There was competition among a whole host of suitors for Princess Pavetta's hand in marriage, but it was all a sham. Calanthe had already decided her daughter would marry Crach an Crait, a drunken idiot who would benefit the kingdom by providing a useful political alliance.

Pavetta was less than pleased about her boorish husband-to-be. However, Duny, a knight with the head of a hedgehog, arrived to claim Pavetta. Much to Calanthe's displeasure, Duny had a legitimate claim to marry Pavetta: a social contract called the Law of Surprise. It meant that one person who received a great service from another granted them a boon. The trick was that neither the giver nor the receiver would know what the boon will be until it was given. In that case, Duny saved the life of Pavetta's father and was promised something unexpected - which turned out to be Pavetta. Geralt refused to kill Duny, claiming he was no monster.

"I love Duny, Mother," Pavetta announced. "I will marry him. I will finally be free."

Calanthe handed her sword to Eist, and the guards lowered their weapons. She offered Duny a hand and leaned in. "Here is your destiny." She pulled a dagger and thrust it toward his throat.

"NO!" Pavetta shrieked.

Her supernatural power sent everyone but herself and Duny flying. Glass shattered and the furniture tumbled. Pavetta began to chant something in Elder and the two of them rose into the air, surrounded by a swirling wind. Geralt attempted on breaking the barrier, but it pushed him back. Beryl grunted against the strong force.

"Any further and she'll kill us," Beryl hissed out.

Geralt took out a vial, containing a strengthening potion. Beryl placed a hand on the vial, lowering it.

"There will be no need for that. All I require is your hand."

She looked at him, earnest and strong. He stashed the vial back into his pocket and extended his hand. She gripped his hand and stared at Pavetta and Duny inside their barrier.

"Whatever you're planning, do it quickly," he ordered.

Beryl closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened her eyes, they were pitch black, reminding Geralt of himself. Scales emerged on her arms. She opened her mouth and let out a deafening shriek, knocking Pavetta and Duny out of the air. The wind ceased. Beryl took deep breaths in order to calm her heartbeat. Her eyes slowly turned to her usual color.

"Do you believe in destiny now?" Eist asked Calanthe.

Calanthe got up to her feet and hugged Pavetta. "I thought your grandmother's gift had skipped you as it did me. It seems I was wrong - about so many things. Destiny has spoken!" she declared. " And I have listened. The Law of Surprise will be honored. Pavetta will marry Lord Urcheon."

"React poorly and you won't just face the Lioness, you will be facing the sea hounds of Skellige," East warned. "Because Queen Calanthe has agreed to my proposal of marriage."

"There will be two vows here tonight! I assume that's agreeable," stated Calanthe.

The guests nodded. Pavetta and Duny knelt down for the wedding ceremony.

"Pavetta, Duny. With my blessing...I thee bind." Calanthe wrapped a blue scarf around their entwined hands.

Pavetta and Duny kissed, but he started groaning and fell to the ground, changing back into his human form. Overjoyed, the newlyweds kissed each other.

"The twelfth bell has not yet rung," Pavetta stated.

"What has happened?" Calanthe asked.

"I think your blessing of this marriage...has fulfilled a destiny. The curse has been lifted," explained Mousesack.

Jaskier sighed in relief. "I think this has the makings of my greatest ballad yet."

"If you're alive in the morning," retorted Geralt. "Don't grope for trout in any peculiar rivers until dawn." He moved to leave until he realize Beryl and he were still holding hands.

"Oh - sorry," she bashfully responded as she let go.

"No, wait! Wait. You saved my life. I must repay you," said Duny. "Both of you."

Beryl and Geralt looked at each other.

"I didn't do - "

"You're a mermaid, aren't you?" asked Calanthe.

The guests all turned to look at Beryl. She noticed the scales on her arms weren't fading fast enough. She hugged herself and shrunk under their stares, feeling uncomfortable. Geralt wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her into his side.

"I'd heard Fiopha was at war, but I wasn't sure," said Calanthe.

"We're not at war," said Beryl. "Because we lost. My people - slaughtered."

"Your people? You must be the princess, then."

Beryl clenched her hands into fists. "No longer, Your Majesty. A Queen and King is nothing without people to rule. A princess - an orphan."

"We owe you. We can help rebuild your kingdom."

"Like I said; I've no people to rule."

"I believe that to be false. We have a merman in our dungeons," said Calanthe.

It seemed the sun was aligning in hopes of Beryl becoming Queen of Fiopha.

"What?"

"I'll take you to him once Geralt of Rivia has made up his made of what he wants," informed Calanthe.

"Yes," said Duny. "Please, Geralt of Rivia, do not feel like you're doing me a service. I cannot start a new life in the shadow of a life debt," pleaded Duny.

"Fine. I...claim the tradition as you have, the Law of Surprise. Give me that which you already have but do not know," said Geralt nonchalantly.

"No!" exclaimed Calanthe. "What have you done, Witcher?"

"Fear not, Your Majesty, if I'm seen in your kingdom again, it'll be to kill a real monster, not lay claim to a crop or a new pup. Destiny can go fu - "

Pavetta vomited and held her stomach.

"Pavetta? Are you...? Oh..."

Geralt sighed. "Fuck." He collected his sword and walked off.

"Oh - uh - I'll be back, Your Majesty," Beryl said, curtsying, before running after Geralt. "Geralt!"

He stopped and turned around. "What?"

"You must come with me to my kingdom and help me rebuild what I've lost."

"I don't think so."

She narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "I believe I've saved you twice now."

Geralt groaned. He was so focused on not wasting a vial, that he failed to think of the consequences. "Fine."