Chapter 3

On the first day of observation, the war broke out at breakfast.

I didn't prepare any premium fresh fish. Just a standard merfolk meal.

Unlike the first time, there was no tension or anticipation. My movements were calm, almost casual.

The moment I stepped up to the glass, Lance swam over. He hovered at just the right distance from my arm, his eyes locked onto me and the plate in my hand.

He probably thought this was another moment to perform. Maybe he was even expecting that long-lost special treatment, meant only for him.

However, I didn't look at him. I simply extended my hand.

A silver-white figure adjusted his position without hesitation, settling at exactly the right height.

I picked up a piece of fish and offered it to Sylas.

He didn't reach for it with his hands. Instead, he took the food directly from my fingertips with his mouth. His posture was relaxed and seemingly full of trust.

Then, he flashed me a warm and sincere smile. "Thank you, master."

The chat exploded.

"Ah! He's so sweet. That's my dream merman partner!"

"What's wrong with the other one? He's just standing there. Aren't merfolk supposed to be smart?"

"Dumbass, it's simply the difference between a merman that's too proud to love you and a merman that knows exactly how to make you love them."

I blinked at Sylas. There was no arm-numbing wait, no cautious testing, and certainly no resistance or aggression.

For the first time, I received a genuine response. Without realizing it, my expression softened, and I smiled.

Lance froze completely.

He watched the treatment he once looked down on get taken by Sylas. Worse, I even smiled at the other merman. A tide of unspeakable fury surged through him.

I kept feeding at the same level. I didn't call Lance over or save anything for him.

When Sylas finished eating, I turned and left without sparing a glance at Lance, who was hovering at the corner.

He stared at my retreating back, disbelief written all over his face.

He couldn't understand how the woman who once air-freighted deep-sea fish from across the world just to satisfy him had suddenly become so cold.

That day, Lance didn't touch any of the food dropped from the automatic feeder. He wandered alone in waters far from the feeding zone, his back stiff and distant.

…

On the afternoon of the third day, Vivian came again.

I was in a meeting at the company when the livestream system sent an alert. "Unauthorized biological signal detected in the merfolk care zone."

I pulled up the feed.

Vivian stood by the viewing window in a white dress, waving happily with a bright smile.

Lance appeared instantly, faster than he ever did when he came to me. He swam up to the glass, lowered his head slightly, and smiled at her.

I had fed him for three months, yet he had never smiled at me like that. But the moment Vivian appeared, that smile never left his face.

Vivian happily pressed both palms against the glass, mimicking a hug. Lance hesitated for a second, then moved closer and pressed himself against the glass, completing the "hug".

The chat went completely insane.

"Who is this woman? Why is Lance so gentle with her? He's never treated his master like this!"

"Is this some wife-versus-mistress drama? @AquaGeneOfficial does this count as a violation?"