The ship sailed out of the harbor and into the Sea of Gold.

It was afternoon, and the sunlight was splendid today, so the sea shimmered with glistening waves.

Basking in such sunlight felt pleasant, and Ainebez, in this sunlight, appeared exceptionally pure.

Indeed, pure.

The youthful yet mature and charming aura that gathered around her had vanished at this moment, or rather, it had merged in a way that transformed into an indescribable sense of purity.

Ainebez herself seemed to have slipped into some wondrous state; she gazed at the distant sea and, after a long time, remarked, "The sea is truly beautiful."

Ethan said nothing, merely nodding.

The ship slowed down, drifting aimlessly onto the calm sea.

Fortunately, this was the forever tranquil Sea of Gold; otherwise, Ethan's nautical skills wouldn't suffice.

However, he possessed some of the powers of the Sea God Isis, so he wouldn't actually fall into the water.

Yet, this was the Royal Capital; he preferred not to use that power lightly.

The ship drifted for a long time.

Ainebez became lazy under the sun, simply sitting down at the bow, taking off her shoes and dipping her feet into the sea, leaning back with her hands on the bow, her long purple hair naturally flowing with the wind.

The air suddenly filled with an orchid fragrance again.

"You know, Ethan, since my mother passed away, I haven't had such happy moments anymore."

Ainebez's tone suddenly turned somewhat melancholic.

She usually appeared composed and graceful, never expressing such words.

"Would Your Highness still be unhappy?"

Ethan countered.

"I know, you must laugh at me, look down on me, thinking that a royal like me, born into everything, how could I not be happy?"

That's the truth.

Even for someone like Ethan, after Alberto's death, his past life was still well off.

"Indeed, I have everything, lack nothing, but I can't go anywhere, I can only stay in the Royal Capital. The Royal Capital is a magnificent cage; there are so many things I can't do, and this is my first time out to sea; before, I could only gaze at the sea from afar."

Ainebez continued.

"I know this sounds pretentious, but I wouldn't say these words to anyone else, only to you."

Ethan didn't ask why.

The sun slowly descended.

The entire sea reached its most beautiful moment, almost completely dyed orange.

The wind turned gentle.

"Ethan, could I ask you to do something for me?"

"Please, Your Highness, tell me."

"Don't call me Your Highness anymore. We've been through so much together; we can be friends, right? Call me Ain."

"Alright, Ain."

"Draw me, please. I like how I look now. Actually, my favorite is your painting 'Girl Under the Lamp'; that little maid of yours, right? I really envy her."

"Okay, I'll sketch it when we return."

"And one more thing is..."

Ainebez seemed to want to say more.

However, she suddenly paused, and then she plunged into the sea like a mermaid, swimming towards the depths, quickly disappearing.

Astonished, Ethan also leapt into the sea, chasing after her.

He didn't expect Ainebez to swim so quickly, diving deep in the blink of an eye.

He had no choice but to use the powers of the Sea God to pursue her underwater.

With the added power, he could control the sea, and he caught up with Ainebez before she completely descended into the deep sea.

Ainebez's state was exceedingly strange; her eyes appeared almost pupil-less, her entire posture as if she wanted to return somewhere, persistently trying to go downwards.

It felt as though something in the depths of the sea was calling her.

"Brother..."

Just as Ethan was about to swim upward, a voice suddenly echoed by his ear.

"Brother..."

It wasn't an illusion.

The voice sounded very familiar.

Aphraela?

That is, Sea God Isis?

Was she at the bottom of the sea?

"Brother, come find me..."

A power reaching into his soul called Ethan downward.

Ethan felt a moment of trance but suppressed it with the 'True God's Name'.

He hurriedly took Ainebez to the surface.

After quite a while, he finally brought Ainebez back aboard the ship.

Upon boarding, the incessant call in his ears finally vanished, making Ethan almost feel it was all an illusion.

He gazed deeply at the sea beneath his feet, refrained from lingering, and prepared to return.

By now, the sky had indeed darkened, approaching twilight.

Ethan helped Ainebez expel some of the seawater she'd inhaled, then began steering the ship back to port.

When night fell completely, the harbor lights shimmered faintly, and Ainebez finally awoke.

"What happened to me?"

She held her head as if in pain.

"You fell into the sea, so I brought you back."

Ethan looked at her.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine..."

Ainebez seemed unsure herself, then suddenly recalled something, her face flushing red.

"You... I..."

"Yes, you took in a lot of water, there was no choice."

Ethan nodded.

Ainebez became shy, unable to meet Ethan's eyes.

Soon, the ship docked.

On the shore, many people stood waiting.

These people were either clad in exquisite attire, standing elegantly, or robust with an imposing presence.

They were clearly not ordinary people.

Once bashful, Ainebez regained her noble composure upon spotting them.

She glanced at Ethan, sighed gently, "Did you call them?"

"You have to return eventually."

They were Ainebez's attendants and guards; Ethan had sent word before embarking.

"Indeed."

Ainebez wasn't angry with Ethan, speaking softly.

"Didn't you want to know why?"

"Why?"

Ethan seemed puzzled, but Ainebez leaned towards him, whispering a few words.

Then, she jumped off the ship, smiled at him, and said, "Ethan, I had a great time today, thank you."

With that, she walked away with those people.

Ethan, left alone on the ship, couldn't help but shake his head.

This princess always manages to do something unexpected.

Her final words were, "Because I like you."

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