Crownless Reincarnation: New World? Nah I'd win-Chapter 83: Date a Live [3]

For the first time in a long while, Akamir was in true shock.

"...No way in hell."

He mumbled, looking at her smiling face.

"You’re a mermaid?"

She tilted her head. "Half."

Akamir took a shaky breath. "That would’ve been nice to mention before dragging me into the water."

Inara laughed softly, the sound light and warm like a bell.

"Did her voice become even more soothing to listen to?"

Akamir wondered, staring at her.

"People don’t believe impossible things unless they see it. I thought you’d handle it better."

"I think I’m handling it fine," he muttered, trying to keep his voice even. "I’m just... reevaluating my life choices."

She swam closer, her movements graceful, effortless. The water barely moved around her.

"And?" she asked, resting her arms on a mossy rock by the river’s edge.

Akamir looked at her again—really looked.

The way her hair floated around her like a halo, the glint of sunlight on her tail, the peace in her expression.

It wasn’t just beautiful.

It was something... otherworldly.

"I think," he said slowly, "I’ve officially seen everything now."

"You haven’t." She smiled mysteriously. "Not even close."

Akamir raised a brow. "Is this where you tell me you also have wings?"

"No," she laughed. "But I can breathe underwater."

"That’s... okay, that’s actually cool."

"Want to see?"

Akamir hesitated. "You want me to go under? With you?"

She nodded, eyes bright. "Just for a moment."

He took a breath, glanced once behind him. frёeωebɳovel.com

Like he was making sure no one would see him doing something this stupid.

He took in a deep breath and stepped forward.

"I swear," he muttered, "if I drown, I’m haunting you."

"Noted," she grinned, then reached up and took his hand.

Her fingers were cold and soft and strong, and before he could second-guess himself, she pulled him under.

The river closed around them.

And Akamir saw everything.

The world below the surface wasn’t dark—it was glowing.

Small lights drifted between the weeds like fireflies.

Fish darted between their feet, glowing faintly blue.

Inara’s hair floated around her like ink in water, and her tail shimmered with every movement.

She moved easily, spinning once in a lazy circle before tugging him deeper.

And even though he should have panicked, he didn’t.

He could breathe.

He wasn’t sure how.

But as long as she was holding his hand, the panic didn’t come.

Only wonder at what actually was happening.

When they surfaced again, Inara leaned back, laughing softly as she floated beside him.

"You didn’t drown," she said.

"Yeah," Akamir panted, blinking water from his eyes. "But I definitely wasn’t expecting a mermaid reveal on a casual walk."

"You said you wanted to know me."

"Yeah, but I didn’t realize you meant all at once."

She swam closer again, just enough for their shoulders to touch. "You’re still here."

"I am," he said. "And I’m starting to think you’re the dangerous one in this relationship."

Inara smiled. "You’ll live."

Akamir looked at her, soaked and speechless, and gave a short laugh.

"I better," he said. "I still haven’t shown you my weird side yet."

"Oh?" she teased. "Are you secretly part dragon?"

"...No."

"Then it’s not going to top this."

Akamir rubbed his chin. "Maybe or maybe not."

She smiled and swam closer to him. "Do you like what you saw?"

Akamir tilted his head. "Be more specific. I might misunderstand."

She leaned closer with her face inches away from him.

"How can you misunderstand?" She purred. "Be more specific."

Akamir gave her a weird look.

’Is it just me or is she getting more flirty after turning into a mermaid?’

Nayomi, who had been silent for so long, whispered softly.

"It’s in their blood." She replied. "They seduce sailors or any other land creature and get them to the bottom of the ocean to eat them."

Akamir’s eyes widened. "You are a cannibal?"

Inara frowned. "What? No!" She glared at him. "Do I look like one?"

Akamir shook his head with a sigh. "How are you even a fucking mermaid?"

"My great-grandmother was a mermaid who fell in love with a human." She replied, looking at him. "My grandmother a half, so was my mother and then me."

