After they finished eating, the girls vanished, leaving Nikolai alone. He then headed upstairs. Nikolai silently sat in his room, considering his options. He wanted to discuss something with his mother, but he didn’t know how to approach it.

[What’s the matter, Nikolai?]

‘Mother?’

Her voice carried a gentle, yet urgent air, as if she noticed something.

[I know there’s something you want to share. You’ve been a little strange since you came back.]

[Is it related to that girl, the mermaid? Amphitrite, was it?]

His shoulders shuddered, and he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Nikolai didn’t want to discuss this further until he was sure it wouldn’t cause any issues. Yet, the excitement that it could help bring her back drove him half-crazy with impatience.

‘Mom… do you remember when I swore to help you get another body?’

The pale pink figure of his mother hovered behind the sofa with both hands ‘touching’ his shoulders. When he spoke about a body, her figure fizzled and buzzed.

[I do.]

[Is there an issue, or have you discovered it’s impossible?]

Nikola didn’t intend to make his mother feel this way, but the sound of her desolate voice made his heart ache.

‘No! It’s not that at all. In fact, I may have found a way.’

He felt the weight on his shoulders lift as she floated away from him. It no longer mattered if there might be an issue. Since she was his mother, Nikolai would tell her everything.

If he couldn’t trust her, who could he trust?

[So, what did you find?]

She asked in a calm voice, but Nikolai knew better. He sensed the underlying emotion and excitement in her words.

‘I’m sure you’ve noticed the girls have been acting strange lately, especially because of that woman, the mermaid Amphitrite.’

[I did, but wanted to wait for you to explain about the new woman… who clearly carries your scent]

“Haha…” He couldn’t help but laugh to himself before he sighed and leaned back against the sofa. Her phantom hugged his back. The sensation didn’t exist, but he could feel the cool, slightly misty feeling of her ghostly form.

‘She’s an artificial hybrid… rather, she might even be something more special than me because her body is the mixture of over five races.’

His mother remained silent, but he continued speaking.

‘Her blood contains the essence of multiple species, including human, vampire, werewolf, mermaid, and possibly even others.’

[I don’t understand. What does it have to do with me?]

That’s when he bit his lower lip before telling her everything.

Nikolai told his mother about the tower, the things he found, observed, and believed might have happened, and his and Ivan’s hypothesis.

He explained how ancient humans created the tower to protect themselves from monsters and create superhumans that could fight them. Finally, he told her about the experiments performed on the twin bodies and how they became a hybrid.

[Such horrible experiments, then, the girl’s souls are gone?]

‘Sadly, because of the horrific experiences, it seems their minds broke and collapsed, but their bodies remained strong, stored in the dying tower.’

He paused for a moment, then looked up at the ceiling and spoke in a clear voice.

‘But I believe we can use her body as a vessel for your soul!’

[Because you did the same for that Mermaid.]

[It’s difficult to believe that annoying woman in the tower is now inside that body and flirting with my son!]

Nikolai learned from his mother that she also fought against Amphitrite decades ago, but the fight was unrelated to her pearls or that kind of perverted act. Even Ivan and the rest of her clan’s males didn’t have to do that.

‘That woman was just playing tricks on me!’

He complained while covering his face.

‘Anyway, I want to ask you if you’re willing to try this method.’

He sat up straight and turned toward his mother’s translucent figure. Before he focused on the body, he flicked his hand through the air, and suddenly, the books and information from the experiment appeared on the table.

“This is the data for the experiment and other important documents from the lab room.”

His mother floated over the table and stared at the documents.

‘Originally I wanted to read these documents with dad, to find a way to perfect the ceremony and monitor Amphitrite to ensure this would be a permanent and safe method of giving you a second life.’

[I see… my son really loved me this much.]

Her words confused Nikolai, so he questioned her.

‘Didn’t you know I already promised to restore your body, and life?’

Her shadow flickered, gazing back at him, before her warm and gentle voice filled his ears.

[Of course I know, but I thought you were just saying that because you felt bad for me. I never thought… that you would succeed!]

She chuckled, making Nikolai frown.

‘Mother, I may have said those words to comfort you, but I meant every word.’

Nikolai didn’t want her to wait, but he also refused to rush things. First, he wanted his mother to know everything so she could make her own decision. If she asked to return now, he would have her return; he would only take action based on her choice and desires.

‘I’ll leave you alone for a while to think about it. You can look through all the documents here and decide for yourself whether you want to go through with it or not.’

[Okay Nikolai, thank you. You’re the best son a mother could ask for.]

‘I could do better, but I won’t stop trying, Mom.’

It felt awkward to remain in his room, somehow thinking his presence might change his mother’s choice, so he headed to the main mansion, wanting to meet with his father.

The two guards outside his room bowed respectfully as he passed by them, but he ignored their greetings and walked downstairs. As soon as he stepped out into the hallway, he heard someone call out to him.

“Nikolai!”

