"Bye, I have to go," Lunette said with a mischievous wave before disappearing into a teleportation portal.
The shapeshifter boy stared at the spot where she had vanished, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "That girl was something else. She didn't even tell me her name," he murmured, shaking his head.
---
Feeling restless and adventurous, Lunette decided to head to the ocean for some fun. She teleported near the shore and changed into a sleek, waterproof outfit that clung to her form, allowing her to move effortlessly in water. With an excited leap, she dove into the crystal-clear ocean, her body moving gracefully as her mermaid tail formed beneath her.
"Time to visit the mer species' residence," Lunette said to herself, her blue eyes sparkling with excitement as she swam deeper into the ocean's depths.
The underwater world was mesmerizing. Schools of colorful fish darted around her, coral reefs shimmered in vibrant hues, and the architecture of the mer species' kingdom came into view. It was breathtaking—a palace made of shimmering pearls, iridescent shells, and glowing underwater crystals that cast a soft, magical light.
"What a lovely place! Let's buy myself some pearls," Lunette decided, her voice light with wonder.
As she sped toward the palace, determined to explore, she suddenly collided with something—or rather, someone.
"Ow! Seriously, why am I colliding with everyone today?" Lunette exclaimed, rubbing her forehead.
"Watch where you're going!" snapped a voice. "Because of you, I just lost a race!"
She looked up to see a young merman with wavy pink hair and a boyish face glaring at her. His tail, a dazzling shade of aquamarine, flicked irritably behind him.
"Wow," Lunette muttered under her breath. "Cute."
The merman's expression darkened. "What did you just say?"
"Nothing," Lunette replied innocently, her smirk betraying her amusement. "So, you're a racer, huh? How about racing me?"
The merman laughed, the sound bubbling through the water. "You? Race me? I'm the fastest in the entire mer kingdom. You think you can beat me?"
"Haha! Let's see about that," Lunette said, her competitive streak lighting up.
The two lined up near a stretch of the open ocean, and with a sharp count of three, they took off. The water surged around them as they sped through it, their tails slicing through the waves. The merman was fast—undeniably skilled—but Lunette's powers gave her an edge. She surged ahead, using water manipulation to propel herself faster than even the currents could carry her.
When they reached the finish line, the merman came to a stop, his mouth agape. Lunette floated a few feet ahead of him, a triumphant grin on her masked face.
"Now, who's the loser?" she teased, tossing her hair playfully.
The merman crossed his arms, pouting slightly. "Next time, I'll win."
"There will be no next time," Lunette said with a smirk, her voice dripping with finality. Before the merman could argue, she opened a portal and disappeared, leaving him staring at the empty water.
"Who is she?" the merman muttered, half-annoyed and half-impressed, as he swam back toward the palace, determined to uncover more about the mysterious girl with the mask.
When Lunette finally arrived home, stepping out of her portal into their grand estate, she was immediately met with Kieran's piercing gaze. He stood at the foot of the staircase, arms crossed and a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
"My dear, where were you?" Kieran asked, his voice light but laced with suspicion.
"Nowhere at all," Lunette replied, feigning innocence as she tried to brush past him.
Kieran arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Hahah! You think I'll let this slide? You know the rules, my little troublemaker. Since you decided to wander off without telling me, you'll be punished."
Lunette froze mid-step, slowly turning to face him. "Punished?" she echoed, her voice rising slightly.
"That's right. Extra training for six weeks—until the ball," Kieran said, his smirk widening into a grin.
"What?!" Lunette groaned, throwing her head back dramatically. "That's so unfair!"
"Life's unfair, darling. Consider it character building," Kieran said, ruffling her hair as he walked past her.
Lunette pouted, but her mind was already spinning with plans to escape whatever grueling exercises he had in store for her. She might have to endure the punishment, but that didn't mean she'd make it easy for him either.
That evening, while the mansion was quiet and the stars shimmered outside, Lunette tiptoed into Kieran's study. She had everything set up: the red velvet cake she baked earlier (with some help, of course), candles, and a simple gift wrapped neatly.
"Surprise!" she exclaimed, her voice cutting through the stillness of the room.
Kieran, who had been immersed in his documents, looked up in mock shock. "What is this? An ambush?"
Lunette rolled her eyes, placing the cake on his desk. "Don't be dramatic. It's your birthday, you cruel training tyrant."
Kieran chuckled, leaning back in his chair as he looked at the cake. "So this was your big secret, huh? You went through all that trouble today for this?"
She huffed, crossing her arms. "You're supposed to say thank you. Do you know how hard it was to keep this a secret?"
"Well, thank you, my little troublemaker," he said, his tone light, but there was a glimmer of genuine warmth in his eyes.
Even though he had never intended to form such a bond with Lunette, she had become his most precious daughter. He would never admit it outright—his pride wouldn't allow it—but moments like this chipped away at his walls. Instead of expressing his emotions plainly, he resorted to his usual sarcasm.
"You know, the cake looks edible. I might even try a slice. But don't let it go to your head," he teased.
Lunette smirked, lighting the candles. "Oh, you'll love it, and I'll make sure to remind you every day how amazing I am."
Kieran laughed softly, cutting the first slice and taking a bite. "Not bad, not bad at all. You might actually have a talent, aside from driving me insane."
Lunette grinned, plopping into the chair across from him. "Happy birthday, Dad."
For a moment, Kieran's heart softened at her words. "Thanks, Lunette," he said simply, hiding the depth of his feelings behind a playful smirk. "Now don't think this means you're getting out of your punishment."
"Ugh, you're the worst!" Lunette groaned, but her laughter filled the room, warming the space as much as the candles on the cake.