Chapter 1
The fisherman caught a mermaid.
The little mermaid was injured and cried, scattering smooth, round pearls all over the ground.
The fisherman saved him, and the little mermaid said
[Thank you.]
Then a gem appeared on the floor of the fisherman's shabby house.
The fisherman took care of the little mermaid.
He talked to the little mermaid, told him stories about the land, made him laugh, prepared delicious dried shrimp for him, and taught him how to read and write. Day after day passed.
[I heard the princess is looking for a man to marry into the family*. She will marry the wealthiest young man in the kingdom.]
* 招親: to take a man into the family as a son-in-law.
The little mermaid looked confused.
[What does a man marrying into the family mean?]
As soon as he spoke, a small pile of diamonds appeared on the jadeite floor.
[It means becoming the princess's husband and the future prince.] The fisherman stroked the little mermaid's smooth hair. [Marrying the princess means there will be a wedding, and you will become the most noble person.]
[What is 'marriage'? What is 'husband'?]
The little mermaid's questions fell down together with an endless stream of treasures.
[Marriage means being with someone forever. A husband is someone who will love and protect you for life.]
[Then what does 'wedding' mean?]
[It means wearing the most beautiful clothes, going to a magnificent place, and making a lifelong vow to never part in front of a priest.]
The little mermaid nodded, not really understanding.
——————
Later on, a young man as rich as Croesus stood out in the competition to become the princess's husband.
He was a nouveau riche who seemingly possessed endless wealth.
It was said that on the eve of the wedding, he would present the princess with a treasure as a betrothal gift.
——————
Today, the little mermaid wore a luxurious outfit he had never worn before. He was as beautiful as an elf.
The fisherman carried him into a carriage made of gold.
They arrived at a magnificent palace.
There was a beautiful princess eagerly awaiting their arrival.
The little mermaid looked at his own clothes, at the splendid palace, and at the many new faces before him.
A sweet, shy smile appeared on his lips.
He tugged at the gold-trimmed collar of the fisherman's clothes.
And said.
[You're finally marrying me?]
The little mermaid was so happy.
****
Chapter 2
[Marriage?] The fisherman laughed, shook his head, and said, [This is the princess's wedding.]
[Princess?] The little mermaid curiously studied the young woman before him. She was beautiful, elegant, and noble. [Has she found her husband?]
[Yes.] The fisherman and the princess answered in unison.
[Then congratulations!] The little mermaid congratulated with envy in his eyes. [It must be wonderful to find someone to spend the rest of your life with.]
The princess's gaze also fell on the little mermaid. She examined the little mermaid in the fisherman's arms from head to toe with her amber eyes.
[A mermaid who can conjure up treasures?] The princess raised an elegant eyebrow. [So this is the treasure you brought back?]
[Of course.] The fisherman held the little mermaid tighter. [He's the greatest treasure in the world.]
[Well, alright then.]
The princess shrugged, seeming not to care too much.
[Anyway, thank you for coming all this way to see me… my dear brother.] The princess teased. [I thought you wouldn't come to my wedding. After all, you even abandoned the throne just to go… catch some fish.]
[Not to catch fish.] The prince-turned-fisherman pressed a kiss onto the golden hair of the still-confused little mermaid.
[I was chasing after my love.]
[You love me? I love you too!] The little mermaid beamed with joy, rubbing affectionately against the warm chest before him. [Then when can we get married?]
[Anytime you want.] The fisherman prince's eyes were filled with the little mermaid's reflection. [As long as it makes you happy.]
——————
The prince who had abandoned wealth, status, and his royal identity finally married his treasure on the 1264th day of becoming a fisherman.
[When did you start liking me? Did you catch me on purpose?]
The fisherman prince kissed the little mermaid's soft lips to silence his treasure's chattering.
Once, the prince was caught in a storm when he went out to sea. A pair of warm and strong slender fair arms carried him through the waves and brought him safely to shore.
The poor little mermaid had gotten fine sand in his eyes. The darling, who had just braved the raging waves with fierce determination, was now sniffling and pitifully begging someone to blow the sand from his eyes.
His delicate little face was covered in the grains of sand he had rubbed on himself in distress.
[Don't rub it around.]
The prince gently wiped the little mermaid's face, engraving his features in his heart.
[Will you come with me? I am the prince of a neighboring kingdom. If you stay with me, you will have endless treasures to enjoy…]
The little mermaid couldn't even open his eyes properly, but he still shook his head firmly.
[If a mermaid stays with a prince, they turn into sea foam. I don't want to be with a prince. I can make treasures on my own.]
As he spoke, his words turned into agates, scattering across the shore.
[I want to be with a fisherman. He can make me delicious food.] The little mermaid dove back into the sea, eager to rinse his eyes with seawater. [Goodbye, Your Royal Highness. Go find your princess.]
——————
[You played with me so much, I'm feeling all swollen.]
The little mermaid blushed deeply, softly grumbling in the fisherman prince's arms.
[You need to be gentler.]
[Mhm.]
The fisherman prince kissed the little mermaid's fingertips.
He had found him.
His princess.
Translator:
I was scared the fisherman was the princess's husband-to-be and the mermaid was the "betrothal gift." I'm so glad this two-shot(?) didn't go the BE route😅 The Little Mermaid fairytale made me cry as a kid.
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