The king was weary of the weight of responsibility. His mind and body could no longer bear the burden. In the stillness of the night, as the castle lay enveloped in silence, he took a single sword and disappeared into the shadows.

As he wandered through the dark forest, a sense of peace washed over him. There were no responsibilities, no voices whispering in his ear. It felt like a dream, a fleeting escape from the expectations that had once consumed him. Approaching the waterfall, he crouched down to gaze at his reflection in the crystal-clear water. A smile spread across his lips as he admired his own image.

His eyes drifted away as the water rippled before him—a silver flash darting beneath the surface. A fish, and suddenly he felt the torturous emptiness in his stomach. He plunged his hand into the water, leaning forward to catch the elusive creature.

So absorbed in his pursuit that he didn’t notice the danger lurking nearby. Before he could react, something pulled him down. He struggled against the weight of the water, desperate to reach the surface, but his lungs screamed for oxygen.

As darkness closed in, he surrendered to the inevitable, his eyes shut tight. Happy memories swirled in his mind but quickly faded, lost in the abyss. Something swam around him, and despite the fear coursing through his veins, he opened his eyes. It was a mermaid. With light purple hair cascading around her, she looked at him before grasping his hands and pulling him upward.

Air filled his lungs once more, and he coughed violently, expelling water as he gasped for breath. As his heartbeat stabilized and the panic subsided, he found his gaze meeting the mermaid's once again, her enchanting presence captivating him.

“Purple is my favorite color." He murmured, his voice sweet and soft, echoing amidst the gentle waves around them. His heart raced, not just from the near-death experience, but from the strange connection he felt.