The two talked a lot, and before they knew it, it was already late at night. There was still an unfulfilled feeling; Arthas's ideas were very bold and somewhat whimsical, like controlling the murloc tribes and incorporating them.
Not only could this ensure the safety of the coastal defense line, but it could also have the murlocs gather some marine specialties that humans find inconvenient to collect. Seaweed is food, but pearls are the most precious. The pearls of Azeroth cannot be farmed artificially; it's not that no one has tried, but they just can't be kept alive. Thus, the price of pearls has remained high.
Pearls not only make for good adornments but are also useful materials for magical items. They are extremely marketable, but gathering pearls often comes with a great cost; the ocean is not a safe place. One could easily encounter sharks, sea giants, or other terrifying creatures near the shore, making it unclear how one might perish. So every pearl has the blood of fishermen on it; this is the reality of Azeroth.
Marlene couldn't help but admire him. After all, Arthas was only fourteen years old; he had just turned fifteen. At this age, many noble children are still studying, some are learning, and more are just idly eating and waiting to die, indulging in gambling or playing with women. The fact that Arthas could achieve such a level truly impressed her.
"Your Highness, can you give me some time to think it over?"
"Of course, I will always welcome your arrival. Marlene, following me will not be worse than before. Besides gaining wealth and status, you will also be able to realize your talents. If you come, I will hand the troops under my command over to you." Arthas said seriously; there are too few military geniuses.
The storylines in Warcraft often emphasize lone heroes, with very few strategic thinkers. What he needs is a strategist who can fully utilize the army's capabilities, rather than a disorganized group of individuals.
Marlene nodded and said earnestly and solemnly, "I will consider it."
"It's late; I should head back now. You should rest early." Arthas nodded, glancing at Marlene's mature and curvaceous body before getting up to leave.
"Wait." Marlene called out to Arthas, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear in a mesmerizingly seductive manner. "Will Your Highness marry Princess Jaina?"
"I am not a good person, nor am I a faithful man. If I had a partner, there would certainly be many spouses. I can't put any one of them aside, wanting to become stronger is not just to protect the world; I have my own selfish thoughts." Arthas said frankly, without any shame. If it were a commoner, they'd have been punished long ago.
How could someone without power think about building a harem? But for a prince like Arthas, there was no issue at all. However, there must still be one queen; but how to divide that? Are they all queens?
"Your Highness truly is forthright. It's very enjoyable to chat with you. Your Highness, I will support you, but I have one condition!" Marlene stood up with a smile, as if she had come to a conclusion.
"What requirement? Anything within my capability, I will surely agree." Arthas did not take too much upon himself; dealing with a mature woman who has experienced many matters of the world requires some rationality.
"This requirement is not difficult." Marlene looked at her sleeping niece, "I hope Your Highness won't disappoint Brigitte in the future." Arthas looked at the slumbering beauty; Brigitte and Marlene are known as the four beauties of the Scarlet Crusade, how could he let that slip by? "No problem, but I have a condition for you as well."
"Your Highness, feel free to speak." Marlene remained gentle, her smile inviting and radiating warmth. She was a very loyal woman and also a priestess. She was the only undead who could still wield the Light after becoming undead, which is a rare occurrence.
The Light is the nemesis of the undead; for an undead to wield the Light, how strong must one's belief be? Just for this reason, he could not let this beautiful mature woman go!
"You cannot remarry, nor can you pursue romantic feelings; you must place your emotions at work." Arthas looked seriously at Marlene, the mature woman before him radiating warmth, and as a priest, the Light's favor granted her a more approachable aura.
Marlene showed no surprise or objection, simply smiling at Arthas, her red lips slightly parted, "Why? Your Highness, I want to hear the truth from you."
Arthas touched his nose, "I like women like you, mature and elegant. My power has certain peculiarities, and the side effects are quite evident. I do not wish to lie; I like you, so I do not want other men to have you."
"Hehe!" Marlene giggled, covering her mouth, delighted to hear a boy younger than her confessing. It made her feel a mix of happiness and pride. The softness of her chest seemed to shake slightly, casting a flirtatious glance at Arthas with some indescribable implications.
"Your Highness is truly honest; I agree to your condition. I have no plans to remarry; I have no children, and I will focus all my energy on work. Just treat Brigitte well; she has grown up under my watch, like a daughter. I am her aunt, and I have aged; younger girls would be more suitable for you."
Arthas swallowed hard, looking at the mature woman before him with a stirring heart.
"I will do it; may I hug you?"
"Hehe, of course you can." Marlene seemed to regain her cheerful demeanor, which could only be seen by those she was familiar with. She embraced Arthas openly, feeling the masculinity radiating from him along with a hot presence pressing against her abdomen.
"My apologies." Arthas felt his face turn red.
"It's alright; it's normal for young men." Marlene held Arthas, seemingly unbothered by the situation.
"Don't think too much; I am Brigitte's aunt, and if you marry her in the future, I will also be your aunt. She is a good girl, but unfortunately, she cannot inherit the Abides family. Being with you is better than being used for a marriage alliance; she has been managing and running farms and workshops since she was little, making her a good assistant for you."
"I will not disappoint her." After saying this, Arthas tightened his embrace on Marlene, feeling her curves. Or you!"
"Fool, I'm an old woman; you will forget and grow tired of me in the future." Marlene chuckled, not caring; that's just how mature women are, so open and honest.