27 part 28

Back in Atlas, Zui swims the corridors of the sea temple in boredom when she finds herself in an unusual room with a large scale across the wall. It was so clear and radiant that she could see herself across the room as if it were a mirror. King Titan enters behind her and she turns around to great him.

Zui

King Titan.

Titan

Good day to you, princess Zui. What are you doing roaming the temple? Are you bored?

Zui

Very.

Titan

We could return to the island again if you wish.

Zui

Do you not have plans for guests later on?

Titan

That doesn't mean I can't take my fiance where she wishes.

Zui

I have been meaning to speak to you about that.

Titan

Hm?

Zui

Why have you claimed me your betrothed when I have not asked for this? I have tried many times to tell you that was not my reason for being here.

Titan

What?

Zui

I do not wish to marry you. That was not my reason for coming here.

Titan

I thought you said you wished to unite our kingdoms?

Zui

Marriage is not the only way to unite two kingdoms! *sigh* simply because a woman approaches you with a proposal of some sort does not intel that she wishes to marry. I came here because my father wished for me to make choices that I found to be beneficial to my home, so I asked for the most influential kingdom to make a pact with. You instantly took it as an offer for marriage as soon as I arrived and told you of the problems I saw instantly.

Titan

… I understand. It was an unusual reaction on my part. I shall reinstate you and your family as proper guests of the western seas. We can discuss the other matters after my meeting next week.

Zui

I am glad you understood my thoughts on this.

Titan

However…

Zui

Hm?

Titan

I do hope you reconsider it as a proposal from me, princess. I can assure you well enough that my sudden decision then was not half hearted. I will simply ask that you put it into consideration and give me an answer to it.

Zui

… um…

Titan

You do not have to give me an answer right this moment. I am currently satisfied with saying this clearly, simply come to me when you have your answer ready.

Zui

... *sigh* Alright. I will… ponder your proposal then.

Titan

Good. On to other matters, you've yet to answer my first question earlier.

Zui

Eh?! Ah. of course. I suppose it would be nice to go back and see the island. I have yet to see the entirety of it.

Titan

Decide when you wish to depart then and I will have the gates ready for us. I hope it's alright to consider this a date.

Zui

[What!?]

Before Zui could answer, Titan leaves the room and leaves her alone.

Zui

… Ah… AAAAHH!!! [He did it again!!!]

Titan swam to his chambers where his servants and king Taizao waited for him.

Titan

Hm? What are you doing here?

Taizao

Waiting for you, actually.

Taizao raises his hand and the servants leave.

Titan

Hm? Something is troubling you, I take it?

Taizao

… It seems there is a serpent in your temple…

Titan summons a small pearl to his palm and bubble forms and grows to fit the room without removing any water.

Titan

… continue.

Titan and Taizao speak in secret in the room.

Back in the scale room, Zui floats frustrated by Titan's sudden statement of making their next outing a date. She looks to the scale and swims to it until she was close enough to fit her entire reflection in it. She stared herself down with a forward brow. She was speechless and confused. His proposal soon played back in her mind and, for some reason, Conch, in his caecilian skin, appeared in her thoughts as the question repeated with his appearance.

Zui sees her face instantly flush red and she turns away from the scale embarrassed by the idea. She had imagined Conch speaking those words to her. The thought goes again and she squeals internally as she curls into a squirming ball in the middle of the room. Now she couldn't get the idea out of her mind.

She turns back to the scale again and tries her hardest to think of something else until she realized Conch was right in front of her. Stunned, she swims to touch him to see if he was real. He wasn't. The scale had shown her an image from her thoughts. The image was staring her in the face as if it were a still portrait. She stared back at it in awe by the magic that was shown before her. She chuckles to herself for being so nervous until the image smiles back at her with a deviously dangerous smirk. She panics a bit when someone suddenly calls to her from behind and forces her attention

It was the King's attendant from the podulus search party.

Attendant

What are you doing here? You should be by his majesty's side quietly like a good betrothed maiden. Go on!

Zui

… I do not need to be anywhere by his side if I do not wish it.

Zui looks back to the scale and sees it was her own again. This didn't seem to fit well with her and made her uncomfortable to be in the room. She swims by the attendant and leaves. The attendant looks to the scale and huffs then leaves himself.