"Hmm," Thyrian said, and her father gritted his teeth angrily. He wanted to strike his trident into the ground, but a look from Thyrian made him reconsider.

"Your daughter came in here and asked me to back off from my beastman, calling him her fiancée!" I said, and watched as her father’s eyes shifted slowly.

"Looks like your daughter didn’t tell you that," I mouthed, and watched as she turned to her father, sucking her bottom lip, mumbling inaudible words.

"Lying is one thing, but you dare threaten my master... Do you have a death wish?" Thyrian said, and she shivered. Her father couldn’t hide his rage as he glared furiously at his daughter and pushed her forward. "Apologize!" he yelled, but as she looked up, the puppy-like expression she had earlier was replaced with pure rage and bitterness.

"Why does she have to get Thyrian?" She paused, turning to glare at me. "I delivered gifts to him, I catered for his every need, I should be with him, not her! She didn’t do anything to deserve his love, and yet she gets his heart. She doesn’t deserve him!" she screamed, and I just stared. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

As always, in these kinds of novels, there is always some love-struck idiot who would do the most shameless things just to get their way.

Her father grunted in anger and stepped forward. "I apologize on my daughter’s behalf. She can be unreasonable at times," he said, but I kept staring at her.

"Glare at me again and I’ll pluck out those eyes," I said flatly, and she froze. She bit her bottom lip and looked away.

"Discipline your daughter well. You are a respectful man, I won’t be taken lightly. I wouldn’t want to have someone beheaded on my very first visit," I said, making sure he heard every word. I felt the chill that went through his veins, and he bowed. He then stood up and reached for his daughter’s hand, but she was fast and moved toward Thyrian, gripping his hands.

"You remember me, right? You gave me this when we were little. You saved my life, and I vowed to be only yours since then!" she yelled, showing him the orange coral necklace. But Thyrian stared at it like it was unfamiliar, and a frown settled on his face...

"I can’t remember. But one thing I know is, I saved you because it was the right thing to do, not because I felt something toward you," he said, and gently slipped his hand away.

"Please escort your daughter out," he said, and the warrior reached out, dragging her off. She struggled, trying to break free.

I sighed and reached out, pulling the coral necklace from her neck. I dropped it to the ground and stepped on it. The crystal broke instantly, and her eyes went wide in horror. I looked down at her and smiled.

"Now he never gave that to you. Leave his life and stop dwelling on someone that can never be yours," I said. Her father’s face went pale with disappointment and anger. He dragged her off instantly, and the door shut tightly.

I let out a sigh of relief and turned to Thyrian. "I’m expecting more of them!" I said, and he chuckled gently, poking my nose.

But then I remembered, he had gone to see his family earlier, but returned so fast to save me. Did he have an argument with them?

"Why did you come back so early? You left a few minutes ago," I asked, and he laughed softly, biting my cheek gently.

"I had forgotten something, but then I saw her about to slap you, and I couldn’t let that happen," he said, and I blushed.

"Thyrian, I’m okay now. You can go back to see your parents," I said, but he tightened his grip and pulled me closer.

"And if I don’t want to?" he asked, brushing my cheek gently.

I reached for his face, my fingers trailing across his face, then resting near his ear, I yanked...

"Then I’ll beat you to a pulp," I said, though I didn’t use force and was very gentle. He laughed softly.

"I’ll be back," he said, and swam off. The door closed shut, and I heard swimming sounds. He must have assigned guards outside my door. I smiled faintly.

Truly, Thyrian’s affection for me seemed to be growing faster than everyone else’s.

I let out a small breath and slowly moved deeper into the room after Thyrian left. The silence of the underwater palace wrapped around me like a soft blanket. The faint glow of the ocean filtered through the transparent walls, making the entire room shimmer in shifting shades of blue and silver.

I walked toward the shelves that lined one side of the room, my fingers brushing against the neatly arranged books. They were old-looking, some bound in leather, others sealed with glowing water ink. Curiosity flickered in my eyes as I pulled one out and flipped it open.

The pages floated slightly under the water, but at best it was a slight inconvenience. It was filled with sketches of ocean creatures, kingdoms, and ancient markings I didn’t fully understand. I tilted my head, reading bits and pieces, my lips occasionally parting in silent fascination.

"So this is what he reads..." I muttered softly, turning another page.

After a while, I closed the book and moved toward the massive glass window that stretched from floor to ceiling. Outside, the ocean kingdom spread endlessly... colorful coral towers, glowing sea plants swaying gently, and merfolk passing by like drifting stars.

Some of them paused when they saw me.

Their eyes lingered, either with curiosity or suspicion.

I leaned closer to the glass, resting my hand against it as I stared back at them. A few children swam past, pointing at me, while adults whispered among themselves. It felt like I was both inside and outside their world at the same time.

"Am I really that interesting?" I murmured under my breath, lips curling slightly.

Just then—

Thud.

Something dropped behind me, and I turned sharply.

"What was that...?" I whispered.

I bent down carefully, picking up a small object wrapped in white paper. My brows furrowed as I turned it over in my hands. It looked... intentionally placed.

My fingers hesitated for a moment before I slowly unwrapped it. Inside, there was a note.

My eyes scanned the words slowly, and my expression shifted, but the playful curiosity faded instantly.

"Leave here... you are in danger... if you don’t..."