Chapter 138 : What's not to like?

Nectar allowed the swaying of the carriage to soothe her as she thought of what Melanie said earlier. She wasn't really upset with them, in fact she was pleasantly surprised that they'd helped her. The only thing that bothered her was Eros [ His attention is not good ]

Dodwen had said that Athena had lied and she laughed so hard, she ended up crying, " You can't really be serious "? But Dodwen was and it showed on his face, " Yes my empress, the reason I tell you this is because she said you handmade the bread served earlier and helped in the preparation of the meal ". Nectar nodded slowly letting it sick in but up till now, it still didn't [ I can't believe she lied for me ]

Meanwhile, Melanie was wide eyed as Nicole showed her the necklace Nectar made here. It was shaped like a pearl but it looked so real and life like, as if the reflection of the sun on the ocean was still on it. " Amazing, in all my years as a merchant, I've never seen craftsmanship as good as this ".

Nicole smiled, playing with the pendant " I like you, you know about all the pretty things which I also like ". Melanie laughed, " Really? I find that hard to believe ". June who was sitting on a bunk overheard suddenly popped up, her hair dangling down over her head " Your pretty, smart and nice. Plus you're rich, what's not to like "?

Melanie giggled, " I can't seem to keep my mouth shut ". Mario looked down as well, his hair dangling over his head too " Is that why you barely speak "? Melanie nodded, surprised she'd been seen through so easily, and by a child no less.

Gus patted her cheek, " Don't worry Mela, we'll be your friends. And besides, it seems you already have a few ". Melanie tilted her head to the side, " Mela "? Nicole nodded, " Sister Qidu says that friends can give each other nicknames ".

Nathaniel who had buried himself in the pillows and blankets not too far away suddenly chimed in, " It's for fun though. Do you like it "? Melanie looked at the faces surrounding her and felt happy for the first time in a long while, " Thank you. You're all very sweet ".

Reli however was fascinated by the mana stones. She'd heard from her brothers about the mining incident and honestly, words paled in comparison. " These rocks are centuries old! I've only read about them, and their even more beautiful in person ".

Fauna and Tera looked at each other and smiled, Fauna looked at Reli curiously, " You have an interest in rocks Consort Reli "? Reli nodded, smiling sadly " My mother loved them very much. She didn't have powers like the rest of us but she wanted to learn and she was very enthusiastic about it too. I guess it rubbed off on me ".

Fauna nodded, scolding herself for bringing up sad memories. Tera opened another chest and held out the red rose Nectar made earlier, trying to distract Reli from her sister's words, " Her majesty carved this out of mana stones as well ".

Reli curiously snatched it and turned it over in her hand, " Amazing, I would have thought it was real if the mana within weren't moving around so freely ". She tapped it lightly, " Sister Empress really is a master of all trades. She's even somehow improved the mana in these stones to an astonishing level ".

Fauna and Tera looked at each other again, obviously confused. Tera was the first to ask, " What do you mean my Consort "? Reli smiled, holding it between their faces " Whatever Sister did to these stones, they won't be dying out any time soon ".

Fauna frowned not understanding, " That's not possible, they always die out ". Reli shook her head, " Not these. They'll always find new ways to replenish themselves and you know what's even more surprising, they can constantly be used to recharge energy ".

Instinctively, they all looked at Nectar who was now leaning against the window, looking bored as she stared outside. Reli smiled as she turned the rose over in her hand, " Aren't I lucky to be friends with such a genius "?