Chapter 2

"Since Cecilia likes Kane, how could I take what you love?" A triumphant smile spread across Cecilia's face. "Thank you, Serene! This time, I will be the one to bear the black-tailed merbabies! I will be the Crown Princess! And I will be the one to live for centuries!" I pretended not to understand her meaning. I walked over to Lior and addressed him formally, "My Lord." Lior responded with a shy, slightly awkward smile. "M-My Lady." Cecilia hurried over to Kane, wrapping her arms around his. She coquettishly said, "My Lord, I am your wife now. You must cherish me dearly." "Naturally," Kane replied, his satisfaction with Cecilia evident. He hadn't even left yet, but his eyes were already burning red as he looked at her, desire practically spilling over. King Rylan smiled and instructed the princes to take their brides to their chambers. Kane wasted no time. He scooped Cecilia up and hurried away. As she was carried off, Cecilia shot me a look. She pretended to be shy, calling out to Kane, "My Lord, I could have walked myself..." I smiled back at her. I hope you can still pretend to be this innocent and carefree once you see Kane's true nature. I followed Lior to his residence. The entrance was teeming with small fish and lower-class merfolk, all excitedly welcoming the new bride. When they saw me, they swirled around me joyfully. "The Princess is so beautiful! She and Lior are a perfect match!" "Their babies will surely be the most beautiful!" "Ahhh! We have a beautiful Princess too!" I stood frozen for a moment. I hadn't expected a welcoming party. In my past life, I had reluctantly chosen Kane. He took me away and immediately locked me in a room for three days and nights. He never showed me an ounce of respect from the very beginning. Lior noticed my expression and seemed a bit helpless with the enthusiastic crowd of small fish and merfolk. He said with a hint of amusement, "Alright, alright, you're too noisy. Stop gawking and get back to your tasks." Yet, his hands instinctively moved to shield me, preventing the little creatures from jostling me. "Okay, okay! Prince Lior is protecting his Princess!" a playful little merfolk called out before obediently swimming away. Lior looked at me with concern. "It's alright now. If you find these lively little fish and merfolk overwhelming, you can just send them away. They won't dare harm you." His gesture made me smile. "I'm fine. It was just... a pleasant surprise." It was ironic, I thought, that Cecilia, who had chosen Lior in the past life, had been so dissatisfied with him.