“I’m afraid Murphy is going to be rather disappointed.” Queen Marilla said to her husband as she watched Adam and Lorelie leave.
“Why do you say that?” King Osharus asked.
“You really are an awful romantic, aren’t you?” Queen Marilla replied while sighing.
“….” King Osharus had no response to this.
“Well, it’s not like I don’t know after being married to you all these years.” Queen Marilla added before she continued. “Lorelie fancies that boy Adam.”
“She does?” King Osharus asked in surprise.
“Didn’t you notice how she stayed close to him throughout the entire audience? Something I have never seen her do with any man. Also, she shot concerned glances at Adam after you mentioned Murphy, almost as if she was afraid he would come to the wrong conclusion about the two of them”
“Is this going to be a problem?” King Osharus asked with a sigh.
“You of all people know what sort of attitude my sister's son has. Being related to the royal family, even if not by blood, and also being a Water Sphere star has given him an ego that’s too large in my opinion. Maybe being shot down will do him some good.” Queen Marilla replied before adding. “God knows I’ve told my sister numerous times to knock some sense into the boy.”
“He certainly does have a reputation for sleeping around, doesn’t he?” King Osharus stated with a frown.
“Unfortunately, his fame and fortune make it easy for him to pull almost any woman he wants. I believe Lorelie is one of the few who has never shown an interest in him. I’m slightly curious to know if he truly likes Lorelie or simply sees her as another woman to conquer.”
“Should we interfere?”
“No, I am curious to see how Adam handles it. If he can’t even handle my perverted nephew, then he is undeserving of Lorelie.”
“What if things get messy and he pushes Adam too far? Reports say that the boy killed many bounty hunters on Terrana Five.”
“Let’s just let things play out. If that idiot nephew does something that makes Adam want to kill him, then maybe he deserves death. I have never liked the way he acted and threw his weight around, even after we spoke to him about it.”
“He probably believes we wont do anything about it since he is your sister's son, and so far he has been right.”
“Then perhaps it's high time we changed that.”
“What do you mean, the Merinmian royal family is lodging an official complaint against us?” Director Drot asked his assistant.
“They appear to be blaming you for Senator Pevaphio’s breath attack within the floating capital director.”
“What the hell does that mad dragon going psycho have to do with me? The newsfeed says some crazy idiots took a shot at her daughter.”
“Those crazy idiots, as you call them, were bounty hunters on the job you posted. The reason the ‘mad dragon went psycho’ is because they took a shot at Adam Spencer just as Senator Pevaphio’s daughter got in the way.”
“WHAT!” Director Drot said in surprise, “Those fucking morons.”
“Because of this, the Merinmian royal family has lodged an official complaint, the Oceana Seven guild is not actively advertising the bounty you posted, and you most likely have made a mother dragon angry.”
“Shit.” Director Drot cursed.
“Welcome back,” Stacey said with a smile after Adam and Lorelie broke through the surface of the water in the large pool.
“How did it go?” Rowena asked.
“As expected. The royal family will assist in any performances I decide to do within the Oasis Galaxy. I just have to let them know where and give them enough time to set everything up there.” Lorelie replied
“That’s good,” Rowena replied while nodding.
“That Murphy guy is going to be a problem, isn’t he?” Adam said after taking the water breather out of his mouth.
“Most likely,” Lorelie said with a sigh while giving Adam a concerned look.
“Who?” Rowena asked curiously.
Lorelie quickly told them about Murphy and what King Osharus had said to her.
“Oh, I’ve heard of him; he's supposedly some bigshot Water Sphere player,” Rowena commented without much interest.
“I’m sorry, Adam, if I had known that he transferred to the Oceana Abes, I would have suggested a different match to watch,” Lorelie said apologetically.
“It’s fine,” Adam said with a reassuring smile before continuing, “Though it sounds like you're not too keen on the guy.”
“He’s a fucking pervert who sleeps with any woman he finds appealing, using fame as a Water Sphere star, his wealth and the influence that comes from being the king and queen’s nephew.” Lorelie cursed in a very un-Lorelie-like manner, causing the others to show looks of surprise. “Every time I cross paths with him, he always hits on me even though I have made it clear to him countless times that I’m not interested in him.”
“Sounds like someone else we know,” Stacey replied with a frown before adding, “or know.”
“What do you mean?” Rowena asked.
Stacey then explained to the other women about her history with Max Parks and how, in the end, they ended up killing him.
“So the drug dealer on Trillion you eliminated was also after my granddaughter?” Rowena asked angrily before adding, “The bastards, lucky he’s already dead, I wouldn’t have let him off so easy.”
“Do you plan on killing this Murphy guy?” Rowena asked curiously.
“That depends on him, Lorelie is not my woman… not yet, but I am still her bodyguard, even if he is the nephew of the king and queen, that wont save him if he tries anything foolish,” Adam replied.
Lorelie showed slight disappointment when Adam said she wasn’t his woman, but quickly blushed happily and looked away after he added ‘not yet.
“Maybe I should have you eliminate that stupid cat who always pesters me,” Rowena said with a smirk.
“Maybe if there is a good reason and Stacey asks me to,” Adam replied.
“Why don’t you seem to be concerned about this?” Stacey asked.
“Lorelie already said that she has no interest in the guy. Also, I knew as soon as I started dating you, I would have to deal with all the guys who wanted to steal you from me; it’s the pangs of dating beautiful women after all.”
Stacey smiled happily at his response before she jumped on him and stole his lips in a passionate kiss.
Lorelie flushed slightly as she watched with eyes showing a mixture of jealousy and desire, while Tephe watched on with interest, as she had never seen two people kissing before.
Rowena, on the other hand, chuckled at his response before saying, “Save it for tonight, you two.”
Her grandmother's words seemed like they had splashed cold water on her as Stacey quickly broke the kiss and backed away in embarrassment.
“Don’t get all embarrassed now.” Rowena teased before asking, “It sounds like you're anticipating many rivals in the future who will try to steal your lovers?”
“Well, it’s a bit too early to say ‘lovers’ as in multiple, don’t you think?” Adam asked before adding, “However, if they're all as beautiful and attractive as Stacey, not to mention famous.” At this point, Adam shot Lorelie a look, making her smile and blush again before he continued.
“Then it’s something I need to be prepared for. I do not doubt that with you both being beautiful and famous women, you both have men and women, such as Murphy or that Catonian, wanting to marry you or maybe even just sleep with you.”
“You certainly know how to sweet-talk talk don’t you?” Rowena replied while winking before changing the subject by saying.
“Oh, by the way, my ‘friend’ contacted me while you two were off at the palace. She has arrived at Oceana Seven Space Station and will be travelling down to the planet shortly. Do you mind if they stay here, Lorelie?”
“Not at all,” Lorelie replied with a smile before asking, “Should I arrange a car to pick them up?”
“Yes, that would be great,” Rowena replied while she used her uniband to message her friend.
Lorelie nodded before using her own uniband to message her butler, Morven, about sending a car for Rowena’s friend.
After she sent the message, Rowena turned to Adam and asked, “Do you want to begin talking business as soon as she arrives? I must admit I'm curious to know more about your proposal.”
“No rush, let your friend rest once they arrive, I’m sure they had a long trip and queuing for the shuttle down to the planet, since she can’t just skip it like we did must be a pain.”
“Sounds like a plan,” Rowena said in agreement.
“Adam, come swim with me.” Tephe suddenly said as she pulled on his arm before adding. “Me, Dive Rowena and Stacey found this cool place I want to show you.”
“Ok, ok, let's go,” Adam replied while ruffling her hair, which caused her to giggle happily before she led Adam back underwater.