The Mermaid Princess and The Elven Prince

Sora's POV

Born as the 5th, the Last, and the only Princess of the Mermaid Kingdom, S'renlandia. I grew up with a very strong sense of insecurity towards everything, and I am nothing but a spoiled brat who liked to be babied and I like it when people showers me with attention.

But growing up, I was never a healthy one, I was often sick and it was the very reason that I wasn't able to get out from my room and mingle with everyone except for my Family. But during my puberty, my health started to improve little by little, and as a precaution, I was still forbidden to go out from my room, and the only chance for me to do so is when a visitor from the other realm goes to visit.

Now I am turning 18, I was then told that my parents and siblings are preparing something grand, and will invite several people from other Kingdoms which means, I will finally be able to go outside and freely.

Excited, of course, I just can't stop asking people on how the preparations are going and who are the ones who will be coming to celebrate with us.

Just a day before, my parents then came into my room to bring me the dress, especially tailored for me. Fitting it, they then told me.

"Sora, you know how it is for a lady of our Kingdom when they come of age, right?" My Mother, the Queen, asked.

Nodding, I said. "I am ought to be married to someone."

Nodding, my Father, the King, then patted my shoulder and said. "Since you are a Princess, the person you should marry must be a Prince of other Kingdom, and for that matter we asked several Princes to join us in the banquet for tomorrow."

Shocked, I then turned and faced the both of them. "S-so you're telling me that I would be deciding on who should I marry after meeting them?"

Shaking her head, my Mother then told me. "You know that will not be the case, sweetheart."

Seconding to her, Father then said. "Choosing who to marry is a job for us, men, and as a soon to be a lady, your job is to make sure that you are presentable enough to be chosen by at least one Prince so we can ensure that you will be wedded."

Raising my brow, I asked them. "Then what will happen if I wasn't chosen?"

Shrugging, Mother looked at Father, and it said. "Then I am afraid that you will not be able live this place for the rest of your life."

"Did you forget that, for us, Mermaids and Mermans to gain the ability to have legs is to be tied to another person with love." Father added, reminding me.

"B-but if I wasn't chosen tomorrow, then why does it mean that I will not have another chance?" I asked, confused.

"Well, if it wasn't tomorrow, then the chances will eventually go down as you continued to age, and as a mermaid princess, you should know that age for us is like a ticking bomb because once you reached the age 25 and you're still aren't married, your beauty will gradually fade and it will be nothing." Mother explained.

Petting my head, Father then said. "So make sure you'll bein your best self tomorrow, okay? We're counting on you."

After that, they left me alone, thinking. "I just hope that a good guy would appear tomorrow and be kind enough to consider someone like me as a wife."

Anxious, I found myself restless, and despite of the fact that it will be a big day for me tomorrow, I just really can't sleep thinking how will my life be like if I am an unlucky one.

Sighing, all I can do is to sing a lullaby for myself. Fortunately, it worked so even if it's already late, I just catch the sleep I can.

The next day, I was awakened by the bustling noise all over our castle, and as usual, I just sat on my bed, waiting for my food to arrive.

"Princess Sora, your food is here." An attendant of mine said.

"Please do come in." I replied.

The attendant then swarm in, placing the tray on my bed. "Please enjoy your breakfast, my Princess. Happy Birthday." It said, before getting out.

Now enjoying the food, there's a knock on my door. "Who is it?" I asked.

"It's us, Sei and Rei." My twin big brothers said in unison, before entering.

"How's our birthday girl?" Rei, The 3rd Prince says.

"I'm fine big brother, why are you guys here?" I asked again.

Pouting, Sei, the fourth Prince then asked. "Do we really need reasons to check on you?" His brows raised.

Smiling, I shook my head. "I'm just asking since everybody seems busy."

Nodding at the same time, they said. "How did you sleep? You've some bags under your eyes."

Giggling at their sameness, I replied. "I'm fine, just slept a bit late."

"Very well then, we'll leave you alone for now." Rei said.

"We'll see you later, okay? Happy birthday! We love you!" Sei then seconded before the two of them left.

Back eating, I remembered my dilemma, making me frown and groan in frustration. "This should be a happy day, but why do I feel like nothing's going on my way." I muttered to myself, sighing.

After eating, I then took a bath and do my usual routine, such us styling my hair, nail care, polishing my jewels and for today, I did my make-up according to the pink and blue dress I will be wearing in a little while.

"Princess, the banquet will be starting in an hour, please be ready soon." An attendant said.

Nodding as if she can see me, I found myself looking into my reflection in the mirror, saying. "Who would want someone like you? You're too simple, naive, and most of all, a sickly spoiled brat."

