The queen had always disliked you even as a child, all because of who you're parents were, since your dad was a pirate and your mom was a high lady turned pirate and you were very much like the both of them but that didn't matter to you or Eric.
You and Eric had grown up together, the love of the ocean and the unknown drawing you two together, you two were always together and you may or may not have had a crush on him as you grew older. When you reached the age your dad let you come on some of his voyages and sometimes Eric joined you but more often than not the queen tried to keep ashore or provide him his own boat away from you and your father.
It had been a few months since you last saw him, and you were excited to return to shore and see him and you hoped that maybe this time something would happen between you two.
"Ready to see your little boy toy?" Your dad asked with a teasing tone.
"Daaadddd." You said with a groan.
"What I see is the way you both look at each other. It reminds me of me and your mother when we were your age." He said making you smile.
"Really?" You asked him as thunder cracked.
"Yes. Take a chance on him, don't worry about his mom, he would be lucky to have someone like you as his queen." He said squeezing your hand.
A few hours later the small storm had turned into a much more serve storm making it difficult for the boat to navigate. Soon enough the boat overturned due to the winds, and you swam up to the surface level searching around for the crew.
"Dad!" You called out.
"I'm right here angel." He said as he hugged you.
You two swam around trying to get out of the storm, since you were a much better swimmer than your dad, you could navigate the waters easier. You turned around and noticed that your dad was no longer with you, making your panic.
"Dad! Dad!" You called swimming around looking for him.
The last thing you remember was reaching the shoreline before everything went black.
When you woke up, you slowly sat up looking around realizing that you were in a room and no longer on the shore. You stood up and walked over to the window and saw that you were in the castle, making you wonder how you got here.
"Oh thank god, you're awake." Eric said walking into the room making you turn and see him.
You walked over to where he was and hugged him, glad to see a familiar face, the only one person who you truly cared about in this world. You two stood there silently hugging grateful that you were here.
"Eric, how did I get here?" You asked him.
"I was gonna ask the same thing. I was walking Max and he was the one who found you unconscious on the shore. I brought you back here immediately." He said as everything started to make sense.
"Y/n what happened?" He asked concerned as you two took a seat on the bed.
"There was a really bad storm, the boat got overturned and I remember being with my father one minute but then the next he was gone. I kept searching for him but I couldn't find him, I barely remember making it to shore." You said sadly.
"We can search party and start checking around for your dad, I promise you, that we will find him." He said squeezing your hand as Max jumped on the bed.
"Max buddy!" You said hugging him as he kissed your face making Eric smile.
"You are more than welcome to stay here while you heal and we search for your dad." Eric said making you look at him.
"Eric what about your mom? You know she doesn't like me." You said looking at him.
"As mother and queen, she should never want a child out on the streets. I'm sure she will be upset about it at first, I'll leave you to rest before dinner." He said standing up and leaving.
"See y/n, this why I don't like my Eric going out on those ships. The sea gods aren't our friends." The queen said as you and Eric shared a look.
"One bad storm isn't a reason to stop exploring. And as for the sea gods, they may not be your friends but they are certainly mine." You said making Eric smile as you continued eating.
Over the next few days, you and Eric spent some much time together which was a great distraction for you. It made you realize just how much you truly did love Eric and how you wished that he saw you that way. The following morning, after breakfast, you ran into Grimsby.
"Anything Grimsby?" You asked him.
"I'm afraid not Miss y/n. But we will keep searching." He said giving you a small smile.
"Thank you, Grimsby." You said sadly before leaving and heading down to the beach with Max hot on your trails.
You had been sitting by the shore scratching Max's back as he rested in your lap, wondering if your father was still out there somewhere or if he was lost at sea forever. Eric who hadn't been able to find you or Max all afternoon finally sees you guys sitting down on the shore making his heartbreak that you had to go through the same thing he did.
"I remember us always coming out here to see if we could see your dad." He said making you smile as you leaned into him.
"That was the best, or when we would try and guess the stories of the ships that were passing through or coming in." You said with a smile.
"You know even if on the off chance we don't find him, you will always have a place here with me." He said lacing a hand with yours.
"Eric, what are you saying?" You asked looking at him in shock.
"Y/n, I have always been in love with you. I hated whenever you would leave and would go for months at a time, I would anxiously wait for your letters or for you to come back. I always hated when my mother would try to set me up on dates because all I could focus on was you and search for you in them. Your love for history and the water is one of the main things, that drew to me not to mention your beauty. I understand if I am..." He said as you pressed a kiss to his lips.
"I have always loved you, Eric." You said smiling at him as you two pulled apart.
"I think that they make a rather lovely couple, don't you think your majesty?" Grimsby asked the Queen as they watched the young couple on the shore.
"I'm afraid you are right Grimsby. I have been a bit harsh to her over the years, haven't I?" The Queen asked.
"Just a little. I think an apology would be a good start to mending the relationship but for now, let's leave them be." Grimsby said as the Queen agreed.
