Lilly sat with Melurine in the peaceful chambers of the underwater palace, her heart heavy with the weight of the revelations she had learned from Nitish. She knew she had to talk to her aunt and mentor about it, to seek guidance and understanding.
"Melurine, there's something I need to discuss with you," Lilly began, her voice tinged with concern.
Melurine looked at her with a gentle smile. "Of course, my dear. You can always confide in me. What troubles you?"
"It's about Nitish," Lilly said, her eyes glistening with emotion. "He's not like any other merfolk, and he has powers I've never seen before. He stood on par with the beastmen, and even the Fourth Prince fears him. I don't understand how he can be so powerful."
Melurine leaned forward, her gaze filled with understanding. "Nitish is not from our world, Lilly. He comes from a place called Earth, a realm far beyond our own."
"Earth?" Lilly's eyes widened in surprise. "How did he end up here?"
Melurine's expression softened. "I believe he was brought here by fate, destined to play a significant role in our world. He possesses a unique power called the solar bloodline, which grants him incredible strength and invincibility. But with great power comes great sorrow, and he carries deep scars from his past."
Lilly's heart ached for Nitish as she listened to her aunt's words. "What happened to him on Earth? Why did he leave?"
Melurine's eyes held a profound sadness. "He was betrayed, Lilly. Betrayed by those he trusted and cast out into a world that did not understand him. But despite the pain he endured, he emerged stronger, resilient, and determined to find a new purpose."
Lilly couldn't imagine the pain Nitish must have gone through, and she felt a surge of protectiveness towards him. "He's been through so much, and yet he's here, by my side, willing to face any challenge for our love."
Melurine placed a comforting hand on Lilly's shoulder. "Love has a way of healing wounds, my dear. And your love for each other is a powerful force that cannot be underestimated."
Feeling the weight of her emotions, Lilly decided it was time to talk to Nitish about everything. She sought him out in their private quarters, finding him gazing out into the vast expanse of the underwater kingdom.
"Nitish," she said softly, approaching him. "We need to talk."
He turned to her, his eyes softening at the sight of her. "Of course, Lilly. What's on your mind?"
Taking a deep breath, Lilly began, "Melurine told me about your background, about Earth and your powers. I want you to know that I don't care where you come from or what you've been through. I love you for the person you are."
Nitish's eyes shone with gratitude and affection. "And I love you, Lilly, more than anything in this world."
"But there's one thing that worries me," she continued, her voice tinged with concern. "You said you have a weakness, that I am your weakness. What did you mean by that?"
Nitish looked into her eyes, his gaze unwavering. "I meant that you have the power to break down the walls I've built around myself, to touch my heart in a way no one else ever could. With you, I feel vulnerable, but it's a vulnerability I embrace because it comes from a place of love."
Lilly's heart fluttered at his words, and she reached out to hold his hand. "But is there anything else, something that can be used against you?"
Nitish hesitated for a moment before pulling out a small, glowing fruit from a 3D space bag. "This is the source of my strength, Lilly. It's called the Solar Fruit. Eating one of these fruits grants me incredible power, but I can only consume one at a time. I have a thousand more of these fruits in my possession."
Lilly's eyes widened in astonishment. "A thousand? That's incredible!"
Nitish nodded. "I wanted to give one to you on our wedding day, as a symbol of my commitment to you. But I also have a responsibility to protect our people and this kingdom. The fruits are meant to be used wisely, and I must be cautious about revealing their existence."
Lilly took a moment to absorb this information. "What if we use these fruits to strengthen our kingdom? To protect our people from any future threats?"
Nitish smiled, his heart swelling with love and admiration for her. "That's a brilliant idea, Lilly. With the power of the Solar Fruits, our kingdom will be safer and stronger. But there's one catch - each fruit requires a drop of my blood to activate its power."
Lilly's brow furrowed with concern. "Is that dangerous? Will it weaken you?"
Nitish shook his head. "No, it won't weaken me significantly. But I have to be careful not to overuse them. That's why I wanted to keep them a secret."
Lilly looked at him with determination. "Then let's use them wisely, to protect our people and ensure a bright future for our kingdom. Together, we can overcome any challenge."
Nitish felt a surge of pride and love for Lilly. "You are the bravest and most compassionate person I know, Lilly. With you by my side, I know we can face anything."
Then, Nitish felt a stab in his heart with a dagger. He vomited blood and saw Lilly smiling. "Thank you, Nitish, for letting me know. I will put your blood to good use."
As the dagger plunged into Nitish's heart, a rush of pain and disbelief washed over him. Blood gushed from the wound as he looked into Lilly's eyes, now cold and calculating. Despite his agony, he couldn't comprehend the betrayal. Lilly's sinister smile only deepened his shock as she thanked him for unwittingly revealing his weakness. With his last breaths, Nitish struggled to understand how the woman he loved could betray him so mercilessly. As darkness enveloped him, he realized he had been deceived from the beginning. Lilly had never truly loved him; she had only seen him as a means to an end.