As a ruler, I never think of relying on anyone but myself. Everything comes with a price. If helping someone—or accepting help—means owing something in return, then I'm not interested. Whether it's a person or a thing, I've always believed independence is survival.
So at this very moment, my choice should have been easy:
Choose my kingdom.
Save Sienna.
Let Bruno kill my rivals.
That would be two out of rivals list checked off.
But then I thought about her—how I would never hear the end of it, how she might never forgive me. Since Sienna entered my life, every decision has been complicated. There's no simple path when she's involved. Still, choosing what's right—even when it's hard—always leaves a strange, rewarding ache in my chest.
Who should I choose?
"Rocco, choose your kingdom, then save Gideon and Zulu!" she shouted. "Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I've survived this long already—"
There she goes again.
Even with her life on the line, even while terrified, she still puts on a brave front—ready to sacrifice herself without hesitation. How can someone think like that? In this world, you devour your enemies or you fall. Power is taken, not given.
I looked around. My bravest mermen lay injured around me, still fighting through blood and pain. Had I become weak as a leader? Or had my understanding of strength changed?
"Fine!" Sienna snapped again. "Rocco, why don't you save your kingdom?"
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Do you have no faith in me? Let me think."
Then I noticed it—her expression had changed. Her confidence wasn't reckless. It wasn't desperation. It was calm. Grounded. And it wasn't for herself.
It was for me.
That's when I understood.
I lifted my spear, feeling its weight—the same weight I'd carried all my life. "I've made my choice," I roared. "I'm choosing no one—because I'm saving all of them!"
I lunged forward.
Sienna smiled.
"You fool!" Bruno snarled. "You selfish, greedy prick! Then I'll destroy them all!"
Shards of glass rained toward Gideon and Zulu—but before they could strike, Sienna vanished them back to her refuge. In the same breath, she summoned her dagger and drove it into Bruno's hand. He screamed and released her.
She ran—straight to me.
Bruno retaliated, summoning another wave of shards, this time aimed at us. I raised a shield of water just in time. Then he shifted targets—the merkids and their parents hiding behind broken coral.
Without thinking, Sienna and I moved together.
I threw myself in front of them, forming a barrier of water with my own body as the final shield. The shards pierced through. Pain exploded through me. I collapsed.
Sienna fell beside me, trembling.
"I did well… didn't I?" I whispered. "I made you proud?"
Her tears fell onto my face. "You are not dying on me," she cried. "I don't care how much it costs—I will heal you."
Warmth flooded my body. The pain vanished. I gasped, sitting upright, just in time to see more shards descending.
I pulled her into my arms, bracing myself—
—but they shattered midair.
Silvo stood before us, flanked by the warriors of Dypsoria.
"We honor our vow to you and to Mariner's Bay," he declared. "You stood with us when we needed you. This is our repayment."
"A water snake warned us," Silvo added. "About the danger."
Outnumbered and cornered, Bruno's forces fell quickly.
I stood, lifting Sienna effortlessly in one arm, and walked toward Bruno.
"You know I can still beat you while carrying her," I said calmly.
One strike of my spear ended him.
Peace returned to Mariner's Bay.
And for the first time, I understood something about myself—that relying on others doesn't make you weak. That trusting someone can be strength. That having someone to count on changes everything.
Afterward, I thanked Silvo and let my people celebrate. I carried Sienna to our favorite place beneath hanging water moss beside the lagoon and set her down gently.
She wouldn't let go.
"I'm so proud of you," she whispered through tears.
Her voice undid me. My hands traced her curves instinctively, reverently. She gasped softly but didn't stop me. We stayed there, tangled together, her head on my chest, crying quietly.
"My kingdom is safe," she said. "You're an incredible ruler."
"It's because of you," I replied. "Thank you for showing me what truly matters."
She smiled sadly. "I can't stay. Gideon and Zulu need me."
"Go," I said. "If you need me, use the whistle."
She nodded, brushing my hair back—
—and vanished.
Only her warmth remained.