Chapter 323
Nina gazed at the pearl garment in Lex’s hands.
In the past, she had never paid much attention to it. But now, as her eyes traced the countless pearls meticulously sewn into the fabric and jewelry, she finally understood just how much care and devotion had gone into every stitch.
A smile softened her features as she accepted the gift.
“Thank you. It’s beautiful. I really like it.”
The moment she took it, joy lit up Lex’s eyes.
After a brief moment of thought, Nina retrieved a blue bracelet from her storage space.
“Give me your hand.”
Lex obediently extended it.
Nina fastened the bracelet around his wrist.
“This is for you. The crystal embedded in it can help with training.”
His hands were already elegant and striking. The bracelet only emphasized the smooth fairness of his skin and the graceful length of his fingers.
Lex stared at it in astonishment.
Nina had given him a gift. A gift meant specifically for him.
Sweetness spread uncontrollably through his heart.
Meanwhile, Nina gently brushed her fingers across the garment, feeling the countless pearls sewn into it one by one.
How much time must he have spent making this? Every pearl represented a piece of his dedication. A piece of his heart.
Emotion stirred within her chest. Biting her lip lightly, she looked up at him.
“Lower your head.”
Lex obediently bent down. Before he could react, Nina leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
Over the past two days, being with him had felt unexpectedly comfortable.
The fleeting softness lasted only an instant.
Yet Lex’s heart nearly stopped.
Nina had kissed him. Actually kissed him. Was that real?
For a moment, he genuinely wondered if he was dreaming.
His gaze lowered instinctively. A selfish desire rose within him. He wanted her to kiss him again.
But he did not dare ask.
His eyes drifted to her lips before he unconsciously moved a little closer.
At that moment, Nina carefully folded the pearl garment and put it away.
“Lex,” she asked, “how exactly was your throat injured? Did it happen in that cave inside the Dark Abyss?”
As far as she remembered, he had still been speaking before then.
What had happened inside that cave?
She had not encountered any danger herself.
The question struck Lex like a blade.
His body immediately stiffened.
All the tender thoughts filling his mind vanished instantly.
His fingertips tightened.
Inside, a fierce battle raged.
Should he tell her?
Would she despise him after learning the truth?
If he became ugly, would he still have the right to remain by her side?
Yet how could he bear to leave her?
In the end, longing and attachment won.
Gathering every ounce of courage he possessed, he prepared to finally tell Nina everything.
Then, sudden pain exploded across his face.
A chill raced through him.
Something was wrong.
Without a word, he swept Nina into his arms and rushed toward the palace.
Nina blinked in confusion.
“Lex? What happened?”
Why had he suddenly picked her up and started running?
Lex shook his head and continued forward at full speed.
The pain intensified with every second.
His pace grew faster and faster.
Fortunately, the palace was not far away.
Within moments, they had arrived.
Lex carried Nina all the way back to her room.
After setting her down, he gave her an apologetic nod.
Then he covered his face and fled.
Nina stared after him, bewildered.
What had just happened? Had something occurred?
She replayed the evening in her mind but found nothing unusual.
Could it really be because she kissed him?
Surely not.
No matter how much she thought about it, she could not make sense of his behavior.
The other mates were equally puzzled.
They had assumed Nina would spend the evening out and return much later.
Instead, she had come back unexpectedly.
And Lex had practically run away.
If it had been them, they would have gladly stayed locked inside a room with Nina all night.
The more they thought about it, the less they understood.
In the end, they simply stopped caring.
Meanwhile, Lex rushed back to his own room. Sharp pain tore across his face. Only after a long while did it gradually subside.
With trembling fingers, he touched his skin.
The smooth, flawless surface he had always known was gone. In its place was rough, uneven flesh.
His hands shook violently as he pulled out a polished mirror stone.
Slowly, he raised it.
One glance. That was all it took.
The mirror slipped from his fingers and crashed to the floor.
Lex stumbled backward.
He could not bring himself to look again.
That scarred face. That aged, distorted skin. That hideous stranger staring back at him.
Was that really him?
No.
It could not be.
Hadn’t he been told it would take seven days?
Why had it happened already?
Lex could not accept it.
How was he supposed to face Nina now?
Before this, he had comforted himself with faint hope.
Maybe it would not be that bad.
Maybe he would simply become less attractive.
Maybe, despite his fears, he could still confess everything and find the courage to remain by Nina’s side.
But the moment he saw that face, every trace of courage vanished.
He could never stand before Nina looking like this.
His knees gave out.
Collapsing onto the floor, he squeezed his eyes shut.
In the silence of the night, pearls began falling one after another.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Each tear transformed into a pearl as it struck the ground, scattering across the room like fragments of a shattered heart.
It was time.
Time for him to leave.
At dawn, before the first rays of sunlight appeared, Lex put on a mask.
He stood outside Nina’s door for a very long time.
Reluctance filled every corner of his heart.
But eventually, he turned away… And left.
Returning to the sea, he made his way to the room where Dian was being confined.
Opening the door, he stepped inside.
Dian looked up in surprise. “Why are you here?”
Then he noticed the mask. A terrible possibility flashed through his mind.
His eyes widened.
No. That couldn’t be right. Wasn’t it supposed to take seven days?
“Dian,” Lex said quietly. “You can leave.”
There was no longer any reason to keep him confined.
“Brother…” Dian hesitated. “Your face…”
Lex gave a bitter nod. Then he looked at his younger brother with pleading eyes.
“Dian, promise me something.”
“What is it?”
“Don’t tell Nina about me.”
Pain filled his voice.
“I don’t want her to know what I’ve become.”
Dian immediately looked troubled.
“But I already promised Nina.”
Lex’s expression turned desperate.
“Please. Consider it a favor. Growing up, you were always the one asking things of me. This is the first time I’ve ever asked anything from you.”
“Brother…” Dian hesitated. “But I’m afraid Nina will be angry.”
Seeing that words alone would not persuade him, Lex slowly removed his mask.
Pain and humiliation filled his eyes.
“Please, Dian. I’m begging you. I really don’t want Nina to see me like this.”
The moment Dian saw his face, he recoiled in shock.
“Brother… you…”
His voice failed him.
The most beautiful merman in the sea had become almost unrecognizable.
Only now did Dian truly understand.
Previously, when Lex talked about becoming ugly, it had only been an abstract idea.
Now he understood completely.
If he looked like this, he would not dare stand before Nina either.
Merfolk cherished beauty above all else.
Who could accept such a transformation?
Conflict twisted inside him.
Lex put the mask back on.
“Dian, this isn’t really deceiving Nina. This is my choice. Everything I did was voluntary. None of it has anything to do with her.” His voice grew quieter. “I’m leaving soon anyway. Telling her now would only burden her with more pain and worry.”