Smiling bitterly at myself, I decided to just put on my dress, put on my jewelries then retouched my hair and make-up, and as I wait to be called out, I prayed to the Gods to give me a miracle, and made me a promising princess even just for today, but of course, I knew it was impossible so the only thing that's left to do is to give it my best.

When it's time for me to go out, it were big brothers Satou (The Crown Prince) and Seya (The Second Prince) who fetched me from my room, and assisted me to the banquet hall.

Taking a deep breath, I then flashed a big smile to everyone as I and my brothers passed by them. Reaching the throne where are parents and other siblings are, Big brother Satou then welcomed and thanked everyone for celebrating with us.

As the banquet started, my parents and brothers then dragged me around to meet and greet the people, but I was already tired of smiling so I hid myself from the crowd for a while.

Sitting on the edge of the Castle's Balcony, I found myself humming a tune to relax, then all of the sudden, someone came in, startling me, making me almost fall.

Luckily, it caught me just in time so I was safe. "Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." It said, making me look up.

"A-a prince?" I asked, guessing.

Nodding, he looked at me with a smile. "Are you okay?" He asked, gently putting me back up.

"Y-yes, thank you." I politely said.

Smiling again, he sat beside me and said. "I'm amazed how pretty is your voice even you're only humming.

Politely smiling back, I looked at him. "Thank you. But why are you out here, shouldn't you be inside?"

Chuckling, he questioned me back. "Shouldn't I ask you that? Isn't it your birthday? Why are you sitting out here alone?"

Feeling shy, I looked down. "Just taking a break, I guess."

Looking at me nonchalantly, he said. "Tiring isn't it? I mean, smiling around acting you're fine even you're not."

Somehow, I felt myself nod at his remarks.

"Don't worry, I feel the same. I was never a people person after all." He said, his face now look calm.

"Uhm! if I may, can I ask your name, my Prince?" I asked.

Smiling, he looks up and said. "Nao. I'm the Crown Prince of the of Elvenida"

Feeling honored to be talking with a crown prince, I found myself bowing down to him. "I hope I didn't made you feel uncomfortable, my Prince."

Shaking his head, he smile at me again, saying. "No you definitely didn't. I mean, I actually felt comfortable talking to you even for a bit."

Find myself blushing, I quickly looked away. "Uhm! We should probably go back inside." I said, carefully lifting my tail up to the other side, but all of the sudden, he lifted me up before gently put me down.

"Shall we?" He said, offering his arms to me.

Feeling shy, but don't wanna be rude, I carefully linked my arms to him and thanked him.

"No worries, my Princess, it's just a normal courtesy." He said, walking me back inside, then to the throne. "Sorry for taking a time of your Princess, my King, my Queen." He politely said as he give my hand to my father.

Looking at me in shock, my Father then said. "I-it's fine, my Prince. This Princess of ours is a bit aloof, I'm surprised that you caught her."

Chuckling, Prince Nao shook his head. "I'm glad to caught her." He paused, looking at me then back to Father. "By the way, I was told you guys are planning to marry her off, have someone showed interest already? I'd be more than happy to have her myself."

All shocked to his straight forwardness, my parents and siblings then looked at me as if asking me if something happened when I was away.

Shaking my head, I looked at Prince Nao and said. "My Prince, I appreciate your help but are you sure? I mean, aren't you just being impulsive?"

Prince Nao then looked at me, ready to answer, but my Father butts in, saying "W-we will be more than happy to give you her hand, my Prince. Maybe you could stay here with us for a bit so we can talk about it more."

"I understand, my King. But would it be okay if I excuse myself for a bit? I just need to talk with someone first." Prince Nao then replied, walking away from us, leaving me alone with the prying eyes of my family.

Blushing, I pouted and looked away. "W-why are you guys staring at me like that?"

"Tell us what happened! How come you managed to make him that offer?" Big Brothers, Rei and Sei asked, in unison.

Biting my lips, I said. "N-nothing, I just talked to him. I didn't even know, Mother and Father told everyone that they're looking for someone to marry me."

Big brother Seya then laughed. "Way to go, Princess, and here we thought it'd be hard."

Rolling my eyes at him, I said. "I didn't know it'd be easy either. It's just way too good to be true. He'll might change his mind later."

Patting my head, big brother Satou then told me. "Sora, that guy is the Crown Prince of the Elven Kingdom. I'm afraid he's dead sure offering an engagement like that."

Pouting even more, I looked at them, unsure of what I am feeling, but Mother looked at me with a smile on her lips and tears on her eyes.

"Sora, I'm so happy for you." She said, hugging me tight.

Feeling shy but also somewhat relieved, I hugged her back, saying "I'm just glad I didn't let anyone down."

All of my brothers then joined us, followed by Father who easily hugged us all, he even effortlessly lifted all of us up.

Seeing us having a moment, Prince Nao, who was now standing right before us then give me smile.