Maria sits at her family's table yet giggles a few times. as she listen to all of the stuff she had miss out on. in the past couple of months but has a happy smile on her face. her Uncle Ryu talks with her wife Liliana while they have dinner. Runa and Flora both got to dance with the prince each. but they both found a guy they really like when dancing with random men. every now and then Maria would look at the Wynyard royal family's table. she could not stop thinking about Lucas at all.

For a moment, Maria turned towards his table and Lucas realized that they were now looking at each other. He was about to wave back at her when a sharp jab to his side nearly knocked him over. Before he could regain his composure, the prince found his head in an armlock. One of his rowdier cousins, Earl Collin, was just wishing Lucas the best in the only way he knew how. Known for being a comedian, no family gathering could be a serious one while he was around. However, as an Earl, he knew when to prioritize decorum over play. For the next few minutes, roaring laughter could be heard from the table and those within earshot around it. Hardly anyone could keep a straight face upon hearing the ludicrous things coming out of this man's mouth.

When Lucas was able to catch his breath and when a now-more-than-drunk Collin finally let him go, he looked again to where the girl in blue sat. She was now busy talking to another girl at her table, a cousin of hers perhaps. Lucas saw no need to bother her while she was busy. 'There's always after dinner.', he reassured to himself, and shifted his attention to his food. When everyone finished their meal, many chose to return to the dance floor to party the night away. Some chose to play instead, enjoying games such as cards, dice, chess, or a round of pool and others in the royal game rooms. The rest who felt they were no longer energetic enough to join the others opted to stay in their seats and chat with their neighbors or to eat again.

The prince, on the other hand, waited until the Highwaters' family had finished their dinner before deciding it was time to head over. Excusing himself from his table, the red-headed boy started walking over to a certain young lady in blue.

Flora and Runa excuse them self's form the table to go dance some more. "Have fun girls oh by the way Maria tell your Mother I say. thank you for that seaweed soup recipe. everyone that had tried it so far likes it,but we are going to go dance now." Liliana says to her niece as she gets up form the her seat. she en Ryu walk off away form there table on to the dance floor.

Maria wonders about if she should go home are not. in the early morning hours to go see her family. they were a sleep by now in there comfy beds sleeping. she knew now why her grand mother tolled her not to eat fish. when they are cooked get a sickened smell form it the poor teen. had to say no after just smelling some of the fish on a plate. yet now she sits a lone by her self at the table starting to hum a song. quietly to her self not wanting other people to her voice.

Lucas was surprised to find Maria by herself at the table but approached her all the same. "Not only are you graceful on your feet but you have a wonderful voice as well.", he said upon hearing the soft song she hummed. Though the din of the party covered it well, once he was close enough the beauty's melody sounded crystal clear. "You must be really popular with all the gentlemen in your hometown. Now I'm beginning to worry that I may have competition.", he joked. Then Lucas once more extended a hand to his companion. "Would you like to go someplace a little more quiet, my lady?"

---

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Raising a gloved hand to her mouth, Phoebe politely stifled a yawn. She was already bored with the subject her friends were talking about. Deciding to take it upon herself to bring up something more interesting, the princess interrupted a young duchess' next giggle-filled sentence with a question. "Pray tell, do any of you know who that girl is?", she says, pointing slightly with her folded fan, "You know, the one who got the first dance with his majesty?"

As she had predicted, the gossipy sides of her associates provided to be a good source of information. Almost immediately, the other upperclass women began going on about what they knew. Phoebe had to momentarily calm everyone down and establish a speaking order.
"Well, I for one have never seen her attend any of the other royal galas and gatherings I've been to. And I've been to A LOT. I suppose she's a local girl?", one blue haired princess replied.

"Of course she's a local! She's seated at the same table as Lord and Lady Highwaters! Isn't she one of their daughters? What was her name again? Flo..?", said the bubbly duchess. Her contribution was immediately cut off by the young daughter of an Earl.

"No! No! The Highwaters only have two daughters! They're over there dancing, see? I've lived here all my life and I've never seen her before." This was a slight exaggeration as it was well known that the Earl's daughter had only moved to Arlia when she was eight.

"I found it odd that the lady did not like the fish. Or rather, she couldn't stand even to be near it.", interjected yet another noblewoman. "Poor thing. Do you suppose she doesn't like the taste? If one is to live near the sea one should expect sea food to be a staple."

