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Chapter 174: Jacques
🕑 Added 2025-08-04 18:41:19 +0000 UTCThe Merinmians and other races that were passing the restaurant talked and cheered as they spotted both Lorelie and Rowena, causing the two to smile and wave before the group entered the restaurant.
“Madam Lorelie, welcome back to Metgar’s.” A female Merinmian staff member who stood behind a small desk next to the entrance said politely as they entered.
“Thank you, it’s nice to be back,” Lorelie replied politely.
“Jacques arrived a few minutes ago and is waiting at your table for you and your party. Allow us to show you the way.” As she finished speaking, the staff member summoned another member of the staff before instructing them to show the group to their table.
As the group followed behind the staff member and passed through the restaurant where other guests were already eating, they started to attract attention, causing the other guests to converse in hushed whispers.
“Look, it's Diva Lorelie.”
“It appears that the story on Xer-verse about her being home is true.”
“She is accompanied by Diva Rowena and dragon princess Tephe.”
“It’s just Tephe, remember, I wonder who her other two companions are.”
“Most likely the hosts, Diva Rowena spoke about on The MMM Show.”
“You two really can’t go anywhere without being recognised,” Adam commented quietly as they walked towards their table.
“Better get used to it,” Rowena replied with a chuckle before adding. “We are on Lorelie’s home planet after all. Here she is more famous than even some of the members of the Merinmian royal family.”
As the group was led towards a large table that was set next to the restaurant's windows, allowing for a view out over the ocean, a male Merinmian wearing a dark grey suit stood up and said happily.
“Lorelie darling, you made it.”
Afterwards, the male Merinmian came forward before he and Lorelie shared a friendly hug.
“Jacques, it’s been too long, how are you?” Lorelie asked.
“Me? I am fine, it is you who has been through so many ordeals recently. We must discuss it properly later when we are somewhere more private. For now, won't you introduce me to your friends? Jacques replied.
“Of course.” Lorelie replied before beginning, “You, of course, are aware of who this is.”
“Ah, but of course, the top grade model, Diva Rowena, it is a pleasure to meet you, we must discuss about you modelling for me one of these days,” Jacques said with enthusiasm to Rowena.
“I’m sure something can be arranged,” Rowena replied.
“Next is Rowenea’s granddaughter, Stacey,” Lorelie said as she indicated Stacey.
“A true pleasure, Stacey,” Jacques said politely.
“The pleasure is mine,” Stacey replied equally as politely.
“Then we have Tephe.”
“Ah, the dragon princess, of course,” Jacques said happily, causing Tephe to pout.
Lorelie coughed slightly before saying, “It’s just Tephe”
“Ah, forgive me, Tephe.” Jacques apologises with a slight bow.
“It’s fine,” Tephe said with a smile.
“Finally, we have Adam,” Lorelie said as she indicated the only man in the group.
“Ah, the famous Adam who saved dear Lorelie from those awful pirates, you have my eternal gratitude,” Jacques said as he offered his hand to Adam in greeting.
“It was nothing, I was just lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time,” Adam replied while shaking Jacques's hand.
As the nearby patrons heard the introduction regarding Adam, they started to whisper amongst themselves.
“Did you hear that? That young man is the same one who saved Diva Lorelie.”
“It can’t be a coincidence that she is travelling with him again.”
“Please join me,” Jacques said as he ushered everyone towards the circular table he had been sitting at when they entered, while saying to the waiter. “Can we get some drinks, please?”
The waiter nodded and left to fulfil the request.
Lorelie sat between Jacques and Adam, while Stacey sat on Adam’s other side. Tephe sat next to Stacey, leaving Rowena between Tephe and Jacques.
“Now, Adam,” Jacques began after they all sat down. “Lorelie here tells me that you have a business proposition for me.”
“I do, however, this is not the best place to discuss it since there are too many ears trying to listen in on our conversation,” Adam replied as he did a quick scan of the room and saw many of the other patrons failing to hide their interest in his group's conversation.
