanging, but Lucia didn’t need to hear the rest to understand. Confusion quickly turned into panic. She stumbled backward, mumbling something incomprehensible, wondering if her mind was playing tricks on her. But Aqua Regina didn’t look like she was joking. The goddess spoke again, and with each word, Lucia’s heart sank deeper into dismay. Her symptoms were the same as those human women experienced during pregnancy, and the pain she felt in water was because her mermaid form was rejecting the child she had conceived as a woman.

It all made sense now, but that didn’t calm Lucia’s inner turmoil. What was she supposed to do? What would happen to her? What would happen to her baby? Her baby. The thought alone made her heart skip a beat, and a faint warmth began to spread in her chest. Where there was once only dread, a tiny spark of joy and excitement now flickered. As Lucia began to bask in this new, thrilling feeling, a pool of water appeared at her feet. Aqua Regina was giving her a choice: to make things go back to the way they were. All she had to do was dive into the water, and the pain and suffering would be gone. Transforming back into a mermaid would end her child’s life and, with it, the nightmare.

Lucia refused, swiftly and decisively, catching even Aqua Regina off guard. Now it was Lucia’s turn to speak. It had been mere minutes since she had learned she was pregnant, but she already felt attached to the tiny life inside her. Was it love? She didn’t fully understand it. Mermaids were not meant to conceive, so she had never imagined herself as a mother. In the underwater world, the concept of family was different; mermaids didn’t know what it meant to be a daughter, much less a mother. They were creations of the Pearls. But humans were different. Their children were born to a father and a mother, the result of an act of love. When she was younger, Lucia had watched human families with curiosity, and as she grew older, she occasionally wondered what it would be like to have a child with Kaito and create their own little family. It was just a dream, one she believed impossible given her nature—or so she thought. Apparently, her human body functioned like any other, and without realizing it, she had taken a step closer to fulfilling that long-lost dream.

Lucia was aware of the implications. Keeping the child meant she wouldn’t be able to return home for months. Was she really willing to leave her kingdom so soon after coming back? Aqua Regina asked her on the matter, and Lucia hesitated. But the warmth in her chest grew stronger, reminding her that this new life, though unexpected, was a result of her and Kaito’s love. She couldn’t bring herself to give it up.

Aqua Regina cautioned that pregnancy and childbirth were not easy, not even for humans. No mermaid had ever given birth before, and there was no guarantee Lucia would be able to carry the child to term. Even if she succeeded, would she survive childbirth? All these unknowns could have made Lucia waver, but her determination shone through. Aqua Regina, seeing her resolve, decided to grant the princess a chance.

The pool of water at their feet disappeared, and Lucia was enveloped in a warm, pink light. A bracelet of white pearls appeared on her wrist, a gift from the goddess to protect her whenever she touched water, preventing her from transforming into a mermaid and allowing her to live comfortably on land. However, the gift came with a serious warning: never, under any circumstances, should Lucia come into contact with the sea. None of its creatures could resist its call, and no amulet, magic, or even Aqua Regina’s power would prevent her from transforming if she entered its waters.

Lucia’s heart sank a little. Staying away from the ocean was perhaps the hardest sacrifice to ask of a mermaid, but if it meant protecting her baby, then she would endure it. Aqua Regina gave her a final, reassuring smile before vanishing in a blinding light.

When Lucia opened her eyes, she was back in her bed. The first thing she saw was Kaito, still holding her hand. She offered him a faint smile, and some of the worry in his eyes eased, though he still looked at her with concern. Then she noticed they weren’t alone. Hanon, Rina, Hippo, Nikora, and Madame Taki were all there, disheveled and still in their pajamas. They must have rushed to her side, maybe Kaito called them alarmed by her screams. How long had she been unconscious? It was still dark outside. For a moment, she wondered if it had all been a dream, but the bracelet on her wrist told her otherwise. Aqua Regina’s words echoed in her mind, and her face flushed with emotion.

She was pregnant. Pregnant. She was going to have a baby, a child that would make her a mother and Kaito a father. But how would she tell them? How would she tell him?

Lucia was pulled back to reality when Rina asked how she was feeling. Fine, perfectly fine, actually. All the pain had vanished, though the lingering nausea still remained. Seeing her well again relieved her friends and, most of all, Kaito. But once they knew the truth, what would they think? What would they say? Lucia knew she would have to tell them eventually, but that night, she lacked the strength. She needed time to find the right words and the perfect moment.

So she told them the truth—but not all of it. She said that Aqua Regina had healed her and entrusted her with a new mission that would keep her on land for the next few months. She didn’t have time to think of a more detailed explanation, but it seemed enough for now. Her friends and Kaito, so relieved to see her well again, didn’t press for more details.

The days that followed were awkward. Lucia tried to act normally, but everyone was still cautious around her. Nikora, Hippo, and Madame Taki decided to remain on land for the duration of Lucia’s mission, making the Pearl Piari Hotel their base once again. Hanon and Rina constantly checked in on her, and Kaito barely let her out of his sight. Their affection was touching, but Lucia longed for a little time alone to process everything. After much convincing and a promise to call him at the first sign of trouble, she managed to persuade Kaito to let her bathe alone. She didn’t want him to witness her temporary inability to transform into a mermaid; it would raise questions she wasn’t ready to answer.

Lucia still remembered her first bath after discovering her pregnancy. She stood hesitantly at the edge of the tub, the memory of the intense pain she had felt still fresh in her mind. What if the bracelet didn’t work? What if she had misunderstood something? But staring at the water wouldn’t answer her questions, so she took a deep breath and submerged herself. She kept her eyes closed for a few moments, and when nothing changed in her body, she looked down at herself. The mermaid princess couldn’t quite define the feeling of seeing her legs emerging from the bubbles. Relief washed over her, but it was mixed with a sense of bitterness and discomfort. Who knew when she would see her pink tail again? Human pregnancies lasted nine months, but would it be the same for a mermaid-turned-woman? On top of that, her baby would also inherit Panthalassa blood. Would the child grow healthy? Would it be a human-like baby or a little mermaid?

What was supposed to be a relaxing bath only left her more anxious. The more Lucia pondered the uncertainties of her pregnancy, the more frightened and isolated she felt. She knew she needed to tell her loved ones. She needed their support, and she couldn’t bear carrying this secret alone any longer. She had to share the truth—and soon.

Hanon and Rina knew something was wrong. They sensed it every time they caught Lucia’s fleeting gaze, and their unease only grew. Was it something to do with the new mission Aqua Regina had given her? Or was there trouble in the North Pacific? Nikora, Hippo, and Taki couldn’t provide convincing answers, so the two mermaid princesses decided to take matters into their own hands.

Lucia noticed immediately when she walked into the Pearl Piari that her friends were up to something. Hanon and Rina had asked her to help them pack for their return to their kingdoms, which Lucia had agreed to as a welcome distraction from Kaito’s overprotectiveness. But as soon as she stepped inside, Hanon grabbed her arm, dragging her into the middle of the room, while Rina swiftly locked the door behind them.

Hanon wasted no time, directly asking Lucia what had happened to make her so withdrawn. Rina piled on, asking if Kaito had done something to upset her, making Lucia jolt with embarrassment and discomfort. She was cornered, and though it upset her, she knew she had done a poor job of hiding her feelings if her friends felt compelled to intervene. Seeing the worry in their eyes, Lucia’s resolve wavered, and with tears welling up, she confessed the truth.

Shock replaced worry on Hanon and Rina’s faces. After a long, heavy silence, their questions became more urgent, and they struggled to understand. But despite their initial dismay, seeing Lucia’s vulnerability and determination to carry her baby moved their hearts. They swore to stand by her side, no matter what. The three hugged tightly, and for a moment, it felt like nothing had changed since their teenage years, as if the last five years had never happened. That evening, as Lucia walked home with a lighter heart, her friends’ parting words echoed in her mind: she had to tell Kaito.

Kaito had long sensed that something was wrong with his wife. Lucia had become elusive and distant, refusing to discuss her new mission or anything related to the ocean. She flinched at his touch and deflected his questions with gentle smiles or quick kisses, leaving him more confused each time. Determined to break the silence between them, Kaito made a plan.

He set up a romantic dinner at their secluded beach spot. Lucia was touched by his effort, and his warm smile almost made her forget her worries. Almost. They were so close to the sea that she couldn’t relax, and though she tried to hide it, Kaito was not fooled. He had a plan of his own, hoping to lift her spirits by doing what they loved most: swimming together.

Without warning, Kaito picked Lucia up, playfully running toward the ocean. Instantly, she realized his intentions—to take her into the water, where they had always found joy. She pleaded with him to stop, but he brushed it off as a weak protest and kept going. It wasn’t until he felt her nails dig into his skin that he stopped, stunned by the sheer terror on her face. For the first time, Lucia begged him not to let the saltwater touch her. The urgency in her voice made it clear that something was terribly wrong. Kaito immediately turned back, carrying her safely to the sand. As Lucia calmed down, Kaito packed up their things in silence, then gently asked her to promise that she would tell him the truth when they got home.

Lucia had imagined telling Kaito about the baby countless times, but the reality of the moment felt more daunting than she had ever anticipated.

At home, Kaito watched her closely, his patience thinly masking his mounting anxiety. Lucia took a deep breath and confessed everything: she had lied about her mission and her illness because there was no sickness. Aqua Regina had ended her suffering but had not healed her because there was nothing to heal. Lucia couldn’t return to the ocean—not now, not when it would mean losing the child she was carrying.

Kaito’s eyes widened as he processed her words. His shock rendered him speechless, and Lucia, overwhelmed by his silence, continued in a shaky voice, explaining that as a mermaid, she couldn’t bear children, but her human body could. She had to stay in her human form to give their baby a chance to survive, which meant she couldn’t return to her kingdom. Her voice was shaky and her words a bit incoherent, and she wondered if Kaito was understanding anything at all. When she finished speaking, there was only silence—heavy, suffocating silence.

Finally, Kaito spoke, his voice barely above a whisper.

“You’re pregnant?”

“Yes”

Lucia whispered, tears brimming in her eyes. Kaito stared at her, and then, to her surprise, a smile broke across his face. In an instant, Lucia found herself wrapped in his arms, and he jokingly asked how much more she intended to make him love her. His initial lack of reaction had scared her, but his embrace dissolved all her fears. He asked why she hadn’t told him sooner, and she confessed her doubts, which he dismissed with a tender kiss. The wonderstruck, thrilled look on his face when she told him that, actually, they could have a little mermaid, persuaded her that she had made the right choice. Lucia felt a weight lift from her heart, knowing that Kaito would stand by her no matter what. She clung to him, feeling truly at peace for the first time in days.

Telling Kaito had been hard, but sharing the news with Nikora, Hippo, and Taki proved even more daunting. With Kaito holding her hand and Hanon and Rina watching nervously, Lucia explained the situation once again.

Taki was the first to recover, offering a warm smile, while Nikora stared in disbelief and Hippo looked on the verge of fainting. But as Lucia continued, their expressions softened. By the time she finished, they, too, had resolved to stay on land to support her, vowing to help in any way they could. Moved by their unwavering commitment, Lucia was reminded of the strength and love of the family she had chosen.

There were so many things to consider, so many unknowns and questions that could only be answered with time. First and foremost was Lucia’s health. She was experiencing all the symptoms of a human pregnancy, which prompted Kaito to barely let her walk alone to the Pearl Piari. She often felt weary and sore, and with the memory of her previous suffering still fresh in everyone’s mind, there was a shared concern among their extended family. They couldn’t rely on a human doctor to check on her or the baby. For one, they didn’t even know what exactly was growing inside Lucia’s belly or if it would develop normally. There was no record in history of a child born from a Mermaid and a Panthalassa, so there was no guarantee it would even survive.

The uncertainty weighed heavily on Lucia’s heart, to the point where she sometimes struggled to sleep or eat. She often wondered if she had made the right choice. Would it all be worth it? Being away from her palace, her home, and prompting the others to do the same just to be by her side? The only thing that could calm her racing heart was Kaito’s gentle touch. He never missed a chance to hug her or rest his hand on her almost invisible bump, still an undeniable proof that the new life they had created was indeed growing.

Hanon would constantly brag about how she was going to be the coolest aunt ever, while Rina tried to temper her enthusiasm, reminding her that spoiling the child wasn’t a wise idea. Madame Taki often offered to read in her crystal ball what future awaited the baby, but both Lucia and Kaito kindly declined; the uncertainty was still better than her eccentric predictions. Hippo’s reaction was amusing. It took him a while to fully process that the princess, whose safety had been entrusted to him, was expecting a child, and for a couple of days, he even considered unleashing his fury on the Prince of the Oceans, who was clearly the one to blame for it. But as the legendary Hippocampus saw the tenderness in Lucia’s eyes whenever she talked about her unborn child, his mood softened, and eventually, he became ridiculously overprotective, even more so than Kaito.

