Ch. Love of the merman 5 Love of the merman 5

The day I was discharged, I carried a sack full of pearls, contentedly planning to string them into a curtain at home. Rhys carried our luggage in one hand and held me with the other, as if I were made of glass. Just as we reached the hospital entrance, Selena suddenly darted out, red–eyed, blocking our path. “Rhys! I need to talk to you!” Almost instinctively, Rhys’s eyes welled up, tears threatening to spill. Selena: “???” I bit back laughter, my stomach aching. I quickly linked my arm through Rhys’s, feigning sweetness. ‘Miss Winslow, can we help you?” Selena opened her mouth, clearly thrown by Rhys’s reaction. After a long moment, she managed, “I’m sorry… i misunderstood you. About my father…” Rhys cut her off, his face chilling. “No need.” With that, he pulled me briskly towards the car, clearly afraid that linger- ing any longer would lead to more pearl production. I waved back at Selena, grinning. “Miss Winslow, if you need anything in the future, just go straight to Noah Vance. My Rhys is quite busy.” Busy crying pearls, I added silently. 

Once in the car, Rhys buckled my seatbelt, his face dark. I poked his cheek. “What, not happy?” He was silent for a moment, then murmured, “Darling, do you… only like my pearls?” I froze, then burst out laughing. “Yeah, why else?” Rhys’s eyes instantly darkened. I leaned in, whispering in his ear, “Though… more than the pearls, I like the way you look when you cry.” Rhys: “…” The next second, he cupped the back of my head and kissed me fiercely. System: [DING! Villain’s Darkness Meter. 55%! Host, victory is in sight! I was dizzy from his kiss, then suddenly remembered something. I pushed gently against his chest, creating a slight distance. “What about you? Do you only like the baby in my belly?” Rhys’s ear tips instantly flushed. He wouldn’t meet my gaze. “… Merfolk are absolutely Joyal to their mates.” “Oh?” I nam- owed my eyes. “So, back on the rooftop…” “I was just zoning out,” he cut me off quickly, his long lashes lowered, casting shadows beneath his eyes. “And wonder- ng if you only agreed to marry me for my money.” 

…I’d never seen Rhys’s tail. Ever since learning he was a merman, I’d been dying to glimpse his legendary, priceless blue fish tail. But every time I brought it up, Rhys’s ear tips would flush, and he’d swiftly change the subject. “Rhysss…” I purred, draped across his back, my fingers tracing circles at the ends of his hair. “Show me your tail. His body stiffened, then he calmly flipped a page in his document. “… There’s nothing to see.” “What do you mean, nothing to see?” I leaned closer, lowering my voice conspiratorially. “I hear merman tails are so sleek and shiny, like jewels…” Snap! The pen in his hand broke. I: “…” The System was practically rolling on the floor in my head. [Host, you’ve triggered his fight–or–flight!] I pouted. If gentle persuasion wouldn’t work, I’d try a more… direct approach! 

So, that night, while Rhys was showering, I quietly slipped into the bathroom. Steam misted the air, and subtle ripples danced across the surface of the bathtub wat er. I tiptoed closer, then abruptly yanked back the shower curtain. A shimmering, iridescent blue fish tail, swaying gently in the water. I instantly held my breath. 

6 

Dari- 

The tail was even more beautiful than I’d imagined. Its scales were as translucent as deep–sea jewels, the caudal fin thin as a dragonfly’s wing, shimmering with a scattering of silver light, as if the entire galaxy had been crushed and sprinkled across it. Rhys whirled around. The moment he saw me, his entire form froze. ing?‘ His voice was a little shaky I stared blankly at him, temporanly speechless. Rhys’s eyes widened in panic. His tail instinctively pulled back into the water, and his voice dropped to a barely audible whisper Did I scare you?‘ I finally snapped back to reality, shaking my head furiously. “No! It’s absolutely gorgeous!” He seemed stunned, his ear tips crimson, almost bleeding ” Really?” 

“Of course I squatted by the tub, my eyes gleaming “This tail alone looks like it’s worth a fortune! If we took it to auction. Rhys. System [Host, you truly have a death wish I grinned, reaching out to gently touch his tail it was cool, smooth. The scales feit like exquisite silk, yet with an undeniable, unique luster Rhys abrup- ty shivered, a soft, muffled groan escaping his throat Me. “I touched it again. His breathing hitched his long lashes fluttered, and a hazy mist formed in his deep eyes. Me. ???‘ The System suddenly let out a lewd chuckle (Hehehe, Host, a merman’s tail is a sensitive spot you know- Which means, you just pleasured him-) Mer Rhys clamped onto my wrist his voice hoarse, utterly unrecognizable Don’t touch it anymore I banked, feigning innocence Why? Doesn’t it feel good?”