Chapter 549: Tiffany's Love

“Yes, now that I think about it, that was about ten years ago. Those were nostalgic times… Thanks.” Mellenbu wanted some tea as well, but realized he was clearly too short to reach it. Levi pushed a cup in front of the shorty.

“Oh, right, My Lord, this is something Duke Fulina asked me to bring you.” Recalling something, Miriel looked down at the Abyss before her and reached her slender fingers inside, fumbling for something.

Fu Jin and Mellenbu looked down at the tea leaves floating in their cups. Masha glanced at herself, then at the Half-Elf, her face filled with envy.

A moment later, she pulled out a beautiful, snow-white jade pendant and handed it to the Lord.

The jade pendant had been artificially nurtured, making it feel exceptionally warm in his hand. A milky fragrance also continuously wafted into Levi’s nose.

‘They say that jade is nurtured by its owner. The ancients truly did not deceive me…’

“This is a Li Shui Jade Pendant. It’s enchanted with a powerful magic called the Water Separation Barrier. Just by wearing it, the Mermaid Princess from Seattle can live on land without needing to return to the sea.” Miriel smiled faintly, not the least bit shy about her actions.

“Fulina has really helped me so much,” Levi sighed with emotion.

Although he had paid for this item, he knew that for Magic Items like this, passed down from ancient times, their collection value often far exceeded their practical worth.

Afterward, the group exchanged a few more pleasantries. Masha and Fu Jin, wanting to see the now greatly changed High Cliff Castle for themselves, left on their own. Meanwhile, Mellenbu the shorty was so eager to see the merchant ships he would be managing that he called for Miriel and headed to the seaside with her.

To be honest, if the three of them hadn’t arrived unexpectedly, Levi would probably already be on his way to Gonda.

But now, there was one more thing he needed to take care of first.

The Lord arrived at the courtyard that once belonged to him but was now exclusively for the Mermaid Princess.

As soon as he got there, he found a crowd of snot-nosed brats gathered outside, including Beastman Kids and Centaur children…

The reason was not hard to guess. A melodious and enchanting song drifted from the courtyard, like the waves of the ocean or a heavenly chorus from the Gods… Even the people of High Cliff Castle who were just passing by couldn’t help but stop and listen, their faces filled with captivation.

Ever since the Mermaid Princess arrived at High Cliff Castle, her favorite thing to do was sing a lullaby from her homeland every morning. Her uniquely blessed voice had turned this place into one of High Cliff Castle’s wonders, and every day people could be seen gathering here to listen to her song.

Even the big, burly Beastman Barbarians had to pinch their noses and admit that the Mermaid’s singing voice was indeed a little better than that of their fellow Beastmen.

“Good day, Lord Levi.” Tiffany saw Levi enter and stopped singing. She leaped from the specially made vine swing in the center of the pond into the clear water, swimming gracefully to the Lord’s feet and propping herself up on the blue flagstone.

A smile that could make the ocean pale in comparison had returned to her face, and her glittering golden fishtail was magnificent beneath the water.

“I’m planning to leave High Cliff Castle for a while. I came to say goodbye,” Levi said with a smile, familiarly reaching out to stroke her damp, golden hair.

“How long will you be gone?” Tiffany asked softly, looking up at him.

He never made any demands of her; on the contrary, he took exceptional care of her every day.

Now, suddenly hearing that he was leaving, she felt an inexplicable emptiness in her heart.

“A few months? Or maybe half a year? I’ll be back eventually. During that time, I’ll have Tina and the others take good care of you. If you run into any problems, you can tell them. Don’t feel too restrained.” Levi couldn’t say for sure how long the trial would last.

After all, this trip wasn’t just for the trial; he also had to help the Holy Light Church investigate what had happened in the Trial World.

“Do I make you that worried, Lord Levi?” Tiffany forced a smile, trying to change the subject and dispel the gloomy mood that filled the air.

She was in a foreign land, with no friends or family to turn to. Now, the only person she knew was about to leave her. Even though he would return, parting was always the most painful thing.

“That’s right. The one I’m most worried about is you,” Levi admitted freely. “You’re as beautiful as a peach blossom in early spring—one can’t help but cherish you, yet also fears you’ll be beaten into the mud by the rain.”

It would be a complete lie to say he wasn’t moved by the Mermaid Princess. He was a normal man, after all.

“This is the Li Shui Jade Pendant I had someone find for me. Wear it, and you’ll be able to live on land without needing the sea,” Levi said, pulling out the jade pendant, which was carved with images of waves. He had even attached a red cord to it. “Here, let me help you put it on.”

With that, Levi crouched down and hung the jade pendant around her jade-white neck, reaching behind her to tie the knot.

Their cheeks were extremely close, and his warm breath brushed against Tiffany’s face. She stared at Levi’s face, completely unable to look away.

It was an exceptionally handsome face, yet full of masculine strength—a strength so potent it made her heart race.

This was a human even taller and more imposing than her father, the king. He was also the hero who had saved her from the hands of a Demon.

An expression of love needs no words. With a single kiss, the young Mermaid pulled the Lord out of the romantic atmosphere.

“You… you kissed me?” Levi touched his lips, completely stunned.

The Mermaid Princess didn’t reply, only shyly slipping back into the pond. Beneath the surface, the jade pendant on her neck and her golden Scales shimmered, reflecting off each other in a beautiful display.

“Lord Levi, I’ll wait for you to come back.” Her light, shy voice drifted over, seeming to hint at something.

…

Levi was still in a daze when he left the courtyard. He only snapped out of it when he inadvertently bumped into Ashiru, who was walking with her head down.

“Lord Levi, I’m so clumsy.” The Princess of Debei had an apologetic look on her face, her hands nervously clutching the hem of her dress.

She was wearing an exquisite long black dress, as beautiful as a black swan, a far cry from the patched-up dress she had worn back in the Royal Palace.

She also had a genuine smile on her face now, free of the low self-esteem she once had.

“You don’t need to apologize for that; I’m the one who should be sorry.” Levi’s broad hand patted his little fiancée’s head. “In such a hurry. Are you off to do something?”

“Sister Heather said I have a Talent for Magic, so she’s letting me study magic with her.” Ashiru beamed, spilling everything out in a rush. “Once I learn powerful magic, I’ll be able to help you, Lord Levi.”

“Alright, then go and study hard,” Levi said with a small smile, offering her encouragement. “I’ll be looking forward to that day.”

Ashiru skipped happily toward High Cliff Castle’s instructional hall. Watching her disappearing back, Levi shook his head. He was starting to think he’d stumbled into a princess nest.

First, there was Tina, the Princess of the Fallen Kingdom of Feder. Then, there was Ashiru, the Princess of Debei. And now, even Tiffany the Mermaid Princess’s feelings for him were plain to see.

Just now, he had been replaying past events in his mind, and after putting himself in their shoes, he understood.

Reality was always more fantastical than fiction. Love at first sight existed, so Tiffany’s case was hardly anything special.

She had been suffering, and then he rescued her. With no one else to turn to, she had only him to rely on. Living like that for a long time, it was only natural for feelings of love to develop.

The prerequisite, however, was possessing a Charm like his. He knew that whether it was his appearance, reputation, or status, all had now reached an extremely high level.

If a pockmarked country farmer had been the one to rescue the Mermaid Princess, the outcome would likely have been very different.

Now that everything was taken care of, Levi, free from any lingering worries, set off for Gonda with a caravan.