Hearing Shirahoshi's cries, Madame Shyarly pursed her lips.
The last time I saw her, she was only six years old and only about two meters taller than me.
For five whole years, did this child spend it all alone in that Hard-Shell Tower?
The more Madame Shyarly thought about it, the sadder she became for Shirahoshi's fate. So she hugged Shirahoshi's tail tightly, stroking it and comforting her.
"Don't cry, it's all in the past. Come on, come inside with me, I'll make you some coffee."
After she finished speaking, Madame Shyarly looked at Gawain and asked softly.
"Saint Gawain, let's go inside the store. Shirahoshi is your fiancée, yet she's crying like this in public. Don't you feel any pressure...?"
"Cough cough!"
Gawain coughed twice and quickly led the group forward.
At this point, the group entered the Mermaid Cafe. As soon as Shirahoshi stepped inside, hundreds of Merfolk immediately crowded around Shirahoshi.
The Merfolk surrounded Shirahoshi, some of them floating above Shirahoshi head, combing Shirahoshi hair.
Some of them floated behind Shirahoshi, took over Mrs. Charlotte's job, and began stroking Shirahoshi's large tail.
Others leaned close to Shirahoshi's face, gently kneading her cheeks while comforting her and telling Shirahoshi not to keep crying.
Madame Shyarly released Shirahoshi and patted the maid's slender waist, speaking softly.
"Sit down quickly. You're a princess, you know. Crying like this doesn't make you look like one."
Think of Empress Otohime, how strong she was. Remember to learn from your mother.
"Waaaah~, oh?"
Shirahoshi was stunned for a moment, then immediately started crying even harder.
"Waaaaah! When Mom used to get drunk, she would always cry in my arms. She cried so hard, waaaaah!"
"Well..."
Madame Shyarly was speechless for a moment. Five years had passed, and it took her a while to remember.
Although Lady Otohime possessed a resilient character, whenever she suffered a setback, she would get completely drunk and then cry her heart out while intoxicated.
This was no secret on Fish-Man Island; which resident of Fish-Man Island hadn't heard Lady Otohime's cries?
So... something seems off about my example.
Seeing that Shirahoshi's crying was getting worse, Madame Shyarly had no choice but to look at Gawain. Noticing Shyarly's gaze, Gawain nodded and softly called out...
"Shirahoshi!"
Upon hearing Gawain's voice, Shirahoshi immediately stopped crying. She looked at Gawain sadly and asked hesitantly.
"Gawain, you must also dislike people like me who cry all the time, right?"
"How could that be? What I meant was, the crystal ball over there is especially beautiful!"
"Why?"
Upon hearing Gawain mention the crystal ball, Shirahoshi looked over curiously. Near the bar in the Mermaid Cafe, there was a huge seashell.
Inside that open seashell lay a sparkling crystal ball.
Seeing this, Shirahoshi wiped away her tears and murmured softly.
"Isn't that Madame Shyarly's divination crystal ball? I thought it was something new and interesting. Gawain is just trying to fool a child!"
"I'm not comforting a child, I'm comforting you. No one would want you to keep crying."
Gawain said, then waved to Madame Shyarly.
"Madame Shyarly, would you please bring us some snacks and coffee? I also have something I'd like to discuss with you."
After speaking, Gawain beckoned to Gion and Jinbe, and they found a seat next to Shirahoshi.
Seeing Gawain sit down next to her, Shirahoshi curled up shyly, hugging her curled-up tail with her arms, and squinted at Shirahoshi Gawain.
After watching for a couple of seconds, Shirahoshi suddenly became curious. She reached out her right hand and gently stroked Gawain's cheek with her soft fingertips.
"Gawain, it's strange. Why do you always seem to be smiling, but I don't think you're happy at all?"
At this point, Shirahoshi couldn't help but poke Gawain's cheek with her fingertip.
Gawain's head was poked to the side by the girl. As he tilted his head, he rolled his eyes helplessly and kept reminding himself.
She is Poseidon, she is an important tool, and she is still a child!
Something's not right. Why am I suddenly getting a little angry?
So Gawain took a deep breath and continued to persuade himself.
