There was a mermaid leaning over him, looking at him with soft, hazel, brooding eyes. My steps startled her, jolting her from her reverie... I held myself together with everything I could summon. My first words were, "You—it's you, right? Brianna. My sister. Or should I say, my Queen? After all these years...? Why did you come again? Why??" My voice broke in the chill night.

"Shhh... Calm down, Richard. Yes, it's me. And I'm really, truly for leaving you all these years my brother. After you renounced the crown in favour of living your life with Julie, I had to make a choice. A hard one. It was either going after you and starting a new life together or staying back and defending the kingdom from the Sea Serpents of the Sarbyllai.

The King was a mean badass, hell-bent on conquering our kingdom. Can you imagine me fighting to defend ourselves, Richard? Me—who hated all violence of any sort.

I thank Poseidon every day for giving father sense to train me against my wishes in the defense arts. Even if I hated the physical exercises, it was for my good. He always told me to prepare for anything and every day. His words, "Brianna, I know you don't enjoy training with swords and tridents. Just remember, you are second-in-line to the throne. If anything happens to Richard, you have to be prepare to shoulder the responsibility, my girl. I pray this does not happen, but you never know...."

"What does everything you have said connect with your arrival, Brianna? I don't understand your motive." I asked, still confused by her sudden appearance.

"I'm in love, Richard. With a mortal named Patrick. He's the captain of the ship 'Morning Glory'. We met when I was sunning myself in the early morning sun and he actually thought I was a dolphin. Saved myself from getting killed by him in the nick of time. Was so furious, I dropped him a visit on his ship at night and spooked the life out of him... We started meeting daily after that incident. Turns out, we had a lot in common-- our values, our personalities sort of overlap each other. He's calm to my outspoken. The moon to my sea. He completes me. We are made for each other, Richard. I just want you to take your rightful place as King, with your beautiful son, William—as heir to the Kingdom. Please."

"What about Julie, Bri? She's human and can't breathe or live underwater. William has the best of both worlds. He can swim underwater and live on land too."

"Oh, I've thought about that, bro. Had a lot of time in my hands to figure all the possible causes and consequences. Here's a special pearl of the ocean. Give it to her and make her swallow it. The moment the pearl touches her body, Julie will be gifted with powers to command the seas and the creatures living therein. She'll have access to the waters of the blues, Richard."

"Aye, fine by me. I'll try to be the best king our kingdom has ever seen. Better than you, Bri! Lol."