Kui sat there, crying for what seemed like a long time. His dull gaze peered at the pearls that were scattered on the ground. "I didn't know that halflings also cried pearls..." His thin fingers poked one of them dejectedly. The pearls had a shiny luster to them, reflecting the moon's shine.
"Are you still angry with me?"
The little mer did not even look his way.
"I said I was sorry. I was only trying to get that brush. And besides, I didn't do anything I wasn't proud of. So don't you dare get angry with me over this," he said, huffing.
The little mer strangely did not seem to reply to his words at all.
"I know you talked to that guy. He can vouch for me."
This gained a reaction from the mer. He gazed back with a slight glare.
"I warned you not to get close to that human, yet you refuse to listen to any of my commands."
"Commands?!" Kui huffed. "I don't listen to commands! Especially from a child! Listen, kid, I'm only doing this to protect myself—and for you! That guy wanted to return us to the sea, but it was you who did not want that at all. You refused that idea!"
"Because it's not safe!" Mi Aok swam close. "Do you even know what is happening under the waters? Do you have any clue? Oh, you don't. I've seen what happened. That man is killing everyone who is associated with me! He will kill you either way if we get caught!"
Kui was flabbergasted. "Who would want to arrest a kid! Why are they searching for you anyway?"
"That's... that's none of your business." The kid once again went back to sulking. "You're... you're just a stupid hybrid."
Kui gaped at him. "Oh, so this is how you're going to be—acting all childish and bratty? Then I'm going to have to act like a responsible adult and teach you not to disrespect me."
"Hmph." Aok just rolled his eyes at him.
"You stay right there!" Kui swam up to him.
He watched Aok's eyes widen. "What are you—"
Kui grabbed him by the arm and swatted his mer butt. "Don't you dare talk about me like that!"
"Did you just hit me?" Aok gaped up at him. "How could you hit me? Do you know who I am?"
Kui just grinned. "I don't, and I don't care." He swatted his butt again. "Don't act bratty and don't talk down to me. I'm the adult. Respect."
Saying so, Kui swam back to his post and smiled at him.
Aok was still in shock. In his lifetime, no one had ever laid a hand on him. Even his royal father wouldn't beat him! But this guy... he swatted his butt!
"You! You!!!"
"Yes, me. What, Aok? What is it? Do you need anything?" Kui challengingly gazed at him.
Aok just peered at him, stunned. "Unbelievable... you'll see in the future. After I grow up, I will make sure to swat your butt as many times as I want."
"Yeah, kid, I'll wait twenty years for that."
Aok gritted his teeth. "Twenty years, my ass. Just you wait a few more days... I'll show you what a royal prince can do." He muttered under his breath and went back to fiddling with the stones on the pool's bottom.
Some of the shiny pearls had moved with the water current, closer to him. He picked one up and placed it on his cheek. The pearls were still warm and had a soft shine to them.
"Do you believe sleeping with him is going to take you home?"
Kui, who had a victorious smile, lost his smile at that moment. "What do you mean?"
"You said you want to go home... that it was the only way home. Do you think that human will let you go?" Aok gazed his way. "Kui, I don't think your tribe taught you properly, but humans... they are affected by us. Our appearance, our voice—everything is like a drug to them. They can't stay away from us. That is why, even though we are very powerful, we stay underwater. That human is already under your spell."
His gaze peered into Kui's wide eyes. "Do you think he will let you go?"