The little female was just too adorable. What was he supposed to do with her?
He loved her even more now.
He could barely stop himself from wanting to pin her down and mate right then and there.
He had no idea how this little female knew so many strange and fantastical things, but honestly—he found it fascinating.
"Relax," Lanbo said with a chuckle. "It's not like what you're thinking. Besides, I'm not ready to die yet. I still want to spend a long, long time with you."
"That's good," Si Lu let out a sigh of relief. "As long as it's not something like that cursed tail story."
"Come," Lanbo said, holding her small hand. "I'll take you to the palace where we merfolk live—and there's someone very important I want you to meet."
"Someone important?" Si Lu blinked curiously.Was it… his parents?
Meeting his parents already? That felt way too sudden!And she hadn't even cleaned up yet!
"Uh, Lanbo… do you think I could freshen up first?" she asked awkwardly. "It'd be rude to meet someone important—especially your family—while I look like this."
It just didn't sit right with her.Meeting her future partner's elders while looking like a drowned beastman? Absolutely not.
"You're right," Lanbo nodded. "We'll stop by my bedchamber first. You can get cleaned up there before we go meet them."
Honestly, Lanbo didn't care—Si Lu looked perfect to him no matter what—but seeing how serious she was about making a good impression warmed his heart.
It meant she truly cared about him. That he mattered to her.
"Mm." Si Lu nodded earnestly.
It wasn't vanity—it was respect. None of her other partners had living parents, but if they had, she would've done the same. It was important to leave a good impression.
Besides, she still had some points left. If she really needed to, she could buy a nice outfit from the point store. She hated spending them, but… if it made her feel confident and left a good impression, it was worth it.
And hey, she was still earning points anyway.
Clothes weren't one-time use. Take care of them properly, and they'd last years.
Soon, the grand palace came into view—massive, pure white, gleaming under the filtered light of the sea.
Around it swam countless merfolk, their tails in shades of gray, green, black, yellow, even brown. Not one of them looked quite like Lanbo, though. Their faces were decent, but not nearly as striking, and none of their tails shimmered with that ethereal blue-white glow of his.
So he was right—not every merfolk looked like him.
There were a few female merfolk among them, but not many. Even under the sea, females were precious and rare.
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Salutations, Prince Lanbo!"
"Your Highness!"
The merfolk bowed deeply as Lanbo passed, right hands pressed to their chests.
Si Lu froze. Prince?!
Lanbo was the prince of the merfolk?
That explained everything—his noble aura, his impossible beauty, the way everyone treated him with reverence.
No wonder he was so perfect.
Wow… she thought, a little dazed. I really hit the jackpot here.
At the same time, the surrounding merfolk noticed her.
A land-dweller—with legs instead of a tail.
They couldn't believe how breathtaking she was. Even their most beautiful mermaid, Valsha, couldn't compare. This human woman was several times more stunning.
Some of the merfolk couldn't help but feel jealous. How had their prince found such a perfect land-female? Were all land-females this beautiful?
Still, even if they were tempted to admire her, none dared speak.She was with their prince.
Si Lu noticed the stares and smiled politely, nodding in greeting. It would've felt rude not to—after all, they were Lanbo's people.
But Lanbo saw the way they looked at her—and his expression instantly darkened.
His people were staring at his female.
The water seemed to chill around him. The merfolk immediately felt that cold, dangerous pressure—and scrambled to bow again before quickly dispersing.
They weren't fools.When Prince Lanbo lost his temper, it was rare—but terrifying.And this time, it was obvious… this land-female meant everything to him.
"Uh…" Si Lu gave him a small, awkward smile. "You didn't have to scare them like that…"
"Lulu," Lanbo said seriously, turning to face her. "Don't smile at them again. I'll get jealous."
"You already got jealous," she muttered. "I was just being polite! They're your people—I was trying to be respectful."
"That's the problem," he frowned. "If you're too nice to them, they'll get ideas."
Some males took kindness as interest. And Si Lu was gorgeous—too gorgeous.If any of them dared confess to her, Lanbo might just lose it.
None of them were worthy anyway. Weak, plain, unworthy.
If Si Lu ever accepted another partner, it would have to be someone like him—strong, handsome, capable of protecting her.And besides…
He hadn't even mated with her yet!
Those other guys could keep dreaming.
"Alright, alright," Si Lu sighed, raising her hands in surrender. "I'll be cold from now on."
"Good girl," Lanbo said approvingly. "Now come on—let's head to my bedchamber."
As they passed through the palace gates, merfolk bowed deeply on both sides. Lanbo ignored them, and so did Si Lu.
Hand in hand, they entered the gleaming white palace.
Once the doors closed behind them, gossip spread through the crowd like wildfire.
"Did you see that? Prince Lanbo brought a land-female back!"
"Of course I saw! And did you see her face? She's gorgeous! Where did he even find her?"
"Do you think all land-females look like that?"
"No way. It's like us—most of our males are decent, but only a few females are true beauties. She's probably rare even among humans."
"She's the most beautiful female I've ever seen… I think I'm in love."
"Careful with that talk! If anyone hears you doubting the prince's feelings, you'll be in deep trouble!"
"Exactly! Didn't you see the way he looked at her? They were holding hands. That's serious."
The merfolk buzzed with gossip, voices echoing like a school of startled fish.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, Lanbo led Si Lu into his private bedchamber.
White curtains swayed gently in the current, soft light filtering through the coral glass windows. Everything—from the walls to the columns—was immaculate, glowing faintly under the filtered sunlight.
It was breathtakingly beautiful.
Si Lu had to admit—the merfolk had incredible taste.
"Lulu," Lanbo said softly, "you can bathe here. I'll have someone bring you clothes shortly."