"At least the dinner was good, wouldn't you agree? The duck, especially!", the duchess concluded. At this point the conversation derailed into what each girl's favorite food was and what they would like to try again. But Phoebe didn't mind this time. She had heard what she wanted to hear. 'So. Related to the Highwaters but never been seen at Arlia. Doesn't attend social functions. Does not like fish. Hmmm...' Looking out a window, the princess continued to think. 'That silk dress of hers. It's too high quality for anyone to come across so easily in this area. Only merchant ships have access to the lands that make such a fabric. She could be a merchant's daughter. That would explain a lot. The Highwaters do have a prosperous trade business. But merchants travel often and I'm pretty sure someone would have seen her in other countries as well as in this town if that was the case. What a suspicious girl....'

"Sure that sounds nice and most guys in my home town are after other girls. but if anyone hears me sing they will beg me to keep singing for hours on end. it can be a pain at times since I am shy a lot back home." Maria says to Prince Lucas yet was a bit sacred. since she knew a lot of people would wonder were she is form. even why her family dose not come up visit there family member's more often. one reason they can't visit to often is that her twin brothers. tend get in two much trouble when they come in to this port town. last time the broke a rare vase that came form Chain her Uncle had to pay for it.

Let's just say he tolled the twins next time the come to town. he would have to keep them away form breakable thing's. by putting them in harness of some sort are on a leash like a dogs. one other thing why they don't come out her that much is cause. her mother is sickly since she was younger. so they can't be out in about to much when they have her with them. as for her grand mother Umi she comes on land when likes two but. is know for being a singer that is retired do to old age. she is quite famous for someone her age at lest that is what she had heard.

"I suppose I can't blame them. Your voice is rather marvelous. But I won't ask you to sing if you don't want to." Eagerly taking Maria's hand and helping up to her feet, Lucas led the way through the plethora of dancers, guests, and servants. "How about we go down to the shore? There's a spot I love to go that's at the back of this old castle. I doubt there's anybody there at this time. Besides, I need to drop something off. For a friend, I guess you could say." Instead of going out through the main castle doors which were crowded with many loiterers, Lucas decided to take a less populated route. They took two hallways to the left after reaching the lobby and cut through the inner courtyard once they got to the end. They would head towards the back, through a small, unused music room and out its balcony door. "Well, here we are." Lucas smiled, turning to the lady with bright green eyes that seemed to match the hue of warmer and verdant seas. "I hope you don't mind getting a little wet. But we don't have to walk too close to the water if it bothers you. I can understand if you wouldn't want to get your dress wet."

Maria only lets Prince Lucas lead the way she notice he was happy get away form. his own birthday party but like the idea of going to the shore. she just hope she would not turn in to a mermaid in front of him. knowing water touching her feet may cause it to happen for all she knows. "I don't mind getting wet at all the shore is lovely place. but what if your friend dose not get what your drooping off?" she ask him but wonder if her dolphin friend would. try to come around here if it start to her singing? the dolphin if still a baby but it loved being by her side. Maria step by the water yet try's to stand on a rock even if it slippery. she use one of her hands to grab at the end of her dress to hold it up. she did not want the fabric to get all wet at all since it was hard to get.

"In all honesty, I'm not sure. I've never actually seen my friend pick up any of the gifts I leave. All I know is that it's gone by morning and that there's always been a gift for me on the sandbar right where I left what was for them," Lucas replied. Reaching into his pocket, he fished out a small lacquer box. Inside was a gold necklace. Small black jets lined the chain and three large rubies hung from its center. Five smaller diamonds flanked the fire red gems

Carefully, he placed the box on the sandbar as far away from the water as possible. He was thankful that the tide always stayed low from night till noon in this area. It meant that the gifts would be safe from getting washed away. The only times Lucas worried was when the weather was stormy. In those cases, he learned it was best to wrap his gifts up in something waterproof and tie them down to multiple rocks as a precaution. While he found the things from his mystery friend in the mornings, Lucas always left a gift for his friend at night. He had tried staying up before to see if he could discover their identity, but unfortunately he would always fall asleep. The prince just wasn't a night owl.

"Today will be the third year we've been sending each other gifts. Yet I still don't know anything about this gracious person." Although a small smile was on the red-head's face, he was a little saddened by the thought. "Ah well. Not much one can do about it I guess. I just wish I knew whether they were a boy or girl. I've been sending different kinds of gifts just in case they were one or the other. But it would help me a lot to know if I should stop sending jewelry. If my enigmatic friend turned out to be a man, what then of the jade comb and the emerald hair pins that I sent?" Lucas said, and started to laugh at the embarrassing conclusion.

