Chapter 710 Policies and Bubbles (1/2)
"Why hesitate now?" Lucien's words echo in Maya's mind.
Because you are a Demon?
Because you are too ambitious?
Because being with you is so dangerous?
Maya thinks of many reasons not to accept Lucien's proposal, but the simple fact that her body remembers how safe she felt in his arms undermines any of those arguments.
She has been alone for so long, even when she was leading the Rising Phoenix Clan with Layla and Kayla, even when she was with Nea...
Because no one could share the burden of immortality with her.
But what about Lucien? Could he share everything with her? After all, that is the foundation of a soul contract.
A part of Maya really wants to accept Lucien's proposal, to throw herself into his arms and embark on the greatest adventure of her existence.
But that is not an easy choice, and Lucien understands it very well. That's why he smiles friendly at her. "You need time to think, I know."
"Thank you." Maya thanks him, not only for Lucien giving her time but especially for giving her such an option.
He nods at her. "But don't forget that we don't have much time. I don't know about the Fire God's ability to find you, but I don't want to give the Leviathan a chance to do something."
Before Maya can say anything, Lucien smiles at her again. "We'll leave in a few days, and with or without a Soul Contract, our chances are better together."
"Mm." Maya agrees with Lucien.
However, three other women are dissatisfied with his ultimatum about the time until he leaves the Blue Star.
"Just a few days?" Saria is the first to complain.
Mira and Nea don't like that either, but they know that Lucien is doing what he believes is best for their races.
And of course, he cannot neglect his other objectives to stay on the Blue Star indefinitely.
Lucien gives a loving look to Saria and walks over to her. He sits between her and Claire and brings both girls into his embrace.
"I really wish I could stay longer. After all, I made a pact with Nea and Mira to take care of the Nagas and Mermaids," he explains. "But precisely for that reason, I cannot put them in danger with my presence here."
"But-" Saria tries to complain, but Lucien rubs his nose against her cheek, making her blush.
"It's not just about the Leviathan, but also about the Fire God," he speaks in a concerned tone. "I cannot put our people in danger... maybe a few days already is too risky."
"..." Saria doesn't say anything and simply enjoys Lucien's caresses.
Nea has a concerned expression on her face, but she doesn't try to separate them.
Mira, on the other hand, has something to say. "Lucien, I... I don't need to ask Kamala to know that she will follow you wherever you go, but I..."
"You have to stay here now, I understand," he speaks in a gentle tone and looks at Nea. "The Nagas need their Queen just as much as the Mermaids."
"Lucien is right," Nea voices her thoughts. "We fought hard to defeat Tyrion, we cannot make such mistakes now."
Everyone agrees with Lucien, but Claire feels her heart break as she sees the sadness in Saria's eyes. "This is so unfair!"
Lucien smiles as he sees that his sister still cares deeply for Saria despite the rivalry that has also emerged between them.
"This is not a goodbye," he speaks as he kisses the forehead of the beautiful Mermaid Princess. "I simply don't have the power to stay here now, and I need to go to other places, but the Blue Star is certainly one of the places I want to call home in the future."
Lucien's words make Mira and Nea smile, but it also makes Saria more certain of what she wants.
Her intentions become clear as she looks at Nea, still keeping a hand on the hilt of the Ghost Lady in her sheath. "Mother..."
Nea sighs. "I won't stop you if that's what you want."
"Really?" Saria is happily surprised. She expected her mother to be more resistant to that idea.
"Yes." Nea nods. "Just don't stay away from home for too long..."
"That won't be a problem." Lucien comments as he embraces Saria even tighter.
Saria's smile becomes even brighter. "Thank you, Mom! I won't just wander around aimlessly, but I will seek a way to help Kaisa, to make our family and people stronger."
Saria's determination is truly remarkable. Unlike Kamala, who has certainly joined the group of girls like Mia, the Mermaid Princess is very hardworking and has noble goals such as helping her sister and becoming a great Queen one day.
