ITHMF 13🏠

Chapter 13

How could this happen? Am I going crazy?

I glanced up at Kairaan, whose thoughts I could never read, and internally tore my hair out.

I’d been so out of my mind with thirst that I hadn’t even realized my human form had unraveled. I simply couldn’t believe that I had no idea what situation I was in until I’d absorbed enough seawater to be satisfied and surfaced to see Kairaan again.

No wonder I felt so light! I should have realized it the moment swimming became easy…

As I let out a heavy sigh of frustration, Kairaan looked up. I gave an awkward laugh and asked.

“You saw?”

“…Yeah.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Kairaan cautiously nodded.

Ah, I’m going to lose my mind.

Of course, he must have suspected all along that I wasn’t ordinary. It made sense—we’d only ever met in the dead of night, and until today, I’d never left the water.

But there’s a difference between vaguely guessing and having your true identity exposed. I slapped my forehead and, grasping at straws, said,

“Well, even if I said I’m not a mermaid now… you wouldn’t believe me, would you?”

“…”

“Yeah. You wouldn’t. You saw it with your own eyes, how could you believe otherwise? Haha.”

I laughed awkwardly and looked away again. My mind was half-gone, too frazzled to organize what I should say.

Deny it? But he already saw the tail! Even I wouldn’t believe me…

My head was spinning. This was exactly why I’d been so careful every time I met Kairaan, and thirst ruined everything.

Honestly, admitting it would be cleaner, but… I hesitated because I couldn’t guarantee there wouldn’t be repercussions.

Then, Kairaan spoke.

“If you want me to believe you, I will.”

I’d been about to tear at my hair in agony, but his sudden words made me freeze mid-motion.

What? He’d believe I’m not a mermaid?

I knew it was nonsense, but I was a little intrigued.

Kairaan was looking at me with a serious expression. There wasn’t a trace of falsehood in his straight, honest gaze.

I widened my eyes and asked back, bewildered.

“You’d believe me if I said I’m not a mermaid?”

“Yeah.”

“But you already saw it.”

“If you want, I can pretend I didn’t see anything.”

Kairaan said firmly.

In that moment, my tangled thoughts sorted themselves out instantly.

Ah, he definitely won’t go around talking about me. I can completely trust him.

It wasn’t that I’d distrusted Kairaan before, but having my identity discovered made me anxious despite myself. You never know what could happen with people.

But his words just now reassured me. That it was okay to reveal my identity to him.

I never thought I’d be the one to confess my own secret, but…

Having made up my mind, I took a deep breath and said,

“What you saw was real.”

Even though he’d known it, hearing it from my own mouth seemed to surprise him, and Kairaan’s eyes widened.

“You’re not supposed to tell me, are you?”

“Yeah. Our identity is a secret from humans. I’d probably get in huge trouble if it got out that I was discovered.”

“I won’t tell anyone.”

“I told you because I figured you wouldn’t. Because I felt I could trust you.”

At that, Kairaan nodded with an even more serious expression.

“…I’ll keep your secret. No matter what.”

The way he said it was so solemn.

At least having him say that made me feel a bit better.

I gave a small smile in return and looked out at the sea, now bathed in sunset. We’d lingered much longer than I’d realized while talking. It was time to go back.

“Let’s talk more next time. I should go now. I snuck out, and if I get caught, I might never be allowed on land again.”

“Okay. Be careful.”

“Thanks. I had fun today!”

As soon as I entered the water, I swam quickly toward the palace. My heart raced with anxiety over how late it had gotten.

Dinner would be soon. I couldn’t send a doll in my place to a meal with my parents.

The warning of the Deep-Sea Witch, who’d given me the potion, flashed through my mind.

*”Servants might not notice, but someone like your parents would see through it immediately.”*

“…So I have to get back before then!”

I swam as fast as my tail could carry me, barely avoiding a cramp, and reached the palace. I slipped through the secret passage and was about to enter my room when Mei came bursting out, out of breath.

Why is she here? I told her she didn’t need to come until dinner time…

I froze in surprise, and Mei, her face pale, said,

“Where have you been, Princess?!”

“Huh? Wh-where would I have gone?”

“I know everything. You left a duplicate doll behind and snuck out! Where on earth did you go that you needed to use that?”

Looking at Mei’s tearful expression, I couldn’t hide my wavering eyes.

How did she find out? The witch said servants wouldn’t notice…

I considered denying it, but before I could decide, Mei spoke urgently, saying that was the least of our problems.

“More importantly, there’s a bigger issue.”

“Wh-what?”

“Lord Roahim came by.”

“What? Father?!”

I gasped in shock.

The worst-case scenario I’d been praying wouldn’t happen was unfolding before me. My face went as pale as Mei’s, and I tore at my hair.

Why did Father suddenly come to my room? He’s usually too busy to see me… Of all days!

I crouched down with a sigh, and Mei looked at me with concern.

“Are you alright, Princess?”

“Haa… So that’s how you found out? That I used a duplicate doll.”

“Yes. Lord Roahim asked me where the Princess had gone.”

