stronger than the sea | z.m

Answers Are Told

✩ Sofia's POV ✩

Her reaction startled me. I was puzzled as to why such a, well at least to me it seemed, basic question set her off. I felt like a naughty child who drew on the walls—full of guilt.

It was never my intention to be the cause of tear stained cheeks, much less those of the woman who lost her sunshine so quickly after giving birth. How do mermaids even give birth? Wait no, focus Sofia. That's not important right now.

"It's fine if you don't wanna talk about it, I understand it's a delicate topic. Sorry for making you cry, I can wait until you're ready." I spoke softly as if she were a newborn.

"Nonsense darling, you deserve to know the whole story not just bits and pieces."

"Your mother and I were devastated the day you were taken from us. Those were the dark days for Paradise Sea." Before he could reminisce too long in his inner dark thoughts, Charles visibly swallowed harshly and forced himself to carry on.

"We've done everything in our power to find you for years now. It wasn't until Harry, such a blessing that young man, started working for us and took part in the search that we found you. We will never be able to thank Harry properly for what he's done for us." The words barely managed to escape Charles' hoarse throat. I could tell he was trying his best to stay strong for Elsa.

"Harry said I was kidnapped, but that's it. If it's not too much to ask, can you explain in further detail?"

"Of course. Elsa, shall I tell her the story or would you rather I tell her?" He was mindful of her fragile state.

"Please, can you tell her? I can't." Elsa replied in a broken whisper.

"As you wish sweetheart. Sofia, I'll start from the beginning. The tragic day you were taken from us, was in fact your first birthday.

With you being the new addition to the royal family, we thought it was only right to have a big party to celebrate. Everyone in Paradise Sea was invited and they had a grand time. As soon as everyone left, your mom made a move to take you to your crib. You had fallen asleep earlier, but she didn't want you out of her sight.

After she placed you in your crib, she went downstairs to fetch you a bottle of milk. While she was downstairs making it, we heard a loud crash come from upstairs.

We rushed up the stairs as fast as our tails allowed us and headed straight for the master bedroom, where you'd been resting peacefully. To our horror, the window was open and you were no where in sight.

Right then and there, we knew you'd been stolen and your mother broke down." He shielded his face for a second to regain composure.

"We sent out a search party immediately and asked the guards if they had seen anything, but they swore they hadn't seen a thing out of the ordinary. Days passed, then weeks, then months and soon years with still no luck.

We had reached our breaking point and were ready to throw in the towel, but that's when Harry showed up. He recently moved and wanted to work for us. I hired him as our assistant, sort of like second in command.

One day—I have no idea how—he did what no other man could for thirteen years, he found you, our ray of sunshine.

I'd never experienced such relief in my entire life as in that moment. He set out all on his own with the promise he'd bring you back home and surprised everyone when it turned out he'd done it.

We still aren't sure if Sally and Gerald kidnapped you or if it was someone else and they just dirtied their hands, but that's of little importance.