Nikora, faithful to her role as Ancilla Maxima of the North Pacific, made sure the princess had everything she needed to stay strong and healthy. She would check on her and prepare delicious and nourishing meals for both her and the baby—by human standards, at least. Lucia was immensely relieved and grateful that they had rekindled their sister-like bond. In the first few weeks after the announcement of her pregnancy, Nikora had been uncharacteristically cold towards the Mermaid Princess. She would attend to her duties in silence and alone, refusing to explain her sudden change of behavior, until Lucia finally confronted her and commanded her to be honest. Lucia hated to resort to her royal authority, but the situation had become unbearable.

It turned out that Nikora, being the most mature of the group, hadn’t yet fully processed the news. She understood the implications and was frightened by the number of unknowns they would have to overcome, provided they even could. But most of all, she didn’t want to lose her princess. Nikora was no fool; she knew that pregnancy and childbirth were dangerous for humans, and who knew if a mermaid could even survive that. She never intended to scare Lucia more than she already was, but when she saw her eyes darken with worry, the purple mermaid’s heart ached. But then Lucia smiled, and her eyes sparkled with a new light. She assured her pretend-older sister that she was aware of the risks; Aqua Regina herself had warned her, but she was willing to take them. She believed there was a reason her child had been so resilient as to survive for so long before she even knew of its existence, and she was determined to do everything in her power to bring it into the world. Lucia’s resolve refreshed Nikora’s spirit, and the two rekindled their relationship with a warm hug.

Weeks soon turned into months, and as the time for Lucia to give birth drew closer, it became clear to everyone that they would need some sort of medical help to ensure a safe delivery. They couldn’t rely on human doctors, so Madame Taki suggested they contact some old acquaintances from the underwater world who might know how to deal with a mermaid. Though her plan was well-intentioned, it proved to be a failure. The bizarre creatures she summoned, much to Kaito’s skepticism, were all eager to help, but they knew nothing about the matter at hand. Some suggested Lucia drink algal tea to ease her swollen belly, others provided a special ointment to rub on her skin so the child could breathe underwater. Only a few managed to ignore the Prince of the Ocean’s threatening glare and dared to examine her, but none offered valid advices.

There was only one who could win the trust of Lucia and her family: Doctor Somegoro, the King of Squids. He left his kingdom the moment he received Taki’s letter. Though the letter didn’t specify the reason for their urgent need, the tone worried him. When he arrived on land, Nikora and Taki welcomed him on the shore. It wasn’t until he met Lucia and saw her now prominent baby bump that he understood. Once he overcame the initial shock, he admitted he knew very little about human biology, but he was willing to learn and help as much as he could, much to Lucia and Kaito’s gratitude.

Only a few trusted individuals were informed of Lucia’s pregnancy, including her Mermaid Princess sisters, of course. As the Princess of the Pink Pearl, Lucia’s condition was a closely guarded secret; if the news reached the wrong people, it could endanger her safety and that of her kingdom. Not even her mermaids back home knew the full truth. The North Pacific people were simply told that their princess, her husband, and closest companions were required on land for a mission entrusted to them by Aqua Regina.

Surprisingly, the last few months of Lucia’s pregnancy were easier than expected. She slowly adjusted to her new life away from the sea, and though she could still hear the ocean’s waves calling, the little being kicking—or perhaps swimming—inside her reminded her that her sacrifice would be worth it in the end. She still remembered the first time she felt her child move. She was so wonderstruck that she couldn’t speak or move for a few minutes. When she finally called Kaito, her voice was still shaking, prompting him to jump off the bed and rush to her in panic. She took his hand and placed it on her bump. His expression shifted from worry to amazement so quickly that she couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Kaito, though constantly worried, couldn’t have been more excited. They had always assumed it would be impossible for them to conceive, but the idea of sharing such joy with the love of his life soon made his doubts disappear. He too missed the ocean, but he had grown to love the simple, cozy life they had built over the past few months. They would take long walks on the beach—though never too close to the water—and resumed their usual lunches on the shore. Lucia would spend hours in the kitchen preparing all sorts of delicacies, waiting for him to finish his surf training. The sight of her was enough to pull him away from his board, and he would join her—join them—basking in the warm sunlight.

But one afternoon, something happened that shattered his bliss.

It was a warm spring day, and Kaito was walking home from the supermarket. Among the symptoms his pregnant wife experienced were cravings, and Kaito had learned never to underestimate the power they had on her mood. As he walked, his bag filled with boxes of dried fruit, he didn’t notice the man approaching him until they brushed shoulders. Kaito immediately sensed something was off. He stopped and turned around. The man had stopped too and was now staring at him. When the stranger addressed him as the Prince of the Oceans, Kaito’s suspicions were confirmed. It took him a moment, but he soon recognized the older man: Shyam, leader of the Black Corals.

What was he doing on land? And why was he so close to Lucia?

Kaito had first met Shyam almost a year earlier at the bottom of the ocean. He had been wandering with Momo, still learning the geography of his underwater world, when they encountered a group of figures in long black capes with shells embroidered on their backs. They greeted Kaito as the Lord of Panthalassa and King of the Abyss, which was unsettling enough, and introduced themselves as a network of spies that Gaito, Kaito’s late brother, had brought together. Coral fairies, sea demons, and human-like beings made up their ranks, all outsiders who had been homeless under the sea. Gaito had promised them refuge in his court once he conquered all Oceans and Lands, but after his death, they were left leaderless and without purpose. Over time, they regrouped and sought to claim what had been promised: a leader, a kingdom, a purpose. And to them, that leader was Kaito, the younger brother of their old Sire and, by blood, the rightful new Lord of Panthalassa.

Kaito, however, wanted no part in his brother’s dark legacy. He rejected their demands, declaring he had no intention of restoring the Panthalassa kingdom or fulfilling Gaito’s wicked plans. Instead, he was committed to his new mission: protecting the peace of the Oceans as entrusted to him by Aqua Regina. He suggested they seek refuge in the Mermaids’ kingdoms, where the kind and magnanimous princesses would surely welcome them. But Shyam refused to settle for anything less than what had been promised and left with his group, warning Kaito that they would return.

Now, seeing Shyam again, so close to Lucia, made Kaito’s blood run cold. What did the leader of the Black Corals want this time?

There was no point in ignoring him, so the prince confronted him and asked why he had come all the way to land. Shyam’s answer was swift: he was looking for him. His resolve to pursue what he believed was owed had not softened. Once again, he recounted the promise his brother had made to him and his companions—they wanted a reward for their service, a place at the Panthalassa Royal Court. But first, they needed to revive the lost kingdom, and for that, they needed someone of royal blood, which only Kaito possessed. The more adamant Shyam was about demanding Kaito take the role Gaito once held, the more resolute Kaito became in his refusal. He was not going to honor a promise he hadn’t made. His duties were to all Seven Oceans, and reviving the Panthalassa Kingdom was not among them. Shyam shook his head and moved closer to the prince, so close that Kaito could smell the scent of the abyss. The man then left, but not before leaving another message: eventually, they would manage to convince him to join their side. When Kaito turned to follow him, Shyam had already disappeared. The prince was left alone and upset. His first encounter with Shyam hadn’t worried him much; he had dismissed it as a harmless cult. He hadn’t even deemed it necessary to inform Lucia at the time, and now he wondered if he had made the right choice. He surely couldn’t tell her now; they had enough to worry about already. So he put on his best smile and walked home.

By the time Lucia celebrated her 21st birthday, her baby bump had grown considerably, making it impossible to hide. It had almost been nine months since they discovered her pregnancy, and according to human standards, the time for her to give birth was nearing. Everyone hustled to prepare for the baby’s arrival, even setting up a small nursery in one of the hotel’s rooms. Doctor Somegoro, true to his word, had studied hard and learned as much as he could to support Lucia during the delivery.

The Mermaid Princess grew increasingly worried as the time approached. She could feel the moment drawing near and wondered if she would be able to handle it, if her child would be healthy, and if she was truly ready to care for a new life. But she was constantly reminded she was not alone. Kaito and her friends were always by her side, ready to help and protect her.

Another couple of weeks passed peacefully, but things took a sudden turn when an alarming message arrived at the Pearl Piari from the North Pacific. The Coral Fairies guarding the palace had noticed a dark figure in a long black cloak with a shell embroidered on its back, looming over them before disappearing moments later. Though they hadn’t managed to stop him, the gloomy aura he left behind alarmed them. Similar sightings had been reported from other kingdoms as well. No one knew what this meant—not Nikora, Taki, Hippo, or Somegoro. These brief apparitions were news to all of them, except one. The worry the letter brought to Lucia was nothing compared to the disappointment she felt when Kaito confessed he had already encountered those creatures—twice. He reassured everyone he had no intention of following them or granting their wishes, but this did little to ease Lucia’s dismay. Though they believed Kaito, it was necessary to notify all kingdoms of the potential imminent danger.

It was already midnight, and everyone agreed it was time to rest. After greeting their friends, Kaito and Lucia headed to their bedroom. Nikora had warmly suggested they stay for the night, seeing how upset the recent news had made the princess, and she would feel better if she stayed close by.

Kaito could feel the disappointment emanating from his wife and decided it would be better to apologize sooner rather than later. He didn’t want her to strain herself. He tried to justify his actions, saying he hadn’t thought it was a big deal, which Lucia firmly contradicted, stating that a group of dissidents wandering around her kingdom was indeed a big deal. As he noticed her growing agitation, he apologized again, not wanting her to worry needlessly. The prince was confident in his speech, but as he spoke, he couldn’t help but notice a grimace of pain on Lucia’s face. He stopped talking, but she reassured him it was nothing. However, the way she held her belly told him she wasn’t being honest. That concerning letter and their argument were not good for her or the baby. Kaito took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead in an attempt to calm her down. He apologized again, admitting he had made a mistake and promising never to keep anything from her again. Lucia’s gaze softened. She was still disappointed, but there was no point in sulking at that moment. She nodded, accepting his apology, and gladly agreed when Kaito suggested he go downstairs to get something to drink.

The moment he exited the room, Lucia felt a stabbing pain pierce her stomach. She bent over, groaning in pain and struggling to catch her breath for a few seconds. When she was finally able to stand up straight, she realized something was wrong. Liquid was dripping down her legs. She reached for it with her hand, and when she looked at her red-stained fingers, she panicked. It was blood. She stumbled backward, horrified by the small red drops scattered at her feet. Her heartbeat accelerated, and her mind felt dizzy. She needed to call for help, but the lump in her throat was suffocating her voice. Thankfully, Kaito appeared on the doorstep moments later. When she saw him, Lucia could only whisper his name as a tear rolled down her cheek. He was carrying a tray with two mugs of her favorite tea, but it shattered on the floor the moment he saw the scene before him. He rushed to her, holding her close as another wave of pain hit her. Seeing the terror in his wife’s eyes, Kaito knew he had to be strong for her, even as frightened as he was. Without hesitation, he picked her up and carried her out of the room, calling for help. Nikora, Taki, Hippo, Hanon, and Rina all rushed to the bedroom they had set up as a delivery room, following Somegoro’s instructions. The doctor examined her, and while the bleeding seemed to have stopped, Lucia was still in pain. Despite his lack of practical experience, Somegoro had no doubts: Lucia was in labor.

Over the past nine months, the Pink Pearl Princess had tried countless times to imagine what giving birth would be like. She knew it would be painful and that the duration was uncertain, but one thing she hadn’t anticipated was the overwhelming sense of helplessness. Everything happening that night felt out of her control, which scared her. Her contractions were painful but still bearable, so much so that she managed to eat the snack Nikora had prepared for her.

Lucia lay on the bed, where Hanon had arranged pillows to make her more comfortable. Her friend had always been by her side, wiping sweat and tears from her face as the pain intensified. Lucia had never seen such gentleness in Hanon’s eyes as she reassured her that everything would be alright. Rina too had never left the room. She stayed aside, discussing with Nikora, Taki, and Somegoro about the progress and whether there was anything more they could do. Hippo was just outside the door, where Lucia could sense him. He had offered to patrol the area to prevent any harm coming to the princess, given the recent threats. Lucia had seen the tears collecting in his eyes as he watched her in pain. He was soft-hearted after all, and seeing his princess like that must have been difficult.

