Mermaid love by Asmaa Nada
Hidden behind a rock in the ocean, a pair of eyes followed her closely, gazing upon her with a lover's heart. Time passed as he watched his beloved, unaware of his presence. After she disappeared into the cottage, he would dive and return to his kingdom in the deepest depths of the ocean. He was the youngest prince, wiser than his ten brothers, patient, and concerned with the affairs of his small kingdom. He had assisted his father, the king, in all negotiations to unite the sea kingdoms into one, but he refused to rule despite being worthy. For him, ruling a kingdom was not about age but about courage, decisiveness in battles, wisdom in dealing with enemies, and caring for his subjects, both great and small. This was what he did, yet he refused to be the king's successor, despite his brothers' attempts to persuade him and his father's occasional heated arguments.
On his way back to the royal palace, he passed through the kingdom's roads, which were actually a sunken Roman island in the heart of the ocean.
Mermaid love by Asmaa Nada
It still retained the designs of the columns famous among the Romans. Coral of various shades of red and pink now filled its streets, a masterpiece created by the Creator. Different types of sea creatures lived there in peace, far from human interference, preserving the beauty of the underwater world. Ancient Egyptian artifacts could also be found, indicating that this sunken island had been inhabited by various human civilizations before its submersion.
Before reaching the royal palace, the prince stopped to talk to a friend who knew about his human lover.
“Have you spoken to the girl this time, or are you still watching from afar?” his friend asked.
Before he could respond, his older brother, Ahmed, came rushing towards him, anger etched on his face.
“Finally, the king’s spoiled brat appears,” Ahmed said. “Where have you been, Mohammed?”
Mohammed looked at him, smiled, and wagged his tail coquettishly, wrapping himself around him. “Yes, I am the king’s spoiled brat. What’s wrong, Ahmed? Are you jealous of me?” he purred.
Ahmed placed a hand on Ivan’s shoulder. “My dear little brother, why would I be jealous of you? Do you possess something I don’t? Come on, let's go to the royal palace! The king is angry and asking for you.”
“What is he angry about?” Mohammed asked, intrigued.
“You’ll find out when you get there. Hurry up, he’s waiting for you,” Ahmed replied.
Mohammed turned to his friend, gave him a farewell gesture, and swam with his brother towards the palace, located at the edge of the sunken island. The palace was a massive structure from the outside, showcasing the grandeur of the pharaohs’ designs merged with the beauty of Roman architecture. Inside, the ceiling was adorned with gold and decorated with intricate, colored carvings that resembled a sky filled with twinkling stars.
Ivan entered the meeting hall, where his father sat on a throne, his face contorted with anger. Mohammed approached, looking into his father's eyes, trying to understand the reason for his anger. But the king raised his hand, signaling for him to stop, and said in a low, angry voice, “Where have you been, Mohammed?”
Mohammed replied, “I was wandering outside the kingdom’s borders.”
