The King was an imposing figure, shackled by the weight of a gold-encrusted crown. He roamed the ornate garden in solitude, his heart as barren as his kingdom.

His eyes fell upon Monna, his precious captive. Her glittering scales seemed to mirror the colossal frustration and longing locked in her azure eyes.

The King glided his fingers into the cool water, touching her bound wrists, a soft tenderness in his gaze. He allowed himself to reminisce of a time when he wasn't so alone.

He was captivated by Monna's imposing presence, a living testament to the world beyond the garden walls, a world he'd once known.

Monna winced, a contraction seizing her. It was a stark reminder of the impending event. Grappling with her own pain, she stared back at the King.

"Your majesty, I beg you, free me," Monna pained. The King paused, his gaze faltered. Could she be more than just a spectacle for the lonely King?

The King began to grapple with the thought of releasing Monna. Alone, as he was, could he forfeit the only being he had allowed in his solitary existence?

Another wave of pain came over Monna, making the water ripple. Her eyes bore into the King's, desperate and pleading.

The King's heart clenched. "I..." he trailed off, his gaze dropping to her swollen belly. Never had he questioned his choices till now.

"Please," Monna pleaded again. The King fought the tears welling in his eyes. Was his loneliness a justification for her captivity?

He thought of his own family, leaving him alone to rule a kingdom. An immense loneliness washed over him, drowning his resolve.

Monna cried out again, bringing the King back to reality. His eyes met hers, and in them, he saw a reflection of his own fear.

"Release her," a voice inside him commanded. He wiped his tears, looking at the mermaid, their fates entwining with each painful contraction.

He reached for the shackles around her wrists, hesitated, then let the chains fall. Monna gasped as the cold metal loosened.

The King tore his eyes away from Monna, trying to suppress the heaviness in his heart. He turned his back on her, allowing her to escape.

The King walked away, the echo of Monna's gasps still ringing in his ears. His kingdom seemed grayer, but his conscience seemed lighter.

He ventured into his castle, leaving the garden behind. The sound of water splashing indicated Monna's swift departure. He sighed, returning to his desolate kingdom.

He entered his study, his heartbeat echoing in his chest. As the sobs subsided, he glimpsed a sparkle outside his window, a tail swishing in the sea.

For the first time in years, the King slept peacefully. The sun rose, its rays peeking through the window, illuminating his empty, silent kingdom.

The King awoke to an eerie silence. He sat up, haunted by the absence of Monna's soft humming. He couldn't shake off the feeling of loss.

He walked to the window, peering at the sea. He saw something glinting in the distance. Three blue tails swished in unison, disappearing into the deep sea.

He smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. The mermaid and her daughters were finally free. He felt stirrings of hope, of life beyond loneliness.

The King ventured back to his garden. It no longer hummed with Monna's songs, but it brimmed with their memories, and with it, a chance for redemption.

From then on, the King started seeking his solitude not in the company of captives, but in the vast, open world beyond his castle.

The echoes of the King's past began to fade, replaced by the songs of the mermaid and the laughter of his people—a kingdom free of chains, like Monna.