Lucia closed her eyes and bit her lower lip. Another contraction, stronger than the others, pierced through her. As the pain slowly subsided, she felt someone kissing her forehead and wiping away the tears from her face. When she opened her eyes again, she saw her husband looking lovingly at her. Kaito had always been by her side. How many hours had it been already? She couldn’t tell, but he had never let go of her hand or averted his gaze. He kept whispering encouraging words and sweet nothings, trying to elicit a tiny smile from her amid the suffering.

It took a couple more hours for things to progress. Compared to those last moments, the rest of the night seemed easy. Lucia couldn’t take it anymore. She told Kaito she wasn’t going to make it, which he firmly contradicted as she tried to muffle her screams of pain against his shoulder. Hanon wiped the sweat from her forehead, hoping to bring her some relief, while Rina and Taki stood aside, their hearts skipping a beat each time Lucia cried out. Hippo couldn’t bring himself to join them. He sat outside, his back against the wall, covering his ears to block out the sounds from just behind the door. Somegoro was at the bottom of the bed with Nikora, urging Lucia to push, but her overwhelmed mind only registered his words as an echo.

“One last push, sweetie. You’re almost there,” Nikora encouraged her, and the concern and sweetness in her voice helped Lucia muster the last of her strength to give that final push.

Then there was silence. An unsettling, deafening silence. Lucia fell back on the mattress, panting heavily as she tried to catch her breath. The pain was slowly fading, but something was wrong. She heard Kaito say something she couldn’t quite understand. Still panting, she forced herself to raise her head and look at Nikora and Somegoro. They were frantically tending to something at her feet, muttering words she didn’t comprehend. She saw the worry and dread in their eyes as they wrapped something in a white, red-stained cloth. It took a few more seconds for Lucia to realize that bundle must be her newborn child. She mustered enough energy to grab Kaito’s arm and ask him what was happening. The prince had never let go of her hand, but he too was focused on the dramatic scene unfolding before him. Lucia’s trembling voice prompted him to finally let her go and reach the doctor at the bottom of the bed. What he saw left him breathless. Wrapped in the blood-stained cloth was a blonde-haired baby with a perfect little nose, reddened skin, and thin, closed lips. Mesmerized by the sight of his newborn child, Kaito reached for the hem of the cloth, and when he lifted it, he saw a tiny, dark-pink tail.

His thrill at discovering their daughter was a mermaid was cut short by Nikora’s distressed cry. The little one hadn’t taken her first breath yet, and despite all efforts, she showed no signs of life. Her little lips were turning purple as she lay still, wrapped in her white cloth.

The silence turned into a buzz as everyone in the room offered different solutions. Though still weakened, Lucia finally managed to sit up. With Hanon supporting her back, she called for her husband and begged him to bring their daughter to the ocean. If she was born a mermaid, her first breath had to be in the sea. Neither Nikora nor Taki agreed, and Somegoro tried to interject, but to no avail. Lucia’s quivering voice and the tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with him were far more compelling. Ignoring those who told him to wait, Kaito gathered his little mermaid in his arms and sprinted out of the room. It didn’t occur to him until much later that this was the first time he held his daughter. Rina and Hippo followed him, both shocked and confused by the prince’s sudden departure.

Kaito never hesitated as he rushed out of the hotel and headed toward the beach. The first light of dawn was coloring the sky pink, but he didn’t notice. He was too focused on the little bundle in his arms. His legs moved on their own as Lucia’s trembling plea echoed in his ears.

The ocean water was still fresh from the night. Kaito didn’t stop until he was completely underwater, with Rina and Hippo swimming close behind him. The prince stared at his daughter, moved the cloth to see her face, and caressed her pale cheek, begging her to breathe and open her eyes. The little one remained motionless, her pink tail limply waving with the current. Then came a little bubble, another, and then more from the baby mermaid’s nose. She slowly opened her mouth, and her chest began to rise and fall. After a few deep breaths, she burst into a desperate, piercing cry. It was the most beautiful sound Kaito had ever heard, and he felt like he was breathing for the first time too. The prince considered himself to be a tough one; there were only a handful of times he remembered crying in the past decade of his life, but this was definitely worth letting go. When his daughter finally looked at him with bright blue eyes, gleaming like her mother’s, he hugged her to his chest and couldn’t hold back the tears anymore.

Behind him, neither Rina nor Hippo could contain their joy when the baby began crying. They swam to the surface and happily waved toward the hotel, where Nikora stood on the terrace, waiting for news. She, too, couldn’t contain her excitement when she received the message. She ran back inside, her eyes filled with tears, and delivered the good news. The child was fine and alive. Lucia’s intuition had been right.

Hanon was still by the new mother’s side. She grabbed her friend’s hand and squealed with delight, but something was off. Lucia wasn’t moving or speaking; her eyes were closed, and her lips barely moved to breathe. Hanon called for her, shook her shoulder, but Lucia gave no sign of hearing. Assuming she was just deeply asleep, Hanon bent over to help her friend up but stopped immediately. Her fingers had touched something wet, and she knew something was terribly wrong. Pulling back her hand, she screamed in horror: her fingers were covered in blood. Nikora, Taki, and Somegoro rushed to Lucia’s side, while Hanon slowly moved backward, too shocked to speak. The doctor moved the sheet covering Lucia’s legs, and everyone gasped in horror. The princess was hemorrhaging, badly. They understood this was one of the possible consequences of human childbirth, but as painful as it was to admit, they were utterly unprepared to deal with it. Nikora moved closer to Lucia, calling her name and ordering her to open her eyes, but Lucia lay motionless, her arm dangling limply over the bed’s edge. Maybe they could call an ambulance: the baby was born, and yes, she was a mermaid, but as long as they kept her hidden, humans wouldn’t have to be concerned. Still, it would be obvious from Lucia’s appearance that she had just given birth. What about the baby then? They couldn’t just say her father had dived into the ocean with her. There was nothing they could do, and the sense of helplessness as Lucia’s breathing grew weaker was crushing them.

Then a warm, white light engulfed the room, and everything started to feel like a dream.

Lucia opened her eyes slowly. She felt warm and comfortable, which was odd because she had felt cold and uneasy when she had closed her eyes earlier. Had she managed to call for help? That, she couldn’t remember. The princess looked around and saw nothing but light. She was lying on a bed, the same one she had been on when she gave birth. Yes, she had given birth. She had to mentally repeat the concept to fully process it. Her child, her daughter, a mermaid like her, was born, and she had begged Kaito to let her have her first breath in the ocean. Lucia finally sat up and looked around again. Where was Kaito? Did it work? Was their baby alright? Was she even alive?

As if to answer her many questions, Aqua Regina, the Goddess of the Sea, manifested in front of her. The divine creature immediately addressed the princess: she had warned her, hadn’t she? Childbirth was no easy task and came with many risks. Lucia nodded meekly. She was now standing, the lower part of her light pink nightgown drenched with blood. But at that moment, there was only one thing on Lucia’s mind: her daughter’s safety. Aqua Regina reassured her, and a faint yet intense crying could be heard in the distance. Lucia sighed in relief. It was all worth it then. If her little mermaid was alive and well, it had been all worth it. Sure, she would have loved to spend some time with her daughter, to hold her and cuddle her, even just for a moment, but it was fine. Her little one had her father, her aunts, uncles, and many others who would love and take care of her. Lucia was absolutely certain of that. If her time had come, then so be it. She had no regrets.

Aqua Regina was moved by such selflessness. She knew her Pink Pearl Princess possessed a most noble heart, but Lucia’s willingness to renounce her own life to give life to another was deeply touching.

But Lucia’s time hadn’t come yet. Aqua Regina addressed the Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific Ocean one last time. The goddess confessed that her time watching over the underwater world was coming to an end. Many years of battling and struggling to maintain balance had worn down even her immortal being. It was time for her spirit and mission to be entrusted to someone else. And who better than Lucia to take on the task? Her kindness, generosity, selflessness, and determination made her the perfect candidate to be the next Aqua Regina.

Lucia listened in silence, her eyes widened in dismay. Though it would be an honor, she felt extremely inadequate. What about her kingdom? What about her newborn family?

The goddess reassured her once again. Becoming her successor wouldn’t necessarily mean she had to give up her family, her greatest source of strength. As for the North Pacific, a new Mermaid Princess had been born at the crack of dawn that day, and just now, she had taken her first breath in the ocean: her daughter would succeed Lucia as the new ruler.

There wasn’t much Lucia could say; Aqua Regina had already made up her mind. The goddess moved closer to her and kissed her forehead, a farewell to her beloved princess. She pulled back and, with a tender smile, commanded Lucia to open her eyes and wake up.

In her final moments, the goddess delivered one last message to all the People of the Sea. Announcing her imminent departure, she thanked everyone for working hard to maintain balance in their beloved underwater world. She wished for love and peace among all kingdoms and officially named her successor, the new Aqua Regina: Lucia, the Light of the Seven Seas.

Those were her last words before vanishing into the light.

The little mermaid’s crying was quieting down, and Kaito, though he felt he could have kept staring at her for hours, knew it was time to go back and let Lucia know their child was fine. He was about to turn back when Aqua Regina manifested in front of him. The Prince of the Oceans paid his respects and watched fondly as the goddess came closer to gently caress his daughter’s rosy cheek. Then she turned to Kaito: once again, she entrusted him with the safety and well-being of the new Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific Ocean, upon whom she wished a bright future.

Kaito was disoriented. If the one he was cuddling in his arms was the new Princess of the North Pacific, what had become of the previous one? He tightened his grip on his baby and quickly swam back to the shore. Rina and Hippo were already there, and when they saw him, they urged him to follow them. His heart skipped a beat. What happened? Was something wrong with Lucia? Could the most wonderful moment of his life be turning into the most horrible?

The three went back to the hotel and ran up the stairs. Kaito tried to ask for an explanation, but both Rina and Hippo, having heard Aqua Regina’s last message, were too confused to answer. When they finally made it to the bedroom, Kaito was the first to enter, calling frantically for his wife. She was sitting on the bed, visibly exhausted, with reddened cheeks still marked by dried tears, yet she was smiling gently. In front of her was Somegoro, kneeling down and solemnly pledging his allegiance and that of his kingdom to the new Aqua Regina. Kaito took a moment to process what the doctor had just said. Suddenly, the – previous – goddess’s words made sense. The prince looked around; everyone seemed worn out, but they were all smiling through their tears. Then he saw the sheets soaked in blood resting at his wife’s feet, but before he could ask anything, Lucia’s sweet voice calling his name drew his attention. She was looking expectantly at him, smiling softly, and as their little mermaid wiggled in his arms, it dawned on him that she still hadn’t had the chance to properly look at her daughter.

It was Madame Taki’s much-welcomed suggestion that they all leave Her Grace, their new Aqua Regina, to have some well-deserved rest. Everyone agreed, of course, and one by one, they left the room. Nikora was the last one to leave. She knew she was breaking royal protocol, even more so now that Lucia wasn’t just her princess anymore, but her goddess, the divine protector of all Seven Seas. Yet, she didn’t care. She cupped Lucia’s face and kissed her forehead, telling her how proud she was of how brave and wonderful she had become. Then she left too, and Lucia was finally able to be with her husband and daughter.

Kaito stood silent for a few seconds. There was so much he wanted to say, yet words didn’t seem enough to express his feelings. Lucia kept smiling at him, still sitting on the bed. She was so tired she wondered if she would even be able to stand on her feet. A soft mumbling came from the bundle in Kaito’s arms, as if to remind her parents she was there too. It was enough to make Kaito finally move closer to Lucia. He sat on the bed next to her and gently placed their little one in her arms.

He said something funny about being honored to present the new Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific to the new Aqua Regina, but Lucia was too focused on her daughter to fully understand. She had only glimpsed a blonde tuft of hair earlier, just before Kaito picked her up and ran out to the shore. All those fears and doubts she had had over the past nine months about how her child would look seemed so far away and inconsistent now. Her daughter was the most perfect little being she had ever seen. She had blonde hair, big blue eyes that looked curiously at her, rosy skin, and the cutest little nose. And she had a dark-pink tail, just like hers. The little mermaid snuggled up in her mother’s arms, and Lucia wondered if that was how she looked when she was still inside her. She didn’t notice she was crying until Kaito gently wiped away the tears from her face. She smiled fondly, and the only thing she managed to say was how wonderful their daughter was. Just like her mother, Kaito added promptly. She did take more after her than him anyway, he pointed out jokingly, adjusting the cloth around their daughter’s fins. Lucia herself had never seen a tail so small and pretty before, but as cute as it was, for as long as they were staying on land, their little mermaid needed a human form too. She was obviously too young to transform on her own, but with her newfound powers, Lucia could easily take care of it. She kissed her child’s forehead, and a warm light engulfed her. When it faded away, two little legs and feet appeared from under the cloth. The baby’s hair was still blonde but in a much darker shade, like her mother’s human form. The little one must have felt something different after the transformation and squirmed in Lucia’s arms. She opened her eyes and looked back at her parents with big, dark-amber eyes. There, now she looked like her father too.

