Ball of Nothing

Future husband? The merfolks weren't ready for it. For a moment, it was dead silent with only the waves and wind in the background. However, that silence didn't last too long.

"EH?!" a thunderous uproar from Indra Seagloo sent Jermine into a coma from too much noise. Her s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e heating couldn't handle the commotion, and even Truen felt a splitting headache from afar.

Zero was the only one who remained calm. He was waiting for the great water sprite to show herself. Whenever a potential marriage candidate appeared, she would step out of the shadows and offer them a deal. Zero didn't know what that deal was, but he knew the things he wanted from her.

It took a while, but Queen Leah finally emerged from the huge underwater city. Her appearance left nothing for the imagination, and normally, men would be enchanted by her voluptuous figure at first sight. The water sprite was a drop-dead beauty despite her ancient age. Zero noticed how the same thing happened with Fae King Vivian and Sylvia the Silver Witch. Sprites have ethereal appearances that do not fade with time.

Seeing how unaffected Zero was at her appearance, the queen of Indra Seagloo felt a fire burning in her cold heart. Maybe this was the lover she had been searching for! Unfazed by her beauty and not backing down from her threats, this man had both strength and courage. Not to mention, he was a great elven beauty, probably the best of its kind. Her line of sight immediately travelled down to Zero's legs, and the doctor blinked when he followed her gaze.

"Land dweller, you are very bold. Is this how you show respect to royalty in your motherland?"

Zero shrugged. "I am a nomad. I have no motherland or mother to teach me manners. However, I know that respect is something that should be earned. Your pet destroyed my home, and you have not apologised or compensated me for it. Why should I respect you?"

His words weren't wrong, but they made everyone nervous. Queen Leah wasn't someone who followed common sense. She did whatever she pleased, even at the inconvenience of others. Surely, this new mysterious self-proclaimed future husband was going to die.

They were wrong. Instead of hating this douchebag, Queen Leah smiled a genuine smile for the first time in a decade. Even before reaching this shore to confirm the rumours of a very charming potential King candidate, Queen Leah always thought that this new existence was a very interesting person. Now that she was finally facing him in person, she could see why so many merfolks were fans of this 'sea explorer'.

"Indeed. My pet was in the wrong for destroying your property and putting you in danger. For that, I apologise. As for compensation, what would be appropriate for a nomad?"

Her apology shook the merfolk society. Nobody remembered when Queen Leah last apologised. In fact, some merfolks swore that the great water sprite never apologised. Why should she? She was powerful enough to get anything she wanted, with her romance record being the only thing she repeatedly failed at.

In the Marrissa, Ottley and his crew couldn't believe what they were hearing. Truen blinked and lowered Sureshot. Zero was using Eros' flirting techniques, and while he sounded very much like an asshole for doing what he did, the reaction he received from Queen Leah was something beyond Truen's imagination. He was so worried for his friend back there, but Queen Leah didn't seem to dislike Zero's crudeness. In fact, she lowered herself and put herself on Zero's level to communicate. What kind of magic was this?!

Apart from the two people involved, everyone else was full of tension, not knowing if a war would break out or if blood would be spilt. Zero felt slightly nervous, but Eros' lectures were paying off. Queen Leah didn't look like she hated him. If anything, she was now very curious about him. He should strike when the iron is hot.

He flew over to Queen Leah and returned Sebastian. The sea serpent quickly jumped from Zero's hand onto its owner's shoulder, fl.i.c.k.i.n.g its tongue affectionately against the queen's cheek. Zero deliberately let their fingers mingle for a while when he was giving her pet back. That small physical contact did not go unnoticed by Queen Leah. Zero didn't waste the good mood and asked for his compensation.

"What about the Mermaid's Tear?"

Queen Leah froze. That was something she couldn't easily give. Zero's confident smile made her shrink back a little. This person was dangerous. She met many kinds of lovers in her life but never one as dangerous as this. Sure, he was charming. However, the Mermaid's Tear was something the Fae King entrusted to her. She couldn't give it away so easily.

Zero felt her hesitation. Despite her whimsical nature and a tyrant ruler, Queen Leah still knew her priorities. He was grateful that the keyholders Fae King Vivian entrusted the keys to were all very trustworthy individuals, even if they were all difficult characters.

Instead of accepting Zero's demands, Queen Leah smiled slyly. "I don't know who told you about the Mermaid's Tear or why you want it, but it isn't something I can hand over so easily. Your house isn't worth as much as my Mermaid's Tear. Are you sure you aren't just trying to rip me off?"

The queen spoke facts, and Zero couldn't help but agree. "Indeed. It was my fault for being too greedy. However, I need to have that Mermaid's Tear no matter what. Is there a way I can earn it?"

Queen Leah thought for a while. This man was way too suspicious. He didn't smell like an elf. The transformation magic was also something that defies logic. How can someone with transformation magic put such a powerful curse on her sea serpent? Nothing about this elven hunk made sense.

Deciding that it might be a good chance to keep this threat close to her and uncover more about his identity, the wise sea queen proposed a contract.

"My future husband, what is mine would eventually be yours. You don't have to earn it. However, a lady's happiness is dependent on her man. Won't you prove to me what kind of man you are with a contract marriage trial? If you manage to please me until the end of the contract terms, you can have the Mermaid's Tear. However, if you fail, you will die."

There was no fairness in this proposal, but Zero jumped for joy on the inside. It was exactly what he wanted. Eros also predicted that Queen Leah would create an unfair circ.u.mstance to test his resolve. At this point, she was as good as hooked.

"Why, I must say that you're more shrewd than the bards sing about you. However, I do not dislike a challenge. I shall accept your contract marriage trial. Shall we head back to my ship to discuss the terms and conditions on a magic parchment?"

Queen Leah smirked and allowed herself to be escorted to the Marrissa at the docks.

Truen quickly jumped into the ship and prepared a space for negotiations to happen while setting up a last-minute protection barrier for the crew hiding inside. Zero should have given him a heads-up about this!