I couldn't stop staring at Arthuas as he continued to lead us down the long corridor. He was the definition of perfection, from his bright blue eyes to his heartwarming smile. "Stop staring at him! he's just a normal merman," Veronica whispered after she noticed me staring at the prince for so long. "I know, but I  can't help myself. If you saw a handsome merman, wouldn't you want to look at him?  "I whispered a little too loudly. A split second later, I heard a small chuckle, and I looked up to see Prince Arthuas looking at me with a wide grin across his face.

"I'm flattered that you think I'm handsome, Miss Delphine. Not many merfolk say that I am," He smiled. I felt my cheeks start to turn a few shades of red. Shit, I just embarrassed myself in front of royalty. After that, I couldn't glance up at him for even a second because I felt like such an idiot. Eventually, we reached a large white barred door, and through the bars, I could see a dark room with a few small sea lamps giving the room a small amount of light.

"Before we go in, I want to warn you guys that the pearlkeeper is a little senile," Arthuas warned before he opened one of the doors. We swam inside, and we saw a light appear. "Who dares enter the chamber of the pearlkeeper?" A voice bellowed. A large merman wearing a dark gray cloak wrapped around him came into view. "Ah, Prince Arthuas, I see you brought some friends," he chuckled.

"Yes, I have, they are new to Atlantis, and we need to find out what their traits and profession are," Arthuas explained. The strange merman carefully wiped down a giant pearl resting on a dark wood table. "I see, swim forward newcomers," he said, gesturing us to come forward. The eight of us looked at each other with unease but complied and approached the table. "Who's going to go first?" The merman asked.

"I'll go first," Veronica volunteered. The merman instructed her to place her hand on top of the pearl, and it would show her main trait and then her profession. I could tell that she was nervous, but I gave her a small, reassuring smile telling her that it would be alright. We all watched with interest as the pearl began to reveal her destiny.

"Congratulations, Ms. Bella, you are now the mermaid of empathy, and your profession will be to work in the Atlantis library," The merman smiled. Veronica looked over at me with a small smile spreading across her face. "Alright, you may wait outside with Prince Arthuas," He told Veronica. She swam out of the room, and I was excited to see who was going to go next. Klaus approached the table next. His destiny was working in the Atlantis library with Veronica, and I knew that she would be happy with that.

I watched as everyone's destiny was revealed. And I started to wonder what mine would be. Duncan was named Merman of Intelligence.  Violet was set to work in one of the inventing labs and given the name Mermaid of Creativity. After Sunny's destiny was revealed, it was finally my turn.

"Nervous you must be, Miss Delphine," The mysterious merman observed. "I'm just eager, that's all," I said. I placed my hand on the pearl, and I could feel my heartbeat start to accelerate inside my chest. Please let my destiny be good, I silently begged. "Remove your hand. It's ready," I complied, and I watched as the pearl slowly showed my destiny. "Congratulations, you are now known as the Mermaid of Courage, and you will become Prince Arthuas' companion," the merman smiled.

My heart came to a screeching halt. I'm going to be the prince's companion?! After the way I had embarrassed myself by accidentally calling Arthuas handsome, I wasn't anywhere near ready to have a big responsibility like that. "Thank you," I said before exiting the chamber. When I stepped outside, everyone stared at me like I was a ghost, and I could tell that they were wondering what profession I got. 

"Well, what did you get?" Violet asked. "I-I'm going to be Prince Arthua's companion," I answered, trying my best to remain calm. Everyone looked over at Arthuas to see what his reaction was. After the way I blurted out accidentally that he was handsome, I expected him to be disgusted, but instead, he started to smile. "Excellent, but I must inform you that I will not need you to do much for me," He explained.

My heart was beating faster and faster, but after that explanation, it started to calm down slightly. "Are we expected to get to work right away?" Veronica asked. "Yes, I'll have someone lead you all to your tasks," King Nereus said after sneaking up behind us. We all gasped slightly at this unexpected visitor and bowed slightly to his presence. "You are all dismissed. Delphine, I need you to be there for my son. Anything he needs you must give him, do I make myself clear?" King Nereus asked when the others besides Arthuas swam away.

"Yes, your majesty," I nodded. King Nereus gave me an approving look and swam back to the throne room, and when he was out of view, my heart started to pound once again because Arthuas and I were alone. "Come on, I'll show you around the castle," he smiled, offering his hand to me. I finally managed to look into his blue eyes and slip my hand into his, and we began to swim around the castle.