The Hidden Motive Beneath the Water

‘What did he just say? Called it filthy behavior?’

Vanessa was so dumbfounded that she opened her mouth.

‘So why are you lowering yourself just to look good to a mere human? Sure, sirens are crazy about humans, but this isn’t it.’

…She wanted to spit all of that out, but what came from her mouth was a polite remark instead.

“I will bring you a change of clothes.”

“Do you not like this kind of thing? That’s strange. Normally someone like you is weak against a guy who approaches proactively like me.”

“Is there a particular type of clothing you’d prefer?”

“Damn it, I even went through the trouble of hiding my tail and swimming uncomfortably on two legs…! And you’re really telling me you’re not turned on by these seductive thighs? Ugh~ I even worked out my lower body to impress Vanessa, damn— cough!”

Feeling a sharp pain in his throat, Nepher quickly plunged his face into the water.

Taking advantage of the moment, Vanessa fetched a set of dry clothes from a nearby rest area.

Thanks to the clean, clear water, Nepher’s condition had improved a little.

He pouted while glaring at the clothes Vanessa had brought.

“You only care about Fren, you fool.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. That’s why I like you even more. Ah, seriously, I wish a human like you existed by my side too.”

Looking as if she had aged ten years in an instant, Vanessa brought the fully dressed Nepher to Fren.

The mother and son were still smiling as they offered food to each other.

Fren, who had been placing a plump grape into Sylvia’s mouth, rose from his seat at once.

“You took a while.”

“Oh, my clothes were wet, so it took a bit.”

Nepher naturally took the seat across from them.

He mimed a toast, drinking the apple wine Vanessa poured him.

Fren watched silently before asking:

“You’re comfortable during your stay, I assume?”

“Of course I am. Why else would I still be here? Hey, Fren. Your house is heaven. The attendants work diligently without acting arrogant, and even the slaves are well-behaved.”

“Every corner of this place bears Mother’s touch. But you’re really sure you’re fine?”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s already been five days since you arrived. And I heard the deal for the golden apple has already been mostly settled…”

Nepher immediately made a tearful face.

“So mean! Do you want me to leave that badly?!”

“Of course not. You made Mother so happy. Thank you. It’s been a very long time since I last saw her this cheerful.”

Sylvia lowered her head slightly, pretending to focus on her meal.

Fren glanced at the locket hanging from her neck before continuing playfully.

“It’s just… a bit strange, that’s all.”

“What is?”

“The contract is almost finished, yet you show no sign of leaving. Even with competent aides at your company, this seems a bit excessive.”

“Hey, cut me some slack.”

Nepher whined.

“When else can I take a vacation? I’m always visiting clients and entertaining guests—my scales are drying up, practically peeling off! And my throat keeps getting worse, yet there’s always more work…”

“Instead of dancing around it, just say it.”

“Huh?”

“You have another motive.”

“…….”

“It was strange from the start that you came alone.”

According to Fren’s memory, the trading company should be extremely busy this time of year.

Normally, his secretary Marin would accompany Nepher and whip him relentlessly so he wouldn’t waste a single moment.

But not only had Nepher come alone, he was staying for five whole days?

Something was definitely up.

Realizing Fren had seen through him, Nepher rolled his eyes exaggeratedly.

“Nope. Nothing!”

“Just tell us. If it’s something we can help with, we’ll do our best.”

“I said there’s nothing!”

“You’re acting terribly today. Your acting skills are awful.”

“…….”

Nepher slowly dragged his chair closer to Fren.

“…How much are you willing to invest?”

“That depends on what it is.”

“You want to know?!”

Stars sparkled in Nepher’s eyes.

“Then you won’t even need to invest! Just having you on-site will create amazing publicity. Oh, and if Lady Sylvia also came along, it would be an honor!”

—Screeeech

Before he even finished, a chair scraped loudly against the floor.

Sylvia rose with an apologetic expression.

“Please forgive me for leaving first, Nepher. I have much to do.”

“O-oh! Of course, I understand!”

“Fren, help our guest on my behalf.”

Fren smiled warmly.

“Yes. Even Mother needs time to breathe and enjoy the things she loves. Don’t worry. I’ll keep her away for as long as possible.”