"I'm sure your friend likes the gift's you have giving her or him. I am only wondering do you believe in the merpeople?" Maria ask Prince Lucas as she watch him. but really did like the sea air a lot being near the water. but stayed back form the water so she would not get the shoes mess up. as long she dose not put her feet in the water she'll be fine.

"Merpeople?" The prince gave a perplexed look. "You mean like in the stories?" He wondered for a moment if she was being serious or not. But it was an amusing question nonetheless, and Lucas told her all he knew of them. "My grandparents used to tell me how sailors used to see them when they went out to sea. Sometimes people even traded with them. Humans and Merpeople were good neighbors back then." He stopped a moment to remember what else he had heard from the elder folk. "I also heard that for some reason, they don't show themselves to us as much anymore. A lot of people have started dismissing them as just fairy tales nowadays. But my mother believes in them. She says that she had seen a mermaid before when she was just a little girl. I wish I could say that I believe merpeople exist, but it's a little hard to when I've never seen one or proof of one." Lucas wasn't sure what Maria wanted to hear but he hoped his answer wasn't too disappointing. All he could do was be honest. "What about you? Do you believe in Merpeople?"

As he spoke, he moved a little closer to the edge of the water. The small ripples licked at his boots but Lucas didn't mind. As a human, he had nothing to worry about if he got wet.

Maria smiles yet giggles hear what Prince Lucas has to say. about the merpeople but was glad to here people somewhat think. that they are still around yet wish she could show him she is one. but did not want to get caught by other humans if they found out. "I believe in the merpeople I really think they exist still. maybe they are just shy since I have heard rumors. that if people have chance to catch one they will sell it off for since." she says to him as a sad smile showed on her face knowing. only a few mermaids have said such things but did not. know if it is true are not at all but said it any way.

She then walks closer to the water carefully then put. one of her hand's in to the water for a few minutes. Maria gasp softly as she felt a clam grab a hold of one of her fingers. "Ow dam clams why do they all ways. clamp there shell's on my finger's!" Maria says while pulling her hand out of the water. yet gets her self really wet in the process since the dang clam. was trying to fight with her to keep it self in the water.

"Oh. Well that's a terrible thing to do! How could anyone wish to capture another person just to sell them off as if they were mere objects?!" Lucas had not heard or seen any such activity going on in the kingdom or in the countries surrounding them nor did he wish to. But he hoped the selling of mermaids was truly just a rumor.

When Maria bent down to touch the water, Lucas only thought she meant to pick up a shell and looked towards the castle to see if anyone might be looking for them. It was his birthday party after all, and it would be rather suspicious if he wasn't seen amongst his other guests in a while. But once he heard the young woman's shocked reaction, he turned back to her to see what was the matter. Acting quickly, Lucas grabbed hold of the two halves of the clam's shell and tries to get it to open a little wider so Maria's finger could slip out. "Are you alright?" he asked, tossing the clam back into the sea before checking on her finger. Taking her injured hand carefully into his, Lucas looked over the sore digit. "It's red where it bit you. Do you want to go back in so we can put some ice on it? Your clothes got wet too. I can have someone buy you some new clothes if you want to change them."

"Oh no Dammit!" Maria cruse as she notice her legs had gotten wet. her tail was back now just her rotten luck why. did shell fish all ways heat her so much for? but was unsure what Prince Lucas would say to her now. she was the one how had left him gift for these past 3years now. but being a mermaid it was hard for her to stay a human. if she get's wet around her feet are legs it would make her change back. "Please don't tell anyone about this please I beg of you. only my cousin's,Uncle and Aunt know about what you see now." she says but was blushing even if she sounded really worried.

If any of the people form the ball see's her like this they would know. why she dislike eating fish so much for. truth be tolled tonight was wonderful for her but. did not want to make other people question her family. that was still inside at the ball right now about her being a mermaid. other wise know as a merperson she wonder what the prince would do now?

