Serrira's POV :
Every morning began the same way peaceful, quiet, with the soft hum of the ocean currents echoing like a lullaby in Serrira's ears. And like every other morning, her playful companion Arri was already beside her, darting about in impatient circles.
"Serrira," Arri whispered in his singsong voice, his translucent fins glimmering with the sunlight that filtered down through the water. "Wake up! It's morning!"
But Serrira only groaned in response, her face half-buried in her coral pillow. She tugged the silky seaweed cover closer and mumbled, "Arri, don't disturb me. Let me sleep a little more."
Arri sighed dramatically and did another loop near her face, flicking a tiny splash of water toward her nose. Before he could pester her further, a soft but commanding voice entered the room.
"Still sleeping, Serrira?" Freya's tone was familiar, patient, but with a hint of firmness that meant she wasn't going to let her off easy today.
Freya was more than just a caretaker. She had been with Serrira since childhood after her parents had passed, it was Freya who had taken over every aspect of her care, gently filling the hole that tragedy had left. Though the title she carried was that of a guardian, she had become Serrira's closest confidant, mentor, and sister-like friend.
"How long are you planning to sleep?" Freya swam over gracefully and gently tugged the kelp blanket off Serrira. "Get up now. You need to have breakfast with your family."
Serrira sighed again and peeked one eye open. "Why are you always so serious in the morning?" she muttered. "Why don't you just lie down next to me and nap too?"
Freya chuckled. "You're not a child anymore, Serrira. You're growing up. Someday you'll have to handle all this by yourself. What will you do when I'm not around?"
That question hit something deep within Serrira something that always lingered quietly under her skin. She turned away, but sleep had already vanished from her eyes.
Since losing her mother and father, Serrira had built herself around people like Freya people who had never left her side. And yet the reminder of independence, of losing someone again, still stung.
"You always say stuff like that to make me emotional," she muttered, sitting up slowly. "You know I can't resist when you speak like that."
Freya smiled softly, brushing a strand of Serrira's sea-blue hair out of her eyes. "That's because you listen better when your heart is involved."
Soon, Serrira was dressed beautifully in flowing layers of soft jelly-fabric and crystal-thread the fashion of mermaid royalty. Her hair was braided with pearls, and her fins shimmered with pale silver.
Freya guided her through their morning routine as always, and together with Arri, they made their way to the royal dining chamber where Serrira's grandfather, grandmother, and younger brother awaited.
Breakfast was calm sea fruit platters, warm shell-baked bread, and glowing jelly drops. Serrira smiled and listened, responding softly when needed, though her mind was drifting.
After the meal, the three slipped away, leaving the palace and swimming past the outer coral gates of their underwater kingdom. Serrira swam ahead, the weight of rules and expectations temporarily lifted from her shoulders.
She twirled through the water, her laughter spilling into bubbles. "Ahh… It feels so good to move without all those restrictions," she said, eyes closed in delight.
Arri, swimming beside her, looked up eagerly. "Serrira, will you take me near the beach today? I want to see humans too!"
His words shattered the calm.
Freya halted mid-stroke, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you mean, 'near the beach'?"
The realization of his mistake washed over Arri's face instantly. His little fins froze, and he stared at Serrira in panic. Serrira stiffened but tried to smile it off.
"Oh, nothing! Arri was just joking," she said quickly. "Weren't you, Arri?"
Arri nodded nervously but didn't speak.
Freya folded her arms, floating in place. "Are you two hiding something from me?"
Serrira tried to remain casual, avoiding eye contact. "It's nothing serious…"
But Freya wasn't convinced. She swam a little closer, her voice quieter, heavier. "Serrira… you're not just anyone. You're our princess. If you're doing something dangerous, I need to know. Don't you trust me?"
Serrira hesitated.
And then slowly, she swam toward Freya, took her hands, and whispered, "Freya… I went to the beach."
Freya gasped. "What?!"
"Please don't shout," Serrira pleaded. "I'm telling you because I trust you. You know I wouldn't tell anyone else."
"You went there?" Freya's voice was shaking. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? No one from the mermaid realm even swims near that place. Not since… not for generations!"
Serrira nodded. "I know. But I had to see it. Ever since I was small, I've been fascinated by humans. And… you already know about the necklace, don't you?"
Freya stared at her in disbelief.
Serrira continued, "The one that lets me turn human. It's been passed down in the royal line. No one else knows. Not even my brother. But you're family, Freya. I trust you."
Freya's voice dropped to a whisper. "You used it?"
Serrira nodded. "I did. I turned human. I walked among them. And… they weren't what we were told. They were kind. Curious. Beautiful in their own way."
"But Serrira," Freya said urgently, "Even if some are kind, that doesn't mean they all are. The danger is real. If they discover what you are"
"I was careful," Serrira interrupted gently. "No one found out. And look I'm back. Safe and sound. Doesn't that mean something?"
Freya turned away, her voice tight. "One mistake is enough, Serrira. I can't let you go back again. Not after this."
Serrira frowned, crossing her arms. "You're so stubborn. You always act like the world is scarier than it is. Come with me, then. Just once. I'll show you."
Freya opened her mouth to protest, but Serrira was already swimming ahead. Arri followed behind, hopeful and excited.
They swam far from the kingdom past familiar reefs, beyond the hunting grounds, toward a place long considered forbidden. At last, they stopped near a towering stone just beneath the water's surface.
"Come here," Serrira said, pointing upward. "Look."
Freya hesitated, then slowly followed her gaze.
It was around 11:00 AM. The sea's surface shimmered under the sunlight. Through the clear water, they could see the beach soft golden sand, a few humans walking hand in hand, and waves lazily crashing onto the shore.
Freya's eyes widened. "It's… beautiful."
Serrira smiled. "I've been watching it for a long time. Those buildings the colors, the sounds. Don't you think it's magical in its own way?"
Arri nodded, completely enchanted. "They're walking on their legs! I can't believe they do that all the time."
Freya remained quiet, her face soft with awe but her expression still conflicted.
"No one's ever come this close," Serrira said quietly. "Not in our generation. All we've ever had are warnings and fear. But look at them… They're not attacking anyone. They're laughing. Playing. They look so… normal."
"But that's what makes it dangerous," Freya whispered. "They look harmless until they discover something different and then fear takes over. Fear always leads to harm."
"I know," Serrira replied gently. "But hiding forever isn't the answer either."
Freya turned to look at her. "You told me because you trust me?"
Serrira nodded. "You're the only one I trust this much."
"Then I won't tell anyone," Freya said, her voice steady. "Not a word. I promise."
Relief flooded Serrira's chest. She moved closer and hugged Freya tightly, the water around them warm and silent.
"Thank you," she whispered. "For always being there."
Freya closed her eyes and hugged her back. "Just promise me something in return."
"What?"
"Promise you'll be careful. And if something ever feels wrong… you'll come back. Immediately."
Serrira nodded. "I promise."
And for the first time in a long while, they floated there free from rules, from fear, from the weight of royalty. Three souls, watching a world they were never meant to know.
A world that would change everything.