Rune's POV
Reading the book, I couldn't help but feel a little better. After the incident from last time, I'd come across a book.
Difficulties of Relationships
When I found it, I thought it would help me mend things with Bell. And it seemed to be working.
"When she is mad, you have to apologize and give her gifts. Do this until she forgives you," I read.
"What are you reading?" someone said from beside me.
I instantly closed the book and turned to the voice.
"Mother."
She stayed silent and waited for me to explain.
"It's a book about relationships," I said.
She paused at my words, then looked confused.
"You have a girlfriend?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"No, I'm just trying to mend a relationship with a girl I met."
She sat down next to me.
"Trying to mend a relationship with a girl? You've never cared about that before. Do you like her?"
I denied the allegations. There was no way I liked her that way.
"She's just different, and we have the same hobbies."
She tilted her head as if reading me.
"When you're around her, how do you feel? Does your body react in a certain way?"
I nodded.
"Whenever I'm with her, I feel calmer. And whenever we get too close, I feel my heart skip a beat. Her eyes shine in the—"
"Stop. I just asked you how you feel, not to describe her." She sighed.
She suddenly flicked my forehead.
"You idiot, you're in love."
Love? That's…
"But—" I tried to say.
"No buts, young man. Now tell me about the situation."
I nodded and explained everything that had happened—from our meeting to the current situation with Gaston and the apology.
"Though you are intelligent, there are still some areas for improvement," she said. "Also, next time wait a little longer. You left too soon."
I nodded at her words and kept them in mind.
"Thank you, Mother."
She smiled and tried to pat me, but I moved in time.
"Mother, I'm no longer a child—"
Her eyebrows furrowed, and she pointed to the ground next to her.
"Ugh, fine, but don't mess up my hair," I said, moving toward her and leaning down.
She first softly patted my head, and I thought that would be it. But then she suddenly started ruffling my hair.
"Mother—"
A few hours later
I stood in front of Bell's house and took a deep breath. Come on, you can do this. You've done this before, and this time is no different.
I looked at what I'd brought today—a basket full of exotic fruits from Fergus's farm. It had been easy to get since he owed me a favor. But now it meant Fergus owed me nothing.
"No—that doesn't matter," I muttered.
I took another deep breath and knocked on the door.
"Coming!" Bell said from the other side.
After a moment, the door opened and Bell appeared.
"Rune? You really came again."
I nodded and handed her the basket.
"These are exotic fruits that were grown by my older brother," I said.
"Thank you," she smiled.
I smiled in return. It seems it's working.
"All right then, I'll come back tomorrow—" She grabbed my hand and stopped me.
"Is something working?"
She shook her head in what seemed to be disappointment.
"You know I don't hate you, and I'm not mad either."
She's not mad. But yesterday told a different story.
"Tell me—what do you think of other people?" she asked.
Other people? Why do they matter?
"I don't really bother myself with them unless necessary."
She shook her head again.
"Let me change the question. What do you think of Gaston?"
Gaston? That fool?
"He's weak. Muscles are nothing, and his intelligence is as low as a child's," I said flatly.
She stopped herself from smiling.
"Then what do you think of me?"
This question—it's what I read about in the book. I smiled. Good thing I came prepared.
"Ahem, Bell—you are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on. Your eyes shine brighter than gold. Your hair—" She stopped me, her face red.
"Y-you—who taught you this?" she asked.
I paused at her words, then took out a book. I showed it to her, and she opened it.
"This is a book about a married couple," she said, blushing.
"It is?"
She looked back at me and sighed in disbelief.
"You're quite a handful," she said.
Clyde's POV
"So let me get this straight. You made a deal with a witch and now you have legs?"
Ariel nodded.
"I also need the kiss of true love within three days and will be able to remain human or my soul will be taken by the witch." She wrote down and showed me.
I felt my veins throbbing.
"YOU FOOL!" I shouted in anger.
She took a step back at my sudden outburst.
"What you've done is the most stupid thing I've ever heard. Did no one tell you never to make a deal with a witch?"
She tried to write on the paper I had given her but I kept scolding her.
"And besides who in their right mind will fall in love in less than three days? You are an idiotic-" i froze when i saw she had tears falling down her face.
"You—sigh," I grabbed her by the hand and head to where I sensed my father. This is such a nuisance.
One I reached him I told him of the situation.
"The coronation is in a few days and there are already problems." He sighed.
He turned back to me.
"That witch—you be able to handle it. But take this just in case," he said and threw me an item.
I grabbed the item. It was a small dagger.
"What is this for?" I asked.
"I put in total ten full power attacks of mine in there. That means you can attack the witch with a tenth rank attack ten times." He said.
I nodded and smiled. I guess I have a secret weapon now.
"Oh yeah, I think that witch has an artifact. Take it," he said.
"No problem, il get it done." I said as I turned around and headed out.
