The wind propelled the small boat with purpose.

Conviction.

Passion.

As if, in that moment, there was no other place for that boat to be but in the vast, open ocean—even when there was no real direction for it to take, or place for it to go.

The sky was as clear as it could be, the waters dignified and inviting.

Yet before the boat ventured too far, its sails were lowered. As if in a cry of frustration, the wind quieted down for a few minutes before continuing its journey, mindlessly and no longer bothered by the stilled, small boat.

A metal bucket was carefully placed between worn leather boots.

A fishing rod was picked up by gentle hands, with long fingers tightening around it. And as a young man adjusted his cap, a big dog found their way next to him, sitting with poise and grace while gazing at the sea with focused, sharp eyes.

I hope today brings some good catches…

Just like that, Kojin Okihiro began another day.

Enjoying the quietude of those deep blue waters.

                                                                               𓇼 ⋆.˚ 𓆉 𓆝 𓆡⋆.˚ 𓇼

Within the depths of the vast, blue ocean—

Things were anything but quiet.

From within the grand Palace of Corals, every merfolk swimming in the vicinity could sense the troubling waters. The erratic sounds emanating from the walls. The distressed and frustrated pleas echoing through the halls.

And every single merfolk nearby made sure to steer away as far away from that place as they could.

Some would call them out for their callousness and lack of empathy. Yet all who were aware of the situation knew that was no lack of kindness.

It was merely a survival instinct.

Yet if one were to ignore their bodies’ wise love for life and decided to watch the events unfold with their own eyes, what they would see unfolding within the Palace of Corals was a small gathering.

Of four preoccupied creatures—two far too disgruntled to notice, two far too indifferent to care.

“Where…is…she?” A deep voice spoke, its timbre grave and rough.

“Did someone search the gardens?” Another one added, its tone softer, although still unsettled.

“I already did, twice...” A tired response came not a second later, the words dragging themselves as the first voice spoke again—a trepidation crawling from the shadows that hid their presence.

“What about the west wing?” The young, softer voice spoke again, cracking slightly.

“We just came from there.” Two voices spoke at once, their synchrony and tempo a perfect mirror of each other, enhancing even more their monotone and uninterested tone.

The darkness covering the oldest merman’s face got thicker, as if every shadow surrounding him crawled with hateful, menacing whispers. He was the king of the Palace of Corals, a merman with a strong golden tan and bright red hair.

His figure matched his position in kind. Wide, broad shoulders, bulging muscles, and an overwhelming presence that could make even bloodlusting predators swim away in fear.

Away from the shadows, the other three merfolk basked in the light pouring from the window. They shared not only his skin tone but the red and bright shades of his hair. They were all his children, proud members of royalty—the ones who would carry his legacy.

Yet they were all failing the task at hand.

“So…you three meant to say…no one knows where she is?”

Were they on land, there would be sweat running down the eldest princess. Yet all others would be able to see was her rigid and restrained smile.

“It appears to be like this, yes.”

The king took a deep breath, his figure growing in size as his muscles hardened.

He slowly swam toward the light, leaving the scornful and fearful shadows behind him, the pouring light revealing his features, at last.

And as the new brightness embraced him, the great King of Corals broke into tears, his voice flooding with fear.

“T-then, you can take the message in my stead, can’t you, starfish? It shouldn’t take long this time, the last message came but a few weeks ago.”

Princess Kei froze, the smile straining her face more and more.

Ah…I knew he was going to ask me…

Some would think his reliance on Kei was due to her being his eldest daughter—the king being nothing but a doting father.

Yet that was not it.

If there was an unchangeable consensus with the merfolk of Corals, was of how Princess Kei was infinitely more mature than the king himself. Something even Taon himself was aware of, and agreed with.

“But Auntie is your sister, Father. Shouldn’t you take her message?”

The merman got closer to Kei, grabbing her by the shoulders, his slumped and trembling figure diminishing his overwhelming physique.

“B-but I don’t want to…last time you saw what happened, didn’t you, starfish? You saw how mean she was.”

Princess Kei softened her smile, placing one of her hands on top of her father’s. Her voice was warm. Her gaze, gentle.

Yet her words were merciless.

“I refuse.”

The king fell to the ground, grabbing his daughter shamelessly by her tail.

“No…! You need to help me. A decree! I make this a royal decree—take the message in your father’s stead, please!”

Princess Kei’s smile did not fade. Only her patience did.

“Should I send for Mother, then? Perhaps she can aid us.”

The king was up again and composed in less than a heartbeat, all distress gone from his face.

In its place, there was sheer fear.

“N-no, this won’t be necessary. Forgive me, starfish. I must have lost myself for a moment.”

Kei patted her father’s head, swimming away while basking in the sweet taste of victory.

The moment she was out of their sight, the king turned to his other children with a last reminiscence of hope shining in his eyes.

Yet before he could speak, the twins replied without even glancing his way.

“We won’t do it.”

The king’s lips trembled, tears threatening to fall from his eyes yet once again.

“Why not…? Do you also hate your father?”

“Auntie is scary. You talk to her.”

And just like that, the powerful merman saw all his three children swim away. Leaving the mighty king to bask in his own defeat.

With one more task to be dealt with.

When the king returned to his chambers, the seahorse messenger was still there, waiting. With a shaken sigh, the merman made his way inside, clearing his throat before he spoke.

“Unfortunately, I could not find my niece. I shall take the message in her stead.”

The seahorse was such a small, puny creature compared to the king. Like a mere fish facing a whale. Yet they were, without a shred of doubt, the best messengers of all seas. Seahorses did have a flair for the dramatic arts, after all.

“Of course, Your Majesty! Then, let me begin.”

The seahorse fixed the flamboyant, laced collar on their neck and cleared their throat twice before they began relaying the contents of his sister’s letter.

And the moment the small creature did, it was small and puny no more.

“Is it you who listens, Taon, or has Eirin finally given me the grace to speak with her?”

The king shrank at hearing his name be spoken in such a harsh, icy tone.

In Taon’s eyes, perhaps it wouldn’t be bad if seahorses were a little bit worse with their acting.

“Knowing the two of you well, I will assume I’m speaking with my brother. So let me ask you this, Taon.”

The seahorse swam closer, stopping right in front of the king’s face. And King Taon could see. Could hear. Not a cute and small seahorse, with its monstrous laced collar, but his sister.

He could see the fierce and callous figure of the Queen of Pearls.

And she was furious.

“When is my daughter coming home?”