"Great! At least one of them accepts, ay cap'n?"Balon said with a smile and nudged Blythe. "You should all stay, if you ask me, but that's up to you of course!" The feeling he felt earlier about this maybe clearing up slowly started to fade, however. He couldn't help but think that if this island was populated with suspicious and maybe even hostile mermaids, sooner or later one of these "misunderstandings" might turn into a conflict. Meaning Balon would have to use his sword to harm those he wouldn't want to harm. Maybe even these girls. He shuddered at the thought. He remembered his service with the royal guard... His superior had ordered him to execute a woman for stealing. He was as mad as the dictator, Balon had thought. He had no choice then. He slew the innocent woman and left at the first available opportunity.
Her teary eyes still haunted him to this day, and now he saw them in the eyes of the mermaids. They all had beautiful eyes, Balon thought... But the memories lingered. He thought about what it would mean if he would have to slay the white-haired girl... Would he be able to? And if so, afterwards would he still stay at this island? Would he flee again, run away from his own wrong-doings?
No. He wouldn't let a conflict break out between them and the mermaids. There has to be a way to live in peace. There must be!
Realizing he had been looking at Leo for a little too long, Balon blinked, stood up straight and hoped she hadn't noticed. He cleared his throat quietly and resumed his smirking. Hopefully nobody had noticed at all...