"And nobody got to know about it?" Akamir asked, tilting his head.

"You can only know a person is a mermaid if they tell you. There is no exception." She explained. "We are practically like every other race but with the ability to change our legs."

"...I see."

Akamir mumbled, giving her a long look.

"What?"

"I have a really important question to ask." He replied, scratching his cheek. "But I don’t know if I should ask."

"Just ask away."

Inara blinked at him, her expression curious now instead of teasing.

Akamir rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly nervous. "Alright, how do you guys even reproduce?"

There was a beat of silence.

Then Inara stared at him like he’d grown a second head.

"...Seriously?"

"I said it was an important question!" he defended quickly, raising his hands. "I mean, you have a tail! And I see no puss—?"

Inara smiled and suddenly closed the distance between them.

She leaned closer to his ear. "Why don’t you touch it and find it yourself?"

Akamir leaned slightly back, his eyes catching a glimpse of her sky-blue panty floating on the side.

"...I am fine." He replied, shaking his head. "I am better off not knowing it."

She smiled as she gently grabbed his hands once again.

"Let me take you somewhere special."

Akamir frowned. "Are you going to eat me now?"

She grinned, slightly biting her lips. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking it?"

’Is she doing this on purpose?’

If she is, then it’s definitely working.

She intertwined his fingers with her own as she dived along with him.

Akamir once again found himself under the water surrounded by a school of fish.

’What a weird fiancée I have.’

He thought, glancing at Inara.

She looked back at him and smiled brightly.

Akamir barely had time to adjust before everything around him shifted again.

It was like the water itself bent and cracked, the way light shatters through broken glass.

He blinked.

One second they were in the river, the next, the world changed.

A city stretched out below them, encased in a glowing dome.

The buildings shimmered with coral colors and strange architecture, twisted and elegant like it was shaped by the sea itself.

"What the hell..." he muttered, glancing around.

Inara smiled, her fingers still locked with his. "It’s Atlantis."

He looked at her. "You’re joking."

She shook her head.

"This is what’s left of it. Hidden, protected... and still alive even after years of struggle."

"And you just... brought me near this place?"

"Don’t worry. They won’t be able to sense you here, and I haven’t brought anyone here." Her smile turned softer. "I trust you."

"Damn," he exhaled, trying to take it all in. "I don’t even trust myself half the time."

She chuckled. "Then it’s a good thing I trust you."

They floated closer to the dome, the lights reflecting off their skin.

Akamir glanced at her again, trying to keep his mind focused, he moved closer only to feel a sudden underwave.

’The fuck!?’

He quickly grabbed onto Inara, not to get swept with the current.

’Hm?’

He squeezed the soft thing that he was holding on.

Then he realized something.

His hand had slipped... straight onto her chest.

He froze. "That wasn’t on purpose, I swear—"

Her eyes narrowed, even underwater. "Really?"

"Yes! I didn’t even—."

She didn’t let him finish.

Instead, she grabbed him by the collar and yanked him close, eyes still narrowed.

Then, without a word, she pressed her lips to his.

Akamir felt her cold lips on him.

The kiss was deep, firm, and unrelenting.

There was nothing gentle about it.

Her grip on him tightened as if daring him to pull away, and he didn’t.

He wrapped his hands around her waist and pulled her closer.

When she finally pulled back, they both hovered there, barely moving.

The only sound was the muffled beat of her heart in his ears.

"What was that for?" he asked, looking at her.

Inara tilted her head. "For grabbing my breast."

"I told you it was an accident."

"I know." She smirked. "But I still wanted to do it."

Akamir blinked, unsure whether he was supposed to be offended or thrilled.

"You’re dangerous," he muttered.

"And you’re slow," she said, intertwining their hands again. "Now stop being weird and come with me. There’s more to see."

"...More than Atlantis?"

She smiled. "Way more."