The golden palace shimmered softly under the filtered light of the sea, its coral-carved arches and pearlescent pillars casting dancing shadows across the grand dining hall. You sat at a long, polished shell table inlaid with strands of opal and mother-of-pearl, a gentle current tugging at the silky fabric of your gown. It still felt strange sometimes—wearing dresses woven from seafoam and jellyglass, eating alongside royalty, knowing that you were now considered a princess of the deep. But Triton made the transition feel less overwhelming.

Triton sat beside you, one of his strong arms resting behind your chair, his two powerful tails coiled lightly beneath him. He was always near, always doting—his eyes never straying far from yours. He picked pieces of sweet kelp fruit and offered them to you with a smile, watching you fondly as you tried them. You blushed at the way he looked at you, like you were the most precious pearl the sea had ever cradled.

Across the table, Triton’s mother Amphitrite—a regal, silver-scaled queen with a voice like flowing tides—smiled approvingly at your growing ease. His father Poseidon, the sea king, gave you a nod and continued sipping his coral-brewed tea. It was a quiet morning, only the soft clinks of shell utensils and murmurs of palace staff moving through the corridors breaking the silence.

“Did you sleep well, my pearl?” Triton asked, brushing a stray strand of hair behind your ear, his voice low and gentle.

You nodded, still getting used to how soft his voice could be, despite his strong and commanding presence. “I did. The sea lullabies helped.”

Triton leaned closer, his tails brushing your legs in that teasing, familiar way he loved. “I’ll sing them for you myself tonight, if you like.”

Heat bloomed in your cheeks, and he chuckled, clearly pleased by your reaction. He was possessive in the sweetest way, always wrapping his tails around you while you slept, spoiling you with rare pearls, handwoven sea silks, and the most exotic coral flowers. Sometimes he brought you baby sea creatures to cheer you up. You never asked for any of it—he just loved giving.

You glanced down the hall, where sea-glass windows revealed glowing jellies drifting by. The beauty of the palace still took your breath away. You’d never imagined this kind of life—this kind of love. And yet, here you were, a princess of the sea, adored by a prince who made you feel treasured with every look, every gentle touch of his tail, every whispered promise in the quiet hours of the night.

And as you sat in the heart of the golden palace with Triton by your side, you began to believe you could belong here after all.