Chapter 86
“Love…”
I unconsciously turned toward the door, then froze.
I tried hard to erase the face that was about to appear in my mind.
Yet, ironically, Siren’s explanation continued.
“To be precise, since you prefer things clearly explained, it refers to a man’s vital essence and physical contact…”
“Wait.”
I raised my hand to interrupt him.
“That’s enough. I understand.”
Being forced to listen to something I didn’t want to hear was extremely exhausting.
Still, Siren added, his voice carrying that usual hint of amusement:
“As you’ll understand, the matter was urgent, which is why I needed you immediately.”
Then he bowed to me.
“But I know that was rude. I sincerely apologize again.”
From beneath his head, which was bowed almost to the ground, a nervous voice slipped out.
“Please. To save my mother, the breath of that mermaid is absolutely necessary.”
I furrowed my brow and asked him a question.
I already had the mermaid’s breath that my mother had left behind.
“…Is one enough?”
I was even willing to give it to him.
Of course, on the condition that I received a fair reward.
After all, he was a prince of a kingdom and, according to him, had powerful mind-control abilities that could even alter memories.
I couldn’t deny that making a deal with him could be helpful in some way… but his answer went against my expectations once again.
Siren raised two fingers.
“Two…?”
I stammered as I repeated my question.
“Three are needed in total, and there’s only one from my mother,” he said.
A sigh escaped me naturally.
‘I also have one from my mother… but that means I need one more.’
But how could I get the remaining one?
According to Siren, I would have to… have that kind of contact with Denok as well.
I inadvertently recalled the previous night and quickly shook my head, trying to push away the lingering heat of that memory.
Yet at the same time, the conditions Siren had proposed kept circling in my mind.
His promise to use mind-control to make it look like I had died.
For the sake of true freedom, that would be the most crucial thing when I escaped.
“I have something to ask.”
He immediately nodded.
“Anything.”
“If… I could provide two more, would the reward you mentioned earlier still be valid?”
I looked directly into his eyes.
“I’m asking if the promise to protect me still stands.”
Siren slowly straightened his body and smiled.
He too was a prince.
An air of arrogance naturally lifted the corners of his lips.
“Of course.”
He added:
“But I hope you can do it as quickly as possible. My mother doesn’t have much time left either.”
I nodded in response.
“The same goes for me.”
Less than a year remained. I had to make sure the Duke’s house remained stable even without me, and I had to unite the original story’s heroine with Denok.
So that Denok could live happily without succumbing to madness even in my absence.
Therefore:
“There’s something I need your help with.”
The door opened.
I stepped forward first.
When I exited the sun-filled room, the relatively cool air brushed against my skin.
And then:
“Edith!”
A familiar voice sharply cut through the air.
It was Denok.
He approached me almost as if running.
Narrowed brows, labored breaths.
His eyes frantically searched me for any signs of harm.
I couldn’t bear to meet his gaze, so I looked away.
“Why did you come out so late? Did something happen?”
His voice was low, but the anxiety beneath it was unmistakable.
Then, from behind, another set of footsteps sounded.
Denok’s eyes darted over my shoulder, and the air around us seemed to freeze instantly.
“Your Highness, the Prince.”
“You were waiting here? You could have rested comfortably in the reception room.”
It was Siren.
“You must explain what happened today.”
Denok now seemed to have forgotten that he was a prince of a kingdom, showing no intention of hiding his sharpness.
While I panicked and looked at him, Siren responded calmly, turning his gaze to me.
“I’m afraid that will be difficult. The Duchess will understand.”
With a smiling dismissal, Denok’s gaze returned to me.
I subtly glared at Siren but finally sighed and tugged at Denok’s sleeve.
I conveyed with my eyes that explaining here would be impossible.
Only then did Denok step back.
But his eyes still held that unrelenting, unconvinced emotion.
Siren, wearing an amused expression as he observed us, lightly bowed toward Denok and greeted him.
“I look forward to working with you.”
“…?”
Denok narrowed his eyes and stared at him, completely puzzled.
But Siren didn’t explain his meaning and turned away first.
I spoke before the situation could drag on further.
“Let’s go home first.”
The wind brushing my face was still cool, but my flushed cheeks didn’t cool down.
The carriage started moving slowly.
Through the window, scenery passed quietly, and the sound of hooves continued in a soft rhythm.
Between the clattering wheels, a quiet silence filled the carriage.
After a while, Denok cautiously spoke.
“…What did you talk about with that man?”
I hesitated briefly before replying.
“We both… confirmed that we are descendants of the merfolk. It turned out his mother was ill, and he asked if I could help.”
Finally, understanding appeared on Denok’s face.
He remembered the “mermaid’s breath.”
“But it wasn’t something I could help with… so regrettably, I refused.”
I spoke calmly, but my mouth was dry.
I didn’t reveal the truth.
That I had agreed to give him the mermaid’s breath.
Or what I would demand in return.
I could have been honest, explained I needed the mermaid’s breath, and sought his help.
‘But he’s clever.’
He would immediately figure out that I wouldn’t give it without reason.
And he would relentlessly investigate the cost.
But I couldn’t tell him that I planned to fake my death and escape, nor that the original story’s heroine, the saint, would appear to save him.
‘So it’s better he doesn’t know.’
If I truly wished for his happiness.
If I wanted to quietly disappear.
I must say nothing.
So:
“I’m sorry, Denok.”
I had no choice but to choose a cowardly path.
Feeling the cold, smooth glass bottle in my arms, I closed my eyes.
Meanwhile, Siren returned to his room and brewed fresh tea.
Watching the steam rise from the cup, he suddenly recalled the clear gaze of that woman earlier.
The blue eyes that had glared at him coldly just after the mind-control was broken.
For some reason, that gaze refused to leave his mind.
Savoring the faint sweetness of the tea, he smiled faintly.
A little…
“It’s a pity.”
Seeing those blue eyes soften sweetly while looking at him would have been rather satisfying.
But he still had a chance to see her…
Then, as if remembering something, he clapped his hands.
“I almost forgot to mention that.”
He should have also said that he shouldn’t fall in love with a human.
“Well, she’ll come to me in a year anyway, so it doesn’t matter.”
Another pair of eyes that had stared at him antagonistically came to mind.
“Unfortunately, that one didn’t work out.”
Tilting his teacup, he chuckled softly.