There was one last thing that needed to be dealt with: the new Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific needed a fitting name. Kaito and Lucia had singled out a couple of options over time, but when they saw their baby’s cute, round face, they had no doubt about which one to choose.

Margaret. A name her parents agreed would be the most fitting for their newborn child, their most precious gem, their pearl.

Neither of them could tell how much time they spent snuggling and cuddling, just the three of them. Eventually, the exhaustion and weariness of that long night got the best of them. Before Lucia fell asleep, however, she used her last energies to thank Kaito. Not only for giving her their daughter but also for supporting her and being by her side always. The prince looked at her in disbelief. It sounded so ridiculous that she was thanking him after all she had gone through—not only to give birth to their child but also to carry and protect her, for all the sacrifices she had made, for giving him more than he ever wanted and loving him so unconditionally. He was the one who should thank her, and he did as he held her tightly. They shared one last kiss before indulging in slumber with their little princess safely cradled in their arms.

Princess Margaret was born on the 19th of July, on a Monday, like all North Pacific mermaids do. A mermaid born on land, the first to carry both mermaid and Panthalassa blood, her birth changed the trajectory of the history of the whole underwater world, marking the rise of a new Goddess to shed new light from the deepest abyss to the ocean’s surface.

Lucia stood by the shore, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. The sea breeze ruffled her hair, and the rising sun warmed her skin. Everything felt so peaceful and calm.

It had already been three days since Margaret’s birth, and Lucia had finally regained enough energy to leave her bed. The joy and bliss of finally holding her daughter had certainly helped her recover, but her traumatic childbirth had taken a heavy toll on both her soul and body. Moreover, she had fallen into slumber as a princess and awoken as Aqua Regina. It was a lot to take in for the new mother.

Lucia heard someone approaching and a soft smile curved her lips. She didn’t need to open her eyes to know it was Kaito. She felt incredibly lucky in those past few days, surrounded by so many caring people. Her husband, of course, but also her closest friends Hanon and Rina, her guardian Hippo, her mentors Nikora and Taki, and Somegoro, who had all stayed to ensure her healing went as it should. Both she and Kaito were still struggling to find their routine with a newborn daughter, but all her loyal companions were more than willing to take turns caring for the baby while the new parents rested. In fact, they were so fond of the little princess that sometimes Kaito and Lucia had to fight to get their baby back.

Lucia finally opened her eyes. The ocean sparkled in front of her, beckoning her into its waves, just as it had done for months. She raised her hand, and her fingers unconsciously brushed her neck, where her Pink Pearl necklace had rested for all her life. She felt naked without it, but the precious shell no longer belonged to her. It was Margaret’s now, and she would wear it when the time came. Lucia glanced at the white pearl bracelet still on her wrist and hesitated. Kaito moved closer, wrapping his arms around her in a comforting hug. He reassured her that he was right behind her and that she didn’t have to be scared. Despite his comforting words, Lucia couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. So many things had changed. What if she wasn’t able to transform anymore? What if nothing changed when she dived? Was she even still a mermaid? Kaito reassured her. It didn’t matter what she looked like, as long as she was true to herself, he and those she cared about most would still love her.

His words lifted her spirits, and after taking one last deep breath, Lucia dived into her beloved ocean. Being among the waves again after nine months was a sensation she couldn’t describe. The water was so fresh and invigorating, making her feel light and happy. The bracelet dissolved in the salty water, and a warm light enveloped her. When it faded, Lucia looked at herself in amazement. Her mermaid self hadn’t disappeared when she awoke as Aqua Regina; it had simply changed. Her tail was now a lovely light pink, and her shell-bra had been replaced by a much finer white and golden garment. Her long, light blonde hair was adorned with pink and white crystals, and golden bracelets decorated her arms and tail. Around her neck was a precious pink gem. She looked different from any other mermaid she had ever seen and wondered if her friends would even recognize her.

When Lucia finally raised her eyes, Kaito was right in front of her. He stared at her, mesmerized by the sight, and marveled at how she was even more beautiful than before. He swam closer and drew her into a hug, which was enough to dispel any doubts Lucia had about her new appearance. She hugged him back, pulling away just enough to share a few kisses before returning to the surface and the shore. The others were waiting for them on the terrace of the Pearl Piari, eager to see their Aqua Regina finally return to the ocean.

In the days following, news of the birth of the new Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific Ocean had been delivered to all other kingdoms, including the North Pacific itself. Lucia had asked Madame Taki to deliver the message in person, and she did so gladly. The former princess had written a letter to her beloved people, explaining the situation and why she had made that choice months ago. She wanted them to hear the truth from her own words and hoped her message conveyed her love and devotion to her subjects.

It took a couple more weeks for Lucia to regain enough strength to make the journey home, as Somegoro had advised. She was feeling better each day, and little Margaret was growing steadily. Lucia thought about how much her daughter had already changed since the day she was born as she packed the last few things before their departure. There was no point in waiting any longer now that she felt better; it was time to go home. Kaito was supposed to be helping her, but as they were closing boxes and emptying shelves, Margaret woke up. The moment he heard her soft whimpering, Kaito was by her crib, picking her up and cradling her in his arms. He paced around, speaking to her in a soft, cooing voice that Lucia never imagined Kaito was capable of. She could only watch, unable to stop smiling at the sight. She was as happy as could be to see how attached Kaito was to their daughter; he was completely smitten with her. Lucia remembered reading somewhere that fathers had a soft spot for their daughters, and she had daydreamed about Kaito cuddling their little girl as if she were the most precious gem in the world. Yet, nothing she had imagined compared to what she had witnessed in those past days. From the moment Margaret was born, Kaito had made sure to spend as much time as possible with her, holding her close to his chest, even while she slept. He would spend hours just looking at her, and Lucia would gladly join him, both amazed that the little bundle was theirs.

They decided to leave at dawn, when it was less likely to encounter other people on the beach. Lucia took one last glance at the Pearl Piari before joining the others underwater. They had to wait a few minutes for Margaret to adjust to her mermaid form. Over the two weeks they spent on land, they learned that she too, like any other mermaid, transformed to her natural form whenever she touched water. However, she was too young to understand what was happening, and each transformation surprised her. When her whimpering ceased, the group finally began their journey. Hanon and Rina decided to accompany Lucia and her family home before returning to their palace, to ensure everything went smoothly. Hippo was escorting them in his majestic hippocampus form, paving the way to identify any potential threats. Somegoro was likely back in his kingdom by then. Lucia and Kaito were deeply grateful for his help, but it was time for the King of Squids to return to his people.

They had been swimming for a while when Hippo suddenly stopped. Kaito moved forward to see what was wrong and noticed a shadow approaching them in the distance. As it came closer, he realized there was nothing to worry about. Nikora and Madame Taki were coming toward them, behind them a majestic carriage drawn by sea horses made from a huge pink shell. Nikora had left a few days earlier to ensure everything was ready at the palace to welcome the new princess and Aqua Regina. She didn’t know what to expect when she first arrived at the palace. How did Lucia’s subjects react to the news of her having a child and returning as Aqua Regina? Nikora herself had struggled to accept it at first; what if the North Pacific mermaids couldn’t understand her choice? Her fears, however, were misplaced. The mermaids were excited and thrilled by the news and eager to meet their new princess. The pink shell carriage was a gift from the people of the North Pacific to Lucia and their princess, to make their journey home more comfortable. Lucia was moved to tears by the kindness of her people, and her desire to return home grew even stronger.

The carriage made the journey easier and faster, and before they knew it, they were at the main gates of the royal palace. Lucia couldn’t quite describe the emotions she felt as she finally reentered the palace. Her mermaids had decorated the walls and columns with corals and flowers, and they had all lined up to welcome and greet her. She could see the joy and curiosity in their eyes as she swam by them holding Margaret in her arms. At the end of the hall, the Magistrae were waiting to pay their respects to the new Goddess of the Seven Seas and looked intrigued to meet their new princess. They didn’t know what to expect, but they were glad to see that she looked like any other mermaid, just incredibly smaller.

All mermaids, both commoners and royals, were born in a shell generated by a pearl. A colored pearl would produce a Mermaid Princess, while regular white pearls would give life to common mermaids. When born, mermaids looked small and young, but never as tiny as the new Princess of the North Pacific. They wondered how she would be able to protect the kingdom and wield the power of the Pink Pearl, but that wasn’t the time to voice their worries. They would discuss the matter with Aqua Regina later. That day was for celebrating their return to the palace.

Later that evening, when Kaito and Lucia retired to their chamber, everything still felt like a dream. They were exhausted, and so was little Margaret, who, after a bit of whimpering, fell deeply asleep in her father’s arms.

Lucia rested on the terrace of their room, thinking how much she had missed the ocean’s distinctive, sweet scent. Not her ocean anymore, actually, but Margaret’s. Lucia held her old pendant in her hand. She wasn’t the one entrusted with it anymore, but her newborn baby couldn’t possibly be in charge of such power. Kaito soon joined her on the terrace. He could sense she was worried about something, and when he asked her what was wrong, she shared her doubts with him. He jokingly suggested keeping the Pearl himself, as he had done years earlier, but Lucia giggled and declined. There was only one solution: Lucia, despite carrying the spirit of Aqua Regina, would reside in the North Pacific Palace and protect the Pink Pearl until her daughter was old enough to inherit it. Kaito agreed that this was a valid option as well. They didn’t discuss it further; they were both too tired and soon retired to their bedchamber, hoping their little one wouldn’t keep them up all night.

A couple of months passed since Lucia, Kaito, and Margaret returned to the ocean. Hanon and Rina had gone back to their kingdoms, though reluctantly, leaving their little niece behind. They knew she was in good hands: her mother and father, Nikora, Taki, Hippo, and all the mermaids of the North Pacific were eager to care for her.

Everything seemed to be going well, but at some point, something began to shift. Lucia’s attention and care were required not only by her infant child but also by her people. As Aqua Regina, she was responsible for the well-being of not only the North Pacific but all Seven Oceans. So many things had changed in such a short time. Only a few weeks earlier, she had been a Mermaid Princess, and overnight, she was reborn as a mother and goddess. At times, she felt so overwhelmed she couldn’t breathe, and despite being surrounded by many people, she felt incredibly alone. To make matters worse, her body hadn’t fully recovered yet, leaving her weak and tired and in need of frequent rest.

One night, things took a turn for the worse. Lucia was sitting on her sofa, cradling Margaret in her arms to help her fall asleep. However, the little princess had no intention of cooperating. Exhausted, Lucia began dozing off, and Margaret started slipping from her embrace. Thankfully, Kaito was in the room and, seeing what was happening, managed to catch the baby before she fell to the floor. The incident scared Lucia deeply, and her behavior changed drastically. In the following days, she worked tirelessly without taking breaks, patrolling the area surrounding the palace, much to her friends’ dismay, and participating in endless meetings with her Magistrae. The most concerning change was that she spent less and less time with Margaret and, during the rare moments she did visit her daughter, refused to be left alone with her. Nikora and Taki tried countless times to get her to talk about what was wrong, but Lucia always dismissed their concerns.

Kaito was understandably the most worried. He knew his wife’s sudden change had to be related to that night’s incident. He tried to reassure her, reminding her that nothing had happened and Margaret was safe and sound. He felt it was his fault for not noticing how tired she was and offering to lull their daughter to sleep himself. But Lucia refused to see reason.

Was she punishing herself for letting her guard down around Margaret? Was she overworking on purpose?

What they didn’t know was that Lucia would lock herself in the most remote room of the palace, just as she had done as a child to avoid the Prima Magistra’s lectures, and cry until she had no more tears left. She felt so scared. No matter how much Kaito tried to confront her, she blamed herself for almost harming her daughter and felt she had already failed as a mother. She missed cuddling and kissing her little mermaid so much her heart ached, but she didn’t trust herself around her anymore. She was too afraid to hurt her. Kaito was much better at parenting, fitting into his role so naturally. Nikora too was so gentle with the little princess, always knowing what to do. Margaret was lucky to have them. Lucia thought that if she couldn’t take care of her daughter, she had to at least ensure no harm came from the outside. Hence her great effort to keep everything under control.

