“It started long, long ago.” Isis began with a faraway look in her eyes.
Princess Lillian was betrothed to the Prince of all of the City of Atlantic. His name… was Prince Riley. Princess Lillian was in love with Prince Riley, but sadly, he felt nothing towards her. To him, it was nothing but duty to marry the eldest Princess of The City of Aquamarine. However, Princess Lillian had a younger sister, Princess Rose. She was the prettiest thing in all of the seven seas, and Prince Riley soon fell helplessly in love with her. One day, Prince Riley went to Princess Rose and he asked her:
“Come away, with me Rose. Where they will never find us. Where we can be together.” He begged her to go on land with her… and Princess Rose agreed. They went to see the Sea Urchin, Esmeralda, to beg her to give them human legs. Esmeralda agreed, but warned them that if they were ever to set foot in the ocean again, they would become Merpeople once more. The prince and princess were only too happy to agree and they went to the surface and stepped onto land. Instantly, their tails disappeared and they were human.
Princess Lillian was devastated to hear the news at first, and then she became blind with rage. She couldn’t believe her dear, sweet sister would do this to her, and became convinced that Prince Riley somehow managed to bewitch Princess Rose. Desperate to save her sister, Princess Lillian went to the surface and tracked Prince Riley and Princess Rose to this town here. She demanded that Princess Rose return to their people in Aquamarine, and that she never venture onto land again. Rose begged her sister to leave her be. She told Princess Lillian that she loved Prince Riley with all her heart and couldn’t bear to leave him.
Princess Lillian was beside herself in rage and hurt at this and dragged Princess Rose back to the water. Prince Riley got there, but he was too late and Princess Lillian forced Rose into the water. She dragged Princess Rose back to Aquamarine, convinced prince Riley wouldn’t follow. But follow he did, all the way to Aquamarine. Prince Riley demanded Rose’s release, desperate to free her. He told them it was too late, he had already married her. Princess Lillian was furious and ordered the guards to kill him. Princess Rose was forced to watch in horror as he was struck down by her people. When it was over, Rose sobbed and sobbed. No one spoke to her; they just left her with the late Prince Riley as she sobbed.
The Sea Urchin, Esmeralda, had witnessed the entire thing, and when the others had gone, she went to the Princess. “Dear child,” she said softly, regret in her eyes, “why do you cry so?”
“He is gone, Madame Esmeralda. My one true love is gone.” Princess Rose sobbed in return.
“Dear child, I am so very sorry. But crying will do no good. I will give you a gift though.” She said, a gentle smile lighting her lips.
“A… A gift?” Rose gave the woman a tearful look, waiting for her to go on.
“Yes… I will give you the gift of life. A child to be more exact.” She said, touching Princess Rose’s cheek affectionately.
“A child? But how-” Princess Rose began, but Esmeralda cut her off with a chuckle.
“Darling, we Sea Urchins can very nearly do anything. We are very powerful creatures.” She then proceeded to touch Princess Rose’s stomach and chant softly. After a moment, she pulled away, and left without another word. Months passed, and Princess Rose born a daughter. Princess Lillian was enraged at this, and tried to kill the child. But Princess Rose had taken the child to the Sea Urchin who had cast a spell on the young child, making her impossible to kill. Princess Lillian and a band of her followers disappeared after that, and the child grew up. She had children, who had children, who had even more children. But the first child was ALWAYS a girl.
Isis shook her head sadly as she focused. “And the first child was ALWAYS protected by the Spell that was cast on Princess Rose’s daughter. I am the eleventh child in the line who has been given the gift. My mother was the tenth. Princess Lillian’s band is still out there… determined to kill me in order to revive their Princess. If a mermaid really DID attack the girl, it means that Princess Lillain's people have returned for me.” She said, fear edging her voice.