Chapter 41: The Sea King’s Shock
What a coincidental encounter, with timing so perfect it felt as if fate itself had arranged it.
Rhine glanced at Aurora and began to wonder:
In the story of “The Tinderbox,” the soldier had also sought out this girl who was supposed to be “Sleeping Beauty.” Could it be that protagonists destined by fate are drawn to each other like magnets?
If that’s true, does it mean that even without my interference, these fate-bound characters might interact and create deviations from the original story, resulting in unexpected changes?
The mermaid princess Ariel, known as the Sixth Princess, listened to her companions’ warnings. With a resigned shake of her head, she said:
“Thank you for your concern, but I have a reason I must seek out the Sea Hag. Some things can only be achieved through magic—even for me, the cherished youngest princess of the Grand Matron.”
Something that can only be done with magic… Aurora instinctively turned her gaze toward Rhine.
Apart from the Black Witch she’d only heard about in legends, her teacher was the most powerful mage she had ever met!
Through the transparent belly of the giant fish, Rhine smiled at Ariel and said:“In that case, Your Highness, why don’t we go together? That way, we can keep each other company.”
Ariel’s eyes lit up with delight.
The boy’s eloquence and profound knowledge had already impressed her and the other mermaids. Traveling with such a learned human scholar was a most welcome idea.
Moreover, she had encountered very few humans before. If she wished to be with that handsome prince, she needed to understand human customs. Surely, she would have many questions for this human scholar in the future!
Seeing that they couldn’t dissuade the humans or their princess, the mermaids reluctantly dispersed.
They watched as Ariel and the two humans, still within the belly of the giant fish, swam toward the coral forest where the Sea Hag resided, disappearing into the blue depths.
“Oh no, we almost forgot! Humans have entered our kingdom! Such a monumental event must be reported to the others—and to the great Sea King!”
The mermaids swam off in different directions, spreading the news to their friends, families, and the guards of the Sea King’s palace.
Before long, the explosive news had traveled throughout the Mermaid Kingdom.
…
In the grand Sea King’s palace, which had just hosted a ball, the Sea King sat upon his magnificent shell throne, gripping his trident. He was astonished by the report from his subordinates.
“By the sea! Humans have entered our underwater kingdom. Such a thing has never happened in my lifetime. No, not in the entire three-thousand-year history of our kingdom!”
“And among these humans, one is said to be an elegant and kind scholar. Although he appears to be just a child, perhaps human children are naturally this knowledgeable.”
“I never imagined that humans understood us so deeply! And yet, our understanding of the human world is so limited.”
The Sea King sighed.
As the ruler of this vast sea and its intelligent creatures, the Sea King had always been fascinated by the surface world. His greatest regret was that he could not establish relations with human kingdoms.
Physiological limitations prevented merfolk from venturing onto land. The rare humans who interacted with them were sailors on seafaring vessels.
Yet, for reasons unknown, these sailors feared and despised merfolk, always avoiding them.
What a peculiar thing, the Sea King thought.
“I must summon this human scholar to my palace. Let him be the most honored guest of the Sea Court and share more about the human world. This knowledge is essential if we are ever to understand humanity and form friendships with them!”
The Sea King declared to his court and his mother, the Grand Matron.
However, the Grand Matron—a proud and aristocratic mermaid with her tail adorned with a dozen oysters—voiced her disapproval:
“Since the dawn of history, humans and merfolk have been separated into two worlds. The arrival of these humans in our kingdom is surely no good omen!
“Not expelling them immediately is mercy enough. Allowing them into our grand palace is out of the question!”
The Sea King, though reluctant to agree with his obstinate mother, dared not contradict her outright.
As he pondered how to resolve this disagreement, the Grand Matron received troubling news from another mermaid guard.
“What? You’re saying Ariel went to see the Sea Hag?”
“Disaster! Disaster!”
“That hideous sea witch never brings anything good. She only demands prices that no one can afford to pay!”
“How could my precious Ariel seek her out? Is there a wish that even I, her grandmother, cannot fulfill for her?”
The normally regal Grand Matron was now frantic, swimming erratically and exclaiming in alarm.
Everyone in the Sea King’s palace knew that, while the Grand Matron was imposing and unyielding in most matters, she had a soft spot for Ariel. Among her six granddaughters, the youngest and most beautiful princess was her favorite.
“We must find the princess and bring her back before she meets the Sea Hag!”
The Grand Matron and her guards hastily swam out of the palace.
Watching his mother leave, the Sea King, though worried for Ariel, felt a slight sense of relief.
He summoned the ministers of the Sea Court and issued an order:
“Spread my decree—this is the command of the King of the Sea. Bring the learned human to my palace as soon as possible. I will honor him as our most distinguished guest and personally seek his wisdom about the human world!”
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