"What's wrong?!" Lucas asked with a startled look on his face. At first he thought she was about to faint and held onto her so she wouldn't fall. But upon closer inspection, he discovered that where her legs should be, a pale green fish's tail stuck out. It soon dawned on him what Maria was even though he still could not believe what he was seeing. "A mermaid? You're a mermaid??" His first reaction was to try to get help for her. Maybe Lord Ryu and Lady Liliana would know what to do since they were her family. His guess was right when Maria revealed that only the Highwaters knew of this, however she pleaded for him not to tell anyone else. "I understand," he said, "Do you want me to go call Lord and Lady Highwater? But what if someone else comes out and sees you? You should probably hide somewhere." Lucas worried for her safety even though he was still surprised that she transformed. A real mermaid right before his eyes. It made all those merfolk stories much more believable. The only place the prince could think of that could serve as a hiding place was behind the big rock nearby. "How about behind that?" he asked, pointing to the large, reddish brown structure speckled with barnacles. A few small crabs walked along its exterior while one blue and one orange starfish clung to the part of it just below the water line.

Maria think's about what Lucas said first he was right she should hide for now. "I know this is wrong time to say this but I'm in Love with You. I'll go hide now and no don't tell them it would only make them worry. I hope you like the birthday gift I pick out for you." Maria says but blush for a few minutes when she confuse that she loved him. but a few moments later she jumps out of his arms in to the water. start's to swim to the large reddish brown structure to hide behind it. unsure if anyone form the castle would come to look for him. but wonder if she should go home soon are stay. till the ball is over with then head on home?

Right now she was sacred for her life since if anyone on a balcony. pointing to the sea saw what happen just few moments ago. she would have to lay low for a few months are years till they forgot. about what they had seen tonight but hope the prince would not be. two shock by the fact she was in love with him. yet was lucky she all ways kept her seashell top on at all times. but did not want to take the dress off even if it is hard to swim with it on.

Lucas was stunned at her confession. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but a warm blush grew on his face nonetheless. "O-Oh, I see." For a moment, he was at a loss for what else to say. Saying she loved him out of the blue like this, no other girl had ever been so bold before even though they made many furtive gestures that would suggest they liked him. "Um, and I'm sure it's nothing less than wonderful." he said of her gift. He had yet to open it but, now more than ever, he wanted to know what it was. That would be the first gift he ever got from a mermaid. Of course, he still didn't know that it was Maria who had been leaving him the presents on the sandbar.

Lucas watched as she leapt from his arms and into the glistening waves. He found it kind of cute how she did, very much like a fish. The stars and moon were magnificently reflected on the dark blue surface of the sea and it made the mermaid seem as if she was swimming in the night sky. After she swam over to the large red rock, he called out, "I wouldn't mind if you decided to go...uh...home.", wherever her home was, "But if you decide to stay, I'll try to come back later after the ball is over, Lady Highwaters. And I promise I won't tell anyone about your secret." With that, he ran off back to the castle. With one last glance at her pale figure in the water, the prince went back inside the castle.

Once he returned to the large ballroom, his parents went up to him and asked where he had been. "I was just showing Lady Highwaters around the castle, but she had something she needed to attend to and had to leave early." he lied. True to his word, he told no one of what had really happened and what the lovely Maria actually was. Still, he worried that maybe he should tell Lord Ryu and Lady Liliana something.

As for Princess Phoebe, she went about her night mostly bored. She did dance with a few more gentlemen, but eventually left them to talk with her friends. She even tried to speak with Runa and Flora to see if she could get anything out of them about their lucky relative who got the first dance with Prince Lucas. However, all she found out from them was that Maria was their cousin and that she was visiting from another country. As for which country and anything else about her, the two remained stubbornly vague and eventually had to return to their parents' company. There went any leads she might have had and anything that made the party more intriguing. At least when Lucas rejoined the gala she was able to ask him for another dance. But she found that he was a little distracted. One could say he was really happy about something. When she would ask what he was delighted about, he would merely say that he was glad everyone came to his party. Yet every now and again he would stare out the balcony and towards the ocean. Phoebe was somewhat suspicious of this answer but she would accept it for now. At the moment, she was content with just having Lucas all to herself again and that Maria was nowhere in sight.

Maria thinks about staying but did not want anyone to see her at all like this. so she swim's off quickly go to the rock formation. so she can take her dress off it would be to heavy to swim. with it on while waiting for her prince to come back unsure how long. the ball would last but was planing on heading home after the ball. so she can get some rest maybe even try talk to her grand mother Umi. about if it is possible to become a full human she did not mind. giving up her 300year life span to have a normal human life with Lucas. yet she worried if he would not love her back are not at all?

The party ended two hours later which, to Lucas at least, seemed like forever. As the guests started leaving, the prince once more aided his parents in thanking each and every guest for coming and bidding them farewell. Some would spend the night, either in the castle or at the town inns, and wait for their ships to come in the following day. Others whose modes of transportation were more available, left that evening. And those who actually lived in Arlia merely walked home.

