Not Out Of Love (A Princess Tutu Fan Fiction)

Fake it Till You Make It

I had managed to get to the surface of the lake only to find Mytho holding Adelberto back from jumping in.
"I have to save her!" He struggled to get free and suddenly noticed me staring at them in confusion. "Duck!" He shook off Mytho and pulled me out of the water and hugged me tight to him, "I thought you were trapped there," he tightened his arms around me. "Thank God you're back, I couldn't--"
I shook myself out of his grasp feeling that weird tinge in my chest again. "I'm fine. It was just another of Drosselmeyer's tricks." I tried to remember the mermaid's words but looking at Adelberto was causing them to slip out of my mind.
Mytho managed to grab me in my distraction and whispered in my ear "I'm glad you got away Tutu. We couldn't do this without you."
His words made the mermaids speech ring in my ears so loud I could almost hear her.
The mermaid just smiled, "I knew you'd see reason. Just remember Duck they'll try to bring you back in with words about how terrified they were. That they were trying to save you. It's not true. You're down here aren't you? This time Duck, save yourself. Go along with it until the very end, and then save yourself. It's what they would do.
I kept my expression neutral, trying not to let my thoughts show on my face. The mermaid words were so true it almost hurt. I had almost thought he'd changed, but princes never changed.
He didn't notice the pain in my eyes and just changed topic quickly, "What did Drosselmeyer show you?"
I struggled to keep my face still,"Just a little history lesson."
Mytho frowned in confusion,"Why?"
I smiled, "To make sure we don't repeat the mistakes of the past."
Mytho just looked down,"Some things are unavoidable."
Adelberto looked at him with amazement,"You're going to say that after all that happened last time?!"
Mytho just clenched his fist and kept his gaze pointed downward.
I laughed, and I couldn't keep it from sounding bitter, "Mytho knows we all have our parts to play. And mine just happens to be the one who sacrifices for the happy ending."
But Adelberto shook his head, "I'm not going to let you do that. This time we're all going to be happy."
I smiled at him but all I could hear were the words of the mermaid
Save yourself. It's what they would do.