7 His name

Confronted with his assertion, Lin Mei still couldn't help but doubt: "Are you sure it is not because of this bracelet? I have never heard of merfolk having human soulmates..."

Observing her flustered and confused expression, he remained frigid.

In such a situation shouldn't she be acting more guarded and frightened? She was still his hostage regardless of the whole soulmate issue. She was even knowledgeable enough to know that he belonged to the Imperial family.

Having a destined partner wasn't even something that most human men spent time considering.

The men in the Imperial family as well as noblemen were allowed to marry several consorts and concubines other than the main wife and even the common folk would have affairs outside their marriage. In contrast to merfolk, the human race was hardly monogamous. The only reason why he hadn't welcomed a consort or main wife yet was solely for his disdain for intimacy and disinterest in women.

He had, however, felt strangely attracted to this woman. And putting that aside, it was possible that she had the Ocean's Pearl in her possession, so he had made up his mind to bring the mermaid to his estate.

"I have used this bracelet on merfolk more than once and their pearls still repelled anyone who touched them."

Mei wondered for a little. Sometime after, a question arose in her mind:

"Did you accidentally touch their pearls or...?"

"Let's say we performed a few experiments."

Mei felt a chill running through her spine once again. This man was truly sent from hell, wasn't he? Experiments on merfolk? How atrocious. She would end her life before he could even think of doing such a thing to her.

But somehow, she had a feeling that he wouldn't. Was she being clouded by their possible soulmate bond?

Now that some time had passed and she was calmer, she could finally take some time to inspect his features. He had a very manly appearance, muscular and tall with the aura of a demon lord sent from the depths of hell, his eyes and hair as dark as his soul, his lips somewhat thin and pale, a strong jaw with little visible beard. He looked like a statue made out of basalt, his handsome face forever stuck in time, with absolutely no expression.

Was this the person her mother had told her to look for?

But It was true that she had been overwhelmed with a large specter of unfamiliar emotions when he touched her life pearl. Maybe this demon man was actually her soulmate! However, if it were true, they would never have a future.

"Mother... Is this the man I have been waiting for? A human? Even when you've always warned me to avoid them at all costs? This cold-hearted iceberg demon who looks like he might just kill me? A man with only one facial expression?" She thought, shaking her head and sighing in disappointment.

"What is it? You don't believe me?"

"I do, I do." She assented. "I'm just disappointed that I won't get to be with my soulmate in this lifetime."

He didn't reply but remained sitting nonchalantly in his place, his eyes now looking through the window at the scenery outside.

Realizing that the man her mother had told her to find was quite possibly not only a human but also a prince made the mermaid princess feel depressed and frustrated.

A wet and dejected Lin Mei wrapped herself in the fur rug on the couch and followed his line of sight to peer at the moving scenery outside the carriage. However, she was unable to enjoy the view since it was too dark outside for her to distinguish anything except for the moon. It still felt unexpectedly pleasant.

A few moments had passed when the man informed: "For now you will be coming with me to my residence. Until I am sure you were being honest about the Ocean's Tear, you are not allowed to leave."

She sighed as she resigned to her fate. She had tried to take off the damned bracelet but it was not budging. It was probably magic. She tried to soothe her lingering anxiety by telling herself that she would be able to escape, after all, she was experienced in finding a way out of all sorts of situations.

The two strangers were not talkative people and thus, over an hour went by without a sound to be heard inside the carriage. Mei kept thinking of possible ways to escape in the future, but it was impossible to make any solid plans without knowing anything about who he was or about the place where she was going.

"Cough cough... I hmm... I assume you belong to the Imperial family, am I correct?"

"Hn." He agreed.

"You don't seem to be contemplating killing me, at least for the time being, am I right?"

"Hn."

"Is it possible that you will change your mind in the future?"

"..."

He didn't answer.

"Hmmm... will you lock me up and experiment on me? I would advise you otherwise. It is said that if one damages their soulmate's pearl they'll be hit with a thousand lightning bolts!" Even she wasn't sure if she had heard of this somewhere or if she was making it up.

Again, he felt like she was a peculiar and silly specimen, but couldn't bring himself to frighten her.

"This prince will not harm you for now."

"Thank you, your Highness." She slightly bowed. She wondered "If I treat him as if I'm submissive to him will he perhaps lower his guard?"

He wanted to scoff at her insincere gesture but endured his impulse. The proud little thing was now pretending to be compliant? How laughable.

Lin Mei thought of one more important question that she had forgotten to bring up: "Your highness, may I ask you for your name?"

"My name is Zhen Feng."