"What a coincidental encounter, even the timing is so perfect. Everything seems preordained by fate."
Rhine thought, looking at Aurora beside him, and suddenly had a speculation:
Back then, the Soldier in the story of The tinderbox also went to capture this girl, who was supposed to be Sleeping Beauty.
Do the protagonists of fate attract each other like magnets?
If this is truly the case, does it mean that even if he doesn't interfere with the trajectory of fate, the protagonists of fate will still interact, leading to unexpected changes that deviate from the original work?
Princess Ariel, known as the "Sixth Princess," listened to the other Mermaids' dissuasion and shook her head helplessly:
"Thank you for your kindness. But I have a reason why I must go find the Sea Hag. There are some things that cannot be accomplished without magic—even if I am the Great-grandmother's beloved Mermaid."
Things that could only be done with magic… Aurora instinctively shifted her gaze to the young Rhine.
Aside from the Black Witch, whom she only knew about through legends, this teacher was the most powerful magician she had ever met!
Through the transparent belly of the large fish, Rhine smiled at Princess Ariel and said:
"Since that's the case, Princess, let's go find the Sea Hag together. That way, we can all have company."
Joy appeared in the mermaid princess's eyes.
The boy's demeanor and profound knowledge had deeply impressed all the Mermaids, big and small, including her. There was nothing better than traveling with this knowledgeable Scholar.
Moreover, she had seen too few humans. To be with that handsome Prince, she had to understand the rules of the human world. She would certainly have many, many questions to consult this Human Scholar later!
Seeing that they could not dissuade the two humans and Princess Ariel, the Mermaids could only disperse helplessly.
They watched the large fish carrying Ariel and the two humans swim towards the Sea Hag's coral forest, disappearing into the deep blue.
"Oh, that's right, I almost forgot. Humans have visited our kingdom. Such big news must be told to others, told to the great Sea King!"
The Mermaids swam around, telling their friends and relatives what they had just witnessed, and reporting it to the Sea King's Palace guards.
Before long, this bombshell news spread throughout the Mermaid kingdom.
…
In the Sea King's Palace, where a ball had just ended.
On the magnificent seashell throne, the Sea King, holding a trident, listened to his subordinates' reports, astonished:
"Goodness! Humans have actually visited our underwater kingdom. Something like this has never happened since I was born. No, that's not right, it has never happened in our kingdom's three-thousand-year history!"
"Moreover, one of the two humans who came to our kingdom is an elegant and kind Human Scholar. Although everyone says he looks like a child, perhaps human children are just that knowledgeable."
"I never would have thought that humans understand us to such a profound degree! Yet our understanding of the human world is so minuscule."
The Sea King sighed.
As the king of this sea region, the monarch of Mermaids and other intelligent sea creatures, the Sea King also harbored infinite longing for the world above the sea. His greatest regret was being unable to establish diplomatic relations with human kingdoms.
Physiological limitations prevented Mermaids from coming ashore. The humans who occasionally interacted with Mermaids were sailors on ships at sea.
However, for some reason, the sailors on passing ships feared and disliked Mermaids, always avoiding them.
This was truly strange.
"I think I must summon that Human Scholar. Let him be the most honored guest in the Sea King's Palace, and ask him to tell us more about the human kingdom. This is necessary for us to understand the human world and become friends with humans!"
The Sea King said to the ministers in the palace and his Great-grandmother.
However, the Sea King's Great-grandmother, the "Great-grandmother" in the Mermaid Princesses' mouths—a noble Mermaid who was arrogant about her high birth and wore a dozen oysters as decorations on her tail—raised an objection:
"Since the beginning of history, Mermaids and humans have been separated into two worlds. Two humans coming to the underwater kingdom will absolutely not be a good thing!"
"Not driving them out is already merciful. We absolutely cannot let them step into our magnificent palace!"
The Sea King did not quite agree with his stubborn Great-grandmother but dared not openly oppose her.
Just as he was thinking about how to resolve the disagreement between himself and his mother, the Great-grandmother learned some bad news from another Mermaid guard.
"What! You say Ariel went to find that Sea Hag?"
"Oh no! Oh no!"
"That ugly sea witch never brings anything good. She only demands unacceptable prices!"
"How could my beloved Ariel go to her? Is there any wish that I, her Great-grandmother, cannot fulfill for her?"
This old lady, the Sea King's mother, completely changed from her previous dignified appearance. She was utterly flustered, anxiously wagging her tail, darting up and down, and shouting loudly.
Everyone in the Sea King's Palace knew that although the Great-grandmother was usually unapproachable and majestic, as soon as Ariel was mentioned, she would immediately change her demeanor.
The Great-grandmother doted on the Mermaid Princesses the most, and among the six princesses, the youngest and most beautiful Princess Ariel was her most cherished treasure.
"We must bring the Princess back! Before she meets that Sea Hag."
The Great-grandmother and the Mermaid guards rushed out of the palace.
Seeing his mother leave, the Sea King, though also worried about Ariel's situation, felt a slight sense of relief.
He gathered the ministers of the Sea King's Palace and gave his command:
"Spread my word—this is the command of the Sea King. Summon that knowledgeable human to my palace as soon as possible. I am willing to honor him as the most distinguished and noble guest, and personally consult him about the human kingdom!"