Osaidan stood by the window, gazing out at the deep blue world beyond, where tiny fish swam freely in the open water.
There was a strange stir within his 10-foot muscular body. He snapped his 2-meter-long tail with a jerk, sending a strong wave through the water.
In anger, he clenched the stone frame of the window with his powerful fingers. His eyes burned with a unique intensity.
He began speaking to himself silently—
*"Just let me live my life once! I'm not saying I'm running away or that I don't want to be king… I will become king, I have no problem with that.
But before I take that crown, can't I see that beautiful moonlight just once?
Let me see it just once, then I'll put on the crown and bear the weight of all responsibilities."*
The intoxicating scent around him thickened even more, clearly reflecting the turmoil inside.
He looked once again toward the surface, where faint light filtered down.
Tonight… the waves of the Atlantic Ocean will bear witness. I'm going, and no one can stop me.
As Osaidan turned toward the window, preparing to lash his tail, a calm and velvety voice echoed behind him.
"Osaidan… wait, my son."
It was Queen Maraina. Her voice carried such magic that the tension in Osaidan's muscular frame instantly eased.
He unclenched his fists and turned slowly.
Queen Maraina glided closer to him. Her gentle hand rested on Osaidan's vast and chiseled face.
Osaidan lowered his eyes.
"Mother, you know why I don't want all this. I can't stand this suffocation."
Queen Maraina offered a faint smile.
*"Son, I know your heart is bigger than even the boundaries of this ocean. You want a freedom that perhaps this crown cannot provide. But do you not know your father?
No one has ever won against his will."*
She patted Osaidan on the broad shoulder, growing a little emotional as she spoke,
*"Just for today… stay for me. Today's coronation is a matter of our entire lineage's honor.
Once this ritual is complete, I will personally speak to your father about your freedom."*
Osaidan remained silent. His 2-meter-long tail hung down quietly. He could not deny the hope reflected in his mother's eyes.
He exhaled deeply, releasing a cascade of bubbles into the water.
"Alright, Mother… just for you. But remember, this crown will not bind me for long."
Queen Maraina let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
Although Osaidan loved his mother, he was no naive child who would agree without setting his own terms.
He knew this coronation was a golden cage, and he was carefully negotiating his freedom.
As Queen Maraina began to turn away with a smile, Osaidan called out in his deep voice,
"Wait, Mother… I will stay, but not like this."
He shifted his position slowly. As his 10-foot massive frame moved in the water, a profound pressure was felt.
He clenched his muscular arms across his broad chest and slowly waved his 2-meter-long tail, coming to a stand directly before his mother.
There was no anger in his eyes now, only deep understanding and cleverness.
"Mother, I will stay for this coronation on one condition only," Osaidan said, pausing to emphasize each word clearly.
Queen Maraina looked at him in surprise.
Osaidan raised a finger and continued,
*"After I wear the crown, I will not be forced into marriage. Until I choose, no queen will enter this palace without my will.
I refuse to act out this 'happy married life' pretense."*
His voice resonated so powerfully that even the small fish swimming outside froze in their tracks.
Looking into his mother's eyes, he added another significant point:
"And one more thing… in case I ever take a liking to someone, you must promise me this: neither you nor Father will stand in my way. What I decide, you will honor. Are you both ready to grant me this freedom?"
Queen Maraina fell silent. Osaidan's body language made it clear he would not retreat this time.
He shrugged his shoulders and, with a firm expression, said,
*"If you agree to this deal, then only will I sit upon that throne. Otherwise, place the crown on someone else,
because I will carve through the waves of the Atlantic Ocean and leave right now."*
Queen Maraina remained speechless. She had no idea that her Osaidan was playing such a strong mind game…
Osaidan looked toward the mirror again, but this time a peaceful smile played across his face. He knew he had taken his first big step toward his freedom.