Chapter 60 Innocence

"You… what nonsense are you spouting?" Lu glared at the grinning young man before her, feeling inexplicably guilty. She wanted to retort but found no words to counter him. 

With a deep breath, she turned her gaze back to the small boy who was still looking up at her expectantly for an answer. After a brief pause, she gently pushed the pouch back across the table, her eyes crinkling into a smile. "Little friend, you can't just leave your pouch lying around; you should take it back. If you wish to give a gift, simple flowers will suffice!" 

The attendant beside her, who had been hesitating whether to call the rather charming little boy away for the next person in line, stepped forward and matter-of-factly stated, "Your time is up. If you have further questions, you may join the second round of the queue."

The little boy stared blankly for a moment, glancing between the beautiful mermaid who continued to smile at him and the stern-faced attendant. He pouted slightly, clutching the pouch back to himself, his voice tinged with a hint of tears, "Do you... do you think I don't have enough money to support you?" 

Lu was momentarily taken aback, then furrowed her brow, feeling somewhat troubled. 

...Would this child really start to cry? 

She had always found weepy children most irksome and exhausting. 

Sebastian, standing nearby, displayed no hint of guilt. He merely raised an eyebrow and remarked leisurely, "It's good that you understand. With just this pouch, she couldn't even afford a decent meal. If she were to follow you, would you have her suffer?" 

Suffer? 

Lu couldn't help but glance at him, wanting to assert that she was, after all, a princess of the merfolk kingdom; it shouldn't be up to a mere child to support her. 

If it came to it, she could always catch some small fish that lacked sentience, right? 

Did he truly perceive her as so fragile? 

"I will definitely work hard to earn money in the future!" The little boy exclaimed, brushing aside the attendant's attempt to take his hand, his face flushed with determination. 

His dark, round eyes were filled with unwavering resolve. 

"...But you have nothing right now," Sebastian chuckled softly. "Little one, do not be so naïve." 

With that, he raised his hand, signaling the attendant to take the boy away, his phoenix-like gaze drifting indifferently to a bewildered youth waiting behind the boy. "It's your turn; be quick." 

The youth felt a chill run down his spine. "Ah, yes!" 

As the boy awkwardly handed over a hairpin he had prepared to the attendant receiving gifts, the hall gradually regained its lively chatter. 

However, due to the imposing presence of the man beside the mermaid princess, the other sea creatures dared not speak loudly, opting instead for hushed whispers and murmurs of discontent— 

The princess belonged to everyone; what right did this man have to loom here with such a sour expression? Was the princess solely his? 

He was merely taking advantage of her gentle nature; it was utterly shameless! 

If he didn't look so formidable… but the pressure felt through their bloodlines indicated he was no ordinary creature! 

After yet another youth timidly expressed his affection for Lu, Sebastian finally closed his eyes, tilting his head to glance at the little mermaid, who was politely declining with a practiced smile, "…When will this end?" 

Lu instinctively responded, then slowly lifted her gaze, looking somewhat dazed. "Hmm?" 

"Are you planning to meet with all the sea creatures here?" Sebastian surveyed the seemingly endless hall, his expression growing more somber at the thought of how many of these beings were coveting the little mermaid. 

Lu blinked. "Not necessarily; I'll just meet with them until evening. I still need my rest." She planned to continue the next morning. 

With this in mind, Lu pressed her lips together, feeling a twinge of grievance. 

If it weren't for Jack's inexplicable antics, she wouldn't have been unceremoniously abandoned here by the Third Prince! 

They had agreed to take turns, yet now the Third Prince had vanished without a trace, showing no concern for her at all. 

...She was completely innocent! 

Her smile was beginning to feel forced! 

Sebastian: "Meet… until evening?" 

"Yes." 

"See twenty more, then come with me." His command was succinct. 

Lu looked at him in astonishment, incredulous. "But there are so many waiting?!" 

Twenty? That was hardly enough! 

What would happen to the rest? 

"Take a number; those who wish to meet you can return tomorrow. You are already tired," Sebastian replied with an indifferent tone. 

Lu: ...How did he know she was tired? 

However… it didn't seem like a terrible idea? 

The other sea creatures who had overheard their exchange were left aghast: Could this inexplicably appearing man be any more shameless?! 

The freshly picked grass would wilt by tomorrow!