Just in Case

In a corner of the capital. 

The rain continued to fall, enveloping the entire street in a shroud of white mist. 

Few pedestrians traversed the wide avenue; occasionally, a couple of individuals with umbrellas hurried past, moving briskly through the downpour. 

Thus, the young man strolling leisurely in the torrential rain stood out starkly. 

"Excuse me, sir, please wait," a woman approached, blushing as she raised her plain umbrella, positioning herself in front of the casually dressed man with disheveled dark hair. 

"What is it?" Jack glanced up at her, yet complied and halted, his expression cold. 

However, under the cover of the rain, his icy demeanor appeared somewhat softened to an outsider. 

The woman cautiously studied him for a moment, and seeing that Jack showed no signs of displeasure, she mustered her courage and stepped closer, lifting the umbrella between them with a smile. "The rain is so heavy; if you don't mind, shall we share this umbrella? Look, two people can certainly fit under it, and it's better than you getting drenched." 

"Where are you headed? I can accompany you partway." 

"No need; our paths differ," Jack averted his gaze and sidestepped the obstructing figure, continuing toward a distant patch of golden light. 

The woman paused, "Wait!" 

Yet the already heavy rain suddenly intensified, drenching her and nearly making it impossible to hold onto the umbrella. 

The splashes of water soaked her embroidered shoes, as if she were treading directly in a puddle. 

She opened her mouth, watching the faint silhouette of the man disappear into the curtain of rain, ultimately biting her lip in frustration as she turned and walked away. 

However, in that moment of turning, her gaze grew cold. 

After an indeterminate time, Jack, now far away, finally paused, lifting his head to gaze at the overcast sky. 

That woman seemed…? 

… 

"Is something amiss over there?" The Fourth Prince emerged halfway from the shallow sea, turning to the Third Prince nearby. 

The Fifth Prince swam over, flicking his tail with a scoff. "It's obvious something is wrong; do we even need to ask?" 

The Third Prince furrowed his brow. "This rain must have been conjured by Jack; from a mere glance, its extent is considerable." 

"What on earth is he trying to accomplish? His recklessness will affect us as well," the Fifth Prince crossed his arms, expressing his displeasure. 

Moreover, they had initially planned to venture into human territory in hopes of finding Lu, but this sudden downpour has completely derailed their plans— 

As merfolk, walking on human legs is already a cumbersome task, let alone traversing in such heavy rain. 

The likelihood of instinctively reverting to their tails is exceedingly high, rendering them unable to reach the shore. 

"Perhaps he wishes for Lu to return," the Third Prince sighed, "He tends to be overly anxious regarding Lu's affairs." 

At times, he even intervenes more than their elder brothers. 

It is curious that someone who appears so gentle and composed can act so impulsively. Due to his connection with the dragon clan, they find themselves unable to voice their concerns— 

After all, Jack's intentions are ultimately for Lu's benefit. 

Yet, Jack has never considered that if Lu were to comply with his every whim, he would no longer be Lu. 

"What shall we do now? Should we simply return? If we cannot find him, we cannot hide the truth from Father and Mother any longer," the Fourth Prince remarked. 

The Third Prince hesitated for a moment. "Let us return and discuss this with our elder brother. If we truly cannot keep it a secret, then so be it; after all, Father and Mother could never bear to punish Lu excessively." 

It would only amount to confinement or perhaps a stricter diet. 

However, it is certain that Lu would cause quite a stir then. 

In the palace. 

"That's strange!" Lu sat at the table, sipping the hot ginger tea brought by the palace servants alongside Sebastian. As she curiously took small sips, she suddenly recalled something and looked suspiciously at the handsome young man seated across from her. "Why are there your clothes here?" 

Although this wasn't technically her domain… it was at least temporarily hers— 

So why were his garments placed in her space? 

Isn't that rather peculiar? 

"The servants prepared them," Sebastian replied without missing a beat. 

"Then why would they place your clothes here?" Lu asked, even more perplexed. 

He doesn't sleep here; what purpose do they serve? To assert the authority of the homeowner? 

And Sebastian seemed to understand the situation all too well? 

"…In every palace, they prepare several sets of everyday clothes for unexpected needs," he explained, though they are rarely utilized. 

"Oh." Lu blinked, finally letting the matter go. 

Outside, the rain poured noisily while the two inside quietly enjoyed their ginger tea— 

It was said to prevent illness, though Lu could hardly fathom how a simple cup of tea could ward off sickness. 

Humans are so fragile, after all. 

After a while, 

Lu set down the empty teacup she had drained and turned to gaze out the window at the intensifying rain. "...What would happen if this rain continues to fall?" 

Sebastian raised an eyebrow, following her gaze and then narrowing his phoenix eyes in contemplation. "That depends on how long it continues." 

Lu felt a twinge of anxiety and didn't dare look at his expression. "What if it just keeps pouring?" 

"Just keeps pouring?" Sebastian paused, glancing knowingly at the dark blue of her hair, then chuckled softly. "That won't happen." 

"How can you be so sure?" Lu puffed out her cheeks, slightly irritated. "What if it does! Just what if!" 

"I won't allow that possibility to arise," Sebastian said lazily, holding the still-warm cup and closing his eyes, looking somewhat weary. 

"Are you saying it won't happen just because you say so?" Lu frowned, prepared for an argument, but froze when she noticed his demeanor. "Are you trying to sleep?" 

"...Yes." 

"Then are you going back to sleep?" Lu glanced again at the torrential rain, feeling a twinge of dread. 

She was truly fearful of the rain conjured by that water snake. 

"Why? Are you trying to shoo me away?" Sebastian half-opened his eyes, a casual smile playing on his lips. 

Lu huffed, conceding, "You can sleep in my bed, but you must return it to me by nightfall." 

After all, considering the time, she had only just awakened not long ago and wouldn't feel the need to sleep again soon. 

"What if I sleep until morning?" Sebastian asked earnestly. 

"Then I shall kick you out!" Lu feigned ferocity, glaring at him. "Aren't you tired? If you wish to sleep, do so quickly; otherwise, don't hold it against me if I change my mind!" 

How can he be so chatty about something as simple as sleep! 

He has truly been spoiled!