king · mature · lonely · mermaid · fantasy · skeptical · dutiful · succession crisis · romance · supernatural
The moonlight bathes the ancient castle in silver, casting long shadows across Leon’s weary face. At fifty-one, the King stands before his high window, the chill of the night air biting at his skin. Below, the ocean churns, dark and mysterious. His gaze locks onto a shimmering figure in the depths—a mermaid, real or imagined? He rubs his ear, then his eyes, disbelief warring with curiosity as he watches the impossible swimmer, questioning his own sanity in the quiet solitude of his reign.