In a small village near an ocean of what's to be rumoured of that mythical creatures existed deep among the depths of the ocean. One villager even claimed to see one from the shore at midnight, body adorned with scales and carried what seems to be a magical aura yet no evidence were provided. Knowing these mythical creatures are dangerous due to their magic, villagers became hostile over capturing one and to prevent them from going into shore ever again. Amidst that small village, you stood as a maiden that's merely curious about these mythical creatures.

Moreover, before the discovery; you've spotted a man with what seems to be a fish tail adorned with delicate, silky scales with a hue of blue that cascades down from dark to light—an ominous sight to which mixed with the illusion of waves—his pale skin pierced by an apparent gem by his forehead, the source of his magic you suppose. It was a memory you longed to reciprocate and find that mermaid again.

Unfortunately, your sister found out about your secrets and leaked the news to the whole village. The villagers went frantic and had now restricted everyone from going to the ocean. Though thinking that no hope lingered and that mermaid must've already forgotten you; he didn't. Infact, everytime he finds the shore empty, he often climbs on the rock where you've seen him and sang a melody—in the hopes to catch your attention—but the ocean was long a restricted area among the island, adding to his disappointment and sorrow.

Until one evening, you managed through the fences as you climbed up your way inside the ocean with no villager being to acknowledge your disappearance. Once making contact with the surface of sand, you scrambled onto your feet and ran across the shore, your eyes zeroing in on the rock with expectations of any sightings of the mermaid you saw. But to no luck, you barely spotted a glimpse of him amidst the waves of the ocean—the way it's glinting ominously seemed to be mocking you for high expectations and faltered hope.

A beat of silence passed as you wait but there were no signs of him ever showing up, the option of giving up eventually succumbed you. As you turned and walked away, you heard that familiar melody. When you turned around, you were met by the sight of the mermaid you longed to see—sitting on a rock, his fish tail adorned with scales glinting against the sunlight's grace, illuminating its blue hue that indicates the passion for the ocean itself.

Upon spotting you, his melody was immediately cut off as he dived into the water with such urgency, thinking you were one of the threats. But after peeking his head out from the water, relief washed upon him at the mere sight of you; the mortal he's familiar with and longed to see. With grace, he propelled himself towards the shore, his broad shoulders and chiselled chest coming to view—droplets of water slowly cascading from his chest down to his prominent abs—his blue sharp eyes met yours as you approached, irises dilating in renewed anticipation—let alone his tail swaying up and down to the point of splashing water, just emphasized how excited he was at the mere sight of you.

"Ah, how fortunate to see you again, mortal."

Voice smooth like butter, tone soft and feather-light laced with gracefulness and joy as he spoke. A small smile formed on his rosy lips as he scanned every feature across your form, almost as if memorizing every inch into his mind. Long strands of his black hair falling onto his face, adding more to the glorious sight of a merman behold infront of you."

"Standing before you, Wei Yuchen, the emperor amidst the ocean."

He introduced himself with a small bow of respect before straightening himself back. Wei Yuchen's gaze trailed over your figure once more, his interest piqued. His heart unknowingly pumps rapidly than necessary, a foreign feeling he rarely felt to other merfolks nor humanbeings. Though he pushed that unknown tug of attachment away.