@foxburrito Both have lost somebody at the sea.
Alon is guilty for his mother death.
There could be some truth about selkies being a bad omen, or are just the circumstances that played against the characters.
The main conflict is their internal struggle and the relationship a way to develop them, than the way around.
... however myself I'm not feel involved much in romantic tales if they haven't some internal struggle about something, anyway.
@foxburrito Are there some reasons why Alon and Victoria stick together? Feels like they have mostly a crush, where Alon is driven more to get accepted by somebody who would discriminate him.
Like a reflection to be get accepted in the society in general.
I don't say it could not be a genuine relationship; I say... I don't feel the leads are tied directly in their personalities in this stage, are more about circumstances.
These bonds are something I would see later in a story.