The laughter of Saria and Claire quickly turns the atmosphere festive in the large pool, but Lucien still doesn't allow himself to completely relax.
He knows he will have to leave soon, so he wants to use the remaining time on the Blue Star to help Mira and Nea bring some order to their Kingdoms.
"That matter is settled..." Lucien looks at Nea and Mira. "We will talk about our people and an alliance."
Nea and Mira exchange thoughtful glances. Inside that pool, they can be friends, two women who share a Soul Contract with Lucien.
But outside, they are representatives of their races, millions of people scattered throughout the Blue Star. So, they cannot help but act politically on behalf of their people.
Lucien doesn't enjoy the political aspect of ruling, but he is willing to tolerate it for the sake of his wives.
"Much harm has been done to my people, so much reparation is necessary," Nea is the first to speak.
Mira can't help but feel sorry for the Mermaids, but before she says anything, Lucien speaks first.
"First, we need to clarify some things," he speaks in a neutral tone. "Not all Nagas are the same. I have seen for myself how their citizens were treated in the Naga Capital, brutalized by Tyrion's loyal servants, prisoners in their own home."
Nea can see the sadness and remorse in Mira's eyes once again. The Mermaids suffered greatly from the Naga attacks, but their situation was not good in the Naga Kingdom either.
It is impossible for Mira and Nea not to feel empathy for each other, which makes their cooperation very easy and natural.
"My people can understand that and they won't hold any grudges against those Nagas," Nea declares.
Mira smiles and nods amicably. "Thank you."
Nea also nods, but her expression turns stern again. "Still, something must be done for all the Mermaids who were tortured and killed by cruel Nagas."
Before Mira expresses her opinion on that, Lucien asks a question. "Most of the Nagas loyal to Tyrion died in the battle, right?"
"Not all." Mira responds. "About two hundred thousand Naga troops did not accept my leadership and only surrendered when they saw Tyrion kill Tanu."
"We can't trust people who are not loyal to their Queen," Nea quickly comments.
Lucien doesn't disagree with that, but there is no easy way to ask Mira to kill two hundred thousand Nagas, especially after so many have already died during the battle.
But Mira doesn't want to have more regrets, so she tries to strengthen her heart and be as fair as possible. "I agree with Nea, they are not trustworthy."
"Wait." Lucien is glad that Nea and Mira are getting along, but he can't help but find that decision a mistake.
"We have just finished a war, the bodies of so many dead are still being removed from the water... how can sentencing two hundred thousand people to death be something good?" He voices his concerns.
"That is not good," Nea comments.
"But it is necessary," Mira concludes.
Lucien sighs. "Look, you both understand much more about leading entire races than I do, but this will start another bloodbath."
Mira and Nea ponder on that and quickly turn their attention back to Lucien. "What do you suggest then?"
"Well..." Since he denied their alternative, he needs to come up with one himself.
He thinks of something. "Why don't we try to have a fair judgment?"
"How?" Mira and Nea ask at the same time.
Lucien quickly explains his idea. "Since Mermaids have the incredible ability to sense the intentions of others, you can simply put those Nagas together with other vulnerable Mermaids, and Nea can tell if they still have hostile intentions..."
"Then, Nea reports to Mira, who can give a fair judgment to each of those Nagas, whether it's forgiveness or death," he concludes.
Nea and Mira ponder on Lucien's words. His plan is simple but functional.
And even though it will take a long time for them to judge each of those two hundred thousand Nagas, it would avoid a bloodbath and be a fair outcome.
The best part is that since Nea will read the intentions of each of those Nagas, the Mermaids will trust her judgment.
And as Mira will be the one to give the sentence, she can be both merciless or forgiving, and no Naga will feel that it is an act of revenge from the Mermaids.
The Naga Queen can't help but smile at Lucien. "You deserve a reward for such a good idea."
Lucien knows what kind of reward Mira is imagining, but he is surprised to hear Nea agreeing. "It really is a great idea."
This content is taken from fr(e)ewebn(o)vel.𝓬𝓸𝓶