Moreover, the entire underwater world was looking up to her now. As the Goddess of the Seven Seas, she was responsible for their well-being—a role she felt extremely inadequate for.

It was the same spirit that unexpectedly offered her some comfort. One night, while Lucia was alone in that room, tears streaming down her face, she thought nothing had changed. She still felt like a crybaby, even after everything that had happened. Aqua Regina had made a mistake; she shouldn’t have lived, let alone become a goddess. It was then that her predecessor’s spirit manifested before her. Lucia couldn’t believe her eyes, and her cry became even more desperate. The previous Aqua Regina comforted her, expressing confidence in Lucia’s worthiness of such an honor and responsibility. Yet, if she continued to overwork herself and deal with everything alone, she was destined to fail. Lucia had her family and many friends by her side; relying on them wouldn’t make her weak, but stronger. Lucia dried her tears, realizing her predecessor was right. Even in her past challenges, she was never alone. Her Mermaid Princess sisters, friends, and Kaito had always been by her side. Why should it be different now? The previous Aqua Regina was relieved to see Lucia finally smile, but there was still a shadow over her heart. She needed to reconnect with her newborn daughter to find peace. But that was something Lucia had to resolve on her own.

Later that night, Kaito returned to the room he had been sharing with his wife since their marriage. He hadn’t expected to see her there so early. Lucia usually attended to her duties until late at night and would only then join him to rest.

They didn’t need words to convey their feelings; their soft smiles and gentle gazes were telling enough. They hugged each other tightly and didn’t let go for hours. Kaito was relieved to see that Lucia had finally understood the importance of being gentle not only with others but with herself as well. He apologized for not having supported her as he should have. Lucia brushed off his concern with a kiss and promised to take breaks from her duties and care for herself more often.

When Lucia woke up the next day, Kaito was still sound asleep. She kissed his cheek and got out of bed, careful not to wake him. The palace was still silent, almost everyone was still in their rooms. The only sound was the ocean water flowing around the pink walls. Lucia soon reached the room they had chosen for Margaret’s nursery. She opened the door and quietly swam closer to the crib to avoid waking her sleeping baby. The sight of her daughter warmed her heart, and she had to restrain herself from picking Margaret up and holding her close. Instead, she reached down to caress her soft blonde hair and whispered how sorry she was for not giving her the attention and care she deserved, despite her being the most wonderful thing in her life. Lucia’s tears fell as she asked her baby for forgiveness and promised she would never leave her again. Stirred by her mother’s voice and touch, Margaret began to squirm in her crib and soon opened her big blue eyes. The sight of her mother hushed her whimpering, and a tiny, cute smile appeared on her lips. Unable to resist, Lucia picked her up, savoring the sweet scent of her baby. She was so focused on her daughter that she didn’t notice Nikora watching them from the doorway. The Ancilla Maxima had come to check on the little princess as she always did and was thrilled to see Lucia caring for and talking to her daughter again.

When Kaito arrived at the nursery and saw Nikora and two other ancillae by the door, he momentarily feared something was wrong. However, Nikora’s tearful smile reassured him otherwise. She urged him to join his wife and daughter, which he gladly did. The Ancilla Maxima then closed the door and left, granting the family some much-needed time to themselves.

With Lucia finally starting to learn how to balance her duties with motherhood, a grand celebration was in order. They hadn’t had a chance to throw a proper party to honor the new Princess, and the other Mermaid Princesses, except for Hanon and Rina, had yet to meet the little mermaid. Preparations began a few days before the party. The celebration included a concert, traditional dances, and a lavish banquet. The palace was decorated with ribbons and corals, and its walls glowed with the merry atmosphere of its inhabitants.

The court tailors had crafted a magnificent gown for the new Aqua Regina, and Princess Margaret had her very first custom-made pink gown adorned with ribbons and golden embroidery. Kaito smiled as he watched Lucia twirling happily around the room with their beautifully dressed daughter.

It felt like pure happiness and joy had finally returned to their lives after the challenges and scares of the previous weeks. Still, something troubled Lucia. Kaito noticed it in her eyes as she paced around trying to lull Margaret to sleep. When he asked what was worrying her, she gave an unexpected answer. After the turmoil of Margaret’s birth and their return to the ocean had quieted down, she remembered something they had discussed on land, just hours before their child was born.

The Black Corals. What had become of them? Were they still wandering around? Had they been seen near the palace again? Kaito was taken aback. The impact of recent events had almost erased Shyam and his group from his memory. Lucia asked if they had contacted him again, and Kaito firmly denied it. She knew he was telling the truth, but she couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that gripped her heart. Her distant gaze as she looked beyond the vast ocean told him she was still concerned. Kaito tried to reassure her. It had been two months since their last sighting; perhaps they had given up their plan. Lucia remained unconvinced, so Kaito drew her into his arms and kissed her forehead. Even if they did return and asked him to restore the Panthalassa Kingdom once more, he said he would refuse. He already had everything he wanted, and he had it all in his arms, he added, kissing Margaret’s forehead. Lucia never doubted Kaito’s sincerity. She knew he would never leave her or Margaret for Shyam, but she couldn’t relax. There was something more, yet she didn’t know what. They didn’t discuss it further, as it was late, and they needed to rest for the big celebration the next day.

It had been a long time since all Seven Princesses had been together, and when they finally reunited in the main hall of the North Pacific Palace, their joyful chatter echoed between the pink walls. It was a bit awkward at first when Karen, Noel, Coco, and Seira saw Lucia. She was now Aqua Regina, and the proper way to greet her was with a curtsy. They did, but Lucia promptly dismissed all formalities and drew them into a bone-crushing hug.

Soon all attention was focused on the smallest and cutest of the Mermaid Princesses. Little Margaret had just woken up from her nap when she saw the six curious faces cooing over her. As if she recognized her mermaid sisters, she offered them a sweet, toothless grin that completely melted their hearts.

The celebration proceeded smoothly, and everyone seemed to be having fun. They were already halfway through the banquet, and neither Lucia nor Kaito had been able to hold their daughter for more than a few minutes. The Mermaid Princesses were eager to hold the newest addition to their group and never tired of entertaining little Margaret. Seira was the most enthusiastic and didn’t seem bothered at all by losing her position as the youngest Princess among the Seven Kingdoms.

Amid the merrymaking, no one noticed a couple of odd figures cloaked in black wandering among the guests. Suddenly, the tallest of the two pulled out a small bag and threw it on the floor. The moment it hit the ground, a deafening sound, like thunder, echoed through the hall. Many screamed in fear as a black, thick smoke filled the main hall. Everyone began to flee, but all doors and windows had been barred. Lucia too was blinded by the smoke but could hear Margaret crying somewhere in front of her. She followed her daughter’s voice and finally found her, still in Seira’s arms. The Orange Mermaid Princess had shielded the baby with her own body but was happy to hand Margaret back to her mother as Lucia approached. As soon as Margaret was safe in her arms again, Lucia felt someone pulling her forward and, before she realized it, she was in Kaito’s arms. They were fine, scared but safe, and so was Margaret, whose crying was slowly subsiding. The smoke began to clear, and when it disappeared, a group of six people stood in the middle of the hall, with Shyam at the front. Kaito’s heart skipped a beat. What did they want now? How had they gotten into the palace? He felt Lucia tense in his arms. He tightened his hold around her and Margaret, and she looked up at him. He saw many questions in her intense gaze but didn’t know how to answer them. He kissed her forehead and promised to deal with the intruders once and for all before moving toward the group.

Shyam greeted him again as King of the Abyss, causing a worried murmur to rise in the room. Kaito cut the formalities short, rejecting the title and once again stating his refusal to join their plan. Shyam and the Black Corals seemed unbothered by his words. The man spoke again, revealing that they hadn’t come to ask him to join their cause. They respected his stance. The Prince of the Ocean was confused. What could they possibly want then? Didn’t they need someone of Panthalassa royal blood for their plan? Shyam confirmed this but added that Kaito was no longer the only one carrying that blood.

Kaito’s heart sank. He looked at Lucia and their daughter, his own flesh and blood, knowing that Margaret was now the sole living heir of his lineage. Lucia tightened her grip on the baby. Kaito saw the horror in her eyes, mirroring his own realization of what Shyam’s words suggested.

Kaito’s dismay quickly turned into anger. He stepped closer to Shyam and declared, loud and clear, that neither he nor his infant daughter would ever follow him. Kaito then commanded Shyam and his group to leave the palace immediately and abandon their mission or face action.

But Shyam wasn’t taking no for an answer. He laughed mockingly and asked the prince how he intended to do so, given their Aqua Regina was still weak from her recent strain on land, the Pink Pearl Princess was just a baby, and his power was far greater than the Seven Pearls combined. Everyone wondered what he meant, and as if sensing their doubt, Shyam raised his hand. The palace fell dark as he recited some unintelligible incantations. A beam of light enveloped him, and when it faded, he held a golden rod ending in a radial sphere. Lucia, the Mermaid Princesses, and Kaito gasped in shock. That was the rod Gaito carried as a symbol of his Panthalassa power. Before anyone could react, Shyam used the rod to shoot a beam of searing light at Lucia and Margaret. The Princesses rushed to the Goddess’s side, but Kaito moved faster. As the symbol of Panthalassa began to shine on his forehead, the light emanating from his body formed a shield that dissipated the fire before it could reach Lucia and their daughter.

Kaito’s rage grew as Shyam aimed the rod at them again. The prince gathered his powers, and the rod the previous Aqua Regina had gifted him appeared in his hand. He glanced back at Lucia and saw Nikora escorting her and Margaret out of the hall, followed by Hanon and Rina. Hippo had transformed into his hippocampus form and was covering their retreat. Lucia looked at him, scared but resolute. He smiled reassuringly, telling her not to worry; he would protect her and their daughter at all costs. Lucia smiled back before fleeing the room. Shyam aimed at the door, but Kaito managed to shoot back and ensure Lucia and the others made it out safely. Unbeknownst to him, two members of the Black Corals had disappeared during the clash.

Caren, Noel, Coco, and Seira used the power of their voices to transform. Their songs stunned their opponents but weren’t enough to defeat them. Gaito’s rod gave the Black Corals resistance to their melodies. Meanwhile, the two members who had previously fled tracked down Lucia and Margaret. Mother and child were shielded by Nikora, Hippo, Hanon, and Rina, who tried to repel their attackers with their voices but failed. Then the Black Corals attacked: one of them pulled out a flute and began playing. The wicked melody tortured the mermaids, including little Margaret, who cried and squirmed in Lucia’s arms. The cursed flute also summoned Shyam to their location, and he aimed the rod at Lucia again. The former princess felt helpless. Despite the divine soul within her, she wasn’t sure she could use her powers due to her weakness.

Margaret’s cries brought Lucia to tears. Her baby was in pain, and she felt powerless to stop it. Yet the sight of her daughter in distress ignited something within her—a fierce, visceral feeling she had never experienced before. It was a mix of worry and anger, something she had felt before but with a new intensity. Her blood seemed to boil, turning her helplessness into rage, and the flute’s melody no longer bothered her. Lucia kissed Margaret’s forehead and handed her to Nikora. She moved toward Shyam, and as a blinding light enveloped her, she transformed into her Aqua Regina form for the first time. Gathering all her strength, she managed to use her powers to purify the Black Corals’ hearts and erase the memory of Gaito’s promise from their minds.

One thing Shyam was right about was that Lucia was still too weak to use her full powers. After the danger passed, all her strength abandoned her, and she collapsed unconscious on the ground.

Silence filled the palace. No one dared speak as they cleaned up the mess left by the Black Corals’ attack. But a more concerning issue loomed over the North Pacific and all other oceans: Aqua Regina had not yet regained consciousness. Doctor Somegoro was called immediately and rushed to the North Pacific as quickly as he could. There wasn’t much he could do except wait for Lucia to recover and hope she would wake up soon.

Kaito never left her side. He only let go of her hand to comfort Margaret when she woke up squirming. He insisted her crib be moved to their room so he could always keep an eye on her. He had never felt so scared as when Shyam aimed his attack at the two most important people in his life. It was then that a new, innate feeling awoke in his chest—a fire burning in his heart that gave him the strength and confidence to protect his family at all costs.

Lucia remained asleep, but Kaito spoke to her anyway. He told her mostly about Margaret and how everyone was so worried about her. He swore repeatedly that he would do everything in his power to keep harm away from her and their baby.

