The Cute Mermaid's Sweet Love

"Do you understand the meaning of eloping?" Sebastian was taken aback for a moment, unable to suppress a chuckle, his golden eyes shimmering brilliantly in the reflection of the water. 

"Let me make it clear: if you elope with me, there will be no room for you to back out." 

This little creature spoke so lightly of it, yet he hoped she wouldn't come to regret her decision. 

Nevertheless, even if she did, he would gladly indulge her. 

"Back out?" Lu pondered seriously for a moment before looking up at the young man before her with uncertainty. "I don't think I would." 

After all, she was pursuing freedom! How could she possibly have regrets? 

Could it be that playing outside was worse than being confined in the depths of the sea? 

Moreover, she would have to stay with her eldest brother, constantly considering the consequences of her actions… it would be truly dreadful! 

"As for the meaning of eloping, it's simply running away with a handsome human. My grandmother told me so!" 

Lu lifted her head, her bright blue eyes glancing shyly to the side. "But I won't be like those mermaids who are easily deceived by humans. If you treat me poorly... I will return to the sea on my own." 

Even if her father and mother were angry with her, her grandmother would protect her! 

She was not afraid of him. 

Upon hearing this, Sebastian realized the little mermaid might have a misunderstanding about the term "eloping," yet he chose not to explain, merely sighing, "If I could truly deceive you, that would be something." 

"I would never be deceived by you," Lu retorted, frowning as she glared at him, her small face stern, her round eyes revealing a hint of skepticism. "Don't even think about playing any tricks." 

After all, while this human was undeniably handsome, he had deceived her more than once. 

Wait, wasn't he not even a human? 

Lu's gaze turned slightly peculiar as she regarded Sebastian. 

Sebastian cleared his throat, "How could I possibly play tricks?" 

"Well, sitting here waiting for the banquet could take an eternity. Shall we explore a bit?" 

Lu blinked. "Oh, that sounds good." 

Though she found sitting quite comfortable. 

An hour later. 

The rare sight of the dragon clan alongside the sole princess of the merfolk wandering the Eastern Sea Platform was eagerly shared by a few sea creatures who thrived on gossip. 

Thus, when Lu gracefully swayed her tail to exit the Platform, she collided directly with a throng of sea creatures and magical beings who were stationed outside, eagerly observing. 

Countless eyes, bold and cautious alike, turned curiously toward her, successfully halting her steps. 

With a blank expression, she stiffly turned her head to the calm, even smiling young man beside her. "What should we do?" 

Yet Sebastian simply took her hand and led the little mermaid, who was instinctively reliant on him, toward the path cleared by the crowd. 

With a slight curve of his eyes, he replied lazily, "What else can we do? A little attention won't cost us anything." 

Lu: …That seems quite reasonable, yet somehow it feels off. 

The magical beings instantly exchanged excited glances: 

"Look, look! We were right to come! If these two aren't involved in something, then I'm not a fish!" 

"Are they officially together now?" 

"Who would have thought the mermaid princess, usually so low-key, would be with a dragon clan member!" 

"And they're even wearing matching outfits! How obvious! They look perfect together!" 

"This celebration was worth it! It was definitely worth squeezing into the central sea area for so long!" 

On the other side. 

A massive half-snake being was ensnared by wildly growing seaweed in the silent, dark depths of the ocean, the silver tail moving slightly with the gentle currents. 

Jack's eyelids fluttered, and he half-opened his eyes. 

He gazed at the tranquil sea for a moment, testing the restraints on his wrists. 

As he expected, they remained immovable. 

"Truly ruthless," Jack murmured silently, letting out a soft sigh.

The once dormant emerald seaweed seemed to sense something, extending further along the already entwined areas— 

the vibrant green hue nearly enveloped his human form and serpentine tail, showing no signs of breaking free. 

Jack pressed his lips together, finding the situation somewhat troublesome. 

Although these seaweeds appeared fragile, they had already attempted to retaliate the moment he was ensnared. 

The outcome was evident and far from optimistic. 

Yet, rather than focusing solely on the seaweed, Jack pondered who had laid such a… harmless trap for him. 

What could their intentions be? Was it merely to torment him? 

Given that he was unable to extricate himself despite countless attempts, the master of the seaweed undoubtedly possessed considerable skill. 

However, amidst the grand celebration of the Four Seas, he truly could not fathom who would bother with a mere minor character like himself. 

After all, any envoy casually summoned at the banquet would hold far more value than he, an heir yet to formally inherit the Clan Jack. 

Having surrendered to his predicament, Jack allowed his silver tail to droop heavily under gravity, his eyes half-closed as he fell into contemplation. 

To escape now, he could only seek outside assistance. 

His parents were preoccupied; whether they would even remember their absent son was uncertain. 

…Would he truly be trapped by these things until the celebration concluded? 

Furrowing his brow, he felt a wave of darkness wash over him. 

For the first time, he sensed his luck was utterly abysmal. 

No, it would be more accurate to say that the individual who had transported him from the Eastern Sea to this desolate, fishless expanse possessed a rather wicked sense of humor. 

Yet, for the time being, he found himself powerless against that person.