Bibi froze at my words and turned to stare at me. "What?" she asked, but instead, I blinked my lashes at her and pouted my lips. She let go of my hand that instant.

"Stop that!" she yelled, creeped out, and my lips parted, making a soft pop sound. "Stop what?" I asked, fidgeting with my fingers and pouting. Her eyes widened with irritation, and her lips twitched.

"What the—" she screamed, but I stepped closer. She moved backwards, placing her left hand in front of me. "Stay back!" she cursed out, and I trembled, trying hard to seem focused, but I couldn’t tear my gaze from her.

I was doing this to irritate her. I really didn’t want to talk to her at all. Especially when I knew she’d tease me about last night’s incident. Thinking of running around and actually pecking her cheeks... I felt like throwing up. And she caught track of my pink cheeks.

"Raven, do you think doing this would send me away?" she said, and I froze. "Huh?" I acted nonchalant, and she moved closer. Her face turned cold and serious. She was taller than me, about 5’10 at least. I couldn’t help but swallow hard as her hands reached out, gently ruffling my hair. I felt my tummy churn in disgust, and I slapped her hand away. I eyed her and walked away, but her hand grabbed my waist and she pulled me closer.

Oh my fvcking gawd, she was using my own trick against me. Her fingers landed on my face and cupped my cheeks, squeezing softly. "You look pretty cute. I just want to kiss you already," she said, moving closer, and I stepped backwards.

"What are you doing?" I snapped, but her hands reached for my waist and she pulled me closer. I felt embarrassed and blushed, especially when females started to gather around.

"Let me go this second," I gritted my teeth, but she only smiled widely and winked at me. I felt my tummy churn in disgust.

Gawd, I really can’t stand this girl. I stepped on her foot, and she yelped, jumping up in pain.

"Can’t you take a joke?" she snapped, and my lips parted with an "oh."

"It was? For a second, I really did think you were going to kiss me," I said and looked at my hands, giving a cute look, and she gritted her teeth. I expected her to snap. Instead, she wrapped her hands around my waist.

"Isn’t she cute? But such a fuzzy ball when mad," she yelled, and everyone giggled. It made me remember the scene in the hidden bunker, and I couldn’t help but curse her in my mind.

I was hoping one of my beast-men would walk up here right now. I wanted to see her shake in fear, but then Liora walked towards us.

"What’s happening here?" she asked softly, and I flashed a cheesy smile.

"I also want to know," I said and jabbed my elbow straight into Bibi’s tummy. She coughed out in pain, and her hands reached for my head, smacking me. I bit my lips, and we both stared daggers at each other, but Liora just giggled.

We both turned to her. "This isn’t funny," we snapped, and she nodded, still laughing. I froze as I felt their stares on us.

"If only Raven was actually a beast-man, this would be so cute," the crowd muttered, and I felt my skin tremble with goosebumps.

"Me and her?" I snapped, and she glared back at me.

"Never," we both said in unison.

But minutes later, I was walking beside Liora, and Bibi had tagged along.

"Did she have to come?" I asked, and Liora nodded. I sucked in air and turned to gaze at Bibi. I really can’t forgive her for almost getting Liora and her beast-man killed. If enemies we stay forever, then okay.

"I’d rather die than make her affection level increase," I thought in my head, but then I heard a soft laughter.

"Then die. I can make the time run fast," I heard Orange’s voice, and I folded my hands under my boobs. I wasn’t ready to leave now, I thought.

"What gifts do you want to give to them?" Liora asked, and I snapped back to reality.

"I was thinking of gems and crystals. Not normal ones though, maybe those that could heal. I’m sure it’d be of great use to them. I know mermaids and mermen like shiny human stuff. I could get rings and add to them," I said, and Liora hummed, taking everything in.

"There’s actually a barren cave there. Lots of gems and coral are there," Bibi chimed in, and I turned to gaze at her for a while. A smirk curved on my lips. At least she was helping.

She led the way, and after a while, my eyes beamed as the cave finally came into view.

"How about adding some pearls?" Liora said, and my lips parted. "Mermaids and mermen cry pearls. They certainly would fancy that," I said, and Liora hummed, agreeing with my words.

Thinking of pearls... when Thyrian cried, I really didn’t remember seeing any. Was something wrong? I thought, still dazed, when Bibi’s gaze snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh? What?" I asked, and her lips parted.

"Pearls carry memories and fragments of pain," she said, and I felt intrigued. How did she know that? Is she also interested in beasts merman? My lips parted, but then Liora walked into the cave.

"Raven, there are so many, come see!" I smiled at Bibi and walked into the cave. It was dark, but as we moved deeper, I saw faint shades of colors at the top of the cave. I couldn’t help but stare in awe and surprise. As we stepped in deeper, I gasped...

They were gemstones stuck to the walls, shimmering and reflecting light. I couldn’t help but gasp in awe at their beauty. I gently placed my hands on them, trailing across their surface. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Raven," Liora’s soft voice called, and I stared at her. She placed a blue gem next to her dress, and her dress changed to that blue color.

"It can do that?" I thought, but then I sighted a faint red color shimmering from behind, and I raised my gaze...

Liora followed my gaze. The moment her eyes landed on Bibi, she gasped, and the gem she was holding fell to the ground.

"Bibi, why are you..."