#riei

――But, a few days after my engagement announcement, the mermaid appeared again. Mysteriously enough, this time she had human legs and her voice was gone.

I immediately questioned her and found out some surprising things. Apparently she made a deal with the sea witch. She exchanged her voice for a set of legs. ...All was in dear hope of seeing me again.

(Wow, she's quite admirable...Fufu)

I arranged a room in my palace for the mermaid and I would visit her there.

"Oh lovely princess, it's nice to meet you."

I know it's not my first time seeing her, but I wanted to say some greeting as to not make it awkward.

Her eyes peered over towards me and the glimmer in them immediately vanished. I pretended not to notice the change of expression and with a smile, I begun to spoke.

"So, you washed up on shore? That's such a strange coincidence. I too had that happen to me. We're not too different, huh?"

The mermaid looked as if she were about to say something, but all that came out was a faint breath. That beautiful voice hac been lost forever and she did so for my sake.

(For her to do this is just amazing. She's really head over heels for me. If she could fall even deeper in love, that'd be the absolute best)

As tender as can be, I smiled and then continued to talk with the mermaid.

"It seems like you have nowhere to go. If you'd like, you can stay here all you want. Any troubles you have, I'll see to it."

The mermaid was pleased with my offering. I then began to tell her about my fiance. Which, in retrospect, was a bit cruel, but oh well.

"Oh, I'll bring my fiance next time I come around. I think you two will become really good friends."

"... ...!?"

"Yes, I'm engaged. You see, I was drowning and she was the one who came to my rescue. She's my lifesaver. That's why I've decided to marry her."

――Let’s not be kidding here. I knew that the mermaid was the one who saved me. Right on the spot, her expression dampened. The man she loved was already taken by another person. But sadly for her, she lacks a voice to explain the truth of the story. It seemed as though she grew disheartened.

(That's all it took for her to battle between hope and despair. All for me! I wonder if I'm using up all the luck I got as a man)

I concealed my feelings of pleasure and gave a chuckle low in my throat. I clearly understood the mermaid's conflict, but I still enjoyed it.

"Well, I'm off."

I left the room after giving her that little piece of information. Right before I shut the door, I glanced over at the mermaid to see her hands covering her face――She didn’t see me, of course.

＊＊＊

A few days passed after that. I awoke to someone entering my bedroom. I heard the pitter-patter of footsteps and discovered the identity of the intruder. The mermaid hadn't gotten used to walking with human legs yet. By the sound of the steps, I could tell it was her.

(Is she trying to sneak a grope in at night...? I didn't think she had enough guts to do that)

I sensed the mermaid standing beside my bed. It didn't seem like she was going to move. I tried to sneak my eyes open.

"... ... ... ..."

Our eyes met and I heard a gulp escape from her. In her hand was a small knife. The tip of it was clearly shaking, as if her aim was yet to be determined.

(I get it. With what she's gone through, she feels the absolute need to kill me. That's it, isn't it?)

That's why she had a knife on her. But what good can that do when the owner isn't certain of their target? She won't do it.

"Are you going to kill me, Little Mermaid?"

When asked, the mermaid took another gulp. Is she shaken because her plan has been exposed? Or is it because I'm calling her a mermaid? Her lips had lost their color. Her mouth made repeated movements, struggling for words.

"I'd rather you not kill me. ... ...Because, I love you."

I whispered those fake words into her ear and tears had slid down from her face. The mermaid dropped the knife. She clung onto me and with no voice, she cried.

(Haha. ... ...She sure is adorable)

This time, I was doubtful whether or not I could conceal the dark feelings of joy I had.

＊＊＊

"... ...And that was the dream I saw. I was the prince and you were the Little Mermaid."

I started talking about the dream I had last night while I was biting Ichigo-chan's neck. She's in the midst of pain and pleasure, so I don't think she heard much of it.

"If I remember the tale correctly, if the Little Mermaid doesn't kill the prince, she ends up dying. That's how it was I think. So then, the Ichigo-chan in my dream chose my life over hers. Didn’t she?"

I licked the overflowing blood and teased her ear with my tongue. I whispered to her. In an instant, she broke away and gave a reply.

"... ...I'm happy... ...that I appeared in your dream, Riei-san."

"Really? Do you think you could kill me in your own dream?"

"I don't think s... ...Eh, Ah!"

I pierced my fangs deep into Ichigo-chan's skin, to which she yelped out. Her breathes continued to be shallow and fast.

"... ...Th... ...There's no way I could kill you, Riei-san."

"Fufu, I guess that's true. You already failed at that long ago."

Satisfied, I sipped her blood. Ichigo-chan's voice grew louder and she clung onto me.

(Ah. This is nice. ... ...It reminds me of the Little Mermaid)

I guess there's other ways I find Ichigo-chan cute. Like now, how she's roused from pleasure with tears rolling down her face. What would she be like if she was swayed by everything I did? Affected by everything I did? Or slowly tainted by everything I did? Now, that's a sight to see.

(So, I'll keep whispering words of love to her however much she wants)

My flimsy, fake words of love can create many things. They can create delight, despair, jealousy, and much more. I want to enjoy seeing it all. It's that kind of Ichigo-chan I love after all.

"I love you, Ichigo-chan."

Riei

"Oh, what happened, Ichigo-chan? Your face is really red though."

"Don't tell me that you cannot wait? Hahaha, I understand what you feel, but bear with it for a little longer, can't you?"

"Like that, this will satisfy you more, or so I think."

"So, please bear with my selfishness a bit longer."

"You want to be touched by me, right? Why can't you just admit it now? That you actually feel good being bitten by me."

  *DO NOT POST THIS TRANSLATION ELSEWHERE!!*