Note: Thanks to my artist, CopperCrane2 for inspiring a detail for two characters and encouraging my ethnicity choice for them.

The sun was beginning to go down and after Kǎi thanked everyone for a hard day's work, Ai made sure to come up to him so that she could whisper to him that she told Mei about them and their new relationship because she and Mei were best friends and she hoped that it was fine with him. Fortunately, it was fine with him because Ruǎn yù knew about the feelings he had for her even though he didn't confirm it at the time.

Oh great, it looked like it would be tough keeping any forbidden relationship a secret within the group. It wasn't like it was a bad thing that Ruǎn yù had a feeling that she and Kǎi liked each other but it was kind of embarrassing… Was she really that easy to read?!

Speaking of Ruǎn yù, the brunette merman swam up towards them just to remind Kǎi that he would let him know what the stars said in regards to the flood.

Kǎi nodded. "I appreciate it."

Ruǎn yù smirked "I guess you ended up taking my advice after all ey Kǎi?"

Ai flushed since she knew Ruǎn yù was aware about Kǎi's feelings and asked "W-What advice?!"

Ruǎn yù winked "It's a secret between men."

The group said their farewells and Kǎi flew up to the heavens and headed towards the realm of the Moon where Yue Lao was expecting him, overjoyed that he finally decided to listen to his heart and be with his destined lover.

This time, the group of merpeople made a pit stop at the Temple of the Azure Dragon so that Mei could let the junior priestesses know that she would officially return to the temple later in the night.

When Mei entered the room where the twin junior priestesses would be, she saw that they had transformed into red and purple Siamese fighting fish and swam quickly towards her. Preeda and Dawe had originated from the Gulf of Siam but was blown towards the Yellow Sea and chose to become junior priestesses under her supervision and stay in the Yellow Sea. Perhaps they transformed into those fish as a reminder of their homeland aside from using those forms to help the guards protect the temple at times. They had once told her how they had swum into the nearby river next to the gulf they lived in, saw those fish in the river, and learned to shapeshift into those beautiful fish.

"Dawe, Preeda, did you eat dinner yet?"

The two Siamese fighting fish resumed their original forms as mermaids and said in unison "No, we were waiting for you."

Mei had expected this to happen. They usually ate dinner together.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting girls but tonight, just eat without me. I have something I wish to discuss with the Queen tonight so I fear I will be late."

The girls lowered their heads and replied glumly. "Yes…"

Mei smiled "It's only for tonight. Do not wait for me to return and go to bed on time."

"Yes." The girls replied in unison and soon after Mei bade a farewell, she left the temple and rejoined the group before they started swimming towards the palace. When they entered the dining room, they saw that the Queen had sat there waiting while the dishes had been spread out over the table, still warm as it was just made recently, and waiting for their return.

The entire group was stunned and bowed as they spoke in unison. "Good evening, Your Majesty."

Queen Ning simply raised a hand as she said, "At ease." She looked at the High Priestess. "Mei, how good of you to join us."

The priestess bowed in response.

Queen Ning then looked at Yìngyù and smiled. "And you must be one of the temple guards. I've seen you accompany Mei before."

Yìngyù bowed and straightened his back as he said "Yes, Your Majesty. My name is Yìngyù."

Queen Ning tilted her head downwards. "Yìngyù, I shall remember your name."

Although the blonde merman was aware that she was being friendly, he felt a slight chill because he knew that if his secret affair with Mei was discovered, he would surely be doomed by the Queen herself.

"Please make yourselves comfortable."

And soon after, the group began sitting down at the Queen's behest.

"I simply wanted to join you all for dinner tonight because starting tomorrow, I will be entering seclusion for ten days."

No one dared to gasp in the presence of Queen Ning, but their wide-eyed stares were enough to communicate their surprise.

Queen Ning added "I would not be surprised if the others have told you, Mei and Yìngyù, that I have used my powers to erect a barrier around the palace. It has used up a lot of power so I will need to seclude myself to regain those powers. I will not be taking any food or drink during that time, so I plan to satiate myself tonight in preparation for those days." She held up her hand. "Please, let us all eat."

It was a startling sensation having the Queen join them during dinner for the first time, but the food was so delicious that the group couldn't help but find themselves relaxing as they dug in their meal. The Queen made for a good conversationalist, but that fact did not surprise Ai in the least. Another thing that surprised the group to learn about Queen Ning was that she had quite the appetite! Although it was understandable that she had to eat enough to support herself during the ten days of seclusion, it was more than remarkable to see how much she could eat! Dinner seemed to last a long time because of the multitude of dishes Queen Serenity consumed but then she finally finished off her meal with a bowl of seaweed soup.

Queen Ning then smiled as she said, "A little swim to the throne room will make for some good exercise, shall we get going then?"

The others smiled as they chimed in unison. "Yes, Your Majesty."

She then stood up which made the others promptly follow in her lead. There were no words said as they swam in the direction of the throne room.

Once the Queen sat down on her silver clamshell throne, the group made their report. Ai reported that she was making conversation with Kǎi but neglected the part that she had decided to start a romance with the angel which made her feel a pit in her stomach.

Mei then spoke up "Pardon me Your Majesty, I understand that you will have just recuperated your powers after ten days, but I was wondering would you be able to lend us some aid?"