“That’s exactly what happened”
“So, let me get this straight. You’re telling me that I did… I mean, ‘I’ did all that?” Aether asked incredulously, his wide eyes reflecting a mix of shock, surprise, and, most of all… horrified expression.
“Yes,” Delphine affirmed with a subtle nod, her lips curving into a small, knowing smile as she observed Aether’s evolving range of emotions. She couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of satisfaction in getting her revenge on every previous harassment.
This was the day following Aether’s destructive outburst. When he finally regained consciousness, he felt disoriented and struggled to recall the events that had transpired. He could vaguely recollect some memories of Ether, but beyond that… everything was a blur.
All he could distinctly remember was accepting the drink Selene had offered him, and the next moment, he found himself immersed in Ether’s memories, and then abruptly awakening in an unfamiliar room… That was today.
Emerging from the room, Aether was met with perplexed stares from those around him. With a growing sense of urgency, he sought out the only person he knew to be level-headed and approachable amidst the chaos…. Delphine.
Upon entering her allotted room, Delphine detailly recounted every detail without omitting a single nuance.
‘Ah, I fucked up!’ Aether muttered himself and couldn’t help but gulp in fear knowing the cause of the woman’s scarifice… then he looked at Delphine, who seemed to be enjoying his discomfort a little too much.
His lips twitched mischievously as he caught Delphine’s delicate hand in his own, a playful glint in his eyes.
“Let’s elope!” he exclaimed, throwing a metaphorical bomb into their conversation.
“W-What!! What are you talking about?!” Delphine stammered, her face flushing crimson as she attempted to wriggle her hand from Aether’s firm grip.
“I’m dead serious!” Aether’s tone was unexpectedly grave as he locked eyes with her aqua-coloured eyes, his voice softening, “They’ll come for me, Delphine. They’ve seen what I can capable of and clearly seen my wonderful worth!. This is my chance… no, our only chance. Let’s disappear before they realize I’m gone” his tone slightly hinted with narcissistic.
[+10 Affection]
“W-Wait! W-Why should I be dragged into your mess? And why should I f-follow you?” Delphine retorted, her voice tinged with a mix of confusion and defiance.
“Because you know…” Aether leaned in closer, his breath mingling with hers.
“!” Delphine instinctively backed away… Though,
[+10 Affection]
Aether, seeing her flustered under his persistent advances, couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph, “We’re partners… You’re my cute little rabbit~”
“No way!” Delphine suddenly screamed, delivering a punch to his gut, but….. Aether anticipated it and caught her hand.
“Gotcha~” Aether’s grin turned haughty as he successfully countered her attack.
‘Fuck! Yes!’ Aether cheered internally as he managed to react to her attack, but his victory was short-lived.
“Tsk,” Delphine clicked her tongue and swiftly aimed a kick at his….. crotch.
Aether’s eyes widened as he witnessed the slow-motion horror of her leg heading straight for his… no, every man’s weak point.
This time, Delphine was quicker than before, catching Aether off guard. Despite his determination to protect his manhood, Aether couldn’t react in time.
So, he did what any sane man would do at this point,
‘Put everything in Agility’
!~Ding~!
[+5 Agility]
[Agility: 20↑]
[Error]
[Limit reached according to the Level]
‘Ssshhh’
Delphine’s eyes widened in surprise as Aether surprisingly moved faster, backing away just in time.
“Y-You!” Aether’s fingers trembled as he pointed at Delphine with a mixture of shock and horror, “You’re the enemy of every man in this world”
Delphine snapped out of her surprise and quickly regained her composure, flashing a cunning smile. “I’d gladly embrace that title… Now, get out!”
‘Maybe I pushed it too far…’ Aether thought as he hastily made his exit from the room.
As soon as Aether left the room,
‘Thud’
Delphine crumpled to her knees with a heavy thud, her breath coming in ragged gasps as her face flushed a deep shade of red, reminiscent of a ripe tomato.
“W-What’s ~ha~ happening to me?” she wondered, her gaze drifting to her hand where Aether had held it… When Aether touched her hand a sudden wave of heat coursed through her body, as if something invasive had entered her without her permission.
She attempted to wriggle her hand free from the memory of his strong, healthy grip, sturd–
“What am I even thinking?!” Delphine shouted into her hands, overcome with embarrassment.
She frantically fanned her flushed face, trying to cool the feverish sensations that seemed to radiate from within.
“There’s definitely something off about that b-boy!” Delphine muttered to herself, the image of his face too close for lingering in his mind.
‘Ba-Dump’
Her heart skipped a beat, recalling the moment his face had hovered just inches from hers, the proximity almost enough to make her worry he could hear her racing heart.
‘I-I need to avoid him..’ Delphine resolved with newfound determination.
“SSS~”
Snowflake, who had been hiding snugly in her cleavage, peeked out with a concerned expression. The little creature sensed Delphine’s body temperature rising and her heart rate quickening.
“Don’t worry,” Delphine reassured Snowflake with a smile. Over the days they had spent together, she and Snowflake had grown closer.
“Your Master is really something~” Delphine remarked with a hint of annoyance, patting Snowflake’s head gently, her thoughts still swirling with the recent encounter.
But before she could delve further into her musings,
‘Thud’
Aether suddenly burst into the room, and said, “You’re still holding my snake—” his words trailing off as his eyes widened in shock.
Before he could finish, two ice spears were hurled towards him with deadly accuracy.
“Shit!!”
‘Thud!!’
‘Slk’
‘Slk’
With lightning reflexes, Aether slammed the door shut just in time, the spears stabbing themselves into the door.
“What the fuck?!” Aether muttered disbelief etched on his face as he leaned against the door, wiping sweat from his forehead.
“I really pissed her off…ah,” Aether mused, realizing the gravity of the situation. He decided it was best to avoid Delphine for the time being.
As he made his way through the corridors, he couldn’t help but notice the servants avoiding him, their fearful gazes darting away as he approached. Even Timmy’s lackeys were on their knees, begging for forgiveness…. Even though he was just walking past them.
“I must have traumatized them…” Aether nodded to himself though he didn’t care as long as he was treated correctly.
Finally, he encountered Velc, who was staring blankly at him. Aether braced himself for the inevitable confrontation but to his surprise…
“Did you rest well?” Velc asked calmly.
Aether blinked in confusion, ‘Just to sure..’ thought, glancing over his shoulder to ensure there wasn’t someone else behind him.
“I’m asking you, Ether,” Velc reiterated, his voice steady.
“… Yes, Sir,” Aether replied, somewhat taken aback by Velc’s unexpected demeanour.
“Good. Now, get ready. We’re leaving for the Academy. Leave,” Velc instructed calmly though a hint of urgency underlying his calm tone.
‘Even this fucker is shaken…’ Aether thought, bowing not by the respect before exiting Velc’s room.
‘Did I really cause that much fear?’ Aether wondered as he walked, pondering the recent reactions…. He kind of liked it.
‘Maybe I should drink one or two times…’ He wondered.
Suddenly,
“Hello, Drunken Badass.”
“Shit!!” Aether jumped in surprise, recognizing the voice of the Empress’s maid, who stood before him with a mischievous smile.
“Empress requests your presence,” she announced casually.