★ The Prince and The Mermaid [Giant/Tiny]★

XVI - Kaine Vs Caleb

Time seemed to freeze as both men stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Kaine's hand was firmly gripping Mariana's elbow while Caleb's hand lingered over her other one. Mariana felt the weight of the moment but couldn't fully understand why it felt so charged. She could sense something, an undercurrent, but the reasons behind it were lost on her.

Two minutes earlier:

Caleb had arrived at Mariana's castle, his heart pounding in anticipation. The last thing he remembered was hearing that Mariana was planning to ask the giant monster, Kaine, to be hers. But it seemed like the game had already been decided—Mariana had already made her choice. There was still a tiny flicker of hope inside him, though, a hope that maybe he could change her mind, that maybe today would be the day.

He had worn his finest suit, carefully styled his hair, and even exposed his tribal marks to look more imposing, more manly. He was prepared. Today, he would finally win her heart.

As Caleb stepped into the ballroom, he scanned the room, trying to take it all in. The grandness of the space overwhelmed him momentarily before he spotted someone who looked vaguely familiar—Amethyst, the regal princess of jellyfish. She sat at a table, nervously fiddling with the hem of her dress as though she were deep in thought. Caleb approached her, his voice cutting through the quiet murmur of the room.

"Hey, Amethyst," he called, reaching out and lightly tapping her shoulder. She squeaked, turning around in shock, barely recognizing him at first.

"Uhh...who are you..?" she asked timidly, almost shaking.

"Huh, it's me, Caleb?" he said with a hint of annoyance, crossing his arms. "No, Caleb is this weird awkward kid with acne who likes Mariana," she muttered, shaking her head, and Caleb could feel his hand twitch at the mention of his old self.

"Yeah, it's me," Caleb muttered, still annoyed, but his resolve didn't waver. "Do you know where Mariana is?" he asked, his voice tinged with hope.

Amethyst sighed, giving him a pitying look. "Well, you definitely still act like him. I'm guessing today is the day, like you always used to say," she observed, knowing that the reality was different now—that Mariana was already claimed.

"I'm serious. Today is the day," Caleb insisted, looking down at her with unwavering determination. Then, glancing around, he noticed the absence of a few familiar faces. "Wait, where's Coral and Amber?" he asked, raising an eyebrow in confusion.

Amethyst's face saddened. "They're not our friends anymore..." she said quietly, her voice tinged with regret. Caleb nodded, trying to mask his discomfort. "Don't worry. I always had a bad feeling about them," he reassured her, offering a small smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. His attention quickly shifted as a procession of men walked through the ballroom, drawing his focus.

"Woah, what's with the freak show?" Caleb muttered under his breath, his gaze following the men. At the front of the group was a man Caleb instantly recognized—Wade, Kaine's father, a dignified and imposing figure. Behind him were five other men, each one seemingly more eccentric than the last.

As Caleb's eyes scanned the group, his heart skipped a beat. At the head of the procession was Wade, his every step exuding authority and strength. He was the kind of man who could command a room without uttering a word. Behind him was Arlo, Kaine's eldest brother, his presence just as formidable but more quiet, measured. He was a towering figure, his calm demeanor providing a stark contrast to the intensity of those around him.

Then, Caleb saw Kaine. He was unmistakable, even from across the room. Despite his usual cold demeanor, there was something in his eyes that softened as he thought of Mariana. His protective gaze stood out, and Caleb couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as Kaine's eyes briefly flitted across the room, landing on Mariana. His mere presence was enough to unsettle Caleb.