As Mera entered the carriage, her eyes fell upon Diana, who lay curled up on one of the seats, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm of slumber. The young mermaid seemed utterly peaceful in her rest, a stark contrast to the trials that faced her in the labyrinth. The Marquess's eyes studied the girl. Dian’s figure became more powerful than she had hoped, the excess fat had been replaced by bulky, tight muscles that made for a sturdy frame. It was this newfound strength that would serve her well in the trials that lay ahead, particularly the daunting Trial of Adaptation.
As Mera gently tucked Diana's hair behind her ear, a pang of guilt tugged at her heart. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had failed in her duties to prepare Diana adequately. Despite the young mermaid's un
