The Sea Kingâs voice surged with passion:
"For centuries, the humans of the land have viewed us as cursed monsters. They believe our songs summon storms or lure sailors to their doom, deliberately guiding ships into treacherous currents and deadly reefs.
"When their ships pass above our kingdom, if a sailor so much as glimpses us, they fire poisoned arrows our way. Because in their hearts, we are nothing more than inhuman creatures that bring calamity.
"But I know you, my chosen onesâyou are the merfolk who love humanity the most, who long to understand the world above more than anyone else. Just like my brave daughter, Princess Ariel, who ventured onto land before us. You, too, are curious and eager to see that world with your own eyes.
"Today, we will finally have the chance to erase these prejudices with our own power!
"The magician has promisedâhe can give merfolk legs to walk on land, just as he can grant humans tails to swim in the sea.
"A single pearl from our waters is worth a fortune on land, and yet, the human world holds countless things we cannot produceâsilken garments, delicacies from livestockâ¦
"If we succeed, there will no longer be a barrier between the sea and the land!"
The Sea King vividly recalled the prophecy given by Rhine when he returned to the deep-sea palace a few days ago.
That scene played out once more in his mind:
"Great King of the Sea, I have foreseen that in the near future, the king of the Western Asia Kingdom will set sail. Out on the ocean, they will encounter an unprecedented storm. Towering waves will shatter their ships and swallow them whole."
"I cannot determine the exact moment this fate will unfold, but I know it is not far off."
"And this will be your opportunity."
"Once, a princess of the sea saved a prince of the land and won his heart. Now, the King of the Sea will have his chance to do the sameâto show the landâs ruler the true nature of the merfolk."
The Sea King rose to the waterâs surface, gazing up at the darkening sky.
The clouds grew denser, heavier, their ominous presence casting shadows upon the sea. Silver lightning slithered across the heavens.
And that ominous storm cloud crept ever closer to the grand ship carrying the king of the Western Asia Kingdom.
Boomâboomâboom.
Thunder rumbled, like a thousand cannons firing in the sky.
Meanwhile, in the royal capital of Enderland, celebratory cannon fire echoed across the city. Golden and violet banners fluttered high in the air, marking this sacred and romantic occasion.
Inside the temple, the scent of fragrant oils burned in exquisite lamps atop the altar.
Joyful music filled the air. Bridesmaids, dressed in delicate silken robes, carried the flowing veil of the Princess of Enderland as she walked.
Hand in hand, the bride and groom stood before the priest, receiving his blessings.
But at that moment, from somewhere in the distance, a sorrowful yet passionate song rang out.
Carried by the wind, the voice drifted into Prince Ericâs ears.
The song of the mermaid princess.
The moment the ethereal melody reached him, Prince Ericâstill under the haze of intoxicationâbegan to tremble.
His breath hitched.
A sharp pain shot through his head. His finely sculpted features twisted in agony, his hands clutching his temples as if his skull were about to crack open. ÈðªâòáÎsÌ
"My head⦠it hurts⦠it hurts so muchâ¦"@@novelbin@@
A memoryâsomething forbidden, something buried deepâwas clawing its way back to the surface.
He didnât know why, but this song⦠it stirred something within him.
What Eric failed to realize was that this was the very same song Ariel had sung to him days ago, in the grand hall of the palaceâa song about love.
Sadness welled up in his chest, his vision blurring as his eyes grew hot.
But why?
Was today not meant to be a joyous occasion?
Was he not supposed to be overjoyed at reuniting with the girl who had saved him?
Then why⦠why did he feel this sorrow?
Who was he mourning for?
Under the combined influence of alcohol, enchanted incense, and the magic of forgetfulness, Ericâs mind was sluggish, unable to think clearly.
But his ears no longer registered the jubilant music of the temple.
His eyes could no longer focus on the sacred wedding ceremony before him.
All he wanted was to hear that songâthis sorrowful, yet beautiful melody.
Then, as if possessed, he suddenly abandoned the veiled bride beside him and dashed toward the window.
Like a madman, he pressed against the frame, staring out toward the distant harborâtoward the grand ship of the Western Asia Kingdom.
Gasps filled the temple.
The priests were stunned.
The elegantly dressed Princess of Enderland stood frozen in place.
Before their very eyes, the groom of the evening had abandoned his bride to weep at the window.
"You⦠why are you crying, my prince?" The young princessâ voice trembled in fear.
A sense of unease crept over her.
Something about today felt terribly wrong.
"This is bad," the old witch thought grimly.
"My men have restrained Ariel on the ship, but she can still sing.
"And she⦠she has a voice that is perfect, even by merfolk standards.
"I cannot let Prince Eric keep listening.
"If he hears too much, his memories will return!"
"I just need to hold out until dawnâuntil that mermaid dissolves into white foam!"
But the old witch had not come unprepared.
Her gaze flickered toward the far corner of the templeâtoward a magnificent full-length mirror, which had been discreetly transported into the chamber by soldiers under her command.
That mirror was no ordinary decoration.
It was a tool of sorcery, imbued with ancient magicâa contingency plan she had prepared in advance.
As the guests and priests stood in bewildered silence, trying to understand the princeâs strange behavior, the old witch quietly rose to her feet.
She strode toward the mirror, murmuring an incantation under her breath.
"Last time, I traveled to the Western Asia Kingdom and was carelessâI was slain once and lost my ability to revive for some time.
"But this time is different. This is Enderlandâs royal capitalâmy domain!"
"Here, I hold countless trump cardsâI command Enderlandâs warriors. I have access to the worldâs most hidden archives, storerooms filled with thousands of magical herbs, enchanted relics, ritual-bound locations, and spell-infused structures."
"And most importantlyâthe Emperor of Enderland himself is here.
"He is one of the rarest of legendary warriors, ruler of one of the most powerful nations in the Western Continent. If trouble arises, he will undoubtedly support me!"
"Unless someone of Maleficentâs level intervenesâ¦
"No one in this city can oppose me alone!"
As these thoughts raced through her mind, she completed the spell.
A ghostly light shimmered across the surface of the full-length mirror.
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