Chapter 162
“Is this the shabby tribe Lex is staying in p>
Rosen sat astride a massive eagle, looking down from the sky at the cluster of stone houses below.
“Yes, my lady,” Lani replied respectfully. “According to the sensing technique, he is indeed here p>
Rosen’s gaze swept over the crude rows of stone dwellings. Her delicate brows knit together in displeasure.
A dignified merfolk emperor—living in a place like this?
“Find his exact location,” she ordered coldly.
Dian and Jiro shared the same disdain. How could anyone live in such a place?
Lani activated a secret technique, guiding them toward the stone house where Nina resided.
At that moment, Nina was taking her midday rest. And Lex was in the kitchen, struggling to cook.
The merfolk loathed fire.
It clashed with their very nature.
Yet Lex had seen Nina’s mates—and even her suitors—prepare meals for her.
If he wanted to stand among them… he had to learn. So despite his instincts rejecting the heat—despite the unfamiliar burn of flame—he forced himself to endure.
The stone pot hissed with heat. Hot oil splattered. Another sharp burn struck his hand.
Lex recoiled, summoning cool water to soothe the injury.
The skin flushed red instantly.
He grimaced.
Why is the pot so hot? Why does the oil keep splashing?
Why is cooking so difficult p>
Just then, Rosen arrived above the stone house. And saw everything.
Her expression darkened instantly. Rage surged within her.
A noble ruler of the merfolk—reduced to lighting fires and cooking?
The merfolk and many sea races differed greatly from land dwellers.
They disliked fire.
Preferred raw food.
Even their females favored fresh fish over cooked meals, finding roasted meat dry and unappealing.
Cooking was something they neither needed nor respected. And yet, her son stood there, enduring burns for it.
Rosen’s anger deepened. She couldn’t understand it. Why would someone of Lex’s status lower himself like this?
Just as she was about to descend, Ridan and the others shot into the sky, blocking her path.
“Who are you?” he demanded sharply. “State your purpose p>
“Move aside,” Rosen snapped.
“My lady,” Lani murmured, “this is another tribe’s territory p>
Rosen restrained her temper.
“We are Lex’s kin,” Lani said, pointing below. “We’ve come to find him p>
“Wait here.” Ridan turned and flew down.
Lex had already sensed the disturbance. Looking up, his expression changed instantly.
Mother… Father p>
A sense of foreboding settled in his chest. She must have come to take him back. There was no time to hide.
As Ridan approached, Lex spoke quickly, “They’re here for me. Let them come down p>
He feared that if they were blocked for too long, his mother might lose her temper and cause trouble.
Ridan relayed the message to Odian. “My lord, those above are Lex’s family. Should we let them in p>
Odian glanced upward. Among them, he noticed a female—likely Lex’s mother.
Considering Lex was Mimi’s father, he relented. “Let them in p>
Ridan and the others stepped aside. Rosen and her group descended into the courtyard.
Lex stepped forward. “Mother. Father p>
Rosen immediately seized his injured hand. “What were you doing just now p>
Lex avoided her gaze. Nothing p>
“Still lying?” she snapped. “I saw everything.” Her voice sharpened. “Have you forgotten who you are p>
Her eyes flicked to his forehead.
No bond mark.
Good.
It wasn’t too late.
But even without forming a bond, he had already degraded himself this far.
Shameful.
“With your status as lord of Sea Blue City, how can you do something so low?” Dian added, unable to hide the jealousy in his eyes.
His brother… was lowering himself for some unknown female? And even cooking for her?
“Mother, stop interfering,” Lex said, pulling his hand away.
Then he glanced at Dian. “And you—since when do you get to meddle in my affairs p>
“Is it because of that wild female?” Rosen demanded.
Lex froze. His gaze flickered.
How did she find out?
He had never allowed anyone to report anything about Nina—not even about Mimi.
“Hmph. I knew it.” Rosen’s eyes burned with anger as her voice rose. “Where is she? Bring her out to face me p>
Dian began scanning the surroundings, eager to see the female who had made his brother abandon his city—and humble himself like this.
Jiro, meanwhile, was far less interested. He looked around curiously instead.
So this is what an inland tribe looks like p>
Odian and the others heard Rosen’s words. Their expressions hardened instantly.
They only held back from attacking her because she was a female.
“Mind your words,” Odian said coldly. “If you have something to say to your son, take it elsewhere. Do not disturb our lady’s rest p>
Sal and the others stood with equally unfriendly expressions.
These fish are insufferable.
Rosen turned toward the voice—and her eyes lit up.
These males… were strikingly handsome.
Their presence alone set them apart—even among the famously beautiful merfolk.
Their bearing elevated them further.
A spark of interest flickered in her eyes. The bonded ones were a pity.
But the unclaimed ones… She studied Kith and the others with open curiosity.
Should she… take a few back with her?
Her primary criterion for mates had always been beauty. And these men surpassed even her current ones.
Dian saw the look in her eyes and sighed inwardly.
Not again p>
His list of fathers was already long enough. There was no need to add more.
Lani could only shake his head.
“Mother,” Dian reminded, “don’t forget why we’re here p>
Rosen snapped back to herself.
Right.
The priority was to take that unfilial son back.
And deal with that so-called “wild female p>
“Lex,” she said sharply, “bring her out p>
“Mother, lower your voice,” Lex urged, his tone tense. “Nina is resting. Don’t disturb her. And she is not a ’wild female.’ Don’t speak of her that way p>
He grabbed Rosen’s arm, trying to pull her away. “You should leave. I’m not going back with you p>
“You ungrateful child!” Rosen was furious. “You dare speak to your mother like this—for a lowly female? Why should I lower my voice for her p>
He used to be obedient p>
And now—before even forming a bond—he was already like this. If this continued, what would happen after?
No.
She would never allow it.
“Mother, please… just leave,” Lex said, his voice tight with helplessness.
He didn’t want them disturbing Nina.
But Rosen refused to budge.
“Let go. I’m not leaving p>
Today, she had to see what kind of female had changed her son so completely.
Inside, Nina stirred. The noise had reached her ears at last.
It was an unknown female voice.
Her eyes slowly opened.
The children woke as well.
Nina gathered Mimi and Shushu into her arms, steadying herself as she rose.
The others trailed behind her sleepily.
Outside, Odian heard movement. He lifted the curtain slightly.
“Who is it outside?” Nina asked.
Her voice—soft and clear—carried from within.
In the courtyard, every beastman turned toward the stone house.
“So she’s here p>