Chapter 134: Chapter 134: The Mermaid’s Heart Scale
In all her time living in Paradise, she had never heard anyone mention it.
Yu Zhizhi just thought of herself as an ordinary "tourist," staying for a little while before eventually having to leave.
As for where to go...
She wasn’t sure yet.
At the door, a maid from the mansion, carrying a small rolling case, entered the suite after checking in.
The young female from the Sloth Clan smiled and said, "Ms. Zhi Zhi, I’ll be helping you get ready today."
There was a dedicated dressing room in the suite.
It wasn’t large. Inside, apart from a clothes rack, there was also a single sofa.
After closing the door, the maid took out the gown the Guard Team had prepared for her and helped her change into it.
The Sloth Clan maid knelt on the floor to help her put on her shoes.
The custom-made gown was a mix of champagne and light blue, which set off Yu Zhizhi’s skin, making it look as fair and delicate as milky silk.
After finishing her makeup, the Sloth Clan maid looked at the exquisite and adorable noble lady in the mirror and couldn’t help but marvel internally—
’This lady from the Rabbit Clan is truly beautiful. She has a natural charm that other noble ladies lack.’
’This gown, in particular, really suits her.’
The fluffy, layered skirt made her waist look even more delicate, while the lace collar and puffy short sleeves were charmingly cute.
The only imperfection was...
The neckline was bare.
The Sloth Clan maid reminded her in a low voice, "Ms. Zhi Zhi, did you bring any jewelry or a necklace for this trip?"
"I... I forgot." An embarrassed smile appeared on Yu Zhizhi’s face.
She had truly forgotten.
All she could think about was having fun and that she would be meeting the State Preceptor of the Moon Rising Empire today.
The Sloth Clan maid hesitated for a moment, then took a light blue necklace and matching earrings from the small rolling case she carried with her.
"I bought this a while ago. It could add a little something, but..."
The Sloth Clan maid’s face showed worry. "This set is very inexpensive."
"It’s okay." Yu Zhizhi smiled at her. "It’s very pretty. Please let me borrow it."
Everything was ready.
When Yu Zhizhi walked out of the dressing room, Louis, who was standing guard at the door, looked momentarily stunned.
Usually, back at the cabin, her clothes were very casual, and even when she went out, her attire was simple. This was the first time he had seen her dressed so magnificently.
The soft champagne color suited her perfectly. Her neckline revealed an expanse of fair skin, her waist was impossibly slender, and the tiered, cake-like skirt seemed to hold her, giving her an exceptionally sweet appearance.
Her long hair was styled half-up, half-down. Her rabbit ears were encircled by a wreath of handmade floral hairpins in a pale, peachy-pink color that carried a faint, sweet fragrance.
Louis averted his gaze.
He felt a tickle in his throat.
As if it had been tickled by a Tutu’s fine fur.
Yusen walked out of the room, and his calm expression faltered.
Seeing him, Yu Zhizhi broke into a smile. She lifted her skirt and joyfully went up to him. "Sensen~"
"Hm?" Yusen stopped, looking at the young female before him. Black hair, snow-white skin, and dark eyes as enchanting as a hazy moon.
He finally understood.
Why on the Beast World Planet, the various noble families liked to compare their young ladies to a "Little Moon."
Seeing this charming and adorable little rabbit, the moon itself seemed to take form. Yusen’s ice-blue eyes overflowed with tenderness.
"Is it pretty?" Yu Zhizhi asked him.
Yusen smiled. "Very pretty."
His gaze slowly moved from the young female’s face to her long, fair neck. He saw the necklace there—exquisite in design, but made of cheap material.
Paradise was sparsely populated, with few events like dinner parties or balls.
So naturally, the Guard Team knew nothing of the competition between noble ladies. They had a valuable gown custom-made but forgot about custom jewelry.
Yusen walked back into the room. "Wait a moment."