“…….”

“In return, please consider my request favorably.”

Sylvia’s eyes turned cold—an expression she never showed in front of others.

Especially not in front of Niobe or their descendants.

Maintaining that icy gaze, she spoke in a honey-sweet voice.

“Of course I’ll consider it. It’s my only son’s request.”

“As expected of Lady Sylvia. Your love for your son is truly remarkable!”

“My beloved son, go have fun with your friend.”

Sylvia kissed Fren on the forehead.

Then she walked back to the mansion with graceful elegance.

Once Sylvia was gone, the two finally began discussing business.

“Lately, records left by our ancestors have been found everywhere.”

“Oh, right. I heard about that. But aren’t they all useless? Things like, ‘Elves used to enjoy eating meat,’ or ‘Lycanthropes used to be friendly with humans.’ Stuff like that.”

“No. Something more useful might’ve been found this time.”

Fren rested his chin on his hand, signaling him to continue.

Nepher unfolded a map from his coat.

“A ruin estimated to be from a thousand years ago was discovered underground here. It’s huge. Archaeologists are convinced valuable treasures are hidden inside. Our company bought excavation rights and started digging, but…”

“But…?”

“It’s costing way more than expected.”

“Why?”

“Normally we’d deploy a mass of slaves for excavation, but this time we can’t.”

Even Fren and Vanessa’s eyes widened.

‘Why… ah, I get it.’

Just as Vanessa realized it, Fren spoke the reason.

“The ruins are surrounded by groundwater, aren’t they?”

“Exactly.”

Sylvia’s territory was rich in water.

Underground water was so plentiful that high-ranking residents wasted it extravagantly.

Sylvia was one of them.

The mystical prayer room and the siren-only lake in the backyard were both created using groundwater.

“We had no choice but to hire sirens to search for the entrance, but the cost is insane. And you can’t just shove humans underwater—they’d die instantly.”

A brief silence followed.

It was an uncharacteristic statement for a siren, a species that considered luring humans underwater their greatest amusement.

Fren and Vanessa stared silently.

Nepher scratched his head sheepishly.

“Did you find the entrance?”

“Yes, recently. But it looks like the inside is full of water too. It’ll cost a fortune. So we decided to check it ourselves first… and I was hoping you two could come. You can tell investors what the ruin looks like, how mysterious it is.”

“…….”

Fren stared at Nepher again.

Nepher tilted his head.

“What? Is something wrong?”

“You said ‘you two,’ right?”

“Huh?”

“Everyone else expects only me to come… but you seem to want Vanessa to come as well.”

Vanessa also found this strange.

Knowing how inconvenient humans were underwater, why bring her at all?

Nepher then answered casually:

“Oh, Vanessa is pretty. Every worksite needs a pretty human to brighten the mood.”

Then he looked at them with puppy-like pleading eyes.

“My people are exhausted. I just wanted to show them something pleasant. You don’t mind, right?”

‘No… there’s definitely another reason.’

Vanessa looked to Fren.

She expected him to refuse or at least go alone.

But instead—

“…How do you plan to take us underwater?”

“Wow, you understand me?!”

“I’m well aware of how much sirens love humans. And if my work can soothe the spirits of weary sirens, then I’ll gladly do it.”

“Thank you, Fren! The excavation team will be thrilled!”

Nepher hugged Fren and exclaimed:

“I always keep two sets of air coral on hand for emergencies. They’re top-grade— you’ll last hours underwater.”

“You’d give something that expensive to a s*ave? I appreciate it.”

“Vanessa is pretty, so it’s fine.”

“…….”

Fren genuinely seemed amused.

Vanessa finally gave in.

“…Thank you, Lord Nepher. Thanks to you, I’ll gain a valuable experience.”

“Did you just thank me? Wow, our Vanessa is so polite. You could come live with us immediately.”

“Nepher, as I said before, that’s not possible.”

Fren leisurely wrapped an arm around Vanessa’s waist.

“I already explained that Vanessa looks beautiful because she’s beside me.”

“…Still, it’s a shame. Really impossible?”

“Impossible.”

Fren’s reply was firm.