“Madam Aria”
“Yes?”
“Why