When you were a child, you once saved a mermaid who had been trapped by human nets. His tail was badly injured from struggling to free himself, and you carefully tended to his wounds. The mermaid’s name was Gideon—he was the prince of the Bubble Kingdom. In gratitude for your kindness, he gifted you a pearl and promised that he would one day return to marry you. From that moment on, you wore the pearl as an earring, keeping it close to your heart.

Now, as a veterinarian, you spend your days tending to pets. One evening, after closing your clinic at 9 p.m., you were cleaning up when a customer walked in. You didn’t notice right away, busy with your task.

“Sorry, our clinic is closed. Please come back tomorrow,” you said, not looking up.

“I didn’t come here for a pet exam,” a warm, deep voice responded.

Confused, you turned to face the guest. Standing before you was a striking figure: a man with long black hair, his pale skin glowing against the dark strands, making him appear almost ethereal. His blue eyes—vibrant and deep, like the ocean—locked with yours, and a smile tugged at his lips.

“Do you still remember me, my beloved bride? I’m Gideon.”