"Okay… now ARE you SURE you're not in love with me?" Maria asked slowly, pointing at him as if he was some dangerous species she was trying to classify. "Because this is getting weird. Genuinely weird. I feel SCARED now."

Her tone was so serious it almost echoed in the water around them.

Razeal didn't even blink.

He just stared down at her with those half-lidded, deadpan, annoyed as hell eyes of his…

Then he slowly shook his head like she was the most delusional woman alive.

"Whatever," he muttered. Then, emotionlessly, he added, "You're dreaming, woman. I have no interest in women. And even if I did want anything to do with women, it certainly wouldn't be you." He didn't even look back.

He just continued walking forward like her existence didn't matter.

Maria froze.

Her mouth hung open.

Her finger was still pointed at him but now she looked more confused than insulted.

"…what the fuck does that even mean," she whispered to herself, eyes narrowing in disbelief. "Should I feel relieved? Insulted? Or should I take that personally? WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO FEEL?"

Even Neptunia paused beside her, blinking at Razeal's back.

Then

Her eyes suddenly lit up.

Sparkled.

Shimmered like she found the world's juiciest gossip topic.

"Ohhhhhhh now THAT is an interesting thing to say…" Neptunia's lips curled into a grin, her eyes shining with excitement. "You don't like women? WHY is that? Tell me, tell me about jt! Are you one of those people who prefer men? Or ooooh.. is there some tragic, spicy, dramatic story behind it?"

She practically teleported in front of him, blocking his path, her hands flapping on sides like an excited puppy.

Razeal looked unamused.

"Well… I don't know about what the first one even means," he said flatly. "But I don't trust female creatures. They're all the same. Selfish traitors."

He said it so calmly, like he was stating a universal law.

"There is nothing desirable about a woman you can't trust behind your back. And none cant be."

His voice darkened, his tone turning colder with every next word.

"I had good relationships with some. And believe me every single one of them betrayed me. My mother. My childhood friend. Even my fiancée. And yes.. my sister too."

Maria just sighed dramatically.

Neptunia thought had intresting glint in her eyes.

"And if it was only one incident, I'd understand. But all of them? Every single one?" Razeal shook his head, voice low. "So yeah. I don't like women. I don't trust them not even a little.. They cant be trusted."

He turned his gaze to Neptunia specifically, eyes sharp and accusing.

"I mean look at yourself. You lied too," he said, stopping and staring directly at her face. "You knew we were humans and hid it. You lied. Concealed it. For your own benefit, right? Who knows what plans you had."

Neptunia's playful expression vanished instantly.

Her face twisted into a sarcastic frown.

"HEY.. it wasn't ME who lied to you first, mister!" she snapped. "It was YOU guys! You used some kind of human methods to look like Atlanteans! So of COURSE I acted like you were what you were pretending to be! That's not lying.. that's just being intelligent!"

She spread her hands in defense.

"I had no bad intentions! We made a deal! I show you directions.. you protect me! Simple! Fair! What did you expect me to do? Reveal you were humans the second we met? You would've killed me right there!" She gulped. "Right…?"

Razeal nodded without hesitation.

"Well, that's true," he said calmly.

Neptunia's expression dropped.

"Wait.. WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN that's true?! Would you REALLY have killed me??"

Razeal shrugged like it wasn't a big deal.

"Who knows."

"WHO KNOWS?!" Neptunia squeaked, fear flooding her face. "What kind of answer is 'who knows'? You psychopath!"

Razeal ignored her reaction entirely, already walking again.

But then he paused slightly and glanced at her from the side.

"Tell me.. will others be able to tell we are humans? I mean clearly you noticed something. Even Antonio's son didn't figure it out, so does that mean you're special? Or are there many like you?"

He narrowed his eyes.

"Because if not, I'll need another concealment method."

"You don't need to worry," Neptunia said casually as she flipped her long yellow hair back and matched his pace again. "No one can find out what you are. Except some very special people. And you won't find those types here in the Second Sea. So relax."

She even whistled lightly, hands behind her head as if she was strolling through a peaceful park instead of walking beside the most suspicious and shiny looking guy besides her.

"And honestly," she added with a smirk, "with how powerful you are, people should be staying away from you, not the other way around. No one here wants trouble for nothing."

Then she pointed at his face and raised her eyebrows mischievously.

