8. Imperfect Merman

Ursilla blinked her eyes, which were sore from the seawater in the swamps in Rainbow Garden. Ursilla's cheeks puffed upholding her breath underwater. Ursilla moved her arms and legs to get back to land.

The situation would be easy if Liera used her original 16-year-old body. However, with Ursilla's body being only a 6-year-old child, it was certainly not very profitable. Ursilla just twitched in place without being able to go upstairs to catch her breath.

A tight feeling filled Ursilla's chest, her still functioning lungs were burning because of the lack of oxygen supply. "Damn it! This is so torturous!"

Ursilla closed her eyes tightly, small bubbles coming out of her mouth. Ursilla was no longer strong enough to hold her breath underwater. Ursilla drank in large quantities the water in the marshes. The water tasted salty, but the saltiness didn't even improve Ursilla's condition.

"Will I die? If I die now, will I return to my original body?"

Somehow, disappointment and despair filled Ursilla's heart when she was in a dangerous situation. Even though Liera didn't like being the character Ursilla, she still objected to drowning without enjoying life in the world of the novel she created.

Slowly, Ursilla's body drifted towards the bottom of the swamp. As Ursilla resigned herself to her fate, she felt a wave of water approaching her. Ursilla's eyes could faintly see silvery sky-blue hair.

That's Antares. The Merman approached Ursilla and swam beside Ursilla's sinking body. Antares's eyes that flashed a look of innocence studied Ursilla's pale face. Antares's mouth opened, revealing small pointed fangs.

"Human..."

Ursilla wanted to cry, not because she felt like she was dying, but because her favorite character just looked at her without giving any help. "Why are you even swimming beside me?! Won't you help me first?!"

Those words could only be shouted by Ursilla in her mind. Ursilla's chest was already on fire as the heat was gnawing at her consciousness little by little. Ursilla's vision grew dim. However, she could still see Antares swimming around and observing every corner of Ursilla's body.

"Ah, never mind. What do I expect from him? He doesn't even know me or interact with humans. Of course, there's no way Antares will help me."

Well, Antares will probably watch Ursilla until Ursilla drowns. Ursilla finally closed her eyes because she couldn't open them anymore. Ursilla's ears could still faintly hear what Antares said.

"You... know me, Human?" Antares winked at the sight of the human in front of him, closing his eyes tightly.

Of course, Antares question didn't get an answer because Ursilla was busy with the choking feeling of dying in the water. Antares tail moved quickly, Antares hand reached for Ursilla's body which was drifting to the bottom of the swamp.

This was not at the will of Antares, but his heart was moved to help the humans in front of him. "You're in pain. Grandpa said many humans can't swim and breathe in water like us sirens. Are you one of those humans?"

Slender hands with Antares pale white skin wrapped around Ursilla's waist, making their bodies stick together. Antares's hands which have membranes between their fingers are accompanied by pointed nails and can tear the flesh of fish in the sea, splitting the water with one hand. The bodies of Antares and Ursilla who were in his arms headed towards the surface of the water.

Antares tail wagged fast to get to land as soon as possible. Antares eyes stole a glance to see Ursilla's face, which was starting to turn blue. They finally came to the surface, and Ursilla took a deep breath to overcome the burning feeling in her chest.

Ursilla opened her eyes when she felt her stomach twist from swallowing the large amount of salt water. Ursilla couldn't help feeling nauseous until she vomited water to the side.

Antares only observed what happened to Ursilla. The innocent look that seemed not to know what had happened to Ursilla, made anyone who saw it feel that the boy was not the cause of Ursilla almost drowning.

"Ugh... I felt like I was going to die before." Ursilla grumbled while wiping her mouth. Ursilla realized that her body was being hugged tightly by someone.

Ursilla turned her head, her eyes met with Antares, who tilted his head at Ursilla innocently. At this close distance, Ursilla could see Antares face clearly. Ursilla's hand rose and landed on Antares cheek.

Antares eyes widened. His sapphire blue pupils dilated as he felt a touch that gave a warm feeling in his heart. Antares's face suddenly turned red, the feeling of embarrassment mixed with pleasure gave a strange sensation of its own.

"Y-you... Human, what did you do to me?" Antares's voice trembled faintly. Antares's eyes moved restlessly, trying to avoid looking at Ursilla's face.

Ursilla felt tickled to see Antares, who was shy just because he touched Antares cheek. Ursilla idly moved her thumb to stroke Antares cheek. Antares's reaction became more intense, his face seemed to explode with a bright red color.

"W-what... you..." Antares closed his eyes in embarrassment.

Ursilla chuckled amused seeing Antares very adorable face. Ursilla pulled Antares cheek and played with him. "Funny..."

Antares opened his eyes, the sight of Ursilla's happy face fascinated him. Antares even forgot how to blink, the moment Ursilla smiled happily as if he wanted to avoid missing it.

Ursilla's expression changed when she noticed Antares gaze. Ursilla was suddenly embarrassed to be stared at so intensely by Antares, she cleared her throat to suppress her embarrassment.

"Hey, why are you looking at me like that?"

Antares blinked, then looked the other way. "You are beautiful, Human."

Ursilla's face reddened faintly, but she tried to hide it. "I know because I'm a princess!"

Ursilla boasted in front of Antares, who lit up at the word royal princess.

"Princess? Are you a princess in the Victorian Kingdom?" Antares looked enthusiastic, waiting for Ursilla's answer.

Ursilla lifted her chin haughtily. "Yes, I am Princess Ursilla dà Victoria!"

"Wow great!" Antares clapped his hands, admiring Ursilla.

Ursilla smiled lopsidedly. "Yes, of course... Achoo!"

Ursilla sneezed because of her position with Antares still in the water. Ursilla's body shivered as she felt a chill pierce her skin. Why did she only notice the cold now?!

"Human,...are you sick?" Antares eyes look sad and teary. Tears welled up in his eyes. Ursilla was just about to ask Antares to take her to the edge of the swamp. However, she was surprised when she saw Antares unexpected reaction.

"Human, are you going to die? Grandpa said humans die easily. They are weak creatures, but feel the most powerful of the other races." Tears rolled down Antares cheeks, who had pale white skin. Antares cries for Ursilla thinking that Ursilla will die.

"E-even though I just met a human who knows me... Why would you die, Human..." Antares burst into tears, he sobbed at the thought of losing Ursilla.

Antares lowered his head, making his tears fall on Ursilla's face. "I'm alone, Human... Are you going to leave me like the others too?"

Ursilla shook her head. "I'm not leaving you, okay? I'm not going to die. So don't worry."

Antares covered his eyes with his arm. "Lies... They also said the same thing. But, in the end, they left me because I'm an imperfect merman."

Ursilla immediately remembered the fact that Antares, the second male lead in the novel Love to Ursilla, is an imperfect merman. He's from the siren race, but actually Antares is also a half-human merman.

"His imperfection as a merman, makes the merman and mermaids no one wants to be friends with him."