Chapter 415: Princess Mera
Preparation for the Next Wave
"Are those Atlanteans going to come back?"
"If you were them, would you?"
"Of course!"
Luke put down his wine glass and leaned back lazily on the sofa with his hands behind his head. "So, we need to prepare to abandon the ship."
Carol didn't look upset. As long as she was with Luke, any destination was fine. Remembering the captives in the cabin, she couldn't help but chuckle.
"I wonder what kind of skincare products those Atlanteans use. Their skin is so tight and white, it's quite enviable."
Luke was unmoved. "What's so great about fish skin? Someone like you is the best."
The girl rolled her eyes at him. She didn't say it aloud, but she was pleased.
Luke secretly sighed. Carol's love was pure and fervent, but her jealousy was endless. Ever since the Atlantean women came aboard, she had been finding subtle ways to needle him, leaving Luke both speechless and helpless.
It was no wonder the Lantern Beast for the Violet Lantern Corps was the Predator; intense love is, in itself, a form of possession, and calling it "predation" was not far off.
"Are you angry?"
Luke shook his head, pulled her into his embrace, and said,
"We can start planning our next step."
The night was beautiful. A dinner-plate-sized full moon hung in the sky, and its light poured down like molten silver, laying a shimmering, silvery blanket over the deep blue sea.
They say the moonlight is seductive, and the phrase was perfectly apt to describe Princess Mera.
Under the brilliant moonlight, a stunning figure slowly rose. Her bright red hair was like a blooming flame rose. Her face emerged from the water, glowing with a watery sheen. She walked out of the sea, one step at a time, like a mythical Ocean Princess.
A group of Atlantean guards followed close behind, using their tridents to stir up the ocean current, forming a water staircase in the air. One end of the staircase connected to the sea, and the other pointed directly at the yacht.
This method of entrance was unheard of and unseen.
"The important person has arrived."
"Be careful not to give them any openings."
Luke whispered a warning. Carol nodded solemnly, transforming into her battle form, fully prepared.
As the distance closed, the two finally got a clear look at the person riding the water. Even Luke, who was used to grand spectacles, had to admit: she's incredibly beautiful.
Her red long hair gave her a rare, exotic charm. Her features were flawless, perfectly inheriting the best traits of her parents. Her skin was very white, seeming to glow. If the skin of ordinary Atlantean women was white jade, hers was a peeled, tender egg. Her facial features tended toward softness, yet her brow exuded a fearless authority. As for her figure... Luke could only observe it out of the corner of his eye to avoid giving Carol bad ideas.
You watch the scenery from the bridge, and the person watching the scenery watches you from the bridge.
While Luke was appraising the guest, Mera was also quietly appraising them.
Luke was wearing shorts and a casual shirt, his long hair falling loosely, giving him a cynical air. His eyes were deep green, occasionally flashing with an unnerving sharpness.
As for the female warrior beside him, she was sexy and beautiful, and arguably a touch more beautiful than Mera herself.
From their appearances, neither of them looked particularly special.
The two groups stood on the deck, facing each other from a distance.
Suspecting her identity, Luke broke the silence, testing the waters.
"Welcome aboard my ship, guests from beneath the sea."
Mera nodded slightly. "Hello, surface-dweller."
Her American English was standard but sounded rough, as if it hadn't been used for a long time.
Luke and Carol exchanged a look, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes. After all this trouble, they had finally encountered an Atlantean they could communicate with.
Mera raised her hand. The guards fanned out to both sides, forming a crescent formation. A few even took out their weapons, ready for combat.
Luke's expression remained unchanged, and he smiled.
"I am Luke, and this is my lover, Carol. May I ask your name?"
"Mera, from the Kingdom of Xebel, Atlantis."
As expected!
Luke realized this inwardly and continued,
"You've come here for the Atlantean soldiers who attacked me."
"They were acting in self-defense."
Luke laughed. "The battle is over. Whether it was an attack or self-defense is not important. The key is the result: they are in my custody. They have not been forced or interrogated. I can release them, but I have two conditions."
"What are they?"
"First, this matter ends here. You must not take any form of retribution."
Mera frowned, remaining silent for a moment before slowly saying, "And the second?"
Luke asked intently, "Can you agree to this?"
"I can."
"May I inquire about your position?"
"The King of Xebel is my father."
"Ah, Princess. Forgive me."
Luke nodded slightly. Carol, however, frowned. No wonder the grand entrance—she was a princess. To run into a princess while cruising the ocean was terrible luck.
"Since you are the Princess, things are much simpler. This is it: the purpose of our voyage is to travel the world and experience the culture and history of different countries. Could Your Highness be persuaded to show us the unique customs of Atlantis?"
"You wish to go to the seabed?"
"Yes."
Mera's expression immediately became strange. You wounded so many of our people, and you dare to come to the seabed? Are you crazy?
However, that kind of courage was genuinely admirable.
Atlantis had its own pride. Since the other party dared to make such a request, she couldn't immediately refuse. After a moment of contemplation, she slowly said,
"If Maria and the others are unharmed, I can agree to the first condition. As for the second... I apologize, but I cannot decide that. I need to send someone to notify my father."
"No problem. We have plenty of time. If you don't mind, let's talk inside."
Luke gestured an invitation. The guards quickly moved to block the way, whispering something into Mera's ear. She shook her head slightly and followed Luke into the cabin.
Mera was unlike her other people. Her mother died young, and later, for political reasons, she was sent to be raised by Queen Atlanna—the Queen of the most powerful of the seven kingdoms, and the mother of Aquaman Arthur Curry. Atlanna had fallen in love with a human and lived on the surface for several years.
While raising Mera, Atlanna told her many stories about the surface and taught her English. Under this long-term influence, Mera developed a slight yearning for the land and a desire to understand the lives of surface-dwellers.
This was precisely why she volunteered to be a mediator when Atlantis and the US clashed.
Everything about humans was foreign to her: the sofa, the television, the oil painting, the stereo, the potted plants, and so on. Mera curiously looked around the environment. She wanted to ask about the purpose of these items, but held back the words at the tip of her tongue.
Luke snapped his fingers.
"Bring our friends from the storage room up."
Butler No. 1 nodded slightly and headed toward the basement.
Soon, Troy, Miya, and the others were brought into the cabin. Just as Luke had said, there had been no torture or interrogation, though the feeling of being bound by chains was certainly unpleasant.
Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/MistaQuartz
On Patreon, you can explore Extra Chapters in advance!