The Cute Mermaid's Sweet Love

In the imperial study. 

Business had concluded. 

The elderly minister showed no intention of departing, gazing instead at the young emperor, who stood leisurely by the bookshelf, stroking his long beard with a sigh. "Your Majesty, have you truly never considered the matter of your heirs?" 

He did not press aggressively but approached the conversation with the earnestness of a senior addressing a junior, eager to understand the emperor's thoughts. 

After all, throughout history, there had been only a handful of emperors who had ascended the throne and neglected the harem for years— 

and those few were all marked by various peculiar circumstances, whether due to physical incapacity or the wounds of unrequited love, leading to a solitary life. 

The emperor did not seem particularly averse to women, yet he consistently refused to engage with those in the harem, even dismissing suggestions of selecting from the common folk with a mere wave of his hand. 

Countless ministers, like him, were consumed with worry for the emperor. 

The young man turned his head slightly, glancing at him with a raised eyebrow, yet remained silent. 

This stubborn demeanor was anticipated by the elderly minister, who sighed in resignation. "At the very least, Your Majesty should appoint a consort. The position of the mother of this nation cannot remain vacant for too long." 

"Like the one you brought back previously, if you have an affinity for her, it would not be inappropriate to make her your consort; after all, rules can be learned anew." The minister, believing himself to be quite insightful, even displayed a glimmer of hope in his eyes as he cleared his throat. "I've heard you've arranged for that young lady to reside in the Yining Palace?" 

Surely, this indicated his satisfaction! 

Thus, he thought to propose establishing a consort, believing the emperor would not object. 

"Oh?" Sebastian replied with a half-smile, gesturing for him to continue. 

"As for the matter of heirs…" The minister adjusted his white beard, making a reluctant concession. "Waiting another two years would not be detrimental." 

It was apparent how challenging it would be for the emperor, who had never engaged with the harem, to suddenly produce a young prince; he realized he had been overly optimistic. 

Sebastian stepped away from the bookshelf and resumed his seat in the wide chair, lifting a teacup to take a sip. "...It seems you all are quite eager for me to appoint a consort?" 

Aside from this individual, numerous petitions he had received recently also hinted at the need for him to establish a consort, ideally producing two children within three years… 

"Do I appear to you as someone in need of your assistance to make decisions?" 

"I would not dare," the elderly minister hastily bowed. "I merely…" 

"Enough." Sebastian interrupted him leisurely. 

The jade-green teacup wobbled slightly in his hand, spilling a few ripples of tea, and his phoenix eyes half-closed. "Isn't it just a consort? I shall return with one for you all in a few days."

The elderly minister was taken aback. "In a few days?" 

Could it be that the candidate for empress was not as he had envisioned? 

Was the young lady residing in Yining Palace truly so unworthy of his esteem? 

What sort of affairs was the emperor engaging in? 

However, ultimately, these matters were private to Sebastian. The minister hesitated several times, wanting to speak but refraining, and finally fell silent with a sigh, the third one of the day. "...Since Your Majesty has made up your mind, I shall take my leave." 

Sebastian, perceiving his thoughts, merely smiled and replied, "You may go, Grand Tutor." 

In the Eastern Sea. 

"You dragons can do this as well?" Lu watched as the diminutive Sebastian, clad in a voluminous brocade robe and adorned with two dragon horns, struggled to present a small piece of coral to her. She opened her palm, somewhat bewildered, to receive it, her body stiff with apprehension, fearful that a careless move might topple the little dragon. 

"How… small!" She blinked her blue eyes, speaking in hushed tones. 

The young man with golden eyes stood beside her, casting a glance at the small figure of himself in her delicate palm, which was smiling up at the little mermaid. For some reason, he found it somewhat irksome but still replied, "...Yes." 

...It was merely small; why was she only focused on it and not on him? 

After all, it was the same face. 

However, if it could capture the little mermaid's interest, it was still a modest success. 

At least, before the formal commencement of the banquet, Lu would not be distracted by other matters. 

Having delivered the coral, the small Sebastian scampered forward to grasp Lu's finger, unable to speak, but managing to part his lips in a radiant smile. 

"How adorable!" Lu tugged at the sleeve of the Sebastian beside her, urging him to crouch down and observe, her expression earnest as she repeated, "Look at him, how adorable!" 

Sebastian obediently crouched down but only glanced once before turning his phoenix eyes away, muttering, "...If you wish, you could have one even more obedient and beautiful." 

Surely, there was no need to be so elated over a small creature conjured from dragon's blood. 

Lu was momentarily taken aback, carefully cradling the little being as she regarded him with suspicion. "More obedient and beautiful?" 

Though the one in her hand was already quite adorable and lovely... why did it hinge on her willingness? 

What did he mean by that? 

Why was his speech becoming so unclear? 

"Ah." The small Sebastian clung to her slender fingertip, his round golden eyes gazing at Lu, who was ignoring him, for quite some time before finally becoming irked and playfully biting her. 

It was not hard; it barely broke the skin, merely a ticklish sensation, akin to a kiss. 

Lu's heart softened instantly, her azure gaze fixating on the little figure, her eyes curving into a gentle smile as she patiently cooed, "Oh dear, are you upset? Or are you hungry? Shall I find you something to eat?" 

Sebastian coldly observed the small dragon, which had promptly sat down, appearing obedient. 

...It seemed he had dug himself a pit. 

If the consciousness of this drop of dragon's blood could connect with him in real time, he could easily dispose of it now.