🔊 TTS Settings
chapter 21
“What kind of intuition?”
“When you feel your opponent is dangerous, you should run. But even if, objectively, it seems impossible to win—if you’re certain you can win, sometimes you really might.”
“And?”
“It helps in little things too, like winning the lottery or bets.”
“Wow…”
That was honestly tempting.
Anyway, her mother also had this habit of twisting obvious or simple truths into roundabout sayings. Every time Rinka felt this merman was truly her father, her heart felt strange.
For now, she nodded, and Ethan glanced briefly out the window.
“It’s time to let you go.”
“Already?”
“Yes. That one who came for you—or, hm… I don’t quite know what to call him. But in any case, he won’t wait long.”
His gaze drifted beyond the window. Past the frame, dark blue waves rippled faintly, and among them was a quiet, almost imperceptible presence.
It was Ananta.
Rinka couldn’t sense it, but he had been standing there for some time.
Is it really alright to send her to someone like that…?
He hadn’t been much of a father, yet as a parent he couldn’t help but worry about the one waiting outside.
Ethan’s worried eyes turned to Rinka.
Only then did she realize—his words meant someone had come to rescue her. And there was only one person that could be.
“Thank you. But before I go, there’s something I want to ask…”
“Ah, that child.”
As though reading her heart, Ethan stepped forward and stretched out a hand.
Dangling from her neck was a pale-blue seashell.
When a faint white energy spread from his fingertips and gently touched it, the necklace slowly began to change shape.
“Wow.”
It now glimmered like a jewel.
“It won’t be long before he wakes. When a merfolk’s power resonates with him, it quickens. Looks like he struggled quite a lot in the beginning, didn’t he?”
“It just… happened. I had to make waves.”
“Ah, waves. That explains it.”
Explains it?
Seeing her puzzled look, he explained:
“I had been sleeping for years, but was suddenly awakened by a sound—like my own power striking the sea.”
A sound of striking the sea.
She didn’t fully understand, but it felt meaningful somehow.
“I’m sorry. I troubled you, making you come all the way here.”
“Don’t be.”
Ethan turned toward her with a gentle smile.
“You’re my daughter. How could you ever be a burden?”
Daughter.
The moment that word left his lips, Rinka’s heart trembled. If her mother could have seen this meeting, she would have been so happy.
“…Don’t you want to see her? Mother, I mean.”
The question escaped before she could stop it.
Surprised, Ethan widened his eyes slightly, then gave a slow smile.
“Of course I want to. But even without seeing her, she’s as vivid as yesterday, so it’s alright.”
“…”
“I’ll live a long time, and remember for just as long. Both Soina and I knew that much.”
We knew of our end.
He murmured quietly, stretching a hand toward the window. Water gathered around his fingertips, rippling like absorbed light, then dissolved.
“She said she feared being forgotten more than dying. But I… I can never forget. So, in a way, I’m granting her wish.”
Rinka gazed at him silently. Mother had said that? And he truly could never forget?
“Remember this well, daughter. Humans forget and betray again and again. But beings like us, who live long—we cannot.”
“Cannot…?”
“Yes. Like the serpent binding you now.”
The serpent.
She instinctively understood what he meant.
That sea monster, waiting only for the day it could devour a half-blooded mermaid.
At that moment, knock knock—the door sounded.
Without waiting for a reply, it opened. Ananta stepped inside, his silver hair and ornate clothes shimmering as always.
“Oh? Am I interrupting?”
“You knew the conversation was over when I permitted you to enter, yet you ask.”
Ethan answered with a faint smile.
Ananta’s eyes swept the room before he casually sat beside Rinka, neatly placing himself between her and Ethan.
Resting his chin on one hand, he spoke.
“Quite an extravagant reception—for a mere human girl.”
“I didn’t have time to prepare invitations.”
“And why, then, involve my crew so suddenly?”
Ethan shrugged, gesturing at Rinka.
“She’s my benefactor’s daughter. When I saw her trace after so long, I was glad—that’s all.”
“Benefactor’s daughter?”
“Yes. During a brief time I awoke from slumber… I owed that person greatly.”
Their words seemed calm, but beneath the surface they bristled like hidden thorns.
Rinka, caught in between, tried to suppress the tension running down her spine.
Ananta’s voice dropped lower.
“Even so, she’s my crew now, Lord of Labanto.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes for a moment, then slowly shook his head.
“Only for a term. Keep her safe.”
“You needn’t say it—I will.”
A silence passed. Finally, Ethan chuckled quietly and nodded.
“Good. Then let’s have tea for a while. I have something to give this child.”
Still wary, Ananta reached for an empty cup. Ethan filled it, then poured for himself as well.
Things seemed to settle, yet somehow it all still felt uneasy.
As the captain sipped in silence, Ethan presented Rinka with treasures—pearl earrings, a bracelet of blue diamonds.
Anyone could tell at a glance…
These were meant for Mother.
Blue had always suited Soina.
Only then did Rinka truly feel—Ethan was her father. Her heart swelled painfully.
Carefully, she held the velvet-lined case, where pearl earrings and a diamond bracelet chimed softly against each other.
“Are you sure I can accept this?”
“It’s also your mother’s share.”
At those words, her eyes stung, but instead of answering, she bowed her head deeply.
Ananta rose from his seat.
“You’ve given much. I won’t refuse further—now I’ll take Rinka with me. Since she’s precious to the Lord of Labanto, I’ll treat her as precious too.”
Smiling lightly, he opened the door.
Ethan merely nodded. Together, the two left the mansion.
Rinka glanced back.
That mysterious house, shimmering with a watery glow.
And Ethan, standing at its door.
A sight she felt she could never forget. She blinked several times, promising herself she would remember, for her mother’s sake as well.
Outside, the sun was shining bright.
Just hours ago, waves had raged wildly, but now their roar was gone, replaced by a gentle breeze under a clear sky.
Rinka lifted her gaze naturally.
“I don’t think I’ll ever forget today.”
At her words, Ananta smiled at her.
“An unforgettable day, is it?”
He plucked a tiny leaf that had fallen onto her hair and said,
“Since we’re already here, why not go do something fun?”
She stared at him in surprise, then laughed aloud.
She never knew what he was thinking at times like this.
What was he planning now?
“When you say something fun, Captain… what exactly do you mean?”
“We’ll decide on the way. You know how fickle I am.”
He spoke playfully, but slowed his steps to match hers.
Their footsteps rang in unison—familiar now. Rinka steadied her fluttering heart.
Then his strong, elegant fingers reached out, brushing her wrist, then her palm, then sliding between hers before slowly clasping her hand.
