In the underwater throne room, King Gajeel sat anxiously, awaiting his sister's arrival to make her birthday wish. He had a strong suspicion about what that wish would be, and the thought filled him with dread. In his mighty hand rested the trident, the source of his power and the magic of the Vendershav Kingdom. This legendary artifact had been bestowed upon his father by the wizard Zeref himself and had been passed down to Gajeel after his father's death. Whoever wielded this trident ruled the seas and served as the guardian of Vendershav's magic. To his left sat his advisor and best friend, Panther Lily, while to his right was his queen and true love, Levy. Both were doing their best to soothe the anxious monarch.

"Maybe we should wait a few more years," he said. "She's still so young—maybe too young."

"Now, Gajeel, you and I both know she's not too young," Levy replied. "Sherry was her age, and you didn't hesitate to let her go up there."

"But Juvia is different from Sherry. Sherry didn't enjoy it up there, and I knew she wouldn't. But what if Juvia likes it too much?"

"Nonsense. When I was a teenager, I was just as fascinated with the surface world as she is, but I never forgot that down here was my home. Juvia will feel the same way."

"Personally, I think we should postpone this until tomorrow," Panther Lily chimed in. "With the concert happening tonight, she needs all the practice she can get."

"She's practiced long enough, Lily," Levy insisted. "It's her birthday—let her have some fun."

Soon, Juvia entered the throne room and swam directly to her older brother.

"Good morning, Gajeel!" she greeted him cheerfully. "Good morning, Levy! Good morning, Lily!"

"Good morning, Juvia," Gajeel replied, smiling at her. "And how is the birthday mermaid?"

"Happy and excited!"

"I take it that means you're ready to make your birthday wish now?"

"I am."

"So tell me, what is it you want most?"

"Gajeel, you know what I want," she said. "I want to visit the surface world."

"I was afraid you would ask for that," he sighed, clearly reluctant to grant her request.

"Gajeel, you promised that once I turned seventeen, you would let me go up there. You gave me your word."

"I know, but I had hoped that by the time you reached this age, you would have lost interest in the upper world. Our sisters have."

"But I haven't! You always said a true noble never breaks his word."

"I have no intention of breaking my promise, Juvia," he assured her. "But can you blame me for being a little skittish about this? You know how dangerous it is up there."

"Yes, but a promise is a promise, especially to family."

"I know. I'm not breaking my promise, but are you sure you don't want to wait just one more year? Or two?"

"Gajeel," she persisted.

"Alright, alright. You have my permission to swim to the surface, as long as you act with caution and stay away from humans."

"About that," Juvia said, looking down anxiously. "I was thinking—humans sound so interesting from the stories I've heard, and I've never really seen one. So for educational purposes, why not—"

"No."

"You didn't even let me finish!"

"I don't need to. I know what you're going to ask, and the answer is no. You cannot talk to a human."

"Why not?"

"You know why. They're dangerous. They carry hooks, nets, harpoons— all sorts of weapons that can harm you. Humans will be our ruin."

"But they can't all want to hurt us like you say they do. Surely, some must be good."

"There's no such creature."

"There has to be! I've heard stories about them. You believe me, right, Levy?"

"I believe there is potential for both good and evil in all creatures, whether human or our kind," Levy replied. "But I also believe Gajeel is right to keep the two species apart. Throughout history, nothing but disaster has come from merfolk interacting with humans. It's best that we live separately."

"But—"

"Don't argue, Juvia. I won't have you caught in a net or ensnared by a hook or worse," Gajeel said sternly. "I'm willing to let you travel to the surface whenever you wish, but under no circumstances should you approach a human. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Gajeel," Juvia replied, her disappointment evident.

"Thank you," he said, softening his tone. "Before you go, I have a very special birthday gift for you."

"Really? What is it?" she asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"Lily, if you please."

The sea cat swam into the royal treasure room and quickly returned with a small chest in its webbed paws. He presented the chest to the younger mermaid and carefully lifted the lid. Inside lay a stunning 15 mm, heart-shaped pearl, glistening white and attached to a delicate chain of shimmering silver.

"Oh, Gajeel!" Juvia exclaimed, her surprise mingling with joy.

"It belonged to Mom. Do you remember how she always compared you and the girls to her jewelry?"

"I do! She called Sherry her amethyst, Meredy her aquamarine, and Chelia her peridot."

"She called me an opal," Levy chimed in, showcasing the opal engagement ring on her finger, once worn by the former queen.

"And you were her pearl," Gajeel concluded. "I believe she would have wanted you to have this."

He gently lifted the chain from the chest and fastened it around Juvia's neck. She gazed down at the pearl heart pendant, and her smile reminded him so much of his late mother.

"Thank you, Gajeel," Juvia said earnestly. "I'll never take it off."

She embraced him, kissing him to express her love and gratitude, then swam away from the elegant underwater castle she called home, beginning her journey to the world above. As she made her way, she caught the attention of nearly everyone in the kingdom. The merfolk stared and whispered, but the other sea creatures adored her. From a young age, Juvia had treated each creature of the deep with warmth—playing games, sharing her food, singing to them, and inviting them to see her garden. They didn't judge her as her own people did; they cherished her for who she was. On that day, as she swam by, fish, rays, slugs, crustaceans, and starfish alike smiled and waved at her.

Every sea creature in the ocean adored Juvia, but none loved her as deeply as Conlan. Conlan was an orphaned baby water horse whom Juvia had rescued from a sunken shipwreck some time ago.

"Poor thing," she had said as she cut him free from the net. "Trapped down here all alone, and yet you're not even crying."

She cradled him gently in her arms. Initially fearful, he quickly warmed to her, sensing the love and compassion in her eyes.

"What courage you must have. Would you like to come home with me?"

The little water horse responded with a nod.

"I'll call you Conlan," she declared, naming him in that moment.

Since then, Conlan had been Juvia's best friend and constant companion. However, people often laughed when they learned his name, which meant "hero" and "courageous," for Conlan was often timid and nervous, scared of his own shadow. A sudden movement would send him scurrying for cover. Yet, in Juvia's eyes, he was no coward; she believed he was worthy of the name she had given him. He just needed a chance to prove it to the world.

"No, Conlan, you can't come with me," she said as she noticed him following her. "I love you, but it won't be easy to hide you up there. If you're with me, a human would spot us in seconds."

Conlan gazed at Juvia, his eyes a mix of darkness and brightness, filled with concern she recognized all too well.

"Don't worry, Conlan. I'll be alright," she reassured him. "Next time, I'll take you with me. I just need to go alone this time to learn how to navigate and hide. Understand?"

Conlan nodded.

"Good. Now, for the tricky part—where should I explore first?"

When a mermaid ventured to the surface, she could enchant the water around her to connect with any water source, allowing her to travel anywhere in the world as long as it was through a large body of water. The possibilities were limitless.

"I should probably start closer to home," she decided, and up she swam.

She emerged from the sea, as light as a flake of foam, and when she beheld the golden sun glistening in the clear blue sky, she was filled with awe. It was even more magnificent than she had ever imagined. Words escaped her; the beauty was simply too splendid to capture.

Next, her gaze fell upon lush green hills and a castle peeking through the proud trees of the forest. The sweet melodies of birdsong filled the air as flocks soared overhead. So many new and breathtaking sights surrounded her, and she felt an undeniable sense of belonging. Beneath the expansive blue sky and warm sun, she found the light and warmth she had always dreamed of.

"And there's still so much more to see," she thought eagerly.