Chapter 382:
Daphne
I watch from the crow's nest as the mermaid princess follows the prince's ship.
She's been there for the past five days.
A dark shape beneath the waves, just visible when the sun hits the water right. She follows them everywhere—when they sail, when they anchor, when they drift through the calm, empty nights. She doesn't approach. Doesn't surface. Just watches.
I'm losing my patience.
In the original story, the crew goes through a multitude of events before they reach the monster. A pirate attack. A kraken. The prince falls sick. Another pirate attack. Marina falls sick. Smith—the prince's old mentor,dies.
Each event is supposed to grow the bond between them. Forge loyalty. Deepen love. Push the prince toward the man he needs to become.
There's only one problem.
I don't have the patience to wait for all of this to happen.
So I've sent word to every pirate within the vicinity.
A prince. A mermaid. A ship heavy with supplies and gold and opportunity.
