Lyra washed up and went out to attend the ceremony with Blake and Lucas by her side. When she reached the place, she observed that it was very lively all around the island. Many Mermen were cleaning the plaza and decorating it with corals.
As she went further she caught a glimpse of mermaids. It was somewhat exciting because everyone she met praised females of the mermaid tribe and she was not the least disappointed. Those females were indeed very beautiful, maybe because they stayed inside the water for some time of the year their skin was delicate and somewhat pale in complexion and all had different shades of blue hair with silver-colored eyes. Lyra screamed in her mind, she was fangirling with hearts in her eyes.
Blake noticed her dazed look and followed her gaze and caught her staring at mermaids, he was confused at first but heard her astonishing voice "So beautiful! They are like a bunch of angels"
Blake looked at her and furrowed his eyebrows, Sure they were better looking than females in the land but his Lilly was more beautiful, he was sure of it. He held her hands and brought her attention to him "Lilly, you are more stunning than them. They are just a bunch of pretty fishes"
Lyra's mouth twitched "You are just biased towards me because I'm your mate, stop flattering me, and a man should never disrespect a lady"
"I never disrespected them, I just stated facts" he was quick to rebut, and the way he talked was like that of a modern world, he sure was influenced by conversing with her on daily basis.
"You did! You called them fishes" she replied
"They are fishes though," he said and shrugged his shoulders
Lyra was not able to refuse that, So she just held Lucas's hand and continued walking.
After reaching the plaza Lyra also caught everyone's attention. Those single mermen were unable to keep their eyes to themselves, they went into a daze seeing the gorgeous creature in front of them. They felt their breath caught in their throat and their heartbeat accelerating at an alarming rate.
Lyra who was oblivious of those scorching stares kept looking around with her pretty eyes and excited face. But it was not the same for her mates, both Lucas and Blake were emitting a chilling aura around them, they wanted to dig out every male eye which was staring at their lover. Sensing the beast pressure from a higher level beastmen, the other males averted their gazes.
The mermaid females also realized their admirer's attention diverted to another female and stared at her with jealousy and hatred. 'How dare this land female even compare to us? She was just a little better looking than others, how despicable'
While all this was going on around Lyra, Renold came in front of her and grinned "You came! Come and sit down with other females" he said gesturing his hand.
Blake instantly refused and said "Lilly will sit with me"
"But it is customary for her to sit there before going to the Plaza" Renold muttered
Lyra turned towards Blake "Let me go and sit there, I promise to come back right after the ritual"
Blake still seemed unwilling but gave in to her pleading eyes.
Renold took her near the mermaid females and introduced her "This is Lyra, a special guest of the royal family treat her respectfully"
The seemed leader of the female group a pretty woman with light blue hair and a slightly bulging stomach elegantly replied "Nice to meet you Lyra, I'm Erica the future spouse of prince Renold"
Lyra was caught off guard listening to it and glanced at Renold. He on another side squinted his eyes and spoke in a sickeningly sweet voice "What a great imagination you have Erica, and that too saying this when you are pregnant with my brother's child?"
Erica's face fell hearing his sarcastic remarks. It was common knowledge that brothers in the beast world avoided sharing a single female, it was not appreciated but that didn't mean it did not exist. So Erica held her chin high and replied "It is not like it doesn't happen, my prince, we have only a few females in our tribe. You have to compromise or will end up as a bachelor"
She glanced at Lyra and added "And you cannot mate with some land female, that is unless you want to break the rules"
Renold snickered at her "Rules? It was not the king who made them. It was some sick-minded, beauty-obsessed people that made those restrictions. I also heard that land females treat their spouses a lot better than you guys and they have a great conception rate. I suggest you change that attitude of yours before all your admirers take a liking to them"
Renold then turned to another female and informed "Bella, You stay together with Lyra and remember to keep annoying flies away from her" he then turned towards Lyra "Bella will keep your company, sit here and wait for some time, the witch master will be here soon"
Lyra nodded her head and Renold left to make some preparations. Bella held Lyra's arm and made her sit on the ground together with her and smiled brightly "You are very pretty, My mother used to always describe her female friend who had blonde hair and brown eyes whenever she missed her, You remind me of her description, you should meet my mother, she will be happy to see you"
Lyra blinked "Your mother?"
Bella nodded her head "My mother is the queen of the mermaid tribe"
Lyra was surprised "Then are you Renold's sister?"
"Yes, prince Renold is my half brother" she confirmed
Lyra didn't see any similarities between the two, maybe it was because they had different fathers. Bella was a very nice girl, Lyra liked her bright and easygoing personality and she also informed Lyra about a decrease in conception rate of the mermaid tribe and how the king wanted their tribe men to let the prejudice go and mate with the land females, but they were unwilling and opposed it.
Lyra also found out about Renold's decision in becoming mates first so that his tribesmen would follow his lead. She saw Renold in a new light because although he was fun and easygoing, he had many responsibilities on his shoulders. He put his duty as a prince before his feelings.
Erica who was observing Bella entertaining an outsider felt bitter inside. 'How dare this filthy female steal her people's attention? First, it was her admirers, then Renold and now her sister-in-law'. She should not let this continue. Then made an evil plan in her mind and smirked.
Lyra tried to talk with other females but received a cold treatment from them, she didn't know if she did something wrong and lowered her head feeling sad. She expected to make some friends because all day she would stay in the house and talk to Blake and Lucas but even they were busy hunting and doing some other works.
Seeing Lyra sad Bella held her hand "Don't worry, I will come to meet you whenever you are alone, my house is just next to yours"
Lyra's face brightened up "Really? Thank you"
"But why are they not talking to me" she added
Bella rolled her eyes "They are just jealous of you and are influenced by someone's words"
Lyra titled her head not understanding, Bella sighed "I will tell you about it some other time, I don't want to spoil your mood"
After she finished talking there was a commotion on the plaza and Lyra saw an old man with long grey hair, wrinkles wearing a robe made of animal hide walking towards the plaza. The old man had a cold disposition who looked like someone with great knowledge, he swept his eyes around the plaza and widened his eyes when he saw someone.