The Merman Trap - Chapter 3

It would take some time for the new aquarium to arrive.

Until then, I had no choice but to keep Siren in my bathtub.

The tub was a little cramped for him. His tail had to remain curled, and his fingers barely skimmed the edge.

I couldn’t blame Father for losing his mind.

I would have, too.

Languishing there in a haze of sensual splendor, Siren looked like a decadent painting come to life.

How had Father managed to find such a treasure before I did?

Perhaps the touch of water revived him. Siren’s brows drew together, and his tightly closed eyes slowly opened. Some unreadable emotion seemed to vanish from them in an instant. When he saw me, it was quickly replaced by gentle weariness.

He looked around cautiously, unable to move much in the confined space.

“Wh-where…?”

I lowered my head. My hand drifted idly through the water, sending ripples across the tub.

“Your new home.”

Siren bit his lip. Even his ears seemed to turn pink.

“It’s a little small, but you can rely on me, Siren.”

The moment I finished speaking, his little head abruptly slipped beneath the surface.

Gurgling bubbles rose from the water.

He had hidden his entire body below.

His reaction caught me off guard. I quickly fished him back out.

He took the opportunity to throw himself into my arms.

“Tickles.”

“Hand… water… water moving. Tickles.”

All I had done was stir the water around him.

Was he really that sensitive?

My gaze turned almost ravenous.

Tsk. Suddenly, keeping Siren in this tub for the rest of his life didn’t sound half bad.

I ordered the servants not to set foot inside my room.

But there were matters I had to deal with.

For instance, the hospital had just informed me that Father was awake.

Though I would have preferred him to remain flat on his back forever.

Siren seemed to sense that I was leaving. He was smiling, but an inexplicable anxiety tightened his features.

“Where… going?”

I had no desire to discuss Father, that bearer of bad luck, with Siren. So I pinched his ear instead.

“I have something to take care of.”

Siren’s shoulders suddenly trembled. When he lifted his small face, it was drenched with tears, even the tip of his nose flushed red.

“L-liar.”

He had to drag the complete sentence out between slow, broken sobs. Halting as it was, his heartbreak was unmistakable.

“Leave… forever. Never see again.”

Siren seemed terribly insecure.

I smiled reassuringly. “I swear.”

I swore I would never leave him—not before I had truly made this merman mine.

As though he hadn’t heard me, Siren groped around beneath the water. Then he opened his palm before me like a child presenting his greatest treasure.

“Pearls. Many. Don’t go.”

Pink pearls lay in his hand.

They were flawless.

So the legend was true: a mermaid’s tears became pearls.

And Siren wanted to use them to make me stay.

His lashes quivered. More tears slipped from his eyes, turning into pearls as they touched the water. He gazed at me with timid expectation.

“All yours.”

Like the beast I was, I thought, Damn, he’s so delicate.

How was I supposed not to obsess over him?

Siren cocked his head, unable to understand my crude remark.

I chose one pearl and closed it in my fist. Then I coaxed him softly.

“Little Siren, I’ll be back when you’ve finished counting the pearls.”

I drove to the hospital.

The doctor said the examinations had revealed nothing serious. Father had probably suffered a fright, aggravated by his existing heart condition.

My lips curved.

I signaled for the doctor to make his condition sound more severe—serious enough to require at least several months of rest.

Father was furious. The moment I opened the door, he fixed me with a chilling stare.

“You know everything?”

Of course I did.

Your decaying body, your repulsive face—which part of you could possibly deserve Siren?

Despite my contempt, I nodded.

Father’s tone relaxed at once. “Good. I was wondering how to tell you.”

I pulled over a chair and sat, concern written across my face.

“Father, that is a merman. Plenty of nobles keep exotic pets these days, but I think you should reconsider what it will cost to keep one.”

Merfolk could never be exposed to the public eye.

I had my own motives. I needed Father to believe I had no interest in Siren, while secretly hoping he would give the merman up.

Then my little merman would belong to me alone.

“I won’t allow you to speak about my darling that way!” Father’s voice rose sharply. “He is Siren! My darling! I chose him the moment I saw him in the laboratory. I know Siren was calling to me. He needed me. He wanted me to take him away! No one will ever separate Siren and me!”

I didn’t believe a word.

Judging by Siren’s behavior, he certainly wasn’t interested in Father.

“Besides, he isn’t a pet.”