If I Throw Myself into His Sea - Episode 1.12

She disliked both the land and the underwater palace. She wanted to be alone. She wanted to sort out this feeling by herself, without anyone’s worry or misjudgment.

However, she had no place comfortable enough to calm her turbulent heart.

Because, as always, her life was one where she ended up being a stranger wherever she went.

“I’m sorry. I think I need to go now.”

Just as she was about to excuse herself and leave, a man she had never met before appeared in the sky above the underwater kingdom, accompanied by a cool breeze.

“You were here. Well, I can guess the situation without looking. You blabbed about the Monarch, didn’t you?”

Without saying when he had descended again, he landed lightly on the sand and spoke, glaring at the surroundings. Amidst the stiff atmosphere, only the man’s snow-white hair fluttered brilliantly.

“She’s someone who grew up pampered on land. A princess who wouldn’t even know concepts like slaughter.”

“Oh my, I know! I certainly do!”

“You must have been disgusted after hearing tales of bloodshed. And who dares to speak of the Monarch’s affairs in the first place?”

Without warning, the man flicked his fingers, drawing a magic circle in the air and sealing the mouths of the residents.

“The magic will automatically dissipate 500 paces away from here. If you understand, start backing away.”

The residents, instantly rendered unable to make a sound, hastily retreated from Irene’s side. The situation was finally resolved after Tazer intervened.

Irene felt a temporary sense of liberation, escaping the gaze of the crowd.

Towards Irene, who was still breathing heavily, the man spoke with a much lighter voice.

“Running away from home without even a single attendant. Did Pereian treat you that badly?”

His eyes were warm yet quite playful. To the man who spoke as if he knew her, even though it was a face she had never seen before, Irene cautiously replied. “Excuse me, but I don’t know you.”

“Yes, yes. I know. And I know Her Majesty the Queen.”

The man replied playfully, without introducing himself. He easily ignored her unspoken question of who he was and pulled Irene’s hand, lifting her into the sky. As Irene’s feet left the ground and she struggled, the man calmly reassured her.

“I’ll find your home, so just close your eyes. My apologies, I’m not very good at looking after lost children.”

Even though his tone was incredibly light, there was no hostility. When Irene stared blankly instead of closing her eyes as he asked, he shook his head left and right as if troubled.

“Excuse me.”

Then, the man’s hand covered Irene’s face. It seemed he intended to make her close her eyes. A few seconds later, the man removed his hand and, seeing Irene with her eyes tightly shut, poked her wrist.

“You’ve arrived, so you can open your eyes now.”

Startled by his words, Irene’s eyes snapped open, and she looked ahead.

“Ah, this is the palace…”

“I told you. I said I’d find your home.”

Leaving the man’s words behind, Irene gazed at the palace before her eyes several times. This place, arrived in an instant, was the entrance to the undersea palace where her residence was located. The guards were busily looking for someone. Perhaps Irene, who had run out, was the target.

“Amazing. I thought you were quiet, but you’ve already caused trouble like this.”

“I was flustered. I didn’t even realize I had left the palace. Ah, thank you for bringing me back.”

After quickly finishing her thanks, Irene ran into the palace. The man followed her with leisurely steps. After walking about twenty steps, Irene stopped abruptly.

“Why did you stop?”

The man, who hadn’t bothered to hide following her, asked suddenly. Irene lowered her head as if embarrassed and trailed off.

“…I don’t know.”

“What?”

“The way to Coral Palace… I don’t know.”

She had only come for the first time yesterday, and she had ridden the monarch’s horse then, so the way… Excuses followed without her being questioned. The man, who had been listening quietly while standing with one leg crossed, sighed and said, “Follow me.”

Instead of moving through the air, he walked slowly. It was to match Irene’s pace. Watching Irene follow him like a little stream, the man chuckled, then immediately threw out words in a voice meant to scare her. “Don’t you even know that you shouldn’t follow strangers carelessly on land?”

“Uh…”

“Do you even know who I am? What if I kidnapped you?”

It wasn’t a mocking tone. He had meant to tease her lightly, but Irene took it seriously again. Having borne the life of a concubine’s daughter, who had to follow unconditionally if someone took the lead, and be punished if she didn’t, that habit wasn’t easily erased.

After pondering her answer for a long time, Irene subtly asked back.

“Are you going to kidnap me?” Because she asked so seriously, the man who heard it couldn’t hold back his laughter and chuckled.

“My, oh my, you react so seriously even to a joke, you’re quite amusing.” The man, who apologized with a nod, added. “Who would dare kidnap Pereian’s consort in this palace?”

“……I’m glad you’re not.”

“You were afraid I might kidnap you.”

“No. You didn’t seem like a bad person either.”

At Irene’s answer, the man laughed heartily again and quickened his pace. But he had to stop after only a few steps. The woman who had been following him closely wasn’t behind him this time. The man, turning back the way he came, stood before Irene and asked. “Why aren’t you following? You said I didn’t seem like a bad person.”

“Your name?”

“My name?”

“Your words are right. One shouldn’t carelessly follow someone whose identity is unknown. So, reveal your name now.”

Irene finished speaking in a stern voice. As Irene, who had been hesitating, spoke, the man, who had been biting his lip and swallowing his bursting laughter, soon knelt on one knee before Irene.

“Sipri. The sole magical talent of the undersea kingdom, and also a close friend of Pereian.”

“But why are you kneeling…”

“When introducing myself to Your Majesty the Queen, it would be wrong to commit a discourtesy, wouldn’t it?”

“You’ve already committed many discourtesies by playing tricks.”

At the words that hit the mark, the man scratched his cheek and avoided her gaze. “Please call me Lord Sipri. Actually, I’m fine with just Sipri, but…”

“Lord, I understand, so please get up. You’ll get sand on yourself.”

Irene reached out her hand to lift the man who had suddenly knelt before her. Sipri stopped holding her hand and, with a face full of mischief, tightened his grip.

Suddenly, a tug-of-war unfolded between the Queen and the mage. Of course, Sipri wasn’t using much strength, just enough to resist Irene’s attempt to pull him up. Flustered, Irene tried to pull her hand away, but Sipri didn’t let go easily.

“Why are you trying to pull away? You should be lifting me up.”

“I’ll let you up if you loosen your grip.”

“Even though I’m not applying any strength.”

“Don’t lie.”

Even though they hadn’t known each other long, Sipri, with a relaxed face, teased her several times. Irene, as if resigned, kept her mouth shut and observed him, her hand held by Sipri.

Now that she knew he was a mage, his pure white hair looked quite mysterious. Thinking it would be better to just talk rather than wasting time like this, Irene opened her mouth.

“You are Ian, no… you said you were a close friend of His Highness the Sovereign.”

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