Chapter 41 Return

"Princess! You have returned…" Belle emerged from the palace, her face filled with sorrow, and did not forget to bow respectfully. 

Lu blinked innocently, smiling, "Yes, I am back." 

But soon, she would have to leave again…

The eldest prince cast a calm glance at Belle. "Go fetch your princess's frequently worn garments; she will be staying with me for the time being." 

"Ah?" Belle was momentarily taken aback. "...Understood, Your Highness." 

But the princess had only just returned! 

Suppressing her frustration, Belle swam back, her tail flicking with indignation as she prepared to pack the mermaid princess's belongings— 

In truth, every prince's palace was equipped with spare items for other royal family members. The eldest prince's request was merely to gather the little mermaid's most cherished clothing and accessories to take with her. 

Yet… she would no longer be able to see the princess! 

How could this be considered the behavior of a dutiful maid?! 

As the figure of the mermaid attendant vanished around the corner, the eldest prince turned his gaze toward the fifth prince, who was stealthily attempting to slip away. His gray-blue eyes were as tranquil as a still pond. "...Fifth brother, where do you think you are going?" 

The fifth prince was startled, quickly turning back with an awkward smile, reluctantly swimming back at a slow pace. "Oh, I was merely curious about that patch of seagrass over there that seems to attract fish. Just taking a quick look, that's all..." 

The eldest prince emitted an ambiguous hum, choosing to remain silent. 

The fifth prince, feeling somewhat inadequate, sidled up to Lu, his long, azure tail stiffening as he dared not flick it too much, fearing it might draw the attention of his elder brother. 

Lu widened her eyes in disbelief, silently mouthing, "Fifth brother, how can you hide from me like this?!" 

He was clearly the elder brother! 

Instead of protecting her, he intended to use her as a shield?! 

What kind of brother behaved in such a manner?! 

The fifth prince's ears flushed with embarrassment, and he silently mouthed back, "What choice do I have? The eldest brother wouldn't harm you, but he might not be so lenient with me." 

"Then why did you sneak out from the depths of the sea?" Lu retorted, exasperated. 

If it weren't for him, perhaps she wouldn't have been discovered so soon; now, with the arrival of the fifth prince, everything was lost. 

The fifth prince, feeling justified, replied, "Isn't it to find you? Who knew the eldest brother would follow us?" 

"I… I didn't ask you to come looking for me," Lu said, blinking her blue eyes, feeling a bit guilty. 

Moreover, after being tormented by that vile water snake and spending so long on the human shore, what had she ultimately accomplished? Just a leisurely boat ride on a lake? 

And halfway through, she had been startled by the fifth prince and fell overboard, simply bidding farewell to that human before returning. 

The fifth prince, still unsatisfied, was about to protest further when he noticed Belle emerging from inside, clutching a large bundle. He abruptly stopped speaking, letting out a few disgruntled hums instead. 

The eldest prince watched as Belle carefully handed the bundle to one of his personal attendants, then said coolly, "Have you said enough?" 

Both the fifth prince and Lu were momentarily taken aback, their slightly differing blue eyes meeting in mutual confusion, uncertain if the eldest brother was addressing them. 

But… it seemed no one else had spoken before? 

So it must have been directed at them?? 

Belle, who was passing the package, was startled, nearly dropping it into the attendant's arms, then took two steps back, looking at the eldest prince with a mix of confusion and trepidation, her face pale. 

She hoped she hadn't done anything wrong! 

She still wanted to continue serving the princess! 

The eldest prince:… 

Was he truly that terrifying? 

"…Let's go." The eldest prince turned away. 

His words were directed at the two little mermaids still entangled in their own whispers, worried about whether the eldest brother had overheard them. 

"…Oh, alright." Lu responded slowly, obediently tugging on the fifth prince's wrist to keep up. 

The fifth prince glanced at his hand, hesitated for a moment, then quickly said, "Let go; I can swim on my own." 

Though being led by little Lu felt quite pleasant… if others saw him, would he still have any dignity left? 

The royal family's prestige would be at stake! 

Lu was focused on matching the pace of her elder brother, momentarily not hearing him. She turned her head and asked, "What?" 

The fifth prince replied, "…Nothing!"

"…Once you are settled in my quarters, the two of you should seek out our mother; she wishes to speak with you." 

The eldest prince's voice resonated steadily from ahead. 

Lu paused, slightly taken aback. "So soon?" 

…She wasn't quite ready yet! 

The fifth prince, equally reluctant, frowned and attempted to negotiate. "Couldn't we at least have one night's rest? We can discuss matters tomorrow, can't we?" 

He feared that their mother, in a fit of anger, might sever his tail! 

"Of course," the eldest prince replied, glancing sideways. "You may speak with our mother yourselves." 

The fifth prince was momentarily speechless. "...I suddenly find myself missing our mother terribly." 

"You're so hypocritical, Fifth Brother." 

Lu scoffed without reservation, then blinked her blue eyes earnestly. "I, on the other hand, genuinely miss our mother!" 

She hoped that her heartfelt sincerity would persuade their mother not to confine her until that charming human grew old and passed away! 

At that point, perhaps a little charm would… not cause any significant issues? 

After all, she had painstakingly cultivated a good relationship with the human, allowing her to linger and play! 

The eldest prince: "…Ha."