As I walked out I stopped and turned around.
"Why are you following me?"
She looked embarrassed.
"I don't know where to go," she said.
I sighed and called a summon.
"It will show you around and protect you," I said.
After that I teleported to the ocean where Atlantica was and started searching around for anything that had a mana signature.
To my surprise it only took a few hours. I soon came across a cave and hid my presence.
I entered the cave and moved by multiple caverns until I finally found the mana signature.
I peeked from the wall and used inspect on the witch. Honestly the witch looked like she had too much makeup on. I shook my head and got back to business,
-Ursula-
Rank:50
Rank 50? Not bad, but not strong enough. I took out my trident and stalked behind her. She didn't noticed until I went for the attack. She quickly moved and barely dodged.
She retreated in shock.
"Who are you!?"
I didn't answer and just rushed at her charging an attack. She started chanting and then released her own attack.
I in turn slashed a huge ark and a huge slash made of mana moved foward and cut her attack and headed straight for her.
She tried to flee but I didn't give her the chance. The moment she moved I predicted where she would go and intercepted her and struck.
Suprised at my sudden attack she suddenly shed from her body and the attack landed on the skin.
What the hell was that? Did she just shed her skin?
I slowly turned to her and saw something that almost made my eyes bleed. She was clothless. but that wasn't the bad thing about it. It was that her chest and privates all had mouths and slimy substances.
I held myself back from gagging. I wanted to close my eyes but I knew I couldn't. I rushed in again and this time focus on her limbs and eyes instead the other body parts.
"You cursed merman!?" She shouted and released another magic attack. Fuck, I don't care anymore. I took out the dagger my father gave me and just released one of the attacks.
But I had underestimated the power which my father held. It caused a huge explosion that sent me flying dozens of miles away. When I finally cought myself I looked at myself.
Part of my skin was damaged. Holy shit, thank you Rune for enhancing these clothes or I would have been severely hurt,
I swam back to the cave and started looking for the items among the ruble. After a while I found her body and sensing the mana around the necklace she was wearing I took it.
Sensing a slight residue of mana I went toward the location and found a broken shell. Well, that's one artifact gone. I grabbed the remaining pieces and stored it.
I teleported back to Novus and went toward find father. Is it time for dinner already? Sensing others in a table and eating.
I rented the dining room and sat down. Except for rune, Fergus and Blanche.
"Clyde are you okay?" Liora asked when she saw my damaged skin.
I smiled at her.
"It's fine Liora, it was an accident it will heal in a few hours." I said.
She shook her head and stood up walking towards me and blessed me with healing. After the skin healed she smiled and headed back to her seat and sat down.
"Thank you," I said.
She gave me a smile.
"No problem,"
I picked up my spoon and dug into my food.
"Clyde, manners," mother said.
I looked up from my bowl and then pointed at my father. She turned to him and frowned.
"Erik, be a good a example," she said.
His mouth twitched and he put his food down.
"Cmon dear, I'm a Viking—a warrior-"
She glared at him.
"Before that you're a father—you need to set an example." She said.
"Sigh, fine." He said and picked up his utensils that seemed small in his hands.
I continued my dinner and turned to see second mother talking with Liora and Claude. Though I felt like something was missing—no someone. But not just one.
Moons POV
"Moon, don't you think we should return. Father will get angry," Crystal asked.
"Of course not. He loves us," I said. "And besides," I whispered. "With melody here there's no way he would punish us." I quietly laughed.
"You're right," Crystal said and turned to melody who was obliviously unaware.
I went to melody's side.
"Hey let's explore the land," I said.
"Huh? But brother isn't back yet. He's says we have to stay." She added.
"Psh, don't mind him. He won't be mad. Remember they always spoil us. And besides he would want us to have fun." I coerced. She looked completative but eventually agreed.
"alright lets enter the woods" I said pointing the endless trees.
"Wait a minute, isn't the coronation in a few days?" Crystal added.
I paused then realization hit.
"Your right, let's go back first and come back after" I said.
They agreed and we teleported back to the castle. The moment we appeared back home we froze.
Father stood right in front of us. He must have been waiting and found us the moment we returned.
I ran behind melody, Crystal following and doing the same.
"Where were you?" He asked calmly.
I gulped.
"We were just going on a small adventure," I replied.
Crystal nodded along while melody looked confused.
"Daddy, what's wrong?" Melody asked.
He turned to melody then back to me Crystal. He shook his head and sighed.
"Get ready, the coronation is in a few hours." He said.
"Ok," I said and dragged melody along.
After sensing that he wasn't looking at us anymore I sighed in relief.
"Whew, that was close," I muttered.
"Why what's wrong?" Melody asked.
I turned to her and hugged her. I knew it was the right choice to bring her with me. Anyways we have to get ready for the coronation.
"Let's go, we have the put on our best clothes," Crystal said.
I nodded and entered my room.