A few days after the Black Corals’ attack, Lucia finally opened her eyes. She was confused at first, but the memories of the fight quickly resurfaced. Kaito was next to her, resting his head on the mattress, asleep with his hand still holding hers. When he awoke to Lucia’s gentle touch, the overwhelming joy of seeing her awake again had the best of him, and in his eagerness to hold her, he almost knocked her back onto the bed. The first thing Lucia worried about was Margaret’s safety, and only when Kaito placed their daughter in her arms did the goddess feel that everything was right again.

The news of Aqua Regina’s awakening spread joy throughout the Seven Oceans.

It didn’t take long for Lucia to regain her strength. Once she fully recovered, she resumed her duties as Aqua Regina and regent of the North Pacific until her daughter was old enough to be entrusted with the Pink Pearl.

___________________________________________________________

Kaito stood silently at the edge of the abyss. The rod that had once belonged to his brother felt surprisingly heavy as he picked it up. He raised it in front of him, took a deep breath, and let it sink into the underwater chasm. As it fell into the deep darkness, he watched it disintegrate into hundreds of slivers before vanishing completely. It was the wisest course of action; he had seen firsthand how dangerous it could be if it fell into the wrong hands. Yet, a lingering melancholy tugged at his heart. Sometimes he wondered how different his life might have been if he had managed to save his brother from the abyss’s darkness.

As Kaito stepped back from the cliff, the current carried a soft voice to his ears, reassuring him that he had done the right thing. He turned around, but he was alone at the bottom of the ocean. The voice had sounded oddly like his late brother’s, but it could have been just his mind playing tricks on him. Still, he liked to think that Gaito would have approved of his choice.

The Prince of the Oceans stood there for a few more moments, then began his journey back to the North Pacific, where his wife and daughter were waiting for him.

#mermaid melody #fanfiction #ぴちぴちピッチ #pichi pichi pitch #kaito domoto #headcanon #lucia nanami #romance

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underwater-mm · 11 months ago

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Return to the Ocean

He needed to give her something in return. Not because she demanded it — her pure soul and kind heart could never do that — but because he felt the need to. He had sworn he would always protect her, but that didn’t feel like enough. Kaito wanted something more. He was determined to commit his life to hers and wanted to prove it not only to her but to the whole world.

Sometimes it felt like yesterday, some others like it had been ages, but regardless of how they felt, it was an unquestionable truth that it had been already 4 years since the Seven Mermaid Princesses had defeated Mikeru. With all enemies gone the Seven Princesses had thought they could finally find time to relax, but it happens sometimes, that even when the danger is over, peace doesn’t naturally follow. So while Coco, Noel, Karen and Seira all went back to their kingdoms, Rina, Hanon and Lucia kept their stronghold on land.

Much still had to be done. Tensions between the underwater world and the surface were still present, and by command of Aqua Regina, for the time being, the three were more useful on the seashore than at the bottom of the ocean. The same went for Nikora, Madame Taki, and, of course, Hippo.

Needless to say, to Lucia, Hanon, and Rina, Aqua Regina’s order sounded more like a gift. As much as they loved and missed their kingdoms, land was where their inner happiness truly lay.

Masairo had successfully graduated. While he maintained his passion for boxing, he began working as a broker in the city bank.

Shirai had developed a passion for music. Although he initially took it up in hopes of impressing his girlfriend, he eventually realized he genuinely enjoyed it. Within a couple of years, he became skilled enough as a trumpeter to earn a place in the Amagi Orchestra, which was conducted by Mr. Rihito Amagi himself whenever he wasn’t busy taking care of his overly enthusiastic teenage sister, Mikaru.

And then there was Kaito. For years, he had strenuously and successfully defended his title of most talented surfer in the nation, and his popularity grew even more when he entered high school. The emotional turmoil he experienced over just a few years left him dazed and confused. He had yet to fully accept that he wasn’t his parents’ biological son when he discovered that, in fact, he wasn’t human at all. The revelation that he was a Panthalassa — a Panthalassa Prince, no less — shook him to his core, so much so that he lost track of who he really was for a time. The sense of loneliness and dismay that gripped his heart as his entire life was questioned could have easily plunged him into darkness. He felt scared and overwhelmed when faced with the reality of being part of something he couldn’t fully understand yet, but none of it mattered as long as his Mermaid Princess was by his side.

Lucia had never let go of his hand, neither when he had forgotten the love they shared nor when he struggled to find his way back to her. Not once had she failed to smile at him; her gaze had always been nothing less than loving. Over the past few years, he had often wondered how someone as wonderful as her could have fallen for someone like him. Sure, he had matured over time, and looking back at his younger self, he couldn’t help but feel ashamed of how careless and insensitive he had been. Yet Lucia never questioned her love for him, and he now understood that same love had saved him countless times.

He kept mentally repeating the speech he had so carefully prepared in the days prior as they slowly climbed the hill, hand in hand, while the warm orange light of the sunset colored the sky.

Kaito knew he couldn’t mess up. He had to get it right, which was why he had put so much effort into choosing the right words. Would he be able to remember them when the moment came?

It didn’t take long to reach the small cemetery at the top of the hill. No one else was around, Kaito noticed, as they approached the neat row of tombstones facing the sea, just beyond the little white chapel. Someone had changed the flowers hanging from its small windows. They were usually bright blue, but this time they were replaced with light pink blossoms. Kaito knew this place like the back of his hand, having visited it every year since he was only seven, always in complete solitude. For the past five years, though, Lucia had joined him on his annual visit. It felt only natural that she would be by his side to remember the saddest yet most important day of his life. Nothing compared to the comforting feeling of her hand squeezing his as he placed the usual bunch of white dahlias in front of his parents’ grave. It didn’t matter to him that he wasn’t their biological child. They had saved him from the waves and raised him with love as if he were their own son, and that was all Kaito cared about.

They spent a few minutes there in silence, so as not to disturb those resting under those white tombstones. The sun had almost completely set by the time they climbed down the small hill and headed for the beach. They chose a nice, secluded spot and set up their simple dinner. Lucia had become a master at preparing quick yet delicious dishes, easy enough to eat while relaxing on the seashore. The moon was shining in the sky, casting its cold light onto the ocean’s calm surface. It was so quiet and calming that Kaito wondered if this was the right moment. Or was it when they were still on the hill, when Lucia whispered those sweet, comforting words to ease his aching heart? Or maybe he should have done it then, when they raised their glasses and cheered to the 13th anniversary of their first meeting. Whenever he thought it was the moment, he felt a lump in his throat, and the words he had so carefully chosen wouldn’t come out. But he was determined. He had to do it before the night ended.

And he did. All he needed was her soft gaze and smile to remind him once again how lucky he had been to meet her and become the one to own her heart, something he didn’t think was possible, and wanted to cherish for the rest of his life.

None of the words he said to her that night were the ones he had prepared, but it didn’t matter. The tears of joy in her eyes and the breathtaking smile she had when he kneeled in front of her and opened the small black velvet box told him he had managed to reach her heart, and that was all he cared about. Lucia threw herself into his arms, so overwhelmed that she actually forgot to answer, which prompted him to playfully tease her. She jokingly reprimanded him in return.

As if she could ever not want to marry him.

The sheer joy and happiness of that night drew them even closer and filled them with a warm feeling that both would keep thoroughly close to their hearts for the rest of their lives.

They had planned to announce it to their friends together, and although overly excited, Lucia was determined to stick to the plan. However, as soon as she returned to the Pearl Piari the next morning, her friends' pressing questions about her exaggerated cheerfulness and their jokes about the implications of her spending all her spare time at her boyfriend’s house only fueled her enthusiasm, and it eventually got the best of her.

Needless to say, Hanon and Rina were overjoyed and congratulated their best friend on the wonderful news. Not everyone shared their happiness, however. Hippo was nothing short of furious. He started ranting about how marriage—a mostly human institution—did not exist in their mermaid-ruled kingdoms and was certainly not on a Mermaid Princess’ agenda. Did she want to be the first Princess to bring shame upon her kingdom by marrying a human?

Lucia couldn’t quite understand what the problem was, given that Kaito wasn’t human after all. Hippo sarcastically reminded her that he was a Panthalassa, which was even worse. The poor penguin’s angry screams caught Nikora and Madame Taki’s attention. The two joined the others in the hotel’s main hall, and upon learning the reason for the commotion, they couldn’t hide their skepticism. While they cared deeply about their Princess’s happiness, Hippo had a point: although various marriage-like rituals existed in the underwater world, none were acknowledged in the Seven Mermaids' Kingdom.

The more the two women explained, the more color drained from Lucia’s face, and her heart ached at the thought of having to choose between her royal status and the love of her life. However, Nikora offered a solution. Both Lucia and Kaito had done much to protect the peace of the Oceans. There was a possibility that Aqua Regina might make an exception and grant her blessing on their union. This new hope lifted Lucia’s spirits, and Hanon and Rina made sure to encourage her to pursue this route. Aqua Regina herself had said: love is the greatest gift of all. Why would she deny one of her beloved Mermaid Princesses the chance to seal her feelings with eternity?

Kaito took it unbelievably well. Lucia had been so nervous to tell him about that small impediment to their marriage, she almost considered leaving him a written message instead of actually telling him. But Kaito hadn’t flinched. He grinned at her and kissed her forehead. If summoning the Goddess of the Seven Seas was what they needed to do, then he was fine with it. He was ready to meet Aqua Regina and ask for her blessing, fight for it if necessary. He thought they deserved it, after all. His self-confidence and positivity managed to reassure Lucia too, who took it as a good sign for their happily ever after.

A few years back, the only way to summon the Goddess was to gather all the Seven Princesses and their Pearls. Since then, Aqua Regina had regained her full powers and could manifest whenever she deemed it necessary to answer the prayers of her worshippers. To celebrate and in hopes of maintaining lasting peace after Mikeru's defeat, the People of the Sea had joined forces to build an underwater shrine at the point where the North Pacific met the South, in a place that all Kingdoms agreed was easily accessible to whoever wished to pay a visit to the Divine protector of the Oceans. The shrine was built in a cave opening in the ancient ocean floor, large enough to house a small, circular temple surrounded by tall columns of white marble on which was a cornice intricately sculpted with marine-themed motifs. The area was adorned with colorful corals from all Seven Kingdoms, long green and blue algae flowing with the currents, and veils of tiny bubbles emerging from the cracks in the rocks. Inside the shrine was a pool of clear water on crystalline sand, said to help one connect with Aqua Regina simply by touching it.

The journey didn’t take long. Over the past few years, Kaito had significantly improved not only his surfing skills but also his swimming ability. To say he could keep up with his mermaid fiancée would be an overstatement, but he did manage to move quickly enough to be able to join her in her underwater strolls.

They entered the shrine in respectful silence. It was fortunate that no one else was around; the matter they were about to discuss was quite delicate. They swam closer to the tall columns and knelt at their bases, close enough to touch the central pool of crystal-clear water. They exchanged a brief, reassuring smile and began to recite their prayers.

Aqua Regina appeared before their eyes in a beam of warm light, welcoming them and urging to tell her what brought them all the way there. Kaito was the first to speak. He stood up and proudly declaring once again his love and commitment for the Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific, he stated their shared wish of tying together their lives the way humans did on land. The Goddess listened carefully to their plea, and although she seemed to understand their reasons, a shadow in her usually bright eyes told Lucia that something wasn’t quite right. As soon as Kaito finished speaking, the divine creature responded.

Although aware of the true love that bound their hearts together, Aqua Regina wanted to make sure they realized the extent of what they were asking. Mermaids, especially Mermaid Princesses, were not allowed to marry, as their primary commitment had to be towards their kingdoms. She could only bless their union once she confirmed it wouldn’t disrupt the balance of the underwater world. The memory of Sara’s rageful drift and the scars it left in the Indian Ocean were still fresh in everyone’s mind.

But Kaito was not having it. The love he and Lucia shared was different. He too was a child of the Ocean, and if necessary, he was ready to fight again by the Mermaids’ side. How could their union ever affect the peace of the Oceans?

The Goddess answered with one simple question: would he be willing to leave his life on land to follow the Mermaid Princess of the Pink Pearl in the depths of the sea? Kaito’s affirmative response came quickly, and while it comforted Lucia’s heart, it only added to Aqua Regina’s worry. She sensed the insecurity in his voice and the doubt in his heart. Kaito was not yet ready to leave the world he had grown up in. It hurt her to see the pain in her beloved Princess’s eyes, but the Goddess had no choice but to deny the couple of her blessing.

