Chapter 14:
“Aw, that is soooo romantic!” The mermaid gushed, leaning over her stall and beaming at me, eyes locked to where I was holding Tamamo’s hand, “You want to get married?”
“We do.” I smiled, bringing the Kitsune’s hand to my mouth, laying a kiss on the back of it, “But I grew up around here, so we wanted to marry both in her custom and in mine.”
“That’s so cute!” The purple haired Monster girl squealed, “I hope I eventually find a man who is as thoughtful as you!”
“I hope you do too.” Tamamo giggled, disguising herself as a ‘mere’ three-tailed Kitsune, though her tails were noticeably larger than usual, “unfortunately I am not sharing.”
She stuck her tongue out at that, which caused the mermaid to huff, “Stingy! But very well, if you want to meet with the Queen, you’ll have to get the Orb from Meia, she is the last one to marry.”
“Thank you.” I responded, walking away from the merchant towards the house she pointed me towards, bringing Tamamo along with my via our joined hands.
“Lying with such ease, it makes me wonder what else you were dishonest about?” Tamamo spoke lowly, her tone teasing.
“I only lied about where I grew up. Don’t you think getting the Queen of the Southern Seas blessing for our marriage could be fun?” I shot back getting a wide eyed look in return.
She rallied quickly, laughing, “True enough! Her look would be delicious after I reveal who I am. What a wondrous prank. You really should have been born a Kitsune.”
“I much prefer my current body, if it’s all the same to you.” I responded, grinning.
“True, you are much more handsome this way.” She replied, causing me to blush slightly, “For now, we need to speak to the Meia and get the Orb from her. You would think that they should have spares.”
“Apparently it’s not that difficult for mermaids to make them, but it’s rare for them to do.” I answered, getting a raised brow from the Kitsune, “I spoke to the mermaids in the Inn last night, I was thinking the same thing as you.”
“Oh, speaking to mermaids without me?” She inquired, “Am I that boring already?”
“Stop that.” I gruffly spoke, jaw tensing reflexively, my body betraying my instinctive tensing as my tone earned a look of surprise from her, “You know that was not what was happening.”
We walked in silence, the silence stretching between us. I did feel slightly awkward for the overreaction, but she hit somewhat of a sore spot for me, even if it was unintentionally. We managed to catch sight of our destination, the quaint town house where the mermaid Meia lived, when Tamamo stopped us.
“Lothar, I have been pondering this. Why marry me? You have given me the information I need to avert the coming catastrophe, so why put yourself at further risk?” Her green eyes peered at me, staring unblinking as I thought through her question.
“I…” I paused, searching for the correct words, “You were my favourite, from what I saw you are remarkably close to what I know as well. But beyond that, you are powerful.”
“There are many other powerful Monsters out there, if that was the only criteria. You are with-holding something.” She pointed out, her gaze remaining on me.
“True, but more than that… You are the kindest.”
She drew back in surprise at that, recoiling from my words as if struck, “Kind?! Me?”
“Yes.” I responded, to her bewilderment, “Gentle too.”
“Well now…” She murmured, returning to my side, “That is a very rare compliment for me to receive. You do know that I have killed thousands, toppled kingdoms and ruined countless lives, correct?”
“I do.” I nodded, looking at her from the corner of my eye as we walked, “However, when was the last time you even harmed a human?”
“The last time I harmed a human hmm?” She hummed, snuggled deeper into my side as she thought, “I wonder…”
As her voice trailed off thoughtfully we reached our destination.
---SESESE---
“Oh, you’re getting married?” The mermaid asked, looking between Tamamo and I, a furrow in her brow.
“Yes we are.” I confirmed, “Why do you ask?”
“Well, it’s just… You are a rather rugged man.” She pointed out, “Kitsune usually go for softer targets.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” Tamamo asked, wrapping her tails around my arm and moulding herself to my side, sending a grin towards Meia, “Isn’t is better to make someone so serious get flusters than a serial blusher?”
