ZIRKUS smirked after an unexpected ally arrived.
Rivo Creswell and Nixie Winslet looked shocked when they turned around and found the Mermaid Princess.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but you three were pretty loud," Yelena Dover said while smiling apologetically. Then she turned to Rivo Creswell who suddenly turned pale. "Rivo, we were supposed to celebrate our first anniversary on that weekend. But you canceled our trip because Nixie asked you and Enzo to visit her hometown with her."
Zirkus let out a loud gasp. He was surprised, of course. But he exaggerated his reaction to piss the hero. "You did that, Rivo Creswell?"
Rivo Creswell's face turned red as if he was embarrassed.
"I'm so sorry, Yelena," Nixie Winslet said as if she was guilty. "I didn't know you and Rivo already made plans when I invited him."
Yelena Dover turned to Nixie Winslet with a picture-perfect smile. "It's not your fault, Nixie. It was Rivo who made a promise with me, and it was also him who chose to break it for you and Enzo."
"Yelena, please don't be too hard on Rivo," Nixie Winslet said, frowning. "It's my fault. I should have been more considerate because inviting Rivo and Enzo…"
"I understand, Nixie," Yelena Dover said, still flashing her angelic smile. "Maybe you just haven't gotten used to Rivo having a girlfriend yet because he still puts you on top of his priority."
Zirkus gasped again, but this time, he was genuinely shocked by Yelena Dover's sassy attitude.
I thought she was a boring character!
Yelena Dover didn't have a lot of scenes in the original novel. Her accomplishments were just mentioned every time Rivo Creswell would reminisce about their past relationship.
The Mermaid Princess only had a major role in the arc where she died.
"But I know my place," Yelena Dover said, now completely dominating the conversation. "Just because I'm Rivo's girlfriend doesn't mean I should become his priority. But I know I sounded like a bitter jerk just now, so I apologize for my hypocrisy, Nixie."
Zirkus clapped soundlessly.
He just clapped without really having his palms touched.
"N-No. Don't apologize," Nixie Winslet said while shaking her head. "It's alright, Yelena. I'll be more careful next time."
"Thank you, Nixie," Yelena Dover said, then she turned to Rivo Creswell. "My dear, you canceled our date because of Nixie's invitation. But did you see me go off on Nixie? No, because I respected your decision. You chose who you wanted to spend that weekend with, and Enzo did the same. Please respect your friend's decision, especially if he already apologized for canceling on you."
"It's not the main issue, Yelena," Rivo Creswell, who finally found his voice, said. "I just can't believe that Enzo would ditch us for Huxford."
"Why not?"
"Because Huxford bullies Enzo."
Yelena Dover blinked as if she was confused, then she laughed softly while shaking her head. "Dear, do you really think Enzo is the type who would let people bully him?"
Zirkus beamed while looking at Yelena Dover.
She gets it. Should I call her 'noonim' from now on?
"You're just upset because Enzo didn't prioritize your friendship for the first time, dear," Yelena Dover said in a sweet and comforting voice. Then the Mermaid Princess put a hand on the hero's shoulder. "Don't worry, you'll get used to it soon like I did."
Zirkus' jaw dropped.
[I would like to sue the readers who said Yelena Dover is a boring character because she was "too nice."]
"Now let's all get along well. Hmm?" Yelena Dover said, smiling sweetly at everyone before she turned to Zirkus. "See you later, Huxford."
Zirkus smiled and nodded. "Yep, see you later."
After nodding at him, Yelena Dover left gracefully.
"Yelena," Rivo Creswell said, running after Yelena Dover. "Wait for me."
Zirkus tilted his head, confused.
Was it really Rivo Creswell who dumped Yelena Dover?
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a loud sigh.
It was Nixie Winslet.
Right, she's still here.
"Huxford, Enzo doesn't really like Klaus," Nixie said before she turned her back on him. "Make sure the two wouldn't be alone together."
Hmm?
Now that made Zirkus wonder.
What's the deal between Enzo and Klaus Irvin?
***
"GIVE me the manuscript– I need it to keep me occupied during the trip."
Zirkus, who opened the door when a visitor came by so early in the morning, blinked his eyes. It was annoying to be woken up that early, but it was more annoying to see Enzo's blinding face when he probably looked like an ugly fish at the moment. "Enzo, do you know what time is it?" —
"Three in the morning."
"Tsk," he clicked his tongue as a complaint. "I'm not really asking you what time is it. I want to know why you're here at this ungodly hour."
"Ah, did I forget to tell you?" Enzo asked, tilting his head. "The ship that will bring us to Klaus Irvin's island is leaving in an hour."
Zirkus' eyes opened wide, and now he was wide awake. "Why are you only telling me now, you inconsiderate jerk?! I haven't packed my things yet!"
"Did you just curse at me while yelling?"
"I did," he said, clicking his tongue again. "And what would you do about it? If you kill me, you'll never get to taste instant ramen again. Plus, you'll never know how Garuto and the Hidden Soul Village will end."
"Now you know how to blackmail properly."
"This kind of threat only works on you," he complained again. "Give me forty minutes to get ready."
"I'll only wait for twenty minutes," Enzo said, frowning. "I'll leave you if you're not yet ready by then."
Aigoo.
"Thirty minutes— and it's final."
The villain just rolled his eyes. "Don't forget to pack your weapons, too."
"Weapons? Don't you mean SHOVELS? Why would I need weapons when we're just going to hunt treasures?"
"Klaus Irvin's Treasure Hunting Game takes place on an island infested by Sea Monsters," Enzo explained with furrowed brows. "Don't you know that?"
Zirkus' jaw dropped in shock. "Say what now?"
If Zirkus only knew that the Treasure Hunting Game would lead him to THAT thing, he wouldn't have boarded the ship…