“Hmmm…”
“….”
“Hmmm….”
“…”
“Sigh, what happened now?” Aqualina asked, looking at Aether, who was blankly helping her arrange her clothes and other belongings. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed his absent-mindedness.
Aether snapped out of his daze and looked at Aqualina. “Nothing, just lost in thought,” he replied, trying to refocus on the task at hand.
“Hmm…” Aqualina nodded, though she seemed unconvinced. After a moment, she frowned and asked, “Anyway, why didn’t you use that chance to rizz that woman?”
“I… just didn’t know anything about her,” Aether replied with a serious face, his expression indicating he was deeply considering his actions.
Aqualina understood that Aether couldn’t just go and seduce someone without understanding their behaviour, likes, dislikes, past, and a lot more. Unfortunately, Aqualina didn’t have that information on hand.
“Hmm…. Okay, give me a week. I’ll collect their data,” Aqualina said with a determined look.
“….” Aether was surprised. ‘Did I just get a powerful spy?’ he thought. It kind of looked like Aqualina was working for him, not the other way around.
Curious, Aether asked, “Will the data include you?”
“….” Aqualina paused, her expression shifting to a deadpan stare. “You… are really pushing your luck.”
“I-I am sorry,” Aether apologized, but inwardly, he couldn’t help but smirk.
[+300 Affection]
‘I think she’s kind of a… tsundere,’ Aether thought but shrugged. He looked through the clothes, checking for any underwear, hoping to create an “accident” like before. But, ‘She is really clever,’ he thought, noting that the underwear was already arranged before he came into her room.
“Anyhow, from tomorrow onwards you will be working as my attendant,” Aqualina stated, reminding him of his tasks and responsibilities with a serious tone.
Aether nodded in understanding. He took a deep breath, preparing himself for the days ahead. After that, Aqualina asked with an amused face, “So, are you fine with the other Arcane Queens?”
“Pardon?”
“I asked if they have what you like?”
“….” Aether’s face turned shy, a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. He was just acting!
“Tsk,” Aqualina clicked her tongue, seeing Aether’s shy face. “Don’t do anything stupid. Follow my lead, and you will eventually have everyone in your hands.”
Aether still shyly nodded. He was still acting!
“Tsk,” Aqualina got annoyed seeing his shy face.
“Could you tell me what you talked about with Madam Selene?” Aether asked, his eyes filled with curiosity.
Aqualina smirked and said, “I told her I will give you to her anytime she wants, unlike her brother.”
Aether’s face showed shock. Just a few moments ago, he had almost lost control when he was with Selene, and now… Aether could only imagine what might happen next.
Aqualina giggled, observing Aether’s shocked expression, thinking, ‘He might not be interested in her… It’s getting interesting.’
Soon after, Aether was stepping out of the girls’ dormitory. He looked up and saw the sky was still bright. He approached a staff member who was cleaning the floor and asked, “Miss, could you tell me the directions to the infirmary?”
After getting the directions, Aether walked to the infirmary, unaware that something was following him.
Upon seeing the infirmary sign on the wall, Aether thought it looked exactly like the ones in his school. Entering the room, which resembled an old hospital structure where patients were cared for, he was greeted by an old woman with a warm and gentle smile.
“Is there something you need, young man?” she asked.
“Yes, Madam…. I would like to know where Ms. Aria Zephyr is?” Aether asked, returning her warm and gentle smile.
The old lady was about to reply, but a voice chimed in, “What do you need from me?”
Turning back, Aether saw a white-haired elf lying on a bed. He then looked at the old woman and asked for permission to speak with Aria. The old woman glanced at Aria, who nodded her consent.
“How are you?” Aether asked, stepping closer to her bed.
“… I am fine, thank you,” Aria said with a slight pause.
“Do you need any help?” Aether asked, maintaining his gentle smile, trying to appear as genuine as possible.
Aria frowned and asked directly, “What do you want?”
Aether knew she was on guard. He, too, was cautious around strangers who acted overly familiar. He didn’t intend to seduce her immediately; he just wanted to raise his likability and….. perhaps earn her trust.
“I just want to help you,” Aether said sincerely.
“….. I don’t need it,” Aria responded flatly, her expression unchanging.
‘She’s a tough nut to crack,’ Aether thought, realizing he needed a different approach to get through to her. He needed a topic to capture her interest, so he said, “You know… I was really surprised when I saw you fight against the five bear monsters. Your skills were impressive.”
“Hmm?” Aria frowned, her curiosity piqued. She wondered what this boy wanted from her and why he was complimenting her now.
“I mean, look at you. Even though you were surrounded by those monsters, with just your knife, you managed to kill two golden 1-star monsters. That was incredible!!”
Aria smiled slightly at his praise but then frowned, recalling his earlier words, “Hey, didn’t you say before, ‘I am here to prove to everyone that you were all worthless’ or something like that?”
Aether didn’t get flustered; he maintained his smile and said, “Yes, I did say that.”
Aria’s frown deepened, “Then why are you praising me now—”
“Because I followed my master’s orders before… She wanted me to say those words” Aether replied, smiling while thinking, ‘Yeah, let’s put all the blame on Aqualina.’ He wasn’t entirely wrong about it, right?
“Master…?” Aria finally noticed Aether’s dress code and realized he was just a servant. Even though Aether had mentioned it before, she hadn’t heard much due to her pain and the chaos around her.
She nodded in understanding and asked, “So what does your master want now?”… She wondered what her master was up to.
Aether shook his head, “Nothing at the moment. I just felt bad for looking down on you earlier instead of helping you” he said, his face turning a little shy, making his previous bravado seem almost comical.
“Hmm?” Aria tilted her head, a small smile appearing on her face as she saw the boy acting shy in front of her. It was a stark contrast to his earlier demeanour.
“I mean… When I saw you fighting without anyone’s support or even using your powers, just purely relying on your physical skills… I was in awe. I have no words to describe how impressive that was,” Aether said, his eyes sparkling with genuine admiration.
“O-Oh… T-Thank you,” Aria’s cheeks turned slightly red as she felt embarrassed by the sincere compliment.
[+1 Affection]
!~Ding~!
[Survival rate: 7.5%↑]
“The determination on your face, those fierce eyes coated in the blood… Damn, I literally felt goosebumps!” Aether continued to praise her, his enthusiasm unflagging.
“I-It’s fine! T-There is no need to compliment me so much,” Aria said, her cheeks burning brightly. She never thought she would receive so many compliments from a boy, especially one she had just met.
[+1 Affection]
Aether smiled inwardly, ‘I suppose I can keep this up…’ he thought and was about to continue with more praise when,
“Queen Aria, your husband is here,” the old woman stated, interrupting the moment.
“H-Husband?” Aether suddenly flinched upon hearing that and looked at the newcomer.
“Hello… I am her husband,” a middle-aged man waved at Aether with a small smile, but it was definitely not a friendly smile directed at Aether.