“Ah… I’m going crazy. So what did Father say?”

“He told you to come to his office.”

Overwhelmed with despair, I covered my face with both hands.

Could my luck be any worse? It felt like punishment for deceiving everyone and having a great time on land.

Sure, I’d had my identity revealed to Kairaan and lied to everyone, but… isn’t this too harsh?

Venting my frustration at the heavens, I slowly got to my feet.

“I… I’ll go see him now.”

“Are you sure you’ll be okay? You look pale…”

“Yeah. It’s fine. Better to get it over with… But how much do you think Father knows?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure about that either. He seemed to have a general idea that you’d gone somewhere, though…”

He had a general idea?

I thought that if I gave a flimsy excuse, things might get really bad. Letting out a sigh, I trudged toward my father’s office like livestock being led to slaughter.

I don’t want to go in…

It felt like I’d walked incredibly slowly, but I was already at the office door. I stared at the large door for a moment, then cautiously knocked.

“Come in.”

My father’s cold voice made my body flinch as if facing a sharp blade.

He’s really scary…

Biting back tears, I very carefully opened the office door and stepped inside.

As soon as I opened the door, my eyes met directly with my father’s, who was sitting on the sofa.

His cold gaze sent a shiver down my spine.

Ah, I’m in big trouble. My heart felt like it was shrinking. I swallowed dryly, inwardly sighed, and slowly walked toward the sofa.

“I heard you called for me.”

“Sit down.”

I felt a chill wind blow from my father’s voice.

Scary, so scary!

My lips felt parched. Cautiously watching him, I carefully sat down on the sofa.

What should I say if he asks where I went? Should I say I went for a walk?

As I was preparing for the expected questions, a doll was tossed in front of me. A small, palm-sized mermaid doll. The duplicate doll I’d left in my room.

“Where did you get this?”

“Ah…”

I hadn’t expected the first question to be about the doll’s origin, so I was instantly at a loss for words.

Should I mention the Deep-Sea Witch to Father?

No, the witch wasn’t the real problem—the problem was that I’d gone to the East. He was the one who’d advised me to stay away from there if at all possible. He was probably furious.

…Come to think of it, I’d done everything I was told not to do, hadn’t I?

As I hesitated, watching him, my father spoke first. His stern eyes and rigid expression made it clear I wouldn’t be able to brush this off.

“It seems you went to see the Deep-Sea Witch alone a few days ago. You bought this doll and a humanization potion, didn’t you?”

Uh oh, this seems like it’s even bigger trouble than I thought…?

Somehow, I had an ominous feeling that Father already knew everything.

Serenel’s father, Roahim, had learned of his daughter’s secret escapade a few hours prior.

He’d been reviewing documents ahead of an important schedule when he looked up at the news of a visitor.

“It’s been a while, Roahim.”

Tanteon entered the reception room with a familiar, pleasant smile.

Tanteon d’Arheldia.

He was Roahim’s old friend and the Emperor of the Arheldian Empire. Roahim rose to greet Tanteon. After shaking hands, the two sat facing each other at a table set with simple desserts.

Settling in comfortably, Tanteon looked around the familiar reception room.

“This place is always fascinating, no matter how many times I visit.”

“Is there still something left to fascinate you?”

“The undersea is an unknown realm to me. I suppose I’ll keep finding it fascinating unless I become a mermaid myself.”

Tanteon smiled warmly and lifted his teacup as if to wet his throat.

The palace where the Mermaid King lived was a very special place. Even underwater, humans could breathe inside the palace and move about as if on land.

It was thanks to the magic cast long ago, when they had been friendly with humans.

“Shall we continue our previous discussion?”

The meeting progressed quite smoothly. Tanteon also wanted to maintain good relations with the mermaids if possible, so the atmosphere was inevitably amicable.

“…in the capital… if we were to…”

“The scale… with Rik…”

As they talked intensely, time flew by. Realizing the agreed-upon time was nearly over, Tanteon looked up first.

“Oh my, has it gotten this late already?”

“Let’s continue the rest another time.”

“How about tomorrow? I plan to stay in Prinerua for about two more days, so the day after tomorrow would be fine as well.”

“Is it because of the festival?”

Roahim recalled a story he’d heard recently and asked.

The servants had been abuzz with talk of the humans’ festival lately, and it happened to be around this time of year.

The Flower Festival, held once a year, was a festival even the mermaids enjoyed. In fact, the Flower Festival had originally been started by humans to foster friendship with the mermaids, and the “God of Flowers” they spoke of originally referred to a mermaid with the power to make flowers bloom.

But now, all of that was a story lost to history. As time passed and the existence of mermaids was forgotten, everything became a tale known only to the mermaids and the Empire’s Emperor.

“Yes. It’s an important festival in many ways.”

“I see. Then I’ll see you again tomorrow.”

With the appointment set, the meeting drew to a close. Roahim rose to see his guest out.

But before that, Tanteon opened his mouth as if something had occurred to him.

“Speaking of which, I’m asking just in case…”

“Go ahead.”

“Has Her Highness perhaps already started coming and going to the land?”