There was no trace of sweet reminiscence in Father’s peculiar tone, as though wandering through some forgotten memory. 

 

Even young Noah had already sensed what his father was referring to.  

 

At times, Father would grow restless with fear at the slightest cold that afflicted Mother’s frail body. The way he looked at her—his eyes seething with intensity—made it clear that this was a man who could become either an angel praised by humanity or a merciless slaughterer, depending on her will. 

 

And Father had no history of denying it.  

 

Whenever his young son’s eyes met his, he would simply raise a finger with a gentle smile, as if to say, ‘When did I ever?’  

 

The boy wondered, ‘If Father had to choose between us and Mother, what would he pick? Not that such a thing would ever happen.’  

 

It was a bitter, frustrating thing to accept that you weren’t the top priority in an overwhelming flood of absolute affection. His brother Isaac, being the good son, might have resigned himself to it, but Noah was born with a greedy, possessive nature.  

 

‘I want something of my own.’ 

 

‘Something unique, special, and beautiful. Something only I can covet. Something permitted only to me.’  

 

‘Just like Father and Mother.’ 

 

“I’m certain that the shiny stone displayed so prettily inside that glass case isn’t the treasure of the sea queen,” Noah whispered sweetly, gazing at the woman whose veins flowed with the blood of the ocean.  

 

“Ever since I realized that, I’ve been desperate to take it into my own hands. Miss Cordelia, I’ve never in my life wanted something sincerely and failed to obtain it. So I’d appreciate it if you’d cooperate with me.”  

 

His smiling eyes seemed to say that while he could easily split her heart open and steal what he desired, he was choosing to knock politely and ask for permission first. 

 

Cordelia could only stare at him helplessly.  

 

“I…”  

 

Her emerald eyes, like a calm sea, reflected the impassive face of a predator.  

 

‘What should I say? How can I protect myself from this dangerous man?’

 

🫧

 

“Wow…”  

 

When Noah asked what she wanted to do now, Cordelia impulsively blurted out all the things she had always wanted to see and experience. 

 

Without hesitation, he made sure she got to do every single one of them.  

 

Like the performance by turbaned foreigners playing instruments that she was now watching, or the brown bread in her right hand, and the seafood skewer in her left. 

 

As she stared blankly at the spectacle, taking alternating bites from each hand, Noah Tudor plopped down beside her and handed her a golden beer mug before downing his own in one go.  

 

“I’m pretty sure we already had dinner. Where on earth are you putting all that?”  

 

His sunset-colored eyes glanced sideways as the grilled octopus and scallops disappeared nonstop into her small mouth. 

 

Are you sure you’re not a descendant of a sea lion instead of a mermaid?  

 

“It’s delicious. Wasting food is a sin.”  

 

“Just asking out of curiosity—did you grow up starving?”  

 

How did he know? 

 

Well, she had been eating pretty ravenously. But she didn’t actually feel like stopping. …Was he telling her to quit eating? Her big eyes rolled nervously again, and Noah clicked his tongue.  

 

“I’m not scolding you.”  

 

“Okaaay…”  

 

“Hah, I’m not gonna steal your food.”  

 

She clutched the skewers tightly with both hands, looking both pitiful and annoyingly endearing, so he sighed and reassured her. 

 

Only then did she relax and continue munching away. Noah sipped his beer, watching her with fascination. She really was something else.  

 

“Miss Cordelia.”  

 

When she glanced at him mid-chew, her large eyes blinking, he waved his hand dismissively.  

 

“Finish chewing first. Slowly, properly.”  

 

At his instruction, her round head bobbed up and down. He couldn’t help but chuckle, covering his mouth as he leaned back against the bench. 

 

As flute music played and a snake slithered out of a hat as if dancing, Cordelia’s mouth fell open. She really was just a kid.  

 

“You like that sort of thing?”

 

I hadn’t planned to speak until we finished eating, but before I knew it, the words slipped out.  

 

Cordelia nodded casually, her large eyes sparkling brightly.  

 

“I’ve never seen anything like this back home. It’s fascinating. Amazing.”  

 

“I heard Zeneka has quite a few large cities too.”  

 

“After my grandfather passed away, our family fell into ruin, and we couldn’t afford cultural luxuries anymore.”  

