(POV Aileen)
We step outside, and waiting in front of the great doors is the most extraordinary sight—an enormous seashell carriage, pulled by six magnificent creatures.
I glance at Aura… or is it Amina?
Will I ever be able to tell them apart?
"What kind of fish are those?" I ask.
They exchange a quick smile.
"Oh, they're not fish! They're giant seahorses. Strong enough to pull our… what do you call them? Carriages?"
"Oh… right. Carriages."
I move closer as the twins bow their heads, and that's when I notice them—King Nèilos and Queen Selìna, already seated inside the shell, waiting for me.
"There you are, dear. Slept well? Did you enjoy your meal?" the Queen asks, her voice warm and polished.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Good. Then come along. We have much to show you."
The King offers me his hand. I step inside and sit opposite them. The Queen taps lightly against the ceiling of the shell—and we glide forward.
The ocean opens around us.
Glowing fish drift through the water like scattered stars. The seafloor hums with quiet life. Every rock, every strand of seaweed, every passing creature feels woven into something seamless. Whole. Perfect.
Each flick of a fin is a whisper.
Each rising bubble, a spell.
Before long we enter the first city—Minybè.
It's a labyrinth of natural sea-caves, carved into the seabed, repeating in gentle variations—homes of the People of the Sea. Lively. Adorned with handcrafted treasures made by marine artisans. Even their exteriors are arranged to blend flawlessly into the coral and stone.
Nothing feels forced here. Everything belongs.
What I once mistook for muffled silence is simply… another way of listening.
Children's laughter ripples softer than air-born sound, yet just as bright. Songs echo in tones unfamiliar to me—strange, haunting, beautiful.
And the shipwrecks.
Oh, the shipwrecks.
"Do you like it, dear? Would you like to go inside?" the Queen asks, pausing before the shattered remains of a colossal vessel, half-claimed by the sea.
"But… isn't that someone's home?" I hesitate. "A shark? A giant squid? A wolf fish… an orca?"
"A colossal squid, to be precise," she replies lightly. "Well? And?"
"And… isn't that dangerous?"
"Of course. If you were alone. But you're not, are you?"
She smiles—just a little too knowingly—and takes my hand, guiding me inside.
The master of the house approaches.
I nearly faint.
One of his eyes could rest comfortably in my cupped palms. His presence is overwhelming. Unreadable.
I'm trembling when he suddenly extends two massive tentacles and lifts the King and Queen into the water as if they were children, laughing and spinning them around.
"Ughel! Did you miss us?"
"Tremendously!" he booms, his voice deep but oddly cheerful.
One enormous pupil swivels—and locks onto me.
"And who is this?" he asks, suspicion threading his tone.
For a split second, I wonder if I've been brought here as an offering.
But the King intervenes.
"A friend. Treat her as you treat us, Ughel."
That's all it takes.
A tentacle curls gently around me, lifting me into the water. He sways me back and forth, like a child on a swing.
It's terrifying.
And then—
It's fun.
I find myself laughing.
By the time we leave, I'm almost sorry to say goodbye.
The day drifts by in a blur of wonder. And the next. And the next. We visit new cities, meet new creatures, wander through endless stretches of this vast and luminous kingdom.
Twenty days pass.
The Realm is immense. Beautiful. Unlike anything I have ever known.
With each passing day, I feel myself growing more connected to this place… and I can't help wondering—
Why can't I have a tail too?
(POV Queen Selìna)
Twenty-one days.
Right on time.
She's ready.
Tonight, she will meet the High Nobility.
Tonight, everything will be set in motion.
And when it is done—
Aileen will belong to us.
Completely.
Beautiful. This is where the psychological shift deepens — so I'm going to lean into subtle distortion, emotional layering, and that slow-burn unease Webnovel readers love.
Here's the narrative localization, fully naturalized:
(POV Aura)
The gala is tonight.
It's already been a year since the last one.
If only my sister and I were allowed to attend…
"So. Shall we go?"
"Isn't it a little early to start getting her ready? There are still hours before the ceremony," Amina says.
"You're right. But I have a strange feeling."
She studies me for a moment, then nods.
"Alright. Let's go."
We take the gown Her Majesty sent, leave our chambers, and swim toward the Cloud Princess's suite.
I knock.
The door flies open.
