The Mermen's Bride

"I'm a doctor. I'll be gentle. Let me check."

Gigi pressed her lips into a thin line, watching as he held her foot and carefully unfastened the straps. His hands were soft and steady, making sure not to hurt her further.

Silence settled over them, with only the night breeze whispering in their ears. Stray strands from her low bun swayed gently, carried by the wind — just like the faint scent of his cologne.

"..." Gigi gazed at him quietly, then lowered her eyes to her foot. Even now that the straps were off of her skin, the instant relief was brief. 

"This is…" Sevan trailed off as he looked up, searching for her gaze. "This is not fine."

With the heels on, only the redness had been visible. But now that he had removed them, it was clear the straps hadn't just grazed her skin — her skin had started to peel. It was shallow, but it would only grow more painful if she continued walking in them.

Not to mention the blisters on the bottoms of her toes. They were red and tender, as were her heels.

Worry swirled in his eyes. "It must have hurt."

Gigi forced out an awkward smile. "It's not that bad," she said, but he raised his brows at her in response.

"Fine," she huffed faintly. "It hurts. Just a bit, but it's far from the stomach."

Sevan exhaled and carefully placed her foot on top of her discarded heel, then began removing the other. It was just as bad — no surprise, considering she'd walked in them for thirty minutes straight.

When he finished, he rested her foot on his knee.

"You should rest these for a while," he said, looking up at her again. "I don't have anything on me to treat them, but I strongly advise against wearing those heels anymore."

"I agree." Gigi nodded obediently. "I'll just go barefoot."

Sevan's brows shot up. Seeing his reaction, she tilted her head.

"What?" she asked.

"Walking barefoot with those injuries might cause an infection. I'll carry you back."

"Doctor Sevan, it's fine. It's not going to kill me."

Sevan opened his mouth to argue but stopped. He studied her carefully.

Despite the reluctance in her voice, her eyes revealed something else.

She didn't want him to carry her — not out of embarrassment or pride. Her eyes said something simpler, something clearer.

She just didn't want him to be the one to carry her.

"..." Sevan closed his mouth and nodded. "Then, will you wait here? I forgot my phone, so I'll need to leave you briefly to call someone."

She waved him off. "It's fine, Doctor. I'll just walk."

"Please." He let out a slow breath. "Miss Valentine, you weren't in the best of health even before the accident. Something as simple as this could send you to the hospital. I believe in prevention over cure. If you won't let me carry you, then at least listen to me."

Whatever arguments she had prepared instantly dissolved. His eyes were burning—not with frustration, but with something deeper, something she couldn't place.

Was he really that annoyed she was being stubborn?

Gigi frowned a little, leaning forward until her arms crossed over her knees. "Doctor, I—"

"Young Miss?!"

Her words died in her throat. Both she and Sevan turned toward the distant voice.

"Young Miss?!"

"Bubbles!" Gigi called out. "I'm here!"

"Young Miss!"

The voice grew louder, approaching fast.

Soon, Bubbles appeared with Mr. and Mrs. Valentine in tow, along with a few others. Relief washed over Gigi's face.

Sevan, meanwhile, stayed quiet, observing as Gigi exhaled in visible relief—like she'd finally been saved.

He slowly rose to his feet as they arrived.

"Oh, honey!" Mrs. Valentine rushed over and looked her daughter up and down, the panic still fresh in her eyes. Only when she held Gigi's hand did she finally relax. "I was so worried about you."

Gigi offered an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry."

"It was my fault, Madam and Sir Valentine," Sevan said, bowing his head slightly. "I asked your daughter to walk with me, but we lost track of time."

Mr. Valentine huffed sharply, but then tapped Sevan on the shoulder. "It's alright. We were just worried something had happened. We know our daughter hasn't explored much of the property since coming home."

"..." Sevan kept his eyes low, glancing over at Mrs. Valentine, who was already scolding her daughter. Even Bubbles was chiming in.

But with Gigi's sweet replies and quick smiles, both women melted. Soon, even Mr. Valentine joined the scolding-turned-soft banter. No one paid Sevan any attention anymore.

Not that he sought it, but his eyes remained on Gigi.

Not once since the others arrived had she looked at him.

So it wasn't just discomfort during our walk, he thought. She's avoiding eye contact entirely.

After a while, the Valentine couple turned to Sevan.

"Doctor, thank you for looking after our daughter," Mrs. Valentine said. "She may be a little stubborn, but I'm glad you both are safe."

"It seems we owe you more and more," Mr. Valentine added.

"You owe me nothing," Sevan replied. "If anything, it's my fault for not realizing how much she was struggling in those heels."

"It's not your fault," Gigi spoke up, offering him a reassuring smile.

"Well, let's continue this inside," Mr. Valentine said, signaling a nearby butler. "Please help her."

He turned to his daughter. "They'll have to carry you, alright?"

"Okay," she replied easily, hopping onto the butler's back as he crouched before her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, the blazer still draped over her shoulders.

As the group turned to head back, Gigi glanced over her shoulder at Sevan.

"Thank you for your help, Doctor," she said with a small smile. "I'm okay now."

The others smiled at her words and crowded around her, some guiding the butler carrying her, making sure she had support. Others just made sure to block her back. 

Sevan, on the other hand, stood quietly — watching her be carried away.

I was right, he thought. She didn't mind being carried—just not by me.