He glanced over his shoulder and saw Amphitrite, in her maid outfit, skipping towards him. Her face brightened like a child who had just received a gift.

“Where are you going?”

“Just looking for my dad. Do you know where he is?”

Amphitrite shrugged her shoulders before moving closer, like a shark hunting her prey. The new maid wrapped her arms around Nikolai’s, pressing her chest against him.

“I don’t know, but I can help you find him!”

She batted her long eyelashes, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Nikolai sighed heavily, gently pulling away from her embrace. But she was like an octopus, gluing herself to him tighter when he pulled away. He gave up and let her cling to him as they walked together.

***

In the mansion, Nikolai found Ivan in the living room, reading a book. When he noticed Nikolai approaching, Ivan closed the book and set it aside, then stood up to greet him.

“Son, I know you like women, but this maid—wait, who is this?” Ivan’s eyes narrowed. His silver pupils shone as his aura exploded, spreading through the room and weighing down on their shoulders. “Explain what she is, Nikolai!”

Ivan glanced at Amphitrite, who still clung to Nikolai’s arm. Although her maid outfit made her appear harmless, Ivan sensed something strange about her.

Not just her mixed and distorted scent, but the strange feeling of danger that came from her body made Ivan aggressive.

“Wait dad, it’s not.”

“Quiet, let her explain! Why are you beside my son!”

Nikolai tried to intervene, but Ivan silenced him. He wanted to hear Amphitrite’s explanation directly.

Amphitrite remained calm, unfazed by Ivan’s intimidating aura.

“It seems that little boy who cried on the tenth floor, while his wife fought bravely, has grown up and begun acting like a real man.”

She smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

“What did you say?”

Ivan’s voice grew even colder, and his aura intensified, causing the nearby furniture to tremble.

“Did you forget? I am sure that Elizabeth would remember how my sisters and I defeated you.”

“…”

His eyes narrowed as he observed the young woman, unable to remember such a face. Then he looked at Nikolai as if searching for answers. He noticed her gills and mermaid ears, and suddenly, memories resurfaced.

A shameful memory, where he lost to a woman in close combat for the first time.

“How can it be, you are?”

He couldn’t believe his own words, but the proof was right there in front of him.

“Yes, I am Amphitrite, queen of the mermaids.”

Amphitrite’s lips curled into a triumphant smile, savouring Ivan’s shock and disbelief. She enjoyed seeing the once-fierce opponent reduced to a state of confusion.

“I will not harm your son, nor anyone else unless they provoke me first.”

Ivan stared at her, his eyes full of suspicion.

“Plus, we have already confirmed the ‘Vow’ and I cannot hurt him or his loved ones.”

The moment she mentioned the world vow, Ivan’s face became pale. He looked at Nikolai with an expression as if he had lost faith in the world.

“Son. I know you like women, but please tell me you didn’t accept this damn fish as your wife!?”

“No! Of course not! She’s just joking!”

Nikolai quickly defended himself, explaining that he didn’t consider Amphitrite as his wife. He believed the vow was a means to ensure peace between them.

But he didn’t convince Ivan. He knew Amphitrite wouldn’t joke about such a thing.

“This is complicated,” Ivan muttered, before sitting down and letting out a long sigh. “Whatever, just be careful. I don’t care anymore.”

“I will,” Nikolai replied, nodding his head in agreement.

“But I’m curious, why are you so interested in my son? What do you gain from being with him?”

Amphitrite looked stunned at Ivan’s sudden question as she froze on the spot. Her cheeks turned pink, and her scales became dark blue.

“Oh? Has my son managed to charm a mermaid… how skilled.” Suddenly, Ivan’s mood improved, as he patted Nikolai’s shoulder, and gave a thumbs up. “You damn playboy, what will we do if your mother finds out about this?”

“Uh, yeah, what would I do?”

Nikolai’s lips curled into an awkward smile. He looked at Amphitrite, who seemed to enjoy the attention. She smiled at Ivan and winked playfully.

“You should be proud of your son, he managed to conquer a mighty Mermaid Queen. Body and Mind, with little effort.”

“As expected of my son!”

“So, Nikolai, what did you want to speak about?”

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“Oh, that.” He intended to tell his dad about the method, but for now, he wanted to honour his mother’s choices, so he remained quiet. “It’s nothing—I just missed you.”

Ivan didn’t look convinced, but he would never ask too much. Instead, he nodded, then opened his mouth wide with shining eyes and said, “Oh yeah, I forgot, but you and your girls were invited to a special Gala ball.”

“A gala?”

“Yes, it’s a formal event hosted by the Nosferatu family, I believe you wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. So, did your old man do well getting us the tickets for our family?”

“Of course, dad, you’re the best.”

“That’s my boy!” Ivan exclaimed, patting Nikolai on the back.

“When is it?”

“In a few weeks, so make sure to prepare yourself and your harem of little beauties.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep