Chapter 311: Chapter 311 : Decision

[ A few hours ago ]

Deep beneath the surface of the vast ocean, hidden from the eyes of other races, lay the kingdom of the merfolk. Powerful concealment barriers and ancient currents disguised its presence from outsiders.

At the heart of this hidden realm was its capital—Aqualis.

Inside the great coral-forged palace, within a throne room of shimmering blue crystal and flowing water-veils, the Queen of the Merfolk sat upon her throne.

Eleanor Aqualis.

Dozens stood before her—war generals clad in shell and scale armor, seasoned advisers in formal sea-silk robes, and high-ranking nobles with jeweled fins and proud expressions. All of them bowed respectfully as they awaited her words.

Eleanor’s calm gaze swept the room. “What is the situation?”

One of her generals stepped forward, fists pressed to his chest in salute. “Your Majesty,” he began, “it is becoming increasingly difficult for us to trade with other countries. The enemy is lurking in the currents, waiting for the perfect chance to strike our convoys.”

He hesitated.

“I also have a… troubling suspicion.”

Eleanor leaned forward slightly. “Speak your mind.”

“I believe someone has revealed the location of our country to them.”

A sharp intake of breath swept through the room.

“Are you saying,” Eleanor asked slowly, “that we have a traitor among us?”

The general shook his head. “No, Your Majesty. I believe one of the other countries has betrayed us. It could be anyone—the vampires, the elves, the dwarves, the humans… any of them.”

Eleanor’s brows furrowed. “But how? Even they don’t know our current coordinates clearly enough to reveal them.”

“They had an idea,” the general replied. “And I fear someone has been feeding more precise information to our enemies. No matter how well we try to hide now, it’s useless. The attacks on us are becoming more frequent, unrest among our people keeps rising, and our resources are shrinking. At this rate… we won’t last long.”

Grim expressions settled across every face in the hall.

One of her advisers stepped forward next. He was an old merman with long grey hair tied back and eyes that had seen more tides than most could imagine. Despite his age, his back was straight and his presence steady.

This was Ramus Mateo, the Queen’s most trusted adviser.

“Your Majesty,” Ramus said, “there is another matter.”

Eleanor sighed softly. “Don’t tell me it’s more bad news, Ramus.”

Ramus’ lips curled faintly. “That depends on how you choose to see it, Your Majesty.”

“Just say it first,” Eleanor replied.

Ramus inclined his head. “A new king has been crowned in the human empire.”

That caught Eleanor’s attention.

“Tell me,” she said. “Which of Edward’s three children is it? Lucas? Or Charlotte?”

Ramus shook his head. “None of them, Your Majesty.”

He met her eyes. “The new king’s name is Alex. Alex Dragonheart.”

Eleanor froze.

Her fingers tightened around the armrest of her throne. “Are you telling me the truth?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ramus replied. “There is no doubt.”

Eleanor’s mind raced, thoughts flashing like lightning. ’If that boy is alive… everything changes. We must get on his good side. No matter what.’

Ramus watched her carefully, a knowing glint in his eyes. “I can already guess what you’re thinking, my Queen. We have to win that man over to our side, don’t we?”

“Correct,” Eleanor said. “Do you have any ideas on how to do that? Because after we failed to provide the human empire with help… they will not look upon us favorably.”

Ramus stroked his chin thoughtfully. “The only solution I can see…”

Everyone leaned in slightly, holding their breath, waiting for the old man’s verdict.

“Political marriage.”

The throne room went quiet.

Ramus continued, “No matter how I look at it, Alex Dragonheart seems to be our best chance at survival. A political marriage between him and our eldest princess, Vanessa, is the most logical course.”

A younger adviser stepped forward abruptly, outrage clear on his face. His name was Arlo—young, ambitious, and fiercely protective of his people.

“Have you gone senile, Lord Ramus?” Arlo demanded. “Princess Vanessa is our crown princess—the number one contender for the throne—and you want to marry her off to a human we don’t even know we can trust?”

Ramus turned to him calmly. “Young one, for our princess to rule, she needs a country *and* people to rule over. If we lose both, who exactly will she be queen of? The fishes in this ocean?”

Arlo clenched his fists. “That doesn’t mean she has to sacrifice herself by marrying a human!”

“It *does*,” Ramus said firmly, “if that’s what it takes. That is her duty as crown princess—to do whatever is necessary for her people. And besides… the human in question is not some ordinary man you can dismiss so easily.”