 

Unlike her usual cautious demeanor, worried about appearing lacking, she was surprisingly candid at times like this. 

 

Noah tapped his index finger lightly as he observed this contradictory young lady.  

 

The Marguerite family, true to their name, had long been pioneers in pearl farming and industry. Their unique pearl cultivation methods are still considered unmatched to this day.  

 

Had Cordelia’s grandfather lived longer, he might have amassed even greater wealth alongside the empire’s golden age. 

 

In truth, even without the mermaid legend, Noah had always been deeply interested in the Marguerite family.  

 

The Tudor family was also counted among the oldest noble houses, dating back to the empire’s founding. 

 

Yet, surprisingly, this ancient lineage—now reduced to a single awkward descendant—had an even longer history. Their bloodline stretched back to the ancient Nephalem Kingdom era.  

 

In truth, the mermaid legend was merely a catalyst—their family history was fascinating enough on its own.  

 

“While researching your family, I came across many interesting records in historical texts. Your ancestors always lived close to the sea. In ancient times, they were the ones who supplied the freshest and most delicious fish to the royal palace. Later, they became pearl farmers and jewelers, crafting treasures from the ocean’s gems. After that, they dealt in salt production and trade brokerage. There were even rumors that the Marguerites were so blessed by the sea that wherever they settled, the ocean itself would protect them and bring them wealth. Your people were born from the sea and returned to it. Whenever a new child was born, the entire family would gather by the shore for a unique baptism. And when someone died, they were given to the waters. Did you undergo that baptism as well?”

 

Noah Tudor knew more about them than expected. 

 

Though an old and prestigious family, they rarely mingled in high society, preferring seclusion in their estate—or more accurately, never straying far from the sea. 

 

This custom fueled mystique and spawned countless rumors.  

 

Cordelia felt an odd sense of familiarity rather than fear as she met his gaze, a mix of curiosity and greed. 

 

‘The faded glory has vanished, and now no one seeks us out. No one remembers my family.’

 

Yet this terrifying creditor knew and remembered them—and wanted to know more.  

 

Even if his interest stemmed from greed for treasure, Cordelia was glad. 

 

‘It feels like proof that we haven’t completely disappeared.’  

 

When she smiled brightly, he gave her a strange look.  

 

“That’s right. I went through the baptism too.”  

 

‘Because I was the last child.’  

 

If a child survived past three years of age, the family would take them to their ancestral sea for a special ritual. Her memories were hazy—too young—but she recalled the crisp scent of the Arctic-like sea, the stinging sensation of a pungent liquid dabbed on her forehead from a small vial, the frozen blue full moon, her mother’s smile, and…  

 

Cordelia stopped her thoughts and grinned.  

 

“Back then, I just thought it was scary and strange, but looking back, it must have been an amazing experience. At that moment, I felt… closer to my family. I understood why my mother loved me—her child. Because I was her flesh and blood. Just like my grandmother, and her grandmother before her, and so many grandfathers too.”  

 

“Sounds like you envy your mother.”  

 

“Yes.”  

 

“Miss Cordelia, you’d never last as a single woman. You’d want a child of your own for sure.”  

 

Her heart hollowed out, as if the tide had suddenly receded, but Cordelia laughed.  

 

“If I could, being a mother would be wonderful. Someday.”  

 

“Just do it—what’s the big deal?”

 

It was right. But Cordelia would never be able to do what everyone else does—get married, have children, and build a family. 

 

That would be far too irresponsible.

 

Noticing her suddenly looking drained, Noah glanced at her sideways and said,

 

“Even with one eye, a woman like Miss Cordelia wouldn’t lack suitors proposing to her, so don’t worry.”

 

What might have been intended as comfort only made her scoff under her breath.

 

“Are you calling me one-eyed?”

 

“Having just one would hardly ruin the aesthetics.”

 

“How considerate of you.”

 

“Was that sarcasm just now?”

 

“N-no, not at all.”

 

Stammering nervously, she shrank back, and Noah, as if suddenly remembering, asked,

 

“But why are you pushing all the calculations back by a year? Is there a reason?”

 

“In a year, if you take my eye and my hair, I’ll give you what you want.”

 

Earlier, under his pressing, Cordelia had also mentioned this one-year deadline.

 

‘You’re mistaken.’

 

“That’s not a mermaid’s tear.”