Siren's Kiss

10: Trust is Earned

The Coral Serenade, the grand fleet of the Siren Kingdom was preparing for its quest to rescue Prince Ciel from the clutches of the ruthless Captain Drake. Sirens moved with purpose, carrying cargos filled with enough provisions to last the journey. Some harmonized in a song that seemed to heal the land, filling the air with strength and determination. Their melody served as a prayer for safety during the long and dangerous voyage.

At the dock, King Cyraeni stepped up and saw his beautiful wife, Nerissa, staring out at the calm waves of the sea. However, her expression wasn't at peace and when he came near her, he saw how she trembled in both anxiety and fear.

"I want him back, Rae," Nerissa addressed him in his familiar nickname only she was allowed to use. "I want him in my arms."

She began to cry, and Cyraeni gently wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "I know, my love. I know."

Queen Nerissa had a tumultuous pregnancy. Diagnosed with an affliction that prevented her from ever bearing a child, she had thought all hope was lost until her maidservant convinced her to pray to the god of the Sea, Nerevarus. Legends stated that Nerevarus had been killed by the other gods, his essence scattered across the Seven Seas to protect both the world, and cursing the denizens of the land. Yet even the Sirens weren't immune to the curse, and every ten years, an Azure Kraken would rise up from the bottom of the ocean, destroying everything in its path.

Despite these tales, this maidservant insisted that the god's spirit could awaken momentarily to grant a sincere wish. Desperate, Nerissa prayed for a child, and miraculously, Ciel was born. The same maidservant served as her child's nursemaid, and when this nursemaid later succumbed to illness, Ciel begged her to adopt Coraline, longing for a sibling. Even after her death, the same woman helped Nerissa gain another child.

"I promise to return with our son by my side," King Cyraeni whispered, comforting his beloved wife.

"How sure are you that this Pirate will even speak to you?" Nerissa questioned, uneasy about forming an alliance with the Templars. "If they find out what Ciel can do...I can't bear the thought of him being sold in the black market, Rae!"

"He won't be," the king assured her. "This Pirate wouldn't be foolish enough to take him to one of those places when I can pay him more."

Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of Lady Maris, the former queen and grandmother to Ciel and Coraline. Despite her years, she possessed an ageless beauty, her features radiant with the timeless elegance of the Siren lineage. Having handed the empire to her son, she now served as his esteemed Royal Advisor. Unlike a typical grandmother, her face was smooth, youthful, and classically beautiful.

"Mother" Cyraeni greeted, bowing his head while his wife, Nerissa, curtseyed as Lady Maris approached.

Lady Maris gazed at the couple tenderly, though Nerissa avoided her, staring down at the ground, her hands clasped in front of her. Turning to her son, Lady Maris asked, "How do you propose to retrieve my grandson from that filthy pirate?"

"I'll offer a truce and treasure," Cyraeni replied, he seemed focused on his goal.

Lady Maris nodded. "No Pirate can resist the temptation of treasures and adventures. But how will you find this Drake?"

At that moment, Commander Triton approached, bowing to the former queen and the current king. "We have an informer who knows a pirate capable of tracking Captain Drake and his ship."

"And what makes you think this Pirate will help us?" the former queen questioned sternly.

Commander Triton replied confidently, "This pirate is also a captain, and Drake caused his ship to sink into the Frozen Sea, leading to a fallout in their alliance. We retrieved his ship with the assistance of the merfolk. This should be enough to bring him under our command."