Aerine's half-lidded eyes from having woken up completely opened wide when she got off the plane. The cold wind breeze of the night danced her hair and made her awake.
She fell silent for a moment, taking all the scenery and the experience into her memory. Aerine turned her head to the side as if she wanted to look in the direction of the sea, but she blinked her eyes and sighed.
It's fine. I'll be fine.
A few seconds later, she buried these emotions as well, and at Mils' call, she smiled and walked together with her. Aerine was especially silent, not only because she was nervous but also because she wanted to remember her surroundings and the things that Mils was saying to her.
They didn't exit from the main entrance, but with a designated door for VIPs, as Mils said, Aerine needed to get used to the city and especially the crowd.
"This is where you'll be staying for the time being that you're here in the city." Mils went inside and guided Aerine inside the apartment.
The inside of the house was spacious and obviously enough for even a complete family to move in, much less for Aerine, who would be living alone.
Her eyes had never stopped checking out the places along the way, and she now observed her new home.
She bit her lips and spoke, somehow embarrassed. "Isn't it too big for me? I don't need that much space; a decent living space is fine for me."
Aerine was grateful; yes, however, the way they treated her made her think she owed them too much.
Mils rolled her eyes and waved her hand.
"What do you mean? Aerine, you're Master's contractee; there's no way we'll let you live in a shabby place or we'll be ashamed to meet him."
Mils then chuckled lightheartedly as she let Aerine further into the living room.
"And, Aerine, we should dream big! I, as your manager, won't let you stop being just a contestant but will accompany you to stardom!" Her eyes were even shining as she said this, and she seemed extremely excited as well.
As a result, Aerine was affected by her enthusiasm. However, she was still level-headed and knew that it wasn't as simple as Mils made it out to be. If not, just how many celebrities or singers really made it to the top?
Still, she didn't refute Mils, and she became determined as well.
"Thank you, Mils. I'll do my best and repay every one of you," Aerine said in her sincere tone. Her hands were even subconsciously clenched; she wanted to let them know that they didn't waste their time taking care of everything for her.
Mils laughed and bobbed her head. "Yes, that's the spirit! Aerine, I know you have what it takes. After all..." she winked and continued, "you have your advantage."
Aerine was aware of her meaning, and she laughed. As a siren, she could even say that it wasn't just an advantage but could even be called a cheat. However, she wasn't doing anything wrong; it wasn't her fault that she was a siren with singing talent.
The apartment has three rooms in total on the second floor, and Aerine used the master bedroom. The first floor was mainly the living room, kitchen, laundry, and any necessary facilities. Aerine had to admit that it was a house that offered everything she needed.
When she looked at the bathroom, her eyes couldn't help but bulge, and then they shone. The bathroom was really wide; in fact, it was almost one whole room.
Aside from the normal bathroom at the side with a shower and bathtub, there was a small pool inside, and Aerine could smell the familiar scent of seawater.
"This..." Aerine was speechless and looked at Mils, who was only watching her with satisfaction. She laughed after looking at Aerine's reaction.
"I know you'll like it. We already concluded that, as a siren, you'll need to be at least soaked in seawater in your true form. Because I know full well... It gets uncomfortable to be away from our real nature." Mils even scrunched her nose as though getting flashbacks from her past experience.
Then she continued, "Well, anyway, it's a magical pool that's entirely working independently, so you don't need to change the water, and it'll clean itself. Also, it's only a simple item, so you can use it to your heart's content."
Aerine nodded through it all, but her eyes almost didn't leave the pool. So, after a few briefings, like the schedule from tomorrow onwards, Mils bid her goodbye.
"Okay, enjoy for now. Aerine, see you tomorrow."
"Mils... really, thank you." Aerine knew she was being overly redundant, but her heart was really overwhelmed by this treatment.
"Now, don't cry, or I won't be able to explain to Elise the reason. Just act normal and do what you want to do. I'm also happy to do this. Just so you know, I've been idle for a long time, so I'm glad to have something to do after so long."
Aerine nodded and almost hugged her, but she still held herself and saw Mils off with a goodbye. After she was alone, Aerine giddily ran to the bathroom and went straight to the pool.
She felt her stress from being in a new environment slowly fading, and Aerine didn't wait anymore. She stripped off her clothes and soaked in the water; her flawless, unblemished legs transformed in the blink of an eye into a shining and golden tail.
Her tail, which shimmered like a gem in the water, moved as Aerine swam inside the small pool. Although the space wasn't enough to quench her thirst, it helped to pacify her cravings and even... longing.
That night, she savored the feeling of being submerged in the water and only stopping a few hours later. Aerine had passed her first night in a new city.
The next day, Aerine woke up early and cooked something, not only for her but also for Mils, who would be fetching her later.
The kitchen was full of supplies, so Aerine didn't have a hard time thinking of any dish to prepare. She was especially meticulous this time, preparing it just as her mother always taught her.
Aerine wanted to repay Mils with her cooking, at least. And so she continued while humming in a song, the atmosphere brightening up in accordance with her melodic tone.
***
"Master, Aerine... Your contractee is now settling down in the city," Elise informed the man who was leaning on his seat while playing with the fountain pen.
He only lifted a bow slightly but didn't say anything for a moment, giving the impression that he was in deep thought. Elise only watched him, but after a few minutes had passed, she couldn't help but raise a question that had been bugging her for days.
"Master... I'm sorry if this question is presumptuous, but I'm quite curious. Why..." Before Elise could complete her question, the man, Lucian, opened his eyes and finished the question for her.
"Why did I help her?" Lucian gave a carefree smile as he looked at Elise, who nodded and bowed her head. "Elise... Have you seen her soul?"
Elise's head shot up and she shook her head. "I don't dare check her out, Master." Her noble appearance was only disturbed when her master was in front of her, the person she served with her whole heart and soul.
Lucian's mouth curved and he chuckled. "Elise, don't be so upright. We've known each other for so long; it's fine to take it easy sometimes." His tone was casual and laidback.
Yet, Elise didn't respond; she didn't even change her respectful stance. Lucian merely swept his glance at her and dropped this topic, which he was aware would not bear fruit.
He put down the pen in his hand and fell silent for a few seconds before opening his mouth to answer.
"Her soul... Elise, she's dying when I see her." Lucian's face somehow became solemn as he recalled that meeting. His eyes were also flickering, showing an emotion that was rare even for him. "And guess what?"
He lifted his head and stared at Elise.
"She's dying, but her soul... It's shining brightly. It's obvious; she didn't want to die. I felt it. And when I looked at her, she reminded me of someone." Lucian trailed off as his eyes flickered from a sudden memory of the past.
Soon, he smirked, yet it was filled with unknown malice. Elise already realized it, so she didn't ask who Aerine reminded him of, but Lucian continued.
"She reminded me of... myself." Lucian laughed, but it gave no humor to the listener. "Isn't it reasonable to save someone who reminded me of myself?"