Eirin swam against the current.

It demanded a lot more strength on her tail, being almost straining. Yet she paid no mind. Even with the current fighting against her, she felt free. Content. As she swam, feeling the water flow pushing against her, the mermaid knew almost for a fact.

It was something she could sense deep in her guills, a shaking in her scales. A resonance in her song.

When she finally spotted the place she was looking for, she left the current with almost no rush. Her long silver hair reflected the last rays of sunlight that reached her before she dove deeper, the bright pearl glow that emanated from her tail pulling others’ gazes.

When looking from afar, one could think the sudden attention was due to her alluring beauty. Her distinguished presence.

That would be wrong.

Merfolk and sea creatures alike were quite aware of Princess Eirin's public affairs. As well as some of her private affairs she constantly failed to keep private.

And they wanted nothing to do with them.

“She is going there again, isn’t she…?”

“Does she ever tire?”

“If my children ever end up like her, I would just give up and cry...”

"The Queen of Pearls is certainly tenacious, with that one."

As they spoke their mind about the princess while keeping their distance, Eirin herself continued to smile, unbothered. Was that because she didn’t care about what others thought of her?

No.

She simply lacked a lot of awareness of her surroundings.

Whenever the eldest princess of the Palace of Pearls went on one of her ventures, whatever thoughts she could be having would shift to a one-track mind.

And as she joyfully hummed on her way to her treasure cave, Princess Eirin only noticed the creature who followed her once it appeared right in front of her eyes.

“Should you really be going out today?”

Risei was a squid.

And while many would agree he was a handsome squid, a squid was all he was.

The princess said nothing, her grin getting wider as she went around Risei.

He followed her, quickening his pace with a frown.

“There are hardly any sailors, and fishermen prefer to stay close to the bay. There is no reason why you should go today.”

 Eirin pushed him to the side, going deeper into the cave. It took her a few dives and turns until she finally reached her chamber. One that received enough light to give her a better glimpse of the “treasures” she gathered.

Things crafted by human hands—some with mastery and others with laziness—carefully tucked away into cracks and small holes. Trinkets that, while the most objective individual would call junk, had once served a purpose.

“I want to find something shiny today. It has been a while since we got something shiny, hasn’t it?”

The annoyance and outrage were palpable in the squid’s voice as he replied. “We?”

“Well, since you always insist on following me, this makes us partners. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“You mean your accomplice.”

Princess Eirin gasped, placing her hand on top of her heart with wounded eyes.

“How dare you? These were all gifts.”

Risei stared at the mermaid with tired eyes. Deep down, there was much he wished to say, yet lacked all the energy and willingness needed to speak.

While mindlessly going through the hidden trinkets to check her collection, Eirin began to hum a simple melody, the notes echoing through the cold and dark walls of the cave. A melody that brimmed with life as the mermaid reached for her song.

And by using her song, there was no creature alive who would listen to that voice and not find it beautiful. Even Risei was forced to put all his annoyance and frustration aside, his features softening.

With a sigh, the squid rubbed one of his tentacles to his forehead.

Some would think Risei, a mere squid, was being judgmental. Others could, perhaps, think he was being too harsh on his morals. A salty way to show prejudice against the humans who lived offshore and walked with their odd legs and feet.

Yet Risei did not care for humans.

He did, however, believe in cosmic retribution.

And in his eyes, even if many creatures of the sea did not value or see some concepts the same way as the creatures on the land, there was no way around what Princess Eirin truly was—a petty thief.

One incredibly talented and cunning, at that.

From an early age, it became clear where Eirin was truly talented. How her song was by far one of the most beautiful and powerful of all the seas.

And unfortunately, the mermaid also learned how to put her singing into use sooner rather than later.

Risei should be—and truth be told, he was—quite thankful the future queen of the Palace of Pearls was not bewitching and drowning sailors like her ancient kin had done for many years, in a forgotten time. For what use would her voice be if humans started hunting merfolk again and causing so much stir in their waters?

No, thankfully for all, those vile tricks had been put to rest. Instead of bringing sailors to their grim fates, the merfolk found new uses for their voices through friendly competitions, plays, and the musical arts.

Risei himself was an ardent supporter of a young artistic group; Daughters of the Seven Waves of Love. He had bought all their recent albums and limited portraits and was eagerly waiting for their next concert. His admiration for their lead singer, Tama, was never-ending.

The group had offered Eirin a position before they officially debuted, yet the princess declined, to Risei's peace of mind. Just like she did with every single request to join any kind of group or event. Because Princess Eirin found herself another predatory way to use her unmatched voice.

Which was hunting and enchanting sailors...so they would give her their things.

Pocket watches, ugly mugs, broken silverware, buttons, cuffs, hats, clothes, rings, and more than a few glass eyes. No human possession was safe if the kleptomaniac princess set her eyes on it. 

With her voice, no matter how attached the human was, much less if it was a useless junk or an amusing trinket. The moment she opened her mouth, it was over. They would gift it to her with open arms and forget all of it.

Eirin herself couldn’t understand what was so wrong about her hobby. If they truly missed their belongings, they would come back looking for them. And none ever did. Also, even if her song was powerful, shouldn’t they resist a bit more if what she requested was something so precious to them?

Time and time again, whatever Eirin asked them to give her, they wouldn’t even bat an eye. Risei said it was because no human was able to resist the song. However, the princess had heard far too many stories from friends and cousins. Embarrassing ones, at that, of disastrous encounters that went sideways when humans broke free from their spell.

So shouldn’t Eirin feel proud that no human was ever able to resist or break free from hers? Shouldn’t she test how far she could really go, how powerful her voice could truly be? What was the fun of participating in dull singing competitions or over-the-top music groups?

Humans were far more entertaining.

“I’m telling you, it will be a waste of time. Spare men from your cruel machinations at least for a week. Sooner than later, there will be nothing for you to steal.”

She laughed at the comment, thinking of the idea as ridiculous.

As if there would ever be a lack of things to [steal] conquer.

And if that ever came to be the case, she had no issue in giving back all the things she gathered throughout the years, just so she could have humans give them to her again.

“This will be a very good day. I’m certain of it.”

When Risei locked eyes with the princess and saw the glow in her gaze, he knew it to be a lost battle.

Therefore, accomplice or not, he followed her on her quest. Because he had tickets to watch the Daughters of the Seven Waves of Love that night.

And he certainly didn’t want to be late.