—

The debate went back and forth.

Arlo accused. Ramus countered. Nobles whispered among themselves, some agreeing, some protesting. The tension rose like a storm tide.

Then Eleanor’s voice cut through the noise.

“Silence.”

The entire hall went quiet instantly. The authority in her tone was absolute.

“Ramus is not wrong,” Eleanor said. “But I also respect my daughter’s choice.”

She straightened on her throne. “Call Vanessa. Immediately.”

Servants bowed and rushed out.

Minutes later, the massive doors to the throne room opened again.

Vanessa Aqualis entered.

She was clad in battle armor crafted from enchanted coral and hardened scales, fitting her form perfectly without losing grace. A grandmaster (mid)-rank aura radiated from her—strong, sharp, disciplined.

Her crimson hair was tied up in a high, practical ponytail, still flowing freely down her back. Her brown eyes, usually warm, were now focused and serious, carrying the weight of responsibility. Even in heavy armor, her beauty stood out—elegant lines, strong posture, and the confident stride of someone used to both command and combat.

She walked up to the foot of the throne and went down on one knee, head bowed. “You called for me, Mother? I was busy defending our gates.”

Eleanor smiled softly. “Stand, Vanessa.”

Vanessa rose.

“I suppose you already know the dire crisis our country is facing,” Eleanor said.

“Yes, Mother,” Vanessa replied. “I am aware, and I’m working as hard as I can to resolve it.”

“I know that,” Eleanor said. She paused, then asked, “Do you remember the human who recently fought against the cult and their strongest dark contractor, Kyle?”

Vanessa’s eyes flickered for a moment.

“Yes,” she said quietly. “I remember him very well.”

Vanessa’s expression turned thoughtful. “Yes, I remember. I didn’t see the whole fight—we were on high alert at the time—but I heard the reports. They said he fought against multiple beings surpassing even monarch rank.”

Her brows knit slightly. “Then he disappeared after the battle. Everyone presumed he died from his injuries.”

Eleanor smiled faintly. “Exactly.”

She leaned forward on her throne. “So… what if I told you he’s alive? And that I am trying to arrange a marriage between you and him?”

Vanessa froze.

Her eyes widened, disbelief written across her face. “Mother, we’ve talked about this. I am *never* going to get married.”

Her voice grew firmer. “I decided a long time ago—I will dedicate my life to our people. To protecting them, governing them, nothing else.”

She crossed her arms. “Besides, all the men you’ve tried to set me up with so far were all just talk. No substance. No resolve.”

Eleanor let out a small sigh. “That’s the only problem with you, my precious daughter. You lose interest in people far too easily.”

Then an idea seemed to spark in Eleanor’s eyes.

“Tell you what,” she said. “All the monarchs are going to have a meeting soon. He will be there as well… probably. Why don’t you come? See him with your own eyes first… and then decide.”

Vanessa held her mother’s gaze for a long second, then exhaled slowly. “Alright. If you say so. If it’s for our people… then I will do anything.”

——-

[ Present ]

The first time Vanessa saw Alex was the moment he stepped out of the teleportation circle into the grand hall.

Silver hair tied back loosely. Ocean-blue eyes that were calm yet carried a weight most couldn’t understand. Casual clothes that should have made him look underdressed—jeans and a simple white shirt—but somehow made him stand out more than any royal robe could.

For one heartbeat, only a single word crossed Vanessa’s mind.

’Beautiful.’

Then she watched him move.

She felt the surge of power when he casually shattered Cian’s monarch-level pressure. Saw the way his aura exploded outward with Origin Collapse, making six monarchs of the world nearly buckle to their knees. Saw how he regained control in an instant.

As the others gasped for breath, Vanessa’s decision was already made.

’He’s perfect,’ she thought. ’Strong. Uncompromising. And not afraid to bite back.’

So when the moment presented itself, she stepped forward without hesitation and spoke her proposal.

“Alex Dragonheart,” she said, “I, Vanessa Aqualis, wish to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you accept?”

Before she could take another step closer, two figures moved at once.

Alicia and Evelyn slid in front of Alex like twin blades crossing, their eyes cold and dangerous.

“Back off, bitch,” they said in perfect sync.

Vanessa blinked, her smile twitching.

’…Who the fuck are these two?’ she thought, annoyance sparking as she measured them.

’Guard dogs? Or future problems?’

—

A/N:

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