Chapter 11
Caroline was taken back home.
Since she was utterly useless, Sheldon did not bother pretending anymore.
He locked her up like livestock, knocked her up on purpose, and tormented her for months.
Then, just as she was about to give birth, he forced her to swallow a special abortion drug.
Once it was done, he started all over again.
Her belly was swollen once more, and the cycle of cruelty repeated until her body was no longer her own, just a vessel for endless torment.
Time became meaningless.
Eventually, Sheldon’s other consorts began falling pregnant.
One bore a silver–finned heir. Another, a purple–finned baby. Even a blue–tail was considered respectable.
However, not one gave birth to a red–fin.
Caroline’s red–finned babies became the lowest of the low, and so did she.
Her days were filled with suffering so severe that death would have been a kindness.
Not long after, I became pregnant again.
Reginald placed his hand gently on my belly, his expression filled with distress.
“Celine… I’m sorry.”
He knew well how difficult pregnancy could be for women. Fearing the pain I might endure, his apology came from the deepest part of him.
I covered his hand with mine and whispered, “No need to apologize. I love carrying your children.”
My black–finned children were unlike the twisted, cruel ones from my past life, the ones I bore for Sheldon.
Mine and Reginald’s children were sweet and gentle.
They called me ‘Mother‘ in their soft little voices, and every time, my heart melted anew.
As if summoned by thought, they came bounding in at that very moment, treasures clutched in their tiny arms.
“Mother, come see what we found! It’s so cool!”
Reginald watched as my entire gaze shifted toward the babies.
A touch of jealousy sparkled in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed me quickly.
“Darling… don’t forget to look at the treasures I bring you too.”
A few months later, I gave birth to four more black–finned mer–babies.
The Mer–King was overjoyed. He held one of the newborns in his arms and refused to let go.
To reward me, he brought out the race’s most precious heirloom–an ancient treasure said to grant centuries of life–and gave it to me personally.
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Chapter 11
+25 BONUS
I was busy laughing as I teased Reginald for being hopelessly jealous.
We were disrupted by Sheldon’s sudden arrival.
“Princess Celine, there’s something I wish to speak to you about–alone,” he said.
Reginald stepped protectively in front of me. “No.”
A wave of dread swept over me.
Sheldon did not care. “Well, since Reginald refuses to let us have a private discussion, I’ll just say it here.”
He stared at me, eyes dark with twisted obsession.
“Caroline told me that in her previous life, you were my consort. You bore me nine black–finned heirs, which helped me ascend the throne.
“That night, I had a dream that matched her story exactly. If not for her interference, you would’ve married me. I’m willing to welcome you with the highest honors as long as you divorce Reginald.”
The air turned cold.
Reginald froze for a beat, then roared in fury.
He lashed his tail out and slammed Sheldon across the room.
Then, he charged forward and pummeled him with his fists. “You disgusting bastard! Celine is my wife!”
Sheldon’s expression darkened. His tail flicked, ready to strike back, but before he could…
“Kids,” I called out calmly.
Our children, who were playing in the distance, stopped at once. Then, they shot toward us, quick as lightning.
In a heartbeat, they surrounded Sheldon.
Their tails whipped the sea into a frenzy, and then–all at once–they struck.
Though still young, black–finned mer–children possessed terrifying strength.
We had seven of them.
Several of Sheldon’s scales were ripped off in a flash, and blood spilled into the water.
I stepped forward, my gaze cold as frost.
“Then, you should also know that if not for Caroline, I would’ve never chosen you, in this life or the last. You tortured me until I wished for death, and now, you dare to come beg me to carry your children again?
“If you’re truly that delusional, go back and let Caroline share her pills with you. Maybe it can heal your rotted brain.”