Meia giggled into her hand as I rolled my eyes, the Mermaid responding, “We will have to agree to disagree. I much prefer my hubby, but I am happy for you! Love is amazing to have wherever you find it!”
“True enough!” Tamamo’s smile widened as she elbowed my side, getting into her character, “Hear that, grouch? You’re lucky to have me!”
Deciding to get back at her, I took her cheek in my unclaimed hand, staring deeply into her eyes as I did so, “I know, Darling. I remind myself of that every day.”
Her eyes widened at the serious tone, ears wriggling slightly after my words.
Turning away from my hand, she played off her surprise at my boldness by looking over to the amused Meia, “He’s a terrible flirt. I apologise.”
“Oh don’t mind me, I can understand his appeal somewhat now.” The mermaid grinned, talking as if I wasn’t even present.
I clenched my hand into a fist, only realising I had done so when the tails wrapped around it gave me a soft squeeze, Tamamo’s ear flicking towards me before facing forwards once again. The way Monster Girls treated humans in this world was still something I was getting used to, having been given a place of honour at Yamatai. I had to constantly remind myself that they were not being deliberately rude, by the standards of this world.
Meia’s eyes had flickered over to me as I had tensed, seeming to sense something off for a split second before Tamamo distracted her, “I’m glad to hear it! But we did want to complete the ceremony soon, we were told to get the Orb from you to do so?”
“I completely forgot, I’m sorry! Your husband’s just very… Unique.” Her eyes flickered over to meet my own, before looking away just as quickly, “Unfortunately the Orb is with my Hubby, as he is out fishing. In case he falls out of the boat, you see. I hadn’t heard of a marriage happening otherwise I would have made sure it was ready!”
“Oh that’s not an issue! I can’t fault you for ensuring your husband’s safety!” Tamamo demurred, “Will he be back by the afternoon?”
“Oh yes, the ships all return before sundown. Of course, he will go out drinking with the crew, he’s so cute when he’s drunk.” Meia grinned as she spoke, “If you come by tomorrow morning, I should have it for you.”
Annoying to have to wait that long, but there was nothing for it unless we wanted to hunt the guy down on the sea, an impossible task. I was slightly irritated with the delay, but let it go with a sigh.
“Oh don’t be too sad, Lothar.” Tamamo elbowed me, “I promise we can make the time spent waiting fun~!”
“You’re right, I’m sorry my dear.” I decided to just play along until the conversation was over, “It would be dangerous to go at night, so waiting for the morning would be better.”
“Glad you agree!” Tamamo hummed, grinning, “Shall we return to the inn? I promise what I have in store will be unforgettable.”
“Oh my!” Meia covered her mouth with her hands, acting with mock shock at the blatant flirting.
I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes, knowing that whatever Tamamo had in store was nothing like what the mermaid was imagining. Still, despite myself I could feel a grin threatening to escape.
---SESESE---
She seemed to have a thing for teasing me, I mused to myself. Rather than the ‘unforgettable’ experience she promised, the first thing we did when getting back to the inn was get a table and some drinks.
“Losing nerve?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
“Hush, building anticipation is a delicate art.” She smiled, taking a sip out of her mug, “Don’t tell me that drinking with me is a hardship.”
“Hmm.” I hummed, non-committally, causing her to pout, “Certainly a privilege, considering who you are, Tamamo.”
I had no worry about someone overhearing her name and getting suspicious. Just in my brief stay in Yamatai, I had met three Kitsune named Tamamo. Apparently it was a very popular name for them.
The reason for that popularity grinned at me, puffing up theatrically at the flattery, “Indeed, you should be grateful.”
I rolled my eyes this time, but inwardly I was smiling. She was really enjoying this, being able to act out like ‘just’ another Monster Girl. Not the Heavenly Knight or mother of Kitsunes.
She placed her mug down, laying her chin on her palm as she stared at me, smiling more gently, “Your eyes are really expressive, you know.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked, taking my own sip.
