"Since the boat seems unable to come, let me take you there!" Lu emerged from the depths, her head breaking the surface as she smiled at the handsome young man seated on the beach.
Sebastian lowered his phoenix-like eyes and met the captivating gaze of the little mermaid, "...Since the boat is repaired, I should return now."
Lu paused, blinking in surprise, "Oh, right."
If the boat was ready, then the charming human would naturally need to leave.
Sebastian rose, sprinkling soft sand over the smoldering embers on the beach to extinguish the fire, then walked to the water's edge, flashing a smile at the still-dazed little mermaid. "Aren't you eager to see the boat? Let's go."
"...Alright." Lu hesitated, glancing at him, opening her mouth to speak but ultimately saying nothing as she gestured for the young man to join her in the sea.
Sebastian removed his outer robe, leaving only a thin inner garment, then looked at the little mermaid, who was staring at him in a daze, with a half-smile. "How do you plan to take me across?"
Lu suddenly snapped back to reality, instinctively reaching down to touch her unfamiliar, smooth legs beneath the water's surface. It dawned on her that if she wished to remain undetected, human legs certainly lacked the endurance of a fish tail—
After all, she was still quite inexperienced in this regard.
She hesitated for a moment, tentatively suggesting, "Shall I hold your hand as we swim over?"
Thus, embracing him would be out of the question—
Not to mention that she currently lacked a fish tail; even if she had one, he would need to be willing!
The handsome human would likely not appreciate being held by her…
But holding hands should be acceptable, right?
The little mermaid swayed her delicate feet beneath the water, casting furtive glances at the young man with her azure eyes, clearly concocting some plan.
"No need," Sebastian chuckled lightly. "You swim ahead; I'll follow."
With such a petite frame, did she really think she could carry him? How exhausting that would be!
Lu was momentarily taken aback, her breath caught in disbelief as she stared at the young man, a hint of grievance evident in her expression.
"No need?"
She had been so proactive, even foregoing the idea of an embrace!
"Hmm?" Sebastian raised an eyebrow.
Ultimately, the little mermaid suppressed her annoyance, turning her head away and huffing sulkily before reluctantly replying, "Fine, whatever."
He wouldn't even agree to hold her hand!
Well, she didn't even care about that anyway!
Sebastian observed the girl's puffed-up demeanor and couldn't help but smile slightly. Suddenly, he seemed to recall something, his expression momentarily pausing, before he tied his outer robe around his waist and waded into the sea.
Lu glanced back at the now-drenched young man, his clothes clinging to his body, and bit her lip, feeling an inexplicable warmth in her ears. "Just stay close to me, and let me know if you get tired."
Without waiting for Sebastian's response, she dove beneath the surface, her dark blue figure gliding swiftly toward a certain direction, sending gentle ripples across the tranquil sea.
A quarter of an hour later, as the little mermaid pondered whether the handsome human could manage, she spotted a massive ship in the distance, momentarily taken aback.
She remembered… it hadn't been here before.
A familiar little dolphin joyfully leaped out from beneath the enormous vessel, emitting a series of cheerful clicks.
Following the dolphin, several round heads bobbed up from the depths, gathering around the little mermaid. Although they seemed somewhat displeased with the dolphin, they refrained from jostling for position, alleviating the pressure on her.
Lu's face lit up with a smile as she opened her arms to catch the little dolphin, which had launched itself toward her like a cannonball. Her heart swelled with a bittersweet tenderness as her bright blue eyes blinked, gazing at the other marine creatures. "Didn't I tell you to wait for me here?"
The little dolphin nuzzled against her affectionately but, aware of how much it might provoke jealousy, soon withdrew, turning its head to signal Lu to look at the boat they had pushed over together—
Since neither the little mermaid nor her friends could operate a human vessel, they had simply used their strength to nudge the boat closer, sparing Lu the arduous swim.
Sebastian glanced at the large ship before returning his gaze, locking eyes with a seal that, unable to reach the little mermaid, awkwardly attempted to nuzzle against him instead.
The seal froze in place, blinking its dark, round eyes as it cautiously backed away.
In the process, it seemed to choke on a mouthful of seawater, and upon regaining its composure, it quickly buried its head beneath the surface in a flurry.
Sebastian:…
A quarter of an hour later, Sebastian gazed at the deck piled high with pearls and gemstones, as well as shimmering silks of indeterminate material. Pressing his forehead, he found himself uncertain whether to laugh or feel exasperated. "You needn't go to such lengths."
"Ah? Don't you like them?" Lu snapped back to reality amidst the glittering treasures, her clear, azure eyes locking onto the young man's deep, dark gaze, bewildered.
How could he not find them beautiful? Did this handsome human not possess an interest?
Yet… her grandmother had said these items were highly valuable in the human world, enough to purchase countless delicious foods and useful things!
"Whether I like them is one matter; accepting them is another," Sebastian replied calmly. "No reward without effort; these do not rightfully belong to me."
Lu bit her lip, furrowing her brow, about to retort when she was interrupted by the young man.
"I know you may not be in need of these."
Observing the little mermaid's increasingly aggrieved expression, he hesitated, reluctantly altering his refusal. "You must at least give me a reason to accept these valuable items."
…He truly found himself at a loss with this girl.
Lu pouted, crossing her arms and turning away in frustration. "Of course it's because I like you! If I didn't, I wouldn't bother to give you gifts!"
She wasn't foolish; why would she spend her days tirelessly swimming out to sea if she didn't care?
Had he not always maintained such a distant and aloof demeanor, she might have already asked him if he had a queen!
Yet after spending so much time together, all she had received was a roasted fish and half a roasted rabbit!
…Though they were quite delicious.
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on the boundless azure sea outside the ship, his voice low and hoarse. "Do you truly understand what it means to like someone?"
"You don't know me. You've never encountered my previous life and have no idea what I'm like in private. You should also… be aware of the differences between us. Even so, do you still like me?"
Such a superficial affection… how could he bring himself to believe it?
"Well, that's because you've never given me a chance!" Lu exclaimed, her cheeks puffed out as she turned her head back sharply, her eyes reddening with anger. "I can't even give you gifts because you refuse to accept them, so I don't even know what you like… because you never say anything!"
"So this is my fault? It's clearly yours!"
The little mermaid grew increasingly agitated, her eyes wide and fixed on the young man, her face a picture of stubbornness.
Sebastian replied, "Fine, it's my fault."
"Isn't it!" Lu pouted, her pretty face scrunching up in frustration, feeling vindicated but still unsatisfied. "Then why do you keep criticizing me?!"
Sebastian glanced at her, then handed over the pearl bracelet he had kept, along with two pearls. "This is yours."
"You know what I mean." This girl was utterly oblivious to the need for discretion regarding her uniqueness.
…If he indulged her closeness, perhaps one day in the future, he would find himself powerless to let her go.
Though he was reluctant to admit it, Sebastian's abilities in this enigmatic ocean, despite being well-prepared, were barely sufficient for self-preservation.
He was familiar with and could control the land, yet it was the very weakness of the person before him.
They were inherently from different realms.
Affection was not something so easily conjured on a whim.
Lu was momentarily taken aback, but she pressed her lips together in silence, refraining from reaching out to take the bracelet, her complexion paling.
…She had an unsettling premonition.
And she certainly did not wish to acknowledge it.