Aileen stands framed in the doorway, back straight, eyes flashing.
"Finally! Where have you been? Today is not the day to take your time, don't you think?"
The words hit like a wave.
How rude… She was so gentle when she first arrived.
But the days have been passing. And with each one, she shows more of who she really is. Spoiled. Sharp-tongued. Impatient.
And yet…
That doesn't make sense. Amina and I are never wrong about people.
So why does this feel… off?
"Are you planning to stand there staring all afternoon? Move!"
She gestures sharply.
Even Amina looks unsettled.
"Forgive us, Your Highness," we say together, hurrying forward.
"This is the gown the Queen has sent for tonight," I explain carefully. "Mother-of-pearl silk. Handcrafted by the Royal Seamstress on Her Majesty's personal commission."
The Princess's expression changes instantly.
She runs her fingers over the fabric, her eyes lighting up.
"It's unusual… different from the others," she murmurs. "The skirt wraps close to the body and trails past my feet like a mermaid's tail. I love it. And these transparent slippers… this diamond crown… I must thank the Queen. It's exquisite. Help me put it on."
I don't understand the excitement.
Her usual dresses are far more beautiful, in my opinion.
(POV Aileen)
It's breathtaking.
I turn slowly before the mirror, watching the long train glide behind me, imagining it flowing like a tail.
My tail.
But no matter how I twist or tilt—
It's still just fabric.
A sudden ache rises in my chest.
"I envy you," I say softly.
The twins freeze.
"Envy us?" one of them asks.
How can they not understand?
"You're both magnificent Sirens. And I…" I glance down at my legs. "With these feet…"
"Your Highness," the other replies, her tone cool, almost distant. "You are the Princess of Nuvolandia. You mustn't forget that."
Nuvolandia?
What is that?
The name echoes strangely in my mind. I don't recall ever hearing it before. Perhaps it's some enchanted kingdom from an old tale…
But I'm not like them. That much is obvious. I don't have a tail.
So what am I?
What kind of being breathes underwater but walks on feet?
If I can live here, then I must be a sea creature too… mustn't I?
So which one?
Why can't I remember?
A faint unease flickers through me—then fades.
It probably doesn't matter.
Still…
I wish I were a mermaid.
(POV Dorcha)
I'm at my limit.
I'm tired.
Not from the wounds. Not from the hunger, the bruises, the insults.
What's killing me is the thought that it's over.
Aileen…
Will I really never see you again?
…Where are you? Are you safe?
Are you even alive? Do you feel the absence the way I do?
Without you, it's like something vast and hollow is swallowing me whole.
I hate this cage.
But what can I do?
I have no strength left. No weapons. No power.
If I could just speak to Grogher—
But how? How?!
My chest tightens. I can't breathe.
Air. I need air—
…
No.
Calm down.
Think.
Even without the Sigillum, the world won't hold much longer.
Mission failed.
And that thought brings no comfort.
None.
I wonder how the others are holding up.
If we're all destined to die waiting… I hope, at least, they're suffering less than I am.
Aileen…
(POV Aileen)
I can barely contain myself.
Tonight.
It's finally here.
And I—
I will stand as the Guest of Honor.
Me.
At the most important celebration of the year.
The privilege everyone longs for.
The entire noble court will be there.
It's going to be magnificent. I just know it.
There will be speeches of gratitude for the King and Queen's rule, a lavish banquet, music and dancing, gifts exchanged beneath the glow of pearl lanterns. And at the end, blessings for a brighter year ahead.
The thought of being presented formally to the High Society of the Sea makes my heart race.
Slow down.
Breathe.
Everything will be perfect.
I still can't quite believe it.
It's almost time… I should see how I look.
Just for a moment.
The twins have truly outdone themselves.
My hair is arranged like a queen's, threaded with tiny diamonds that catch the light. The makeup is soft, luminous—opalescent gold that warms my skin.
I've never looked like this before.
Never felt this beautiful.
My dress fits as though it was born with me. The slippers are weightless against my feet.
I hardly recognize myself.
A knock at the door.
That must be them.
One of the twins peeks inside.
Finally.
"I'm ready," I say, smiling, and follow her.
The other is waiting in the corridor.
They seem tense.
Strange.
Why?
I can't quite place it.
Oh well…
It doesn't matter.
Does it?