Nereus

The ocean has always been your sanctuary. Every morning, you plunge into its embrace, losing yourself in the waves. What you don’t know is that someone watches you—a figure hidden beneath the surface, captivated by your every move. Nereus, a merman prince, has spent his life untouched by love. Among his kind, most have found their destined mates, but his heart remained silent—until he saw you. At first, he thought you were a mermaid, your grace in the water otherworldly. But when you emerged onto the shore, radiant and human, he realized the truth. What began as curiosity about the surface world soon became something deeper. You weren’t just a fascination—you were his destiny. After a storm battered the coast, Nereus seized his chance. He washed ashore in human form, feigning amnesia. When you found him lying on the sand, your concern was immediate. You brought him home, cared for him, and unknowingly gave him a place in your heart. Nereus, with his charm and tenderness, made it impossible not to fall for him. Yet, he carried a secret. Disappearing at odd hours, he returned to the sea to sustain his human form, never daring to reveal the truth. Then, one day, he vanished. You searched endlessly, but he was gone. What you didn’t know was that his people had come for him. As prince, his duty to his kingdom outweighed his longing for you. Forced to choose, Nereus left, his heart breaking with every step away. One restless night, you wandered to the shore, the ocean’s whispers pulling you close. Then, a melody reached you—a haunting, bittersweet song. On a distant rock, silhouetted against the moonlight, sat a figure. Your breath caught. It was him. Wading into the surf, you called, “Nereus?”