After a storm, the mermaid finds the prince washed ashore and saves him, hoping that he will live. They reach land and she leaves him on the beach, hoping he will be discovered and cared for. A girl finds the prince and he recovers, but he does not know that the mermaid saved him, leaving her feeling sad and alone.
Every day, the mermaid would hide behind the waves, watching as the prince regained his strength through the care of the girl who had found him. She marveled at their growing friendship and felt a bittersweet joy knowing he was safe and happy, even though he was oblivious to her role in his rescue.
As the days turned into weeks, the mermaid's feelings of loneliness increased. She longed to be a part of the prince's life, to be by his side, but her unrequited love and her fish-like existence kept her forever apart from him.
One night, unable to contain her sorrow any longer, the mermaid ventured close to the shore where the prince and the girl sat beneath the moonlit sky. She sang a haunting melody, pouring her heartache into the music, hoping that the prince would recognize her voice and remember what she had done for him.
The prince listened intently, captivated by the beautiful song that seemed to whisper secrets of the sea. However, he remained unaware of the mermaid's presence, unknowingly breaking her heart once again.
Feeling defeated, the mermaid swam away, tears blending with the salty ocean water. She feared she would never find solace or companionship in this world, destined to remain a solitary creature of the depths.
Days turned into months, and the mermaid continued to watch from afar as the prince's friendship with the girl blossomed into love. Their laughter and affection stung like a thousand sharp needles, a constant reminder of what she could never have.
Despite her heartache, the mermaid's love for the prince remained pure and selfless. She found solace in the knowledge that he was safe and loved, even if it wasn't by her. Her presence in his life would forever be hidden, but the memory of her sacrifice would forever be etched in her heart.
And so, the mermaid silently retreated into the depths of the ocean, embracing her fate with unparalleled grace. She swam through vibrant coral reefs, surrounded by the beauty of her underwater world. Though the ache in her heart remained, she found solace in the company of the creatures who called the ocean their home.
And though the mermaid would forever remain sad and alone, her love for the prince would endure, an untold tale of sacrifice and unrequited longing that would only be whispered by the ocean's gentle waves.