Despite having accumulated a vast and varied amount of presents, the prince decided to put off going through them for a later time. Right now, he just waned to see if Maria was still at the beach. As soon as he could, he made his way back to the shore. This time, instead of taking the most direct route through the castle, Lucas went out front around to the back. This way he could avoid arousing the curiosity of the servants and sleep-over guests who would no doubt be walking about the castle at this time. Though it took him a little longer, it gave him the opportunity to duck out of sight of anyone. Arriving at the beach and making sure no one followed him, Lucas approached the great rock that he suggested Maria hide behind. If she was there then he'd be able to talk to her more. If she had already swam home, that was alright as well. He could always just visit the Highwaters family at their house and ask about her from them directly. Looking about once more to make sure no one else was around, Lucas asked, "Are you there, M'lady?", wading into the water as he did so.

Once the party had ended Maria was sitting behind the rock. she hears Prince Lucas call out to her yet swim's. over to the shore line so he would not get his clothes so wet. "I am here Prince Lucas I am glad I waited to see you." she says to Lucas while trying to stay in the water for now. unsure if she could will her self human legs again are not. like she had done so earlier in the day time when she came here before. but was happy to see him again but wonder if he would ask her a lot of questions? if so she would be happy to stay to talk with him for a few hours.

"I apologize if I kept you waiting too long. Are you cold? Oh, but probably not. The sea is already pretty cold and I doubt merpeople would be able to live in a place they thought was uncomfortable." he said. But after some thought, he added, "Unless I'm wrong and you can't stand cold water. I don't really know much about mermaids and mermen. I think not a lot of people do, nowadays." Lucas wasn't bothered by his clothes getting wet so he remained standing in the water. He had many like it in his room anyway. However, he was keenly interested to know more about Maria and her world, but where to begin? "So, can all merpeople become human like you did? Are all the members of the Highwaters family merfolk as well?"

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Princess Phoebe sat in her room in the castle, cheerily brushing her long, onyx black hair. She usually kept it up in a bun or a ponytail when out in public, but was glad to let it down every once in a while. Her hair shined in the light of the lamps and the fireplace of her bedroom with each brush stroke. As she worked, Phoebe sang to herself. Her voice, if compared to Maria's, was dark although about just as sweet.

In a few minutes, she finished her grooming and was about to get into bed. The delicate, satin nightgown she wore was light and airy, trailing behind her as she walked. Phoebe had just sat on her bed, about to remove her slippers, when a knock on the door, followed by the sound of giggling, got her attention.

"Come in." she said, but wondered who it could possibly be at this hour.

"Pardon us, Princess, and also good evening!" It was the cousin of Lucas, Earl Collin Wynyard. He looked just a little bit drunk and overtly merry. In his arms was the familiar face of the peppy and talkative duchess from the gala. She was Duchess Emily Roquefort and she too was staying the night at Arlia. "We were merely wondering if you'd like to join us for a night out in the town?" At this, the light-green haired noblewoman let out another bubbly laugh. "Emily here has quite an interesting story to tell!"

"Thank you, but no thank you. I'm am quite tired from the party. If it's alright with you two, I'd rather sleep. Goodnight." Phoebe replied in a congenial tone. Although she was smiling on the outside, she was a little annoyed that she would be bothered this late for some petty gossip.

"Alright then. Goodnight, love~ But I will say, you'll be missing out!" the duchess exclaimed before the tipsy duo left the room and closed the door behind them.
Finally able to rest, and hoping there would be no further interruptions, the princess crawled into her sheets and fell sound asleep.

"Wow clam down and I did not mind waiting out here. the water is just right for my self." Maria says to Prince Lucas yet giggled a bit more she could tell. he wanted to know a lot of stuff about merpeople so far. she thinks for a minutes before speaking. "To answer your first question not all merflok's. can change in to human's it is quite rare to be able to change in to a human. as for your second question,it is sort of hard to explain really. as long I know only half of my family can change in to humans. my aunt she is was born a human but my uncle he was a merman at first. he was given a chance to become a human after saving a older merman's life how had special powers. he gave my uncle the choice to become a human and go back to the sea once a month on the full moon." she explains to Lucas hoping he would be able to understand what she meant. she moved around in the water a bit to keep her fins wet.