That was not all. It was time for the North Pacific and the North and South Atlantic to have their rulers and protectors back in their waters. Aqua Regina entrusted Lucia with a clear message for her best friends: within a week, they had to leave land and return to their homes in the depths of the sea. A warm, blinding light engulfed them and, before they realized it, they were back on the seashore. Unable to fully understand what had just happened, they started their slow and silent walk on the beach until Kaito couldn’t take the quietness anymore.

He told her he was sorry, once again; that he knew he had hurt her, once again; and asked for her forgiveness, once again. But Lucia wasn’t capable of holding ill feelings, especially not towards him, and offered nothing but comfort in return, although her eyes couldn’t hide her pain and slight disappointment. Then again, what were they supposed to do? She wasn’t willing to leave her kingdom nor renounce her duties. How could she ask him to abandon everything he had called home for his entire life? The awareness didn’t ease her pain, though, and when he grabbed her hand to lead her home, their home, she gently pulled back and reasoned it would be better if she returned to the Pearl Piari for the night. She had a message to deliver, after all. With a heavy heart and the feel of the quick goodnight kiss she gave him lingering on the corner of his lips, Kaito watched as Lucia walked away from him.

The next few days were hard. The chaos Aqua Regina’s command caused only worsened the tensions that had already arisen when Lucia announced her imminent marriage. But that was only one of the issues now. Nikora and Madame Taki had no doubt about it. As People of the Ocean, they had to obey the Goddess's wish at once, and so did the Mermaid Princesses, though it pained them to admit it.

Rina had to tell Masairo that the long journey they had talked about at the beginning of their relationship was finally happening. It was easier now that he knew who she really was, but not less sorrowful. He promised her he would wait for her, even if it took years, even if it took forever.

Shirai made a scene. Sure, he knew that moment would come, but it was too soon, and too sudden, and he wasn’t willing to let her go. Hanon tried to reason with him, but in vain. However, he wasn’t a kid anymore, and once his anger washed away, they were able to talk things through quietly. The compromise they found was barely acceptable, but it worked for them. He would move closer to her ocean, so that it would be easier to see each other, even if only by chance.

Lucia had been uncharacteristically silent. She didn’t say a thing while she packed her things, nor when they nailed the wooden boards over the hotel windows. She didn’t complain when Nikora asked her to clean all the rooms, and when Hippo, though pained to see her suffering like that, reminded her this was for the best, she offered a sad, tearful smile and walked away.

She had been determined to avoid Kaito; all his attempts to meet and talk to her were in vain. She didn’t want to see him, let alone talk to him, although her friends urged her to, if only to discuss how things would go between them from then on. But Lucia had no doubt on the matter. She felt ashamed to admit it, but she wouldn’t accept a compromise. Not again. She knew very well the pain of having to wait for your most beloved person to come back, to live with the hope of seeing again the one you care most about. It was heart-wrenching and consuming, and she didn’t want this for Kaito, nor for herself. She longed to see and talk to him but knew she wouldn’t be able to control herself and be resolute in her decision. So she decided to tell him how she felt in a letter. She had to rewrite it multiple times, as her endless tears soaked the paper and dissolved the ink, but she was determined to do it.

She recalled their first meeting, their first kiss, their first date, the sheer happiness when they finally got to live their love to the fullest, and how she wanted that for the rest of her life. But she had a duty, and it was time to take all the love she had received and give it back to the people who had so patiently been waiting for her. She folded the paper and put it in an envelope, together with her engagement ring. She hid and waited for him to leave his house. Barely seeing him almost made her falter in her resolution, but she didn’t give in. Lucia placed the envelope on the living room table, her copy of the house keys next to it, then she left quietly, as all the wonderful memories she had made between those walls crowded her mind and a single tear slid down her cheek.

That same night, Lucia, Hanon, Rina, Nikora, Madame Taki, and Hippo gathered on the seashore. With one last sad look at the town that had hosted them for the past six years, they headed to the sea, ready to be engulfed by those familiar waves once again. But an agonizing scream stopped them before they could even touch the salty water. Kaito was running towards them, yelling Lucia’s name. He was clutching the envelope she had left him in his hand—she recognized it. Lucia had to fight the urge to run to him, throw herself into his arms, and tell him she didn’t mean to leave him, but she knew that would have made everything more difficult. The Princess decided they would have one last conversation; he deserved it. Their love deserved it. She told her friends she would join them shortly and waited for him to reach her on the shore.

Nothing Kaito said managed to change her mind. The way he once again declared how much he loved her, admitting that yes, he was afraid of leaving his life behind but that didn’t mean they had to end their relationship, and that he was fine waiting for her as long as necessary, was not enough to shake her resolve. She didn’t want this. Like she wrote in her letter, she told him she didn’t want him to live a life hoping and waiting for someone who might not return. She didn’t want him to sacrifice his happiness for her, and when he told her she was his one and only happiness, she did falter for a moment. But the thought of one day having to decide between him and her kingdom, between his safety and that of the ocean, stiffened her resolve. She would have always kept him in her heart and loved him for all eternity, but they had to part ways that very night.

Kaito realized he couldn’t force her into something she was so adamantly refusing. He knew she loved him as much as he loved her, but maybe he had to surrender this time. If that was what she wanted then he would do it, he would let her go. Their last kiss was an overwhelming rush of passion, sorrow, love and reluctance. Kaito kept his eyes closed as Lucia slowly pulled back and slipped away from his touch. He couldn’t bear the sight of her disappearing among the waves. When he finally opened his eyes, she was gone.

The journey home felt like it took ages, and since she parted ways with Hanon and Rina, time seemed to flow even slower. She had no more tears to cry, and although Nikora, Madame Taki and most of all Hippo incessantly tried to cheer her up, only the sight of her bright pink Palace managed to rise her spirits.

The moment she entered the great hall was one she would never forget. Everyone had lined up at the main entrance, eager to give a warm welcome to their long-awaited Princess. It took some time to greet and thank everyone for their hard work. The efforts of the North Pacific’s mermaids, the Coral Fairies’ and all those involved into the protection and management of the Palace and the kingdom while she was gone deserved to be properly acknowledged. Not much had changed since she was gone. The familiar glimmering of the pink marble slabs covering the walls, and the sweet scent of her Ocean relieved her aching heart, and when someone asked for how long she intended to stay, with tears of both joy and sorrow in her eyes, she could only answer “forever”.

A big celebration was in order, no one objected. And what better opportunity to celebrate the return of Princess Lucia then the Alma Lux Ceremony? The Alma Lux was an ancient ritual performed by Mermaids Princess to give thanks for the light of their Pearls protecting their people and the wealth of their Kingdoms. For 13 years the North Pacific had not celebrated one. It was about time that thousand-year-old tradition was restored. Despite its importance and antiquity, the ritual was actually quite simple.

First, the Mermaid Princess was offered a traditional herbal infusion by her Ancilla Maxima, who also took care of brewing it with some special algae collected from the ancient site of Karthago. Then, all the lights in the palace had to be switched off as the Princess made her entrance into the main hall, illuminated only by the light emanating from her Pearl. After that, there was a sumptuous banquet accompanied by traditional music and dances.

Lucia was thrilled to finally be able to celebrate the Alma Lux and followed precisely every instruction she was given by Madame Taki, who had seen countless ceremonies in her long life, and by Liwiana, the current Ancilla Maxima of the North Pacific Ocean. If anything, keeping herself busy helped distract her and avoid thinking about Kaito, even for a little while.

Liwiana was a mermaid of great experience. She had managed the palace while Lucia was on land and did so with absolute dedication and care, so much so that now that the legitimate ruler was back with her most trustworthy companions, she felt left out. Actually, the root of her discomfort went far deeper than jealousy. Though she did her best to hide it, she had grown to detest her Princess. Not only had Lucia taken years to return to her kingdom, but she had also wasted time playing human on land, falling in love with a man who had special powers – as the Coral Fairy who went to check on her years prior had told them – and who turned out to be none other than Gaito’s younger brother, a Panthalassa! How inconsiderate. It took an order from Aqua Regina to call her back to her duty.

Liwiana wasn’t the only one harboring ill thoughts towards Lucia. A few other mermaids had started expressing their annoyance months before Lucia came back, and when she finally did return, some of them went as far as suggesting Liwiana herself should be made Princess of the North Pacific. The older mermaid had firmly refused, but over time, she started warming up to the idea. Lucia’s carefree demeanor bothered her, as much as she hated hearing their Princess crying herself to sleep every night over that Panthalassa man. How dare she be so attached to the very kin who tried to destroy their whole world?

Liwiana and her supporters agreed it was time to act, and they would do so at the Alma Lux Ceremony.

Unaware of the imminent danger threatening Lucia, Kaito tried to go back to his life, but it was a hard task when the one person who gave light to his existence was beyond the horizon, in the depths of the Ocean. He didn’t leave his house for a few days, though he had too, eventually, as within those walls he could still hear her cheerful voice, he still expected to see her sleeping peacefully next to him when he woke up in the morning, her sweet scent had yet to vanish from the sofa they had spent so much time on, imagining the things they wanted to do together, and fantasizing about what future awaited them. They weren’t naïve. They knew Lucia would have had to go back into the Ocean sooner or later, which was one of the reasons why Kaito had decided he couldn’t wait any longer to propose to her. They would have figured out the rest later. But then Aqua Regina denied them their wish and it felt like a jet of cold water bringing them back to reality. There was a Kingdom to rule, peace to keep, and a whole other lot of responsibilities to take, and he wasn’t ready. He simply wasn’t, and as hard as it was, he had finally admitted it.

Lucia was right. A long-distance relationship wouldn’t work, not when she had to tend to her duties as Princess. He would be a distraction, and if anything happened to her because of his interference, he wouldn’t be able to forgive himself. Maybe it had been a mistake from the very start; their love had to stay a beautiful dream. Maybe they had been naïve, after all.

Not knowing how to fully process what had happened, Kaito decided to flee to the only place in the world that, despite everything, made him feel at ease: Hawaii. True, it hadn’t turned out to be a good idea in a couple of occasions, but still, that was the place where he and Lucia had flown to mere days after Mikeru’s defeat. He still remembered the night he told her he was going back to the island, how terrified she looked as tears welled up in her eyes, and how he had to chase her all the way into the ocean to tell her that that time, he didn’t want to go alone, that he needed to have her by his side to sort things out between them. They did, at that trip to Honolulu marked a new beginning in their relationship, coming to terms with the pain and suffering both of them went through and realizing that at the end of it, they were meant for each other.

Were they truly? Kaito couldn’t help but wonder as the plane crossed the vast blue water of the North Pacific. Unbeknownst to the people surrounding him, it was ruled by a beautiful pink mermaid, with long golden hair and bright blue eyes. For a moment, he thought he saw a pinkish glimmer on the water’s surface. Maybe there was where she was, where her majestic Palace stood. Kaito closed his eyes and laid back on his seat. Had it even been a good idea to leave?

In the depths of the Ocean, Lucia was tormented by the same doubts. She knew going back was the right and only possible choice, but had she been too strict? Maybe they could’ve worked it out somehow, even if they were forced to be miles and miles away. But the preparations for the Alma Lux were pressing and she couldn’t give in to distractions. She was aware there was much to do, many things she needed to be updated about, and countless other matters to tend to.

What she did not know was that something, rather someone, was scheming in the shadow. Liwiana and her supporters had finally agreed on a way to get rid of their unwanted Princess. Putting an end to her life sounded too extreme and dangerous a plan to carry out in such a short time, but if Lucia were to fall into a deep, irreversible sleep, that would serve their purpose just right: Liwiana would become regent, just like she had when Lucia was on land, and things would go back to the way they had been in the past years.

Their plan was simple, almost too simple. All they had to do was add a little bit of Dasycladaceae, a venomous alga growing up in the vast underwater plains of Nemo. Just a few drops, and by the time the Ceremony was over, Lucia would’ve closed her eyes never to open them again. Liwiana was already savoring that sweet moment, as she gazed at Lucia proudly trying on her ceremonial gown.

Poor Princess, if only she knew that would be her last one.

There was a variable they didn’t take into consideration into their plan though: Kaito’s deep connection to Lucia’s heart. It had happened before, that he had sensed the danger as it approached her. It was a deep, gut-wrenching feeling, as if a spear passed right through his heart. Then he knew his Princess needed him.

