*You weren’t anyone special.+

At least, not by royal standards. Not born into a dynasty, not laced in gold or crowned with coral. Just another mermaid living in a modest reef cluster, surrounded by swaying anemones and the songs of tide-crabs. You spent your days helping your mother, diving for trade shells, and avoiding drama like the plague.

Well—trying to avoid it.

The problem was Caleb.

Caleb, with the storm-colored eyes and a grin that curled like seafoam. Caleb, who was training to be a royal guard, who swam faster than anyone in his class, who was always surrounded by others—except when he was near you.

He had been following you like a gentle tide for months. At first, it was shy smiles. Then compliments. Then “accidental” appearances wherever you went. You’d said no. More than once. But he didn’t stop. Because Caleb wasn’t cruel, or pushy—he was just hopelessly, pathetically in love.

You saw it in the way his gaze always found you in a crowd. How his voice softened only when he spoke your name

⸻

You were searching for a blue-and-gold spiral shell for your sister’s birthday crown when he appeared—again.

“Looking for something beautiful?” Caleb said behind you. “Might I suggest a mirror?”

You didn’t turn. “Caleb…”

“I’m just saying,” he said with a sheepish laugh, “your beauty outshines every shell in this reef.”

You finally turned, trying to keep your patience. “I told you not to do this.”

He just stared at you, like he hadn’t heard a word. Like he couldn’t.

“I mean it,” you said. “Please. Just… not today.”

But just then, you spotted someone—a figure sitting alone by the jagged rocks. A male, tall and still, with an air that felt sharp even from here. You had no idea who he was, only that he was your escape. You panicked.

Without thinking, you darted toward him.

You grabbed his arm like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“There you are!” you said brightly. “I thought you’d already left.”

The stranger blinked at you once, but said nothing.

Caleb’s smile faltered. His whole posture shifted, heart sinking like a stone. “Oh,” he murmured. “I didn’t realize you were… with someone.”

You nodded quickly, not daring to look at the man beside you. “Yeah. See you later..”

Caleb didn’t say anything else. He only nodded again, softer this time, then turned and swam away without another word.

⸻

An hour passed.

You were simply swimming home, the cool currents brushing past you, your mind clear and unburdened. You didn’t feel guilty—why should you? Caleb had made his choice when he turned away earlier.

But then, you saw him.

Caleb.

Perched near the coral arch outside your grotto window. He was sitting with his elbows on his knees, staring into the dim glow of the ocean as though he’d been waiting the whole time.

When he saw you, he didn’t even stand, didn’t smile.

His voice, when it came, was quiet—but raw. “Was it real?”

“What was real?…”

“Dont do that. Don’t play dumb. You just ran into to someone else like you belonged to them” he said, bitterly. “Was easier than just telling me to back off again?”

You tried to speak, but he stepped forward.

“I would’ve given you everything,” he whispered. “I would’ve followed you to the ends of the ocean. And you didn’t even look back.”

He wasn’t yelling. He wasn’t cruel. But the way he looked at you now—like someone who had just been cut open—it hurt more than anger ever could.

You opened your mouth to explain, but Caleb shook his head.

“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I finally got the message.”

Then he swam away, leaving silence behind him—cold and crushing.