The Storm

In the imperial study.

"Your Majesty—if that giant octopus is not dealt with, it will undoubtedly pose a grave threat to our nation!!" A middle-aged man exclaimed, rolling up his sleeves to reveal distinct bruises on his arms as he spoke in anguish.

Another woman, visibly shaken, eagerly nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Majesty. We do not know why that giant octopus spared our lives, but its brutal behavior alone warrants our utmost vigilance. In my humble opinion, it must be eradicated at once."

"Even with your claims…" Sebastian reclined in his seat, resting his chin on one hand, regarding them with a bemused expression. "The only witnesses to this giant octopus are you two, while several others who drowned still lie in the medical clinic. How can I trust your words?"

"Do you have any idea how many men I would need to dispatch to capture an octopus whose whereabouts remain unknown?"

The man's expression shifted dramatically, and he immediately knelt on the floor. "Your Majesty! Every word I speak is true; I would never deceive you!"

The woman quickly followed suit, kneeling as well. "I can vouch for this! We witnessed it with our own eyes. We were among those who capsized at sea a few days ago and were subsequently ensnared by that giant octopus, dragged ashore. When the others awaken, Your Majesty can inquire further!"

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his tone leisurely. "Oh? By your account, that giant octopus actually saved you; why would you still wish for its demise?"

"Moreover, if I recall correctly," his gaze settled on the middle-aged man, "you should have been quite near me when the ship capsized. How did you come to encounter the giant octopus?"

"Um…" The man hesitated. "I intended to seek help from that unknown creature, but was struck by an immensely powerful object, plunging me into the depths of the sea. When I regained consciousness, I found myself entangled by the giant octopus and brought to shore."

"Ha! So, you weren't in any real danger after all."

Just recently, a man who had hurriedly arrived and entered the imperial study alongside the two others could no longer contain his frustration. He furrowed his brow and spoke, "When those small creatures came to rescue you, you were the ones who shouted and refused to let them approach. Now, having been fortuitously brought ashore by that octopus, you not only fail to express your gratitude but dare to incite His Majesty to annihilate it?"

These two were delivered directly to the capital by the giant octopus, while the others were escorted to the shore by various sea creatures, managing to find their way to the capital on their own.

The reason he returned so swiftly was due to the relentless pace of his horses, which had been driven to exhaustion. The octopus merely exerted a bit of force; it was certainly better than losing one's life.

What more could these two possibly be dissatisfied with?

The woman's face flushed crimson as she retorted, "But it dares to strike at us now; who's to say it won't turn on innocent civilians in the future?"

Moreover, given her delicate constitution, having never sustained such severe injuries throughout her life, and with these bruises nearly covering her entire body, how could she accept that the giant octopus remained unscathed?

"At least from your words, I discern no ambition from that giant octopus," Sebastian replied, disinterested, as he withdrew his gaze and lazily half-closed his phoenix eyes, covering his mouth as he yawned. "If you have come solely for this matter, you may take your leave."

"I will have someone deliver the necessary medicinal herbs to your residence shortly, so you need not trouble yourselves."

"But…" the middle-aged man attempted to protest further.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed, and the faint light outside the window vanished without a trace, plunging the surroundings into darkness.

A torrential downpour descended unexpectedly, as if the heavens had opened.

Sebastian turned his head to glance at the window, where the rain pounded against the glass, squinting as he smiled, "...See? Whether you wish to leave or not, it is now raining."

The man was taken aback, staring blankly at the deluge outside.

Though the rain had come suddenly, what did it matter to him?

"Though the rain is heavy, I still have matters to discuss with my esteemed minister, so I kindly ask you both to return with your own umbrellas," Sebastian replied languidly, reclining against his chair with a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Do you have any objections, my minister?"

The middle-aged man's expression darkened. "...Naturally, I have no objections."

"Since Your Majesty still has business to attend to, I shall take my leave."

Meanwhile…

"Oh dear, this rain is indeed sudden," remarked the elegantly dressed woman, glancing up at the overcast sky outside the pavilion with mild curiosity. "...Logically, summer has passed; we shouldn't be experiencing such a downpour now."

Lu took a bite of osmanthus cake and, though not particularly concerned, also looked outside to see what the rain on the human side was like. However, upon catching sight of the curtain of rain, she was momentarily stunned. "...It really is sudden."

The rain itself was not an issue; in fact, she rather enjoyed it, as the damp atmosphere made her feel quite comfortable.

Yet, mingled with the rain was a faint, almost imperceptible familiar scent…

The little mermaid pressed her lips together, still holding half a piece of osmanthus cake in her hand, but instantly lost her appetite.

These past few days have been so comfortable that she nearly forgot about that persistent specter! 

How could it have followed her here?! 

"I don't know when it will stop; returning with an umbrella would undoubtedly be inconvenient." The woman retracted her gaze and took a sip from her teacup, casually commenting without it affecting her mood too much. 

"An… umbrella?" Lu blinked, momentarily distracted from the rain, and absentmindedly popped the remaining half of the pastry into her mouth, intrigued by this unfamiliar term. 

"Yes, an oiled paper umbrella," the woman explained, setting her teacup down. "Unfortunately, I came here alone, and I have no idea when those palace attendants will arrive with the umbrellas." 

Even if they did bring umbrellas, given the intensity of the rain, it seemed unlikely they could return unscathed. 

"...Oh." Lu tilted her head, trying to envision what an oiled paper umbrella looked like— 

As the name suggests, is it made of oil and paper? 

But can it actually shield one from the rain? Or do humans perhaps enjoy the water? 

"However, it's not too far from your place; shall I send someone to escort you back?" The woman proposed with a smile. 

"Hmm?" Lu glanced at her in confusion, wondering how she knew where she lived. 

The woman continued, "By the way, we've been sitting together for so long, and I haven't introduced myself yet." 

Lu: …? 

What other identity could there possibly be? 

"Actually, I…" 

Just then, the patter of rain abruptly ceased, and a figure appeared outside the pavilion. 

The woman halted her speech, gazing in surprise. 

"...Little Lu, there you are." 

"I've been searching for you." 

A somewhat sullen young man stepped through the curtain of rain, tugging at the corners of his mouth as he fixed his gaze on Lu, who was obediently seated on the stone bench. Noticing her frown as she instinctively leaned back, he slowly lowered his eyes. "...Come back with me."