It was the middle of the night when it happened, and he woke up screaming in the small house he had rented on the Hawaiian beach. Was it real or was it just a dream? He was confused and dazed, but ultimately decided it was just his imagination. Lucia never wanted to see him again anyway, and he wanted to respect her choice on that.

But his resolve didn’t last long. After the jolting pain, came the nightmares. For three days straight every time Kaito closed his eyes, he was tormented by the same gruesome image of his beloved mermaid lying unconscious on the cold ocean floor, a golden goblet near her and a rivulet of greenish liquid dripping from her purple lips. Night after night, the image was clearer and clearer, and when he woke up for the umpteenth time screaming at the top of his lungs, he decided he had had enough.

Kaito jumped out of bed and left his house without even closing the door behind him. He couldn’t ignore the signs any longer. Lucia was in danger, he knew it, and although he had sworn to let her go, he couldn’t bear the thought of her being hurt. He would protect her once again, if she’d let him, and then go forever. But he had to do it.

He crossed the beach running head over heels and dived into the ocean. The cold water slowed down his rush: he didn’t know where Lucia’s Palace was, he didn’t even know if she was actually there. He looked around, seeking a hint, and he saw it. A pinkish stain in the deep blue, swimming towards him. He would’ve recognized him everywhere: Momo! The pink dolphin reached him and urged him to follow him. He too had sensed something was wrong, but no one in the North Pacific had taken him seriously. So he had to go to one person outside water he trusted, and that was Kaito. That was all the confirmation the Panthalassa Prince needed. It wasn’t just his imagination. Lucia really was in danger, and he didn’t have a second to waste. He nodded at the pink dolphin and together they headed for the Palace.

The long-awaited day had finally come. All the mermaids, fairies and dolphins in the North Pacific had gathered in the Royal Palace to witness Princess Lucia celebrate the Alma Lux Ceremony. Everywhere were garlands and flowers, and the walls were decorated with long pink drapes. The palace had never shined more.

Nikora, Madame Taki and Hippo watched proudly as Lucia crossed the main hallway in a marvelous pink gown as music played in the background, all the way to the throne room, where more mermaids were waiting. Lucia stopped just in front of the huge, engraved doors, where Liwiana and her attendants were waiting with a golden goblet.

The moment was solemn. For a whole lot and very different reasons, that was the moment everyone was waiting for: those who wished for peace, those who wanted to celebrate the Princess’s comeback, and those who wanted her gone. Liwiana handed the goblet to Lucia, who took it with gratitude.

It happened suddenly.

Just as Lucia was about to drink, a hustle coming from the bottom of the hallway interrupted the ritual. Lucia lowered the goblet, much to Liwiana’s disappointment, and moved closer, followed by her friends, to see what was happening. Her heart stopped beating for a moment.

Kaito was there, Momo by his side, trying to convince the mermaids guarding the entrance to let him see the Princess. It was a matter of life or death, but no matter how much he insisted, they wouldn’t let him pass.

Liwiana took a glimpse of the agitate boy over Lucia’s shoulder. So that was the Panthalassa their Princess was so fond about. What a reckless boy, to come all the way down there.

Nikora was the first to recover from the shock. She looked at Lucia, who appeared clearly overwhelmed by the sudden rush of emotions that had had to invest her at the sight of Kaito. She honestly couldn’t predict how Lucia would react now, though she certainly didn’t expect to see her stiffening up and heading steadfastly towards the entrance of the hallway, were Kaito was still trying to force his way through.

She appeared before him in all her majesty, and for a moment Kaito was left speechless. It was as if for the first time he realized how much out of his reach she really was, she had always been, even when he thought to be quite a catch. She was so much more, and although he felt far from being worthy of her, he realized he wouldn’t have been able to let her go. And he was about to tell her there and then, but Lucia was quicker, and as her gaze went from incredulous to disgruntled, she addressed him as a Princess should when and uninvited guest breaks into her Palace.

Kaito was taken aback, he hadn’t expected such a harsh reaction, and his attempt to warn her about an imminent danger were to no avail. She dismissed his worries as just an excuse to reach her, which he heartly denied, though the desire to see her again was indeed real. But Lucia was immovable. She took a glimpse of the crowd around them: everyone was watching her, her subjects, the People of the North Pacific, all her Puellae, Ancillae and Magistrae. She heard them whispering, wondering if that was the man who had kept her on land for so long, the Panthalassa whose evil brother almost destroyed their home mere years prior. Lucia needed to send a clear and effective message if she wanted to keep her People’s affection and loyalty, and although it hurt her, she did.

Lucia hushed Kaito and his worries with a gesture of her hand. Then trying to keep the tears from filling her eyes, she dismissed him, ordering him to leave the Palace at once and banning him from setting foot in the North Pacific ever again.

Shock was on everyone’s faces, but most of all on Kaito’s. He tried to reason with her, but it was useless. Lucia, Princess Lucia, had made her choice. He watched as she retreated, covering her face so that he wouldn’t see the sorrow in her eyes, and slowing making her way back to Liwiana’s side. That was when he saw it. The golden goblet he had dreamed about, that mermaid was carrying it. Lucia was still in danger. She was turning her back to him when she heard him calling for her again. He was asking, begging her, not to drink from that goblet. Lucia turned around abruptly, watching as Liwiana’s attendants dragged him away and he screamed at the top of his lungs as it was fine if she never wanted to see him again, he had accepted it, but she had not to drink from that goblet. The fear and plea in his voice had unsettled her, and as she took the goblet from Liwiana’s hands to carry on with the ritual, she took her time, watching the green liquid. Liwiana was growing impatient, and gently reprimanded her: did she really believe the words of the Panthalassa man? She said it herself, it was all an act to try and win her heart back. Lucia nodded smiling, but there was still something bugging her. All the way there… just to invent something like this? Wouldn’t have been easier to just tell her he missed her?

Liwiana knew she needed to act. In an attempt to reassure Lucia, she told her she herself had prepared the infusion, using the algae from Nemo she has personally collected. That was her biggest mistake. Everyone in the underwater world knew that among others, in Nemo grew the most poisonous algae in the Seven Seas. Lucia confronted her about it, and Liwiana tried to defend herself, but when the Princess left the goblet fall and the green liquid left a black, fuming stain on the marble floor, that the trick was clear to everyone. Much to everyone’s horror and astonishment, Liwiana had tried to poison the Princess. Before anyone could react, the Ancilla Maxima, tired of playing the part, dropped her mask and praying to the sea demons, she deployed her most loyal followers in the middle of the hall, both mermaids and sea creatures she had managed to win on her side.

Kaito was almost out of the palace when he heard the commotion. The imagine of Lucia lying unconscious on the floor gave him enough stamina to break free from Liwiana’s attendants’ grip and run back to where he knew Lucia was. He was just in time to shield her from a direct attack from a swordfish Liwiana had sent after her. Around them was utter chaos. Nikora had thrown herself in the melee to trying and reach Lucia, but her once mermaid sisters were preventing her to go any closer to her. Hippo had transformed into his majestic hippocampus form, but he was instantly assaulted by all kinds of sea creatures turned monsters.

There was only one way to end all this, Lucia thought. She swam to the ceiling, far from the throng, and transformed. True, she didn’t have the other Mermaid Princesses by her side, but her Pink Pearl Voice was powerful enough to make the rebels come back to their senses.

Liwiana was nothing short of furious, but her threats were stopped by Lucia’s loyal subject, who by order of the Princess, put her under arrest.

Kaito was watching from the corner of the hall. He had hurt his leg in the fight, but that was not what was preventing him to run to Lucia and pull her into his arms. He was scared to do so, that she would reject him again, and he wondered if the harshness of her voice earlier showed how she truly felt. Then there she was, back in her ceremonial gown, swimming towards him.

Lucia looked at his wounds and reassured him. The harshness was gone. Now there were sadness and longing in her eyes. He felt like it was the right time to ask her the permission to keep looking after her. He wanted to keep the promise he made to her years earlier and protect her, no matter where and when.

Lucia smiled softly, and Kaito took it as a good sign. She apologized for not believing him and thanked him for having risked his life for her, but all that didn’t change things. No matter how much they loved each other, and they did, she couldn’t allow him to live a life waiting for her. She said so in a whisper. It was becoming harder and harder to be steady in her decision, now that she saw him there, now that she had seen the extent of his love for her.

It was then that a warm light engulfed them and everyone else.

Aqua Regina appeared before them in a beam of white light. She approached the couple, as everyone in the room bowed to greet the Goddess. She complimented Lucia for managing to use her voice to avoid any damage to her people and said herself proud of her dedication to the North Pacific. Then she turned to Kaito.

She thanked him for protecting the Mermaid Princess of the Pink Pearl, and when he firmly stated he intended to do for the rest of his life, Aqua Regina challenged his uprightness, just the way she did when the two lovers had asked for her blessing in the shrine.

Aqua Regina asked him if he was willing to fight by her Mermaids’ side should the need arise and protect the peace of the Oceans. Kaito responded with no hesitation. And when asked if to honor such words he was to abandon his life on land, he answered he was willing and ready to do so.

Did he love those living on land? Yes, of course.

And those living in the Ocean? Kaito looked at his Princess. He loved Lucia. And loving her, he could not help but love everything that was a part of her. Kaito’s words touched everyone deeply, but most of all Lucia, who couldn’t hold back the tears any longer.

Aqua Regina nodded with satisfaction. The words she pronounced then are still engraved in everyone’s heart and mind, and the meaning behind them changed forever the course of history of the North Pacific and the other Oceans. Some say they can still hear the words of the Goddess echoing within the Palace’s walls:

"Very well, Kaito. At last, I sense sincerity in your voice and clarity in your heart. Some time ago, you asked to unite your life with that of the Mermaid Princess of the Pink Pearl. If you seek my approval, here is what you must do: you will abandon your life on land and return to the Ocean that gave you life. I will restore to you the Ancient Power of the Panthalassa, which I had to take from your family in the past to preserve the delicate balance of our beloved underwater world. Light and Darkness will merge within you, for one cannot exist without the other, and you will strive to ensure that the latter will not prevail over your heart. You will guard the peace of the Abysses, and your power and authority will be acknowledged and respected throughout the Seven Seas. You will honor your vow to the Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific Ocean and serve by her side as Prince of the Oceans."

Lucia watched as Kaito listened carefully to Aqua Regina, and her heart accelerated its beating when he said he would accept on one condition, that the Mermaid Princess of the North Pacific would accept to have him by her side. He smiled at her, stroking gently her hand as he presented her the engagement ring he had gifted her when he first proposed on the seashore.

It was up to her then. Aqua Regina gave her blessing, Kaito was willing to leave land, and he meant it, and she loved him so, so much that there was no doubt in her heart that she wanted to have him by her side for the rest of her life. Her people were moved. Never had they thought a Panthalassa could love a Mermaid so much. Her friends were crying. Tears of joy, she was sure of it. Yet, something still made her feel uneasy.

What about his friends? His passions? His dreams? What about all that? She didn’t want him to renounce his happiness for her, but Kaito reassured once again. He had spent the last few years trying to understand who he was and where he belonged to. It took a while, but he finally saw it now. The one place he wanted to be in, the one he felt he belonged to, it didn’t matter if on land or at the bottom of the ocean, was by her side.

Lucia couldn’t find it in herself to answer back and let him put the ring back on her finger, where it was meant to be.

Kaito then kneeled in front of Aqua Regina, solemnly accepting her conditions, swearing he would use his powers to protect the peace of the Seven Seas. As the Panthalassa symbol started shining on his forehead, the Goddess gifted him with a new golden scepter, a symbol of his power as Lord of the Panthalassa, and to everyone’s delight, she crowned him Kaito, Prince of the Oceans.

All promises were kept, all conditions were met.

Kaito and Lucia returned briefly on land to celebrate an actual wedding, with both hers and his friends. Then the newlyweds moved to Hawaii, in a small house overlooking the sea, and lived a simple life, away from the spotlight. Or so humans believed.

Unbeknownst to most, the Prince and Princess went back to her Royal Palace in the North Pacific to carry out their noble duties. And when someone asked him if he missed the thrill of his surfing competitions, he answered that in the uninhabited atoll he went surfing now, waves were higher anyway. That was all Kaito needed: the sea, his surfboard, and his greatest supporter, his Princess, his mermaid, his wife, watching and waving at him from the rocky reef.

And when the sun set he would let her take his hand and guide him home, in the depths of their Ocean.

#mermaid melody #mermaid melody pichi pichi pitch #pichi pichi pitch #mmppp #lucia nanami #kaito domoto #marriage #romance #fanfiction #post-canon #ぴちぴちピッチ

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