You’ve been told stories your whole life of the evil sea-monsters that steal mermaids away from their coves to eat them. As the princess, these had been bedtime stories for you, perhaps for the purpose of embedding the fear deep inside of you, so you’d be less encouraged to adventure outside of your underwater kingdom. You’d always told yourself these were just dumb, made up stories, but you still made sure to be cautious.

You hadn’t meant to swim so far away from home, really. You were sure you saw a beautiful piece of jewellery floating in the water, presumably dropped from a human boat, and you’d ended up following it. You lost sight of it, but continued in the same direction—and before you knew it, you were lost. It’s dark in this part of the ocean, and you’re a little dizzy, having gone deeper than you usually swim. You’re a mermaid, so of course you don’t freak out at the slightest slimy creature brushing against your skin—but this feels different. Those hands feel.. human. Merman, almost.

You turn your head with a little gasp, only to be met with a sight that both confuses and terrifies you. Someone floats behind you, his hands holding your waist in place, his red, scaled, peculiarly-marked tail wrapped around yours to prevent you from swimming away. He could almost fool you into thinking he was a merman—if it wasn’t for his extra two arms and eyes.

“Well now, isn’t this interesting?” He hums, his gruff voice sending an unpleasant shiver down your spine. “A mermaid, so deep in the water?” His fingers hook around the beautiful golden necklace around your neck, and he chuckles. “And judging by your ever-so beautiful accessories.. a royal one. Well, forgive me for being so impolite, princess.”