Chapter 49: THIRD POV.

"I see you two are getting along more than I expected." Persephone swam over, her movements slow and smooth as she moved through the water toward them.

The crowd of villagers was starting to spread out now, but the air around the three of them, particularly both sisters, felt thick and heavy.

"Sister..." Artria said with a smile, keeping her voice light and welcoming, just like she had when talking to Jacob.

She made sure her eyes stayed bright as well, but to Persephone’s eyes, that smile looked fake. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

It was a mask she had put on for the sake of the people watching, and both sisters knew it.

"I never thought someone would’ve been able to convince you to come back home," Artria continued, her voice sounding a bit shaky despite her best efforts.

"And here I was thinking you’d simply stay away forever..."

’Like you should’ve...’ Artria said this part in her head.

She preferred those years of quiet and the peace the village had enjoyed while her sister was gone.

Persephone said nothing at first. She just looked at Artria with a calm, unreadable face.

Then, she swam even closer to Jacob.

Without saying a word, she reached out and wrapped her arms around one of his, pulling herself close to him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Jacob stiffened at the act.

His shoulders went tense, and his tail gave a nervous flick in the sand.

He looked down at Persephone’s arms around his and then back at Artria, looking like a fish caught on a hook.

He didn’t pull away, but he clearly wasn’t comfortable with how things were progressing.

’ She’s doing this on purpose isn’t she...’ Jacob easily saw through her ploy, but he was confused as to why she would do such a thing.

Was she trying to irritate her sister by showing that she had nothing to worry about since he was perfectly fine with being near her?

"Well, it wouldn’t have been possible without my dear little dogfish finally convincing me, now would it?" Persephone said.

She returned her sister’s smile with a smile of her own, but hers had a sharp, knowing edge to it.

She leaned her head slightly against Jacob’s shoulder, making sure Artria saw exactly how close they were.

"I thought you’d stop calling me that..." Jacob said.

He shifted his weight, his expression looking a tad embarrassed.

He looked around at the remaining villagers, hoping no one else had heard the silly nickname.

It was hard to look like a tough shark-man when someone was calling you a "dogfish" in front of everyone.

Persephone merely revealed an amused smile. She didn’t let go of his arm. Instead, she squeezed it a little tighter.

"What? You don’t like it? You seemed so happy when I said that back when you were laying soundly on my lap."

’That was because I was afraid you’d kill me if I said anything.’ Jacob’s eye couldn’t help twitching.

He wanted to explain that to Artria, but he didn’t know how to say it without making the situation even worse.

Artria, on the other hand, secretly gnashed her teeth. The sight of her sister so close to Jacob, touching him so easily, made her blood boil.

She felt a hot flash of anger rise up in her chest. She had spent over a week building a bond with Jacob, and here was Persephone trying to act like they were old lovers.

"Jacob and I were just talking, and we decided it’d be for the best for the three of us to stay together," Artria said, her voice a bit louder than before.

’That way I can make sure to keep an eye on you... Sister.’ Artria said to herself.

She wasn’t going to let them be alone. Especially let her try to win him over when she wasn’t around.

"What?" Persephone frowned for a moment.

The smile left her face, and she looked genuinely surprised. She hadn’t expected Artria to offer her a place to stay, especially not after the way they had ended things years ago.

She turned to glance at Jacob as if seeking answers.

She wanted to know if this was his idea or if Artria was playing some kind of game.

Her grip on his arm loosened just a bit as she waited for him to speak.

"I thought it would be for the best if the both of you caught up with one another," Jacob said, looking back and forth between the two sisters.

He looked like he was trying to be a peacemaker, but he was clearly out of his depth. "I mean, I know it’s a bit too much, and if you don’t like it—"

"What are you saying? Of course she does," Artria said, sounding surprised that he would even suggest otherwise.

She didn’t let him finish his sentence. She wanted to lock this plan in before anyone could change their mind.

"You do want to catch up, don’t you, sister?" Artria’s expression turned a bit saddened, as if she’d be deeply hurt if Persephone said no.

She looked like a loving sister who just wanted to fix a broken relationship.

It was a perfect performance, designed to make Persephone look like the bad person if she refused.

Persephone looked at Artria’s sad face and then back at Jacob. She could feel the tension in the water.

She knew Artria didn’t actually want her there, but she also knew that if she said no, she would look like the villain in front of Jacob.

"She just wants to make things right... Maybe give her a chance, just like the others are giving you?" Jacob whispered.

He leaned down a bit, speaking so that only Persephone could hear him.

He really believed what he was saying.

He thought Artria was being brave and kind.

Persephone pursed her lips, not saying a thing.

She felt trapped, but after remaining silent for sometime, she also saw an opportunity.