"But I do not know how long I can stay a human. my uncle was the lucky one he chose to live on land. my cousin's Flora and Runa are half mermaid and half human. they have to keep us hidden when we come to visit since. my twin brothers break stuff often when they come over. are trips to land for holidays never last that long. the last time we went in to town my brothers broke. a hole stores worth of breakable items my uncle was displeased with them. he had to pay for everything they broke at the time." Maria says while laughing softly recalling that is had happen 2years ago by now. it had been a long time since she came to land for a holiday.

"Really? Merpeople are so incredible! Thy can go on land as well as live in the sea!" The prince eagerly listened to the stories she told and laughed when she mentioned her brothers. "And is that who got Mrs. Evans so worked up two years ago? All I heard was that she said two little devils rampaged through her store that day." Lucas could not believe his luck. To meet such an amazing girl on his birthday, he considered it the best present he had ever gotten. Seeing as how Maria needed to move around in the water every now and again, Lucas decided to just move into deeper water so that she won't have to worry about her fins feeling dry. He only took off his jacket and shoes, leaving them on the beach before returning to Maria's side. It wasn't a problem for him to get his shirt and pants wet. After reaching where he originally stood, he kept on wading into the sea until his feet no longer touch the sandy floor. Having grown up by the ocean meant getting a chance to swim almost everyday. It was what he did when he was younger. But nowadays Lucas was so swamped with work, he often forgot he could.

"Ahhh, I haven't done this in a while." he said as he swam further from the shore and the castle. The red-head waited a moment for his companion to follow him before continuing, "So merpeople go on land for holidays? I guess it's a little ironic since humans sometimes go out to sea for vacations. What's it like where you live?" As he waited for her reply, the young man brushed his crimson hair back with his hand. His drenched bangs were now getting in the way of his eyes and it was becoming a little bit of a bother.

Maria moves back more in to the water so she can cover her body. yet thinks for a few minutes about the question's. he had ask her yet was happy to hear what that store owners name was. but could not help but laugh as she heard her twins brothers being called little devils. "Those of us how can turn in to humans can. come on to land if they like to it is up to them to be honest. I live in a house made of sea rocks and sea shell's. my family live in a underwater town that is medium sized it is quite nice there." she says to him while recalling how many older merman had. came to there house since she was 15years old asking. for her hand in marriage but each time they would ask.

She would tell them she is in love with someone else. then would ask how ever came to leave in a polite way. even so she only heard a few times how old Prince Lucas is. tonight was his birthday he was now 20years old. she had started to leave him gifts when she was 13years old. so he was 17years old at the time maybe unless she had her math wrong. yet would understand if he picks someone. that is a land dweller to become his bride en not her since. she her self if a person of the sea that would have to find a way. to live on land if he dose chose her to become his bride.

"Seashells on a house and an underwater town? I'd love to see such a sight. But I suppose unless I learn to hold my breath for hours, I won't have such a chance." he said, smiling as he imagined what her house could possibly look like. "Say, will you be able to stay another day in Arlia? Or at least be able to become human again tomorrow? I'd like to show you around the castle. More than what you've seen of it during the party. If you can't then..." Lucas paused for a moment to think of what else they could do that didn't involve walking. "We could go swimming. There's a coral reef off the coast from here, in the direction of the docks. The corals are vibrant and have all the colors of a rainbow. I know you would probably be used to seeing marine life but it also has human treasure in it. Sort of. When merchant ships accidentally crash into it, their cargo usually gets scattered there. Most ships nowadays know that they ought to avoid the place. But sometimes they still bump into it. We usually clear up as much of the mess as we can but we tend to miss a few things every now and again. Don't tell anyone this but, once in a while I go out there to take what gets left behind. If it's interesting enough, of course. Their loss is my gain." A mischievous grin grew on the prince's face after he spoke of his treasure hunting hobby. The night air was getting a little chilly but Lucas didn't pay it any mind. His and Maria's conversation was enough to distract him from the low temperatures, as well as the dimming of the lights in the castle. The occupants of the large building were already heading off to bed one by one. Soon his parents would think to go to his room and wish him goodnight. Should he not be found there, guards and servants would surely be sent every which way to search for him. "Well, how about it?"

"I'll try to become human again tomorrow I would love. to see the rest of the castle with you. I'd only swim around that coral reef that you speak of when I come to leave you gifts at night. but you should go get some sleep and I must head home to get some sleep. as well but I promise to meet you here tomorrow good night Prince Lucas bye bye for now." Maria says to him knowing he would need go inside soon. but waits for him to leave first before she would try head on home. yet would have to go find something in that sunk ship. before coming to up to land to give him a new gift.