Chapter 416: Princess Mera (2)
The Guests and the Grumpy Girlfriend
Including the seriously injured Maria, there were sixteen captured Atlantean female soldiers. All were stripped of their armor, left with only the two scraps of fish-cloth covering their private parts.
Consequently, when they simultaneously appeared in the main cabin, the scene was utterly explosive.
Their sensual bodies were pressed together—some large, some perky, some round, some shapely—a full array of charms.
Carol was simultaneously angry and jealous, her fingers digging and twisting into the small of Luke's back.
"Your Highness, why are you..."
"Put your clothes on first."
The women remained silent, putting their armor back on while glaring at Luke with murderous intent.
Once the armor was donned, the spring scenery in the room vanished. Vice Captain Rola knelt on one knee.
"Apologies, Your Highness. We have disappointed you."
Mera waved her hand. "Wait outside. I have things to discuss with them."
Rola was shocked. "How can that be?"
"It's alright. Go."
Sensing the Princess's strong will, the others couldn't object further. They all exited the cabin and stood guard outside, refusing to move a single step away.
Luke chuckled. "Princess Mera, I've fulfilled your request. What about my conditions?"
"I guarantee, in the name of the Princess of the Kingdom of Xebel, that you will not suffer any retaliation from the Atlantean people because of this incident."
Luke laughed heartily. "Your Highness is truly a woman of her word. By the way, it's dinnertime. Is Your Highness interested in sampling some surface food?"
Mera's eyes lit up. "May I?"
"Of course!"
Before he could finish, Luke's mouth twitched violently. Feeling the ache spreading from his lower back, his expression was helpless.
"No. 1, prepare some food, enough for three people."
Because the "vinegar jar" Carol was present, Luke had to be strictly well-behaved. He answered only what Mera asked, didn't offer any extra information, and played the role of the "honest man" throughout.
Even so, the three chatted happily. After overcoming the initial awkwardness, Mera seemed to open up. She asked about everything like a country bumpkin, and even actively chatted with Carol, discussing the cultural traditions of different races.
She also sensed the beautiful surface woman's hostility toward her, which originated from Luke beside her. This made her feel both amused and baffled. Why would the Princess of the great Kingdom of Xebel be interested in a married man?
But this human man was indeed interesting, able to tolerate his lover's rude behavior.
Everything about the human world was novel to her, and she was eager to understand it. Stripped of her princessly authority, she was merely a child longing to see the world.
Gradually, Carol also let go of Luke's lower back and sat beside Mera.
The three moved to the dining area, where the table was filled with carefully prepared delicacies.
Luke cleared his throat and said, "I wasn't sure if Your Highness could adapt to surface food, so I prepared a little of everything: fried steak, deep-fried shrimp, fruit salad, mushroom broth, spicy grilled wings... sweet, salty, sour, spicy, fried, boiled, cooked, steamed. There's a bit of every style. Your Highness can try them and perhaps find something you like."
"Then I won't be shy."
Mera took a deep breath. The concentrated aroma of various foods rushed into her nostrils. Her somewhat atrophied sense of taste encountered an unprecedented shock, causing her to sneeze.
Carol comforted her.
"Don't force yourself if you can't handle it."
"It's fine."
Mera covered her mouth, looking very embarrassed. "It's the first time smelling these kinds of scents. They're just very strong."
Carol asked curiously, "What do you eat at the bottom of the sea?"
"Fish, shrimp, and various aquatic organisms. Except for hippos."
"Do you eat them raw?"
Mera nodded. She then imitated Luke, picking up a wine glass and cautiously licking it. The red wine flowed down her throat, and the spicy sensation spread outward. Her face quickly flushed, becoming as red as a monkey's bottom.
Luke nearly burst out laughing, and Carol was amused.
The Princess wasn't very old, probably around twenty.
Carol quickly offered her a glass of water. Mera drank while sticking out her tongue.
"Is this wine? It's so spicy."
Luke laughed. "I can tell you don't do well with spice." Saying this, he pushed the fruit salad and fried shrimp closer to her. "Try these two dishes. They should suit your palate."
Mera was half-skeptical. She picked up a piece of fruit and put it in her mouth. The sweet and sour sensation hit her, and her eyes instantly widened.
So delicious!
Was this the fruit Queen Atlanna often spoke of? It was wonderful.
Having found her groove, Mera used both hands, grabbing fruit and stuffing it into her mouth. Her eating etiquette was far from elegant, which was normal. For humans, food was not just about fulfilling physical needs; it was also about culture, etiquette, and tradition.
Atlantis had no such concept. Living year-round beneath the sea, without frying, boiling, or sautéing, the sole purpose of food was to replenish energy.
Carol wanted to remind her, but Luke shook his head at her.
The plate of fruit salad was quickly emptied. Mera then turned her attention to the grilled shrimp nearby. Fish and shrimp were staple foods in Atlantis. Since childhood, she had eaten tens of thousands of them, if not more.
But this was the first time she had seen a shrimp fried until golden, emitting such a unique aroma.
Curious, her movements became cautious. Mera picked up a fried shrimp and took a careful bite.
Crunch!
The skin was crispy, and the fragrant shrimp meat surged over her tongue, bringing a taste sensation she had never experienced.
"Is this still shrimp?"
Mera looked bewildered, wondering if she was tasting the wrong thing.
"How is it done?"
"Coat it in starch and fry it in oil!"
"What is oil?"
"Something used for cooking."
"What is cooking?"
Luke: "..."
Carol smiled. "Just eat for now. I'll explain it slowly later."
With Mera present, the meal was quite entertaining.
Atlanteans had large appetites. The vast majority of the table full of food ended up in Mera's mouth. Luke was curious about how her small stomach could hold so much.
And how do Atlanteans poop at the bottom of the sea?
I wish I could see.
After eating their fill, the three left the cabin. Just as they stepped out, Carol's expression changed.
The deck was crowded with Atlantean soldiers, and countless figures were swimming beneath the water. The entire yacht, along with the surrounding sea, was completely encircled.
Luke didn't seem concerned. He pointed at a tall, heroic middle-aged man nearby who bore a slight resemblance to Mera.
"That must be your father, His Majesty, the King of Xebel, right?"
Mera nodded slightly, signaled for the two to stay back, and approached her father alone.
"Father, please ask the guards to put away their weapons. This is not the hospitality of Xebel."
Nereus looked down at his daughter, frowning slightly when he saw the food residue near her mouth.
"You ate the surface-dwellers' food?"
"Yes, it was a magical taste. You should try it, Father."
"I am not interested in the things of surface-dwellers."
"Mera, you are the Princess of Xebel. You should be responsible for your people, not pursuing the life of foreign races."
Mera lowered her head awkwardly.
Nereus ignored her and walked toward Luke. His head was tilted slightly upward, but his eyes were extremely solemn.
"Strongest of the human world, tell me your name."
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