Mermaid Trap

Penelope continued with a tone of certainty. Her eyes showed no hint of doubt or insecurity.

“Listen, you naive girl. Even if Kian breaks his engagement with me, it won’t be for you. He’ll find a suitable noblewoman instead.”

“……”

“Oh, don’t worry too much. You won’t be discarded. You might just end up as a toy, stored away until he feels like playing with you again.”

…Though she wasn’t entirely blameless, this stung.

The more Penelope’s mockery went on, the tighter Vivianne’s fists clenched.

Yet, she was curious why Penelope was so pessimistic.

What kind of darkness loomed behind the rosy future she had envisioned?

Maybe that was the reality she hadn’t seen.

“…Why are you saying this?”

“Why else? Because of heirs. Do you think you will bear Larsson’s child? Even if you do, what good will it do?”

Bearing Kian’s child was her goal, but Penelope seemed to know exactly where her vulnerabilities lay and pressed them relentlessly.

“What do you mean by no good?”

“The child you bear won’t be acknowledged. Kian knows this better than anyone. He won’t see you as the mother of his heir. Why would he want a child from someone with unknown origins like you?”

“……”

“Noble marriages are alliances between families, not simple love games.”

Marriage isn’t just a love game. It was the same thing her father had told her in the mermaid palace. Vivianne, being of noble birth underwater, had tried to defy her father’s wishes but had come here because it wasn’t possible.

So she understood well enough what Penelope meant.

She had been of noble birth in the sea.

“And Kian isn’t the man you think he is. Do you know how many years I’ve been engaged to him? Do you know why I waited for him? He’s the kind of man who enjoys making people suffer.”

Penelope’s lips twisted in self-deprecation.

“He might never intend to marry anyone. Wake up from your dream.”

Penelope spat out her words and stormed off. Vivianne stared blankly at the space she left.

Her mind felt overloaded.

* * *

The tailor assured that the dresses would be delivered to the mansion once finished. Her wardrobe would soon be filled with new dresses, but her heart felt empty.

Vivianne sat at the table, looking at a picture book. She could now read short sentences with some effort. Matilda had brought her fairy tales.

They were mostly about princes and princesses meeting by fate, falling in love at first sight, and overcoming hardships to be together. Vivianne loved such stories. They mostly ended with ‘they got married and lived happily ever after.’

“Matilda.”

“Yes, Vivi?”

“Is getting married really happy?”

“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“Well, in fairy tales, they always get married and live happily ever after.”

Matilda found it hard to answer, seeing the complexity in Vivianne’s expression.

“Hm, well.”

“How was it for you?”

“For me?”

“Yes. You got married and had Theo, right?”

“Oh, Vivi, you’re curious about everything. It’s been so long, I hardly remember.”

Despite Matilda’s playful response, Vivianne still looked unsettled.

“But why do you ask?”

“Because all the fairy tales end the same way. ‘They got married and lived happily ever after.’ It makes me feel good reading it, but in reality, there must be people who can’t marry the ones they love.”

Vivianne lowered her eyelashes and closed the book.

According to Penelope, she was a prime example. And Penelope was another.

“So I wondered if they could still be happy.”

“Well, it’s different for everyone.”

“That’s true.”

“Is something wrong, Vivianne?”

Matilda asked.

Vivianne smiled faintly, not giving a clear answer.

“What’s certain is that not everyone who gets married is happy. Fairy tales are about princes and princesses. Not everyone in real life can be a prince or princess.”

Matilda was right. She had been a princess in the sea but was nothing here, and Kian wasn’t a prince either.

Maybe the happy and ideal fantasies existed only in picture books.

“Do you think Kian will marry his fiancée?”

Despite knowing there was no right answer, she asked out of frustration. It was a meaningless question, but she needed to vent to someone.

Matilda seemed at a loss for words, unsure of how to respond.

“Actually, I met Kian’s fiancée at the tailor today.”

“Young Lady Stewart?”

“Yes, that’s right. I didn’t want to worry you, but I wanted to be honest with you, Matilda. Even if it makes me look foolish, please listen.”

Even as she spoke, she found it hard to lift her gaze. She felt that if she looked into Matilda’s eyes, she would burst into tears.

“Foolish? No, feel free to talk.”

“She said that I could never marry Kian. Even if she and Kian break up, he will marry another noblewoman.”

“…Is that why you look so down?”

“Yes.”

Her voice was slightly choked with emotion. Matilda wanted to reassure her, but she couldn’t deny the reality of the situation.

“I thought just being by Kian’s side would be enough. But the more I think about it, the more it isn’t. Even serving tea… thinking of someone else doing it for him upsets me. It’s being right next to him in his bedroom.”

“If that’s your worry, Vivi, don’t be. He hasn’t been having anyone serve tea lately.”

Matilda tried to offer some comfort, but it seemed like Vivianne didn’t hear her.

“…Sorry for whining, Matilda.”

“That’s alright. You can always talk to me. And isn’t that fiancée a bit annoying?”

Matilda’s sudden criticism of Penelope brought a small smile to Vivianne’s lips.

“Yes, a little.”

“I know it sounds petty, but I’ve known her since she was a child. She’s always been unpleasant.”

Though it felt childish, it made Vivianne feel a bit better.

“So don’t let her get to you, alright, Vivi?”

Trying not to let it affect her was easier said than done.

When she first saw Kian, she just wanted to see him once more. Then, all she wanted was to touch him.

The bigger her feelings grew, the more she wanted, thirsting for more like someone drinking seawater.

“Um, Vivi, would you like to learn embroidery? Just a thought. Your small, delicate hands would be perfect for making intricate designs.”

“Embroidery?”

“Yes. I know a bit myself.”

Matilda smiled and pulled a handkerchief from her pocket to show Vivianne.

“See, you can embroider flower patterns or initials like this. What do you think? Isn’t it pretty?”

“Yes, it’s very cute. Can you make ribbon shapes too?”

“Of course. If there’s a pattern you like, tell me, and I’ll find a design for you.”

“I’d like that, Matilda!”

Vivianne smiled brightly, her earlier sadness forgotten.

“Can I make one for Kian too?”

“Certainly. There’s an old sailor’s superstition that if you give someone a handkerchief with their name on it, they’ll return safely from their journey. It’s just a superstition, but it’s a nice thought.”

“I like that kind of thing. I want to make one!”

Vivianne’s face lit up with enthusiasm at the idea of a new project.

“I’ll help you. It’s something he can keep with him. I’m sure the master will like it.”

There was still some time, but Kian’s sailing schedule would soon be set. He was planning to request discharge, so this might be his last voyage.

Matilda thought that preparing a small gift for him to take along would make Vivianne very happy.