“Also, we are waiting for another party to arrive, right, Rowena?” Adam continued as he turned and asked Rowena.
“Yes, my friend should be here within a couple of days,” Rowena replied.
“You're still refusing to tell us who it is?” Lorelie asked.
“Secret.” Rowena said mischivously.
“Then I suppose I will have to wait until then to know all the details, but just to be certain, you know my business ‘Oasis Swimwear’ is only really successful within the Oasis Galaxy?” Jacques asked.
“Lorelie mentioned as much; however, I believe that will change once you hear my suggestion,” Adam replied.
“I look forward to it then,” Jacques said eagerly as the waiter returned with a few different bottles that contained different coloured liquids.
“I know you wish to drink God’s Oasis.” Lorelie suddenly said to Adam before continuing. “However, it is a tradition to save until the end of a meal.”
“Saving the best for last,” Adam replied.
“Exactly,” Lorelie said in agreement.
“So you have already had the pleasure of trying our planet's famous God’s Oasis, Adam?” Jacques asked.
“Yes. I was lucky enough to be able to try it back on Palaxia. I must say it is the most delicious drink I have ever had, even my own world's beverages can not compare.”
“Unsurprisingly, really, God’s Oasis is recognised as the universe's most delicious beverage after all.”
“So how do you and Lorelie know each other?” Adma asked.
“We grew up together and are siblings, of a sort,” Jacques replied.
“Of a sort?” Adam asked before turning to Lorelie and asking curiously. “I thought I read somewhere that you are an orphan.”
“I am, both my parents died when I was very young. Luckily, Jacques' parents were kind enough to adopt and raise me like their own. I am extremely grateful to them.” Lorelie explained.
“Ah, I see,” Adam said in understanding before adding. “I can understand your gratitude. I, too, am an orphan.”
“You are?” Lorelie asked in surprise as the others also showed looks of surprise and interest.
“Yes, though unlike you. I was abandoned on the steps of a church by my parents just after I was born.”
“I’m sorry,” Lorelie replied with a sad look.
“Don’t be, it’s ancient history, and it’s not like I missed having them around. How can you miss something you have never experienced?
“What is this church you speak of? And who might I ask raised you then?” Rowena asked curiously.
“A church is a place of worship where people who follow the Christian religion go to pray to God. I was raised by the nuns of the church until I was old enough to live alone.”
“God? As in those Greek gods you spoke of before?”
“Kind of. Earth has a ridiculous number of religions, and it would take far too long for me to name them all, even if I knew them all.” Adam began to explain.
“Christianity is the largest religion on Earth, followed closely by Islam. Christians believe that the universe and everything was created by God, an all-powerful existence. I wont go too much into this subject as it would take a lifetime to explain it all, but the God of Christianity and the Greek gods are two different beliefs.”
“It sounds really complicated,” Tephe said with a frown.
“It is.” Adam agreed before continuing. “Even though I was raised in a church by the nuns until I was old enough to live alone, I never really adapted to their beliefs.”
“Do you have any faith you believe in now?” Stacey asked.
“Not really, while I believe that there is a higher power out there, I don’t necessarily think there is a god or gods,” Adam replied before asking. “What about all of you?”
“The Brood only believe in our progenitor, since they are our creator,” Rowena replied.
“Dragons only believe in ourselves, after all, there are few races and species out there that can challenge us,” Tephe replied proudly.
“We Merinmians came from the sea.” Lorelie began. “In the distant past, before we discovered space travel and the wider universe, our race believed in the sea god. However, while there are still those who do follow this faith, it has greatly weakened.”
“I don’t believe in any gods. If God exists, why would they allow Trillon’s lower levels to become what they are and allow the powerful to stop upon those beneath them?” Stacey replied flatly, causing the others to stare at her.
“Yes, well,” Jacques replied as he tried to find a new conversation topic. Just as he was struggling, a loud voice boomed through the restaurant, attracting everyone's attention.
