<The next day...>

It was the following day after Moon's 'Coming to Age' Ceremony and everyone in the castle were back to their normal lives and duties.

Moon: "I'm a idiot..."

Well...in Moon's case, she still haven't gotten over the first kiss she shared with Aiden. That has definitely left a scar in her heart.

She blushed as she recalled the moment.

Moon hit her forehead with the books she's holding.

Moon: "Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!"

She sighed.

Moon was still a newbie when it comes to romances and attachments. She wished she haven't gotten so close to Aiden till he has already developed feelings for her...

Moon: "Well, Aiden did say to think about it..."

Moon also plan to sneak out tonight and hopefully Orion will be waiting for her. That would be perfect, she thought.

Moon: "Maybe I will discuss this with Orion later on and confront Aiden tomorrow! Yes! That's seems right!"

As Moon was joyfully walking down the hall, she came across the garden. She was about to walk in when she noticed that someone was there.

Moon: "Speak of the devil!!!"

Moon ran to the closest pillar and hid behind it. She watched Aiden from afar.

Moon: "What is he doing? Wait...why am I so curious about him? This is considered stalking..."

Moon just shook her head and looked back at Aiden. He walked through the garden in slow steps and stood in the middle of the flower field.

The sunlight shone onto him through the ceiling of the castle.

His handsome features were more visible under the light as if he was glowing.

Moon: Why is he so perfect?

Moon couldn't help but blushed at the sight of Aiden. This prince can still manage to glow even though he has been through so much in his life. How does he handle it all?

Aiden: "Moon..."

When Moon heard him called her name, she was in shock.

Moon: He can see me???

Aiden got down in one knee and stared at the array of the white roses. He smiled.

Aiden: "I still remember the moment I first lay eyes on you in this same exact place...as if it was just yesterday..."

His hand reached out to touch the silky white petals but then, his smile disappeared.

Aiden: "I'm sorry, Moon, I really am. I know it was selfish of me to kiss you like that. Love is such a dangerous thing to deal with...especially when I am a victim of it..."

Moon: "Aiden..."

Moon's heart ache to see Aiden in such a state. Even though he was practically talking to himself, she felt that he was saying it directly to her.

As Aiden got up to his feet, Moon immediately moved back so that she wouldn't be spotted. All of the sudden, one of her books slipped off her clumsy hands and hit the ground.

Aiden turned around and glanced at Moon's direction.

Aiden: "Who's there?"

Moon: Oh crap, why am I so clumsy?!

The sound of Aiden's footsteps made her heart skipped a beat. It was getting louder and louder.

Moon: Please don't come this way! Please don't!

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind blow passed Aiden which made him raise his arms to cover himself.

At that same moment, the wind blew the white rose petals along with it.

Aiden watched as the petals danced in the air and went up into the sky.

Moon: "This is my chance!"

Using it as a distraction, Moon picked up her book and dashed along the hallway in full speed.

<Later...>

Moon: "That was too close..."

Moon leaned her shoulder against the wall and tried to regain her breath again. Her downcast eyes stared down at one of the books she was holding.

.
.
.

'The Tales of The Hidden Merfolks'

.
.
.

Moon has been researching more about mermaids and mermen through the books she have gathered in the royal library.

She hid her books from everyone, even from her own parents...

Moon: "Why are both the Merfolks and Humans on opposite ends? And why are we hiding from each other?"

Moon couldn't take the risk of anyone knowing about her mermaid form. If she were to tell her parents, her relatives or... Aiden, how would they reacted?

Would they be disappointed? Or worse, disgusted? She can't bear to see those looks in their eyes once the truth is untold.

Moon: I will tell them when the time is just right...

As she said that, a door to a room swung open. A person came out and noticed Moon standing outside.

Harmony: "Moon, darling! It's been a while since we last saw each other! How are you?"

Moon: "Oh, Aunt Harmony! I'm doing great! I just been...you know...busy with princess errands! How about you?"

Harmony: "The usual. What are you reading?"

Harmony got closer to Moon but she quickly covered her books.

Moon: "Ha! Um...I'm reading about the...History of the Wildlife here in Clarines!! I heard the kingdom have 134 species of sharks! How fascinating is that?!"

Harmony was a bit stunned by Moon's answer but she just laughed it off.

Harmony: "I didn't know you had a big interest in the animal society."

Moon: "Hahaha! Toad-ally!"

Harmony raised an eyebrow.

*INSERT AWKWARD BIRD CHIRPING SOUNDS*

Moon: I should avoid using puns ever again...

Harmony: "Well, that was hawk-ward."

Moon: "Was that a dad joke?"

Harmony: "Literally."

Both of them bursted into laughter. Moon missed those good old times she spent with her Aunt Harmony.

Harmony: "ANYWAYS, there's someone who wants to talk to you, Moon. I was going to go fetch you myself but it looks like I don't have to now."

Moon: "Really? Who is it? It is urgent?"

Harmony sighed and said.

Harmony: "You will soon find out."

Harmony let Moon inside the Herbalist Lab. Her aunt picked up a tray which has two teacups filled with warm Chamomile Tea.

She showed her niece to a door located at the side of the room.

Harmony: "She's waiting for you, Moon."

Moon didn't understand what was going on and why her aunt was acting strange. She turned the knob and opened the door.

The room was dimly lit and there was a woman sitting on a bed, looking out at the window.

Harmony: "Ling Ling, Moon's here to see you."

Moon: "Ling Ling?! You mean..."

The woman turned her head and smiled when she saw both Harmony and Moon.

Ling Ling: "Hello, Moon. My, you certainly have grown..."

Moon rushed towards Ling Ling and gave her a hug. Ling Ling was taken aback by Moon's actions but gratefully smiled.

Harmony: "Be careful, Moon. Ling Ling is not in her best condition so please be gentle."

Moon released her arms and worriedly asked.

Moon: "Are you alright? What happened to you? Are you sick?"

Ling Ling softly chuckled.

Ling Ling: "I'm fine, Moon. I just decided to take a break from my job and focused on this little guy right here."

Moon: "What are talking about?-"

Ling Ling pulled down her covers and revealed the big bump on her stomach. Moon's eyes grew wider as she brought her hands to her mouth.

Moon: "Y-You're pregnant?! How did it—!? What?! How?!!"

Harmony: "It's true."

Moon turned to Harmony who was walking up to both of them. She placed the tray of tea on the nearest table.

Harmony: "I have been looking after Ling Ling for the past few months and she have been meaning to tell you about her pregnancy."

This was exciting news to Moon and she congratulated Ling Ling with all her heart. However, there was something bothering her.

Moon: "But...why are telling me about this now? Even Sir Travis was too afraid to admit it himself. Isn't this a good thing for the both of you?"

Ling Ling let out a sigh. Her hand slowly stroked her swollen belly as she replied.

Ling Ling: "When Travis found out that I was pregnant with his baby, he was astonished and overjoyed at the same time. I only told your parents about this news a week ago and they were equally as surprised. However, not everyone was probably going to be happy about it..."

Ling Ling's eyes went from happy to looking a bit sad. Moon have seen this kind of sad look before...it was similar to Aiden...

Ling Ling: "I came from a family with high social statuses. My father was a noble earl while my mother, a countess. At an early age, I was supposed to be betrothed to a man who I didn't even know. I begged my father to cancel this engagement but it only made things worse..."

She turned her head to face Moon in the eye and continued on with her story.

Ling Ling: "Thus, I decided to leave my hometown for good. I packed up my stuff and ran from home. I sneaked onto a merchant's boat and it's sailed towards this land I already call home. That's how I ended up here with Hawk, Harmony, Rose and even...Travis. I don't want the news of my pregnancy to be known by my family, or else, it will cause many problems..."

Moon was unaware of what Ling Ling has been through in her past life. She didn't know fate could be that cruel and unkind. It become clear to her that Everyone does have their own secrets and truths.

Harmony: "I-I will leave you two alone. Call me if you need anything."

Harmony leave the room and closed the door. Ling Ling brought her eye to the window beside her once more and stared out at the scenery.

Ling Ling: "The ocean is beautiful, don't you think so?"

Moon lifted her gaze up and stared at the ocean too. The ocean...the place where so many untold truths are kept...

Moon: "Yes...it is..."

Ling Ling turned back to look at Moon again.

Ling Ling: "Your parents invited some royal guests into the castle, is that correct?"

She said as Moon picked up her cup of tea from the tray.

Moon: "Oh, you mean King Arthur and Prince Aiden?"

Ling Ling: "Sounds like them. Tell me, have you interacted with the prince yet? I heard from Harmony that he is a pretty boy."

Moon face palmed.

Moon: Seriously Aunt Harmony? Seriously?!

Ling Ling: "So?"

Moon: "We did get the opportunity to know more about each other. Well, if you look past his 'pretty boy' looks, he is actually very genuine and very caring guy..."

A slight smirk appeared on Ling Ling's face as she took a sip of her tea.

Ling Ling: "He's even sounds like a perfect Prince Charming. You must like him, don't you?"

Moon almost spat out all of her tea in her mouth and looked at Ling Ling with cheeks as red as roses.

Moon: "N-No! Of course not! We're just good friends! That's all!"

The image of her memories with Aiden back at the balcony popped up in her mind again. Her cheeks grew redder and redder.

However, Ling Ling's expression turned serious.

Ling Ling: "Moon."

Moon: "Y-Yes?"

Ling Ling put down her teacup.

Ling Ling: "Why are you lying?" 

Moon: "Huh?"

That question struck Moon hard.

Moon: "What are you saying? You know I never lie to you, Ling Ling."

Ling Ling: "You're doing it again."

Moon was shocked but confused by her words. She didn't know what was going through Ling Ling's head. It felt as if she was being interrogated after committing a crime.

Ling Ling: "How long are you going to continue leaving the castle at night and meeting up with some other boy?"

Moon's eyes widened. She was caught red handed.

Moon: "What?!"

To be continued...

Hey everyone, it's Chewy here! I hope you all enjoyed this latest chapter! If some of you remember, my first book of 'The Legend of the Mermaid' was inspired by the anime 'Snow White with the Red Hair'. Ling Ling here is supposed to be another version of one of the anime character, Kiki Seiran. Most of you may not know this but Kiki also came from a noble and rich family. Kiki's Father was an earl and her Mother a countess. I just want to say this to clear out any future misunderstandings. I wanted Ling Ling to portray Kiki from the anime but with my own twist to the character. Welp, that's it! I will see you all in the next chapter! Love ya! ❤️