Chapter 39 Willingness

In a private room of the tavern. 

Lu bit into the candied hawthorn she bought from a street vendor, restlessly perched on her chair, her blue eyes fixed on the bustling street outside, waiting absently for her food to arrive. 

Sebastian lowered his gaze and sipped his tea, a wave of bitter astringency flooding his mouth; he paused momentarily, placing the teacup back on the table with an impassive expression. 

He typically enjoyed bitter tea for its invigorating qualities… yet today, this tea seemed particularly difficult to endure. 

"Um…" 

Lu glanced back at him, hesitating before speaking, "My family has come to find me; I should probably return." 

Sebastian raised his phoenix-like eyes, his long fingers tracing the rim of the teacup, as if he had anticipated this, and simply uttered a soft, "Mm." 

At the mention of this, the little mermaid instinctively licked the sugar coating from her lower lip, averting her blue gaze with a hint of guilt, and quietly explained, "I snuck out this time, and if I don't return soon, they will probably tie me up and bring me back." 

"So I just wanted to let you know... I will definitely come to visit you next time I have the chance!" 

Although she was unsure when her grandmother and brothers had arrived, she knew they wouldn't linger on this land for her sake. 

As for her grandmother, that was one thing, but she was well aware that her brothers held no affection for humans. 

In the days leading up to her coming of age, the mermaid princes had taken turns visiting her, urging her to keep her distance from humanity. Of course, she had paid little heed to their warnings, letting their words pass through one ear and out the other. 

Yet now, she had sneaked out of the mermaid kingdom for the sake of a human. At the time, she had felt no burden, but in retrospect— 

Hmm, perhaps it wasn't the wisest decision? 

Realizing her mistake, Lu naturally wished to exhibit better behavior, avoiding any struggles that might further anger her brothers, knowing that she would ultimately bear the consequences. Besides, it could potentially implicate this human as well. 

"When is the next time?" Sebastian inquired, raising an eyebrow. 

"The next time?" Lu paused, furrowing her brow in uncertainty. "Perhaps when my family calms down? I'm not quite sure..." 

The crux of the matter was that she was also supposed to attend the Four Seas Festival, a promise her parents had long made to her, and they would surely not go back on their word. 

However, returning to the mermaid kingdom only to be confined could result in an indeterminate period of imprisonment. 

Thus, leaving this time without accomplishing anything and having to return felt rather disheartening; she had no idea how long it would be before she could venture out again. 

Sebastian silently sighed within, finding her lack of awareness rather exasperating. 

Yet, he maintained a gentle smile, his phoenix-like eyes curving slightly as he said, "Indeed, you've been out for quite some time; it's only right that you return to check on them." 

Lu huffed a couple of times, bit into a hawthorn, and then turned her head back to gaze reluctantly at the bustling street below, muttering, "Fine, if you say so." 

Who was she even with? Why was he urging her to leave? 

She had thought they were at least good friends by now! 

This human, with nothing but a handsome face, was truly disappointing! 

Sebastian appeared oblivious to the little mermaid's discontent. "It's not as if we won't see each other again; being away for too long is not advisable." 

Lu puffed up her cheeks, suddenly feeling a bit rebellious. "What if I just don't come back?" 

The young man seemed to ponder for a moment, a smile dancing in his eyes. "Then I will have no choice but to come find you myself." 

Lu was taken aback. "Find me?" 

But how could a mere human come to seek her out? 

… 

At the bottom of the capital's canal. 

In the dimly lit, clear waters, several mermaids swam in a particular direction, their uniquely beautiful tails shimmering with dark scales under the faint light. 

"I thought you wouldn't come with us," the Fifth Prince remarked with curiosity. "Have you finally discerned the treachery of humans?" 

Lu cautiously stole a glance at the expressionless First Prince and replied, "Fifth Brother, this human is not bad." 

The mermaid matriarch found Lu's expression amusing and chimed in, "Indeed, I find that human quite likable; he seems well-meaning." 

The Fifth Prince frowned, "You've only been with him for a few days, and you already deem him trustworthy? Is he so trustworthy that you would follow him to the human continent without a word?!" 

With that, he cast a glance at the matriarch, softening his tone. "And you, Grandmother, not all humans are like Grandfather; how can you support Lu's actions?" 

The mermaid matriarch remained unfazed, responding leisurely, "I simply see that human as decent and kind to Little Lu. And you, Little Five, you've only spent a few days with him. Why are you so quick to judge his character? Is that human truly so guilty?" 

The Fifth Prince, feeling somewhat embarrassed yet resolute, insisted, "It's better to be cautious than to be deceived!" 

"Besides, if it weren't for Jack, we wouldn't even know that Little Lu had come to the surface. That human is certainly not to be trusted!" 

The First Prince suddenly glanced at him, his gray-blue eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Speaking of Jack, we haven't seen him since we left the lake." 

Lu was stunned. "Why is he even a topic of discussion?"

I thought this water snake had finally given up, yet it seems he is everywhere. 

"…He claimed to be attending to some matters, but I have no idea what he intends to do; that child's thoughts are notoriously difficult to decipher," the mermaid matriarch sighed. 

The Fifth Prince nodded solemnly, "It could very well be something nefarious." 

The First Prince cast a sidelong glance at him, "Mind your words." 

"…I am merely speaking the truth!" 

"Perhaps he has returned to his own home?" Lu mused, swaying her azure tail. "After all, the East Sea is not far away; even if he is not responsible for the arrangements, it is only natural for him to check in." 

Thus, she would be free from the harassment of this insufferable water snake for a while! 

That was indeed a silver lining! 

"That may not be the case," the First Prince seemed to contemplate something, "but what he is up to has little bearing on us." 

Though they spoke of fostering goodwill, given the sea serpent's cold and cunning nature, even allies of the serpent clan rarely meddled in affairs that did not concern them. 

After all, whether assisting or dissuading, one misstep could lead to being targeted by these vengeful and troublesome beings. 

"…Let us focus on the upcoming grand ceremony." 

The First Prince turned his gaze to the merrily swimming little mermaid, smiling gently, "Before the ceremony begins, you shall move to my residence." 

Lu: ??! 

"Th-that doesn't seem appropriate…" Lu pouted, softly declining, "It would be quite troublesome for you, wouldn't it?" 

The First Prince withdrew his gaze, "I fear not your disturbance; rather, I dread your absence." 

Seeing that he was unyielding, Lu turned to the mermaid matriarch for help, "Grandmother~~" 

The mermaid matriarch cleared her throat, "Little Lu, I cannot intervene; your brother is looking out for your best interests." 

"But…" Lu felt a sense of despair. 

Despite her usual bravado, she found the First Prince's indifferent demeanor utterly disconcerting! 

This was far more tormenting than a straightforward confinement! 

Even living with her mother would be less unbearable… at least her mother never treated her with such coldness! 

The First Prince was known to change his demeanor in an instant. 

Not to mention, she had made such a significant mistake this time… he would surely make her pay dearly! 

"Unwilling?" The First Prince shot her a glance. 

"…I am willing! Very willing~~" the little mermaid forced a smile.