Chapter 326
as all he had left now.
The only thing that still connected him to her.
Not long afterward, Lani successfully guided Nina to the entrance of the hidden cave.
Pointing toward the opening, he informed her that Lex was inside.
Nina nodded and immediately swam into the cavern.
At that moment, Lex was sitting quietly, staring at the bracelet.
Hearing movement near the entrance, he instinctively turned and swam toward it.
The two nearly collided face-to-face.
The instant he recognized Nina, panic surged through him.
Why was she here?
He immediately covered his face and turned away.
Only when his fingers touched the mask did he relax slightly.
Thankfully, she had not seen him.
“Lex, I know everything now,” Nina said softly. “You don’t have to hide anymore.”
Lex slowly turned back.
Only then did he notice Lani entering behind her.
The moment their eyes met, he understood.
She really did know everything.
“Father, could you give us some privacy?” Nina asked. “I need to talk to Lex alone.”
Immediately, Lex shot Lani a desperate look.
Father, don’t leave me here by myself.
Please don’t abandon me.
For the first time in a very long while, he was genuinely afraid.
Lani pretended not to notice.
“Of course. You two talk.”
Without another word, he turned and left.
On his way out, he dragged the recently arrived Dian with him.
Serves you right, you little brat.
The moment they were alone, Lex retreated all the way into a corner of the cave.
Head lowered, shoulders hunched, he looked like a guilty husband waiting for punishment.
The sight was so pitiful that Nina nearly laughed.
She managed to suppress the urge and forced herself to remain serious.
“Why did you leave?” she asked. “And why didn’t you tell me?”
Lex twisted the fabric of his clothes nervously but said nothing.
His voice sounded awful now.
He did not want Nina to hear it.
“No more pretending to be mute,” Nina said firmly. “Speak.”
She already knew he could talk.
Lex did not dare disobey her.
Lowering his head further, he answered in a rough, hoarse voice.
“Because I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
The moment Nina heard him speak, her heart clenched painfully.
She looked at the mask covering his face.
She still had no idea what he looked like beneath it.
Swimming closer, she stopped directly in front of him.
“But you did all this for me,” she said gently. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”
Lex shook his head.
“It was my choice. My feelings are my own. None of this has anything to do with you. You don’t owe me anything.”
He had never expected repayment.
Never demanded acknowledgment.
He had only wanted to do something for her.
Something that would help.
Nina let out a quiet sigh.
“What about now?” she asked. “Will you come back with me?”
This fool.
He had sacrificed so much and never told anyone.
Even the matter of the merman pearl had nearly remained a secret forever.
Lex lowered his eyes.
Of course he wanted to go back.
More than anything.
But he did not want Nina to see him like this.
After struggling with himself for a long time, he slowly shook his head.
A person like him did not deserve to remain by her side anymore.
Nina immediately understood what he was thinking.
“Your voice and your appearance,” she said. “I’ll find a way to restore them.”
Lex glanced at her cautiously.
Hope and uncertainty battled in his eyes.
Could they really be restored?
After the endless misery of the past three days, part of him desperately wanted to believe.
Wanted to believe a miracle was still possible.
Seeing his hesitation wavering, Nina pressed forward.
“Did you forget?” she asked. “I know the Beast God. Is there anything in this world he can’t do? I can ask him for help.”
The words were meant to comfort him.
In reality, finding the Beast God was hardly something she could do whenever she pleased.
But she was determined to search for a solution.
No matter what it took.
Lex’s resolve weakened further.
Yet he still could not make a decision.
Seeing that, Nina finally crossed her arms.
“I’m only going to ask one more time.”
Her gaze locked onto his.
“Are you coming back with me or not?”
Lex clenched his fists. Inside, countless emotions collided violently.
Nina suddenly turned around. “Fine.”
A glimmer flashed through her eyes. “If you don’t want to come back, then I’ll leave.”
Her voice remained calm. “And this time, I won’t come looking for you again.”
She paused deliberately. “You should know that I’ll be leaving Sea Blue City very soon.”
Looking over her shoulder, she added quietly, “Goodbye.”
Then she began swimming toward the cave entrance. This time, she looked completely serious.
The moment Lex realized she was actually leaving, all reason vanished.
Without thinking, he lunged forward and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
“Don’t go.” His voice trembled. “Please don’t go.”
He buried his face against her shoulder.
“I’ll come back. I’ll go with you.”
In the end, his love for her was stronger than his fear.
The past three days had been unbearable. Every hour had felt like an entire year.
He simply could not endure another day without her.
A faint smile appeared on Nina’s lips.
Got you.
She turned around and took his hand.
“Let’s go home.”
Lex looked slightly embarrassed at how quickly he had surrendered.
Still, he nodded. He wanted to stay with her.
Even if one day she grew tired of him.
Even if one day she no longer wanted him.
He still wanted every moment he could have with her.
Together, they left the cave and returned to shore.
Waiting nearby, Lani immediately relaxed when he saw Lex walking beside Nina.
A relieved smile spread across his face.
As expected.
Sometimes only Nina could reach him.
The group had just started walking back when a male beastman hurried toward them.
He bowed respectfully before speaking.
“Lady Nina, City Lord, a group of beastmen from White Sand City has arrived seeking help.”