Chapter 184: Homecoming
"The people who killed your brother have already left the sect; one Venerable and one Immortal Emperor. Although it would be impossible for us, I have something we could both use to defeat them."
Ximen Yan raised an eyebrow, showing interest.
Dongfang Ye lowered his head, hiding the corners of his mouth that curved suspiciously upward, and continued: "The Primordial Essence Sect is an enemy we cannot afford, Yan’er..."
The man’s familiar way of addressing her brought a clear look of displeasure to Ximen Yan’s face, but she quickly composed herself, ignoring the intimacy with which he was treating her.
"I know. You don’t need to explain it to me. The moment I found out those two women were from there, I was ready to give up," the woman’s voice sounded quite reluctant, but not because she had to surrender. There was something she was hiding between the anguish of being unable to take revenge and the origin of the two women.
"That’s why the news I brought you is so pleasing. We won’t have to make enemies with anyone. The person you admire from that sect won’t even find out what we’re going to do."
She searched his eyes, hoping to see certainty in them.
He, aware of this, met her gaze directly.
Ximen Yan lifted her chin with elegance and extended her hand. Understanding the gesture, he took it in his own, lowered his head, and kissed the back of her hand while whispering against her skin: "It’s my pleasure."
...
"Master! Master!"
Princess Lumia Azure came running down a hallway, shouting with excitement.
The moment she saw the blue-haired woman at the entrance, tears began to spill from her eyes. She didn’t stop, though—she kept running until she threw herself into a tight embrace.
"Lumia!" Thalassa received her in her arms and tried to calm her.
"I thought you were dead... I thought I’d never see you again," she whispered between sobs, while the woman she was hugging responded with helplessness.
"But she’s not, child, and I’d appreciate it if you stopped spilling tears..." Cassian’s cynical and drowsy voice interrupted the emotional scene.
Lumia, still in Thalassa’s arms, frowned and turned her gaze toward the man who had spoken. The princess’s guards arrived at the same time, heard his words as well, and immediately surrounded Cassian, ready to judge him if Lumia decided so.
"Don’t pay attention to him. He... doesn’t know what real emotional warmth is," Thalassa squeezed Lumia’s arm to get her attention.
He raised an eyebrow, indifferent.
"More importantly, Princess. Did you see the conflict in the Western Zone? I heard from Ereon that Nereon returned before I did," the tutor asked.
The younger mermaid’s expression looked somewhat confused. "Western Zone?" she murmured. "What happened? Nereon returned some time ago and, thanks to him, we learned what happened in Hidria, but I didn’t hear anything about a conflict. I’ve been busy with other matters..." Her face looked particularly downcast at the end.
"You should go out and talk to them. They found out what happened in Hidria and are protesting more than ever."
Lumia’s eyes widened in surprise. She pulled away completely from Thalassa and strode off with firm steps in the opposite direction, with everyone else following close behind. She reached an imposing door, flung it open furiously, raised her arm in accusation, and pointed it at the man in the center.
Oreon Azure looked at his daughter in disbelief. He leaned back on his throne in discomfort and startlement, but he didn’t have time to say anything because the princess immediately began to protest:
"Turbid Waters? Why didn’t I hear anything about them? You put me to please some random man, you sell me to the dragons, and you avoid telling me about the only thing I’ve always handled! THE ONLY THING YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO LET ME DEFEND?!"
"Lumia, calm down. The Turbid Waters matter is being handled well. They’re protesting because they’re scared, but we’re suppressing it. Soon they’ll understand their complaints make no sense," the sovereign tried to calm her. "We have never avoided relations with the people of the land—your fiancé is proof of that. We simply feel it’s more appropriate to only speak with those at our level. If we waste time on meaningless relationships or let our race wander the sea or the land without order, we will lose what makes us a civilization."
The princess shook her head multiple times. "If you’re not going to listen to them, if you’re not going to let me handle it, then find someone else for your dirty deals."
The tension in the Sea King’s throne room was suffocating.
Lumia’s determination left her father completely speechless.
Cassian fixed his gaze on the little "girl" who had completely changed her demeanor—from the soft and nostalgic one at the beginning when reuniting with Thalassa, to one willing to shout at the king of an entire race. Then his eyes moved to Oreon Azure; for his position, his strength wasn’t bad...
But what truly caught his attention was the man with white hair and golden eyes who entered shortly after Lumia’s protest ended.
’Dragons... how lovely,’ he thought with amusement.
His mind recalled Astrid, whom he had left behind some time ago. She didn’t even know she was from another race, but he had spent enough time by her side, helping her, to know more than enough.
His thoughts were interrupted by the first words of the man who had just arrived: "It’s a shame to hear that you’re so dissatisfied with our arrangement, Princess."
Lumia’s eyes trembled at those words. "Zakaer..." she whispered.
He smiled gently in response. "I see the person you’ve been waiting for and searching for has returned." He glanced toward Thalassa in acknowledgment. "I believe it would be far more beneficial for everyone if we discussed things more calmly, don’t you agree?"
Lumia moved closer to her master. Then she remembered she hadn’t come alone, blushed with embarrassment, and nodded timidly.
The Sea King sighed in relief and ordered: "Come! Prepare a welcome banquet! The royal tutor Thalassa Serenia has returned home!"