When the Mermaid came out, he was holding an ice-blue, sparkling scale in his hand. He looked at the Sloth Clan maid. "Do you have a chain to string this on?"
The Sloth Clan maid stared in astonishment at the Mermaid scale. It was shaped like a small, ice-blue leaf, crystal clear and dazzling.
This was...
She recognized it almost instantly.
—A Mermaid’s Heart Scale!
This was the most beautiful and precious scale on a Mermaid’s body, and also something many noble ladies yearned to possess.
It was said that a Mermaid would only give their Heart Scale to the one true love of their life.
It was impossible to buy, no matter the price, yet now she was actually seeing one... The Sloth Clan maid took it with trembling hands. "Y-Yes! I have one! It’ll just be a moment!"
She carefully threaded it onto a silver chain and put it on the Rabbit Clan Lady.
Just as she thought—
With this exceedingly precious piece of jewelry, the outfit looked even more captivating.
Yusen watched her, a smile touching his lips.
A dull ache emanated from the spot on his chest near his heart. After pulling out the scale, a crescent-shaped, bloody scar was left behind.
Escorted by the guards, Yu Zhizhi and Yusen headed to the seaside.
As dusk fell, the entire Sea City was brilliantly lit.
The ball was being held on the sea.
A road of ice, created by Magic, stretched across the water, its end leading to the ceremonial site for the Moonrise Festival.
After the ceremony would come the stage that everyone was eagerly awaiting.
The entire coastline was crowded with people.
The Divine City was much warmer than Paradise, and with the special Blazing Technique in use, Yu Zhizhi didn’t feel cold at all standing by the sea.
The guests, gathered in small groups, couldn’t help but stare when they saw the young female from the Rabbit Clan in the crowd.
A flash of amazement appeared in the eyes of many Beastmen.
The male Beastmen, in particular, couldn’t resist the urge to go up and greet her.
The young lady of the Fox Clan and her friends had also arrived at the seaside. They stepped onto the path over the water, paved with ice Magic.
One of them, a female from the hound clan, saw the necklace on Yu Zhizhi’s chest and gasped in astonishment, "A Mermaid’s Heart Scale?!"
Hearing this, all the other females turned to look.
The necklace worn by the Rabbit Clan girl was particularly eye-catching in the night. It possessed a luster that no jewel, no matter how well polished, could ever have.
The young lady of the Fox Clan stared for a long moment, a bitter feeling rising in her heart.
The hound female said in disbelief, "I’ve never heard of a Mermaid giving their Heart Scale to their keeper. What kind of Magic did she use? To make a Mermaid so obedient?"
"The Mermaid couldn’t have actually fallen for her, right?"
"How could that be? Wasn’t Princess Shasha more noble and beautiful than her? The Mermaid she kept treated her extremely well, too, but what happened in the end?"
"SHH!"
Her companion quickly covered her mouth.
’Don’t mention the Little Princess! That’s a huge taboo in the Moon Rising Empire!’
But regardless, seeing the necklace the Rabbit Clan female was wearing left a sour taste in their mouths.
Many nobles had come to attend the Moonrise Festival this time. Their food, clothing, and accommodations were all of the highest quality, and even the jewelry they wore had been chosen with great care—
But none of it could compare to a Mermaid’s Heart Scale.
Because it was something that no amount of money could buy.
Just then, the sound of a young lady’s crying came from the crowd. Everyone looked over and saw the jewelry merchant, Geoffrey.
It looked as though he had just rejected a deal with some other noble lady.
Geoffrey was flamboyantly dressed, his gold evening suit dazzling. As the most lavish merchant in the Divine City, his entire getup was a sight to behold.
He elegantly held a feather, and the arrogant, domineering expression on his face instantly switched to a fawning one the moment he saw Yu Zhizhi.
Geoffrey quickly walked towards Yu Zhizhi—
’He hadn’t forgotten the task the Duke had given him!’