She's Merfolk, a Mermaid Princess, and she's incredibly beautiful!
"Call..."
Gawain let out a sigh of relief.
I'm not upset anymore, not at all.
Only then did Jinbe, who had been stunned into silence, finally come to his senses.
"Princess Shirahoshi, mind your manners! Your manners are impeccable!!"
Before Jinbe could finish speaking, Madame Shyarly, who was carrying coffee, casually handed the cup to Gion.
Then she went to Jinbe's side and, with a warm, aunt-like smile, began to persuade him.
"Alright, Jinbe, what etiquette? I only see the intimate interaction between a young girl and a young boy. How romantic."
"What kind of coffee does Saint Gawain like? Would you like some milk foam? It's all made with milk squeezed by our beautiful Merfolk!"
"Puff!"
The moment Shyarly finished speaking, Gion, who was standing next to her, suddenly spat out the coffee in her mouth, and the white milk foam mark was clearly visible on her lips.
Seeing this, Madame Shyarly twisted her waist, and with a flick of her sapphire blue tail, she arrived beside the Gion.
After wiping the milk stains from Gion's lips, Madame Shyarly smiled.
"They personally squeezed the Sea Beast Milk! Gion- san's reaction is too exaggerated. Even if it's Merfolk milk, we've all drunk it when we were kids."
"Cough cough, it's just hot, hehe..."
Gion pursed her lips, then turned to look at the window. For a moment, she didn't dare to look back at Gawain's expression.
Gawain, of course, wouldn't laugh at Gion's overreaction. He glanced around and casually said to Madame Shyarly.
"Alright, madam, stop teasing my chief bodyguard. Just give me a cup of your best coffee, thank you for your trouble."
But before the coffee arrives, let's talk about business.
"Of course, whatever you say, Saint Gawain."
Shyarly smiled and nodded, then waved her hand behind her.
"Keimi, have some more Clear Algae Coffee. Shirahoshi used to love this flavor the most."
"Yes, Madame Shyarly."
At the distant bar, the mermaid girl with short green Merfolk waved confidently before quickly getting ready.
While the coffee was being prepared, Madame Shyarly sat down next to Gion, rested her hands on the table, and asked Gawain with a smile.
"So, let's get down to business. What does Your Excellency wish to have divined?"
"What I wanted to divine, you've probably already divined, haven't you, Shyarly?"
Gawain shook his head and tapped the table lightly with his index finger.
"You can tell me the results of your divination at any time, but before that, I want to ask you your own opinion on everything that happened last night."
"My opinion?"
Shyarly pursed her lips and continued to smile.
"I don't have any opinion. Saint Gawain is very gentle. Princess Shirahoshi will be very happy in the future, right?"
"Hmm~, Madame Shyarly, I don't care about any of that, happiness or anything like that, eh~!"
Shirahoshi was so embarrassed by Shyarly that she moved swiftly and darted to other booths in the distance.
With her large tail coiled around the booth, Shirahoshi arched her slender, fair waist, hiding her flushed face behind the seat.
Seeing this, Gawain smiled with amusement. Although this world was full of all kinds of suffering, the people here were much more interesting than before he transmigrated.
But being funny isn't a force worth relying on, so after Gawain, Gawain immediately continued to ask Shyarly.
"You know that's not what I'm asking, Madame Shyarly."
You should be able to understand that my actions last night unilaterally determined the future fate of Fish-Man Island.
After I say those words, Fish-Man Island will surely establish the close connection between Fish-Man, and the land that Otohime dreamed of.
You must have consulted the oracle countless times last night regarding this matter.
So now, can you tell me how you plan to view the future I've brought to Fish-Man Island?
Especially after considering the results of your divination?
Or to put it more bluntly, in your divination, what did you see me bring to Fish-Man Island?
Have you seen me in your divination?
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain still wore a deep smile, but a rare sense of nervousness crept into his heart.
He wanted to know what would happen after he, who had never lived in the Pirate World before, was suddenly thrust into the fate of that Pirate World.
Can a fortune teller like Shyarly see herself reflected in the lines of fate?