“You act all surly and standoffish, but your eyes betray you. They show when you are happy.” She responded, causing me to jolt slightly in surprise.
“You were paying that much attention to me?” I reflexively turned the conversation back on her, surprised by the information about myself I didn’t know.
“Of course I was, you are trying to marry me after all.” She grinned, her fangs appearing in a flash of white, “That’s the sort of thing that gets a woman’s attention.”
“I suppose it would.” I answered, flustered.
I think this was the first time she had managed to get me to blush, I reflected as my cheeks heated up.
“Wow.” She spoke, grin widening, “All that innuendo, no reaction, but prove I pay attention to you and you light right up.”
That didn’t make the blush any better, but I ignored it while I tried to change the topic, “After we visit the Temple, should we go to the Mansion or just head straight for Sabasa?”
She shook her head slightly, amused at my blatant attempt, before deciding to oblige me, “Sabasa, probably. You said that scientist was snooping around the Mansion, right? Better to not get involved with her before it becomes unavoidable.”
“Fair enough.” I responded, relaxing as my blushing was dropped, “Sphinx would be a great help if we could convince her.”
“Thinking about other Girls when I’m right here? What type of fiance are you?” She teased lightly, before nodding her head, “Yes, that was my thinking as well. Also, I would be happy to see you complete the Trial of the Pyramid.”
I paused at that, remembering what she was talking about. The Pyramid which housed Sphinx was the site of the Trial required for properly marrying Dragon Girls. After conquering its depths, Sphinx posed a question to any aspirant and judged them based on their answer. The question was basically as follows:
If you were married to a Monster Girl, would you rather remain human, become a monster with her or have her die when you do?
It was meant to impress on them the reality of loving a longer lived species. AI could see why Tamamo was interested in the answer.
“I could just tell you my answer right now?” I offered, getting a shake of the head from the Kitsune, her ears flopping from the motion.
“No, that’s not right.” Her grin softened into a small smile, These things are supposed to be done properly.”
“Suit yourself.” I shrugged, not particularly bothered, looking around the tavern as I did so.
With the new sword she had gifted me, I should be able to complete the Trial, especially if the guardians were still sealed by Luka passing through there first. Even if they weren’t I doubt anything there was stronger than Izuna.
The difference between a two tailed and a four tailed Kitsune was leaps and bound, much more than the double their number of tails would indicate.
“There is a question I do want the answer to, though.” Tamamo brought my gaze back to her wit her words, her emerald eyes staring deeply into my own, “Do you really not fear me?”
“…I don’t.” I responded, my answer causing her tails to curl around each other as I did so, “If you wished to kill me, you would have done so already. Besides that, if you changed your mind there is not much I could do to stop you.”
“And that doesn’t frighten you at all?” She asked, seemingly fascinated by my reactions to her.
“No. Worrying about things I have no power to change is not healthy.” I took another sip, “Is it really that surprising? I imagine there were plenty of humans who were not scared of you. Especially in Yamatai.”
“Of course the people of Yamatai are scared of me.” She responded, as if I was stupid for thinking otherwise, “They respect me for my strength, just as much as they fear it. True, there are some who are… excited about the danger, but I have never met any human who was just… indifferent.”
“I’m not indifferent.” I responded, correcting her, “Just not worried.”
“Truly a unique perspective.” Her gaze became familiar, staring at me as if I was a puzzle she was attempting to solve, before she sighed, “Regardless, I believe it is time for your cheering up.”
“My ‘cheering up’?” I questioned, wondering what she was talking about.
“Indeed, you seemed frustrated at our inability to go to the Temple, so I decided to grant you a boon to raise your spirits.” She grinned, hand reaching behind her to disappear into her tail, before pulling out an ornate object, “Rejoice, mortal, for you have been granted the honour of assisting me with my tail.”
Laying there in her grasp, was a jewelled hairbrush.