"But you should worry about your face. Maybe cover it or something. Because I swear.. some rich, lustful women here will NOT let you go. They'll try everything, every price, bribe or trick to turn you into their personal gigolo."

Razeal just rolled his eyes aggressively, not even entertaining the idea.

They finally stepped through the coral-arch entrance of the city, blending into the ongoing noise of markets, glowing jellyfish lanterns, flowing currents that acted like floating roads, and busy Atlanteans moving around.

Or at least… they tried to blend in.

But the moment they entered the main path, the crowd froze.

Every single person men, women, old, young turned to stare.

And not just a quick glance.

A full, stunned, jaw-dropping stare.

Because walking together on the side path were:

Two breathtaking women whose beauty was not something even the Second Sea saw often

and a man whose presence alone felt like a divine creature descending into a mortal market.

Maria's new half-demon aura gave her a sharper charm, a dangerous allure.

Neptunia's well even though no where near like both of them.. Was well.. Certainly beautiful

And Razeal…

Razeal walked like a ruler who didn't belong anywhere below the heavens.

His deep crimson eyes glowed faintly, cold, predatory, ancient.. making the atmosphere around him feel heavy yet intoxicating. Even though he looked indifferent, every step radiated silent dominance.

Some women literally forgot to breathe.

Some even dropped whatever they were carrying.

A mother had to catch her child because she almost walked into a stall while staring at him.

Nobody approached.

Because something in their instincts screamed:

"Don't get close.. Don't bother him And definitely dont even breathe too loudly."

Even the most beautiful women's of the Second Sea the proudest kinds who usually carried their beauty like a crown were suddenly shy, hesitant, fidgeting with their clothes, cheeks flushed, some even biting their lips unconsciously.. Some even rubbing there lega together..

One whispered to her friend:

"W-who is he…?"

"I've never seen him… Is he from the Royal Sea?!"

"He looks like a prince…"

"A god specially made for womens…"

".. something else entirely…"

On the other side, the men stared at Maria and Neptunia.

Normally, they would drool, approach, flirt, or fight each other for attention.

But seeing Razeal's figure walking ahead of them?

They shut their mouths instantly.

Any thought of approaching the two women died painfully the moment they sensed the aura behind Razeal's quiet steps..

A silent warning.

A predator's shadow.

Or a noble that should not be challenged.

So they stayed still.

Watching.

Breathing softly.

Pretending they were not intimidated.

Even the street vendors, who were normally loud and persistent, went quiet as the trio passed.

It was like time slowed down for a moment.

People whispered:

"Who are they?"

"They must be nobles… maybe from another sea…"

"I've never seen them, but that guy… damn…"

"Well… I guess some people get the good genes. I'm just here looking like recycled seaweed… Definitely my mother's fault.."

"Shhhh! He might hear you!"

The trio moved like they were walking through a street of statues.

Neptunia eventually broke the silence because she, unlike the rest of the city, was not afraid of Razeal's aura.

"So…" she said, bumping his shoulder lightly with hers. "What were you talking about earlier? The women who betrayed you. I mean, I'm curious."

Razeal didn't respond.

Neptunia kept going anyway.

"I mean, come on, explain! What's the story? How many? Why'd they do it? What happened? I really want to know. All women aren't like that, you know."

Maria glanced sideways, pretending she wasn't listening, but her slowed steps said otherwise.

Neptunia stepped in front of Razeal, walking backward while facing him.

"And besides," she continued, "you're not going to die alone, right? Even if you don't trust women now… eventually you'll end up with someone. No way you die single with that face. Seriously, that would be.. what's the word tragic? Hilarious? Weird? All three."

She looked him up and down.

"And also.. is this your real face? Were you hiding it before? I mean you were already good-looking before but THIS is just.. "

She waved both hands at him dramatically.

"COME ON, look at yourself."

Razeal stared at her blankly.

Neptunia puffed her cheeks.

"Say something!"

"There is nothing to talk about," Razeal finally muttered, shaking his head and looking away, choosing to ignore her completely.

Neptunia looked absolutely offended.

Razeal simply continued walking forward, but he could feel Neptunia's glare stabbing into the back of his head.

----

Sorry guys theae days.. Am always getting late.. Its just sighh Cant tell just too busy 😭😭 Wait leme send other half of chapter too..

----

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.