𝕳𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖙 𝕺𝖋 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖊𝖆

THE EXPOSED TRUTH

After her underwater adventure, Layla returned to her human lifestyle, but Kai couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something mysterious about her. He had saved her from the shark, and they had become fast friends, but his curiosity lingered.

One day, Kai visited Queen Clarissa's castle, seeking answers. "Your Majesty, I need to speak with you about something," he said, bowing his head respectfully.

Queen Clarissa looked up from her throne, her expression curious. "Of course, Kai. What is it?"

"It's about Layla," Kai began. "She claims to be from New Atlantis, visiting her sister who works as a maid in your castle." The queen's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm afraid there's no place like New Atlantis, and no maid matches your description. I'll look into it."

Kai's suspicion grew. "Your Majesty, I doubt she's a Siren's minion spying on us." Queen Clarissa's expression turned more thoughtful. "You might be right. I'll investigate further."

Days later, Layla returned to visit her friends, but they were not happy to see her. They ignored her questions and forcefully took her to the queen. In the throne room, Queen Clarissa's eyes met Layla's. "Marlia!" she exclaimed, rising from her throne to embrace Layla tightly.

Layla looked surprised and eventually spoke up, "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, you misunderstood. I'm Layla, not Marlia." Clarissa wiped her tears and asked, "Who are your parents? I want to meet them." Layla, scared, replied, "They live in New Atlantis, far away. They can't come here."

Queen Clarissa raised an eyebrow, her voice calm but angry. "Girl, you're being dishonest. There's no such place as New Atlantis. Tell me the truth." Layla looked down and revealed her true identity, "I don't belong here. I'm from the human world."

The queen's expression changed from anger to surprise, and she asked, "Why did you lie to us, Layla?" Layla explained her story, and the queen listened intently, her heart filled with a mix of emotions.

After the big reveal, Queen Clarissa's expression turned curious. "Layla, now that we've established you're not from New Atlantis, I have to ask... are you certain you're your parents' biological daughter?"

Layla's eyes narrowed, confusion etched on her face. "What do you mean, Your Majesty? Of course, I'm their daughter."

The queen's gaze intensified. "Layla, you look exactly like my daughter Marlia. Exactly. It's as if you're her twin. I need to know... are you sure about your parents?"

Layla's mind raced, her thoughts scattering like fish in a school. "I... I've always been told I'm their daughter. I don't know anything else."

Queen Clarissa's eyes seemed to bore into Layla's soul. "I see. Well, Layla, it's possible that your parents may have... adopted you. Or that there's another explanation for your resemblance to Marlia."

Layla's eyes locked onto Queen Clarissa's, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tell me more about Marlia, Your Majesty."

Queen Clarissa's expression turned nostalgic, her voice weaving a tale. "Once upon a time, in Coral Haven, all mermaids and Sirens lived together in harmony. Sirens were the protectors and guardians of the Heart of the Sea, while mermaids were the Healers, maintaining balance in our environment. We possessed magical powers to craft weapons and more."

Layla's curiosity grew as the queen continued.

"But something changed. Sirens' behavior shifted; they began protesting against the mermaid community. They grew resentful, thinking mermaids were more powerful and ruling over them. Some Sirens started kidnapping mermaid children, training them as Sirens, and extracting their mermaidic powers to strengthen their community and dominate Coral Haven."

Layla's heart raced, her mind reeling.

"Ursula, the mastermind, manipulated them against us. She took Marlia, knowing she was special, and trained her as a Siren. Within no time, Marlia became one of the strongest Sirens."

Queen Clarissa's eyes seemed to hold a deep sorrow. "After Marlia became the strongest Siren, Ursula brainwashed her, manipulating her to create a potion for Sirens, granting immortality, youth, and powers. But the potion required a terrible sacrifice: Marlia's firstborn child with a human."

Layla's heart sank, sensing the darkness in the story.

"Marlia devised a plan, using her enchanting voice to make a human, Charles, fall deeply in love with her. They married and had a child together, but when Charles discovered Marlia's evil intention to sacrifice their child, he tried to kill her to save their child's life."

Layla's breath caught, imagining the horror.

"However, Marlia escaped with the help of her Siren friends, vowing to Charles, 'I will find you.' And now, Layla, I fear you might be Marlia's lost daughter and my granddaughter, now I need you to confirm this from your parents about you being her daughter or not."

Layla's eyes widened, her mind racing with the revelation. "I...I will ask my parents, Your Majesty. But I have to leave for New York in two days. My Marine Biology teacher informed me about a significant exhibition, and I've been selected to attend. It's a great opportunity to expand my knowledge and learn from professional Marine Biologists."

Queen Clarissa's expression turned thoughtful. "Very well, Layla. But please, do ask your parents about your true identity. The truth is crucial in this matter. And be cautious; if you are indeed Marlia's daughter, you may be in danger."

Layla nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of the queen's words. "I will, Your Majesty. I'll be careful."

As Layla prepared to leave, the queen's voice stopped her. "Layla, take this." Queen Clarissa handed her a small, delicate locket. "It might come in handy. And remember, the truth will set you free."

Layla took the locket, feeling an strange energy emanating from it. She nodded and bid the queen and her friends farewell, her journey to New York filled with anticipation and trepidation.

What will Layla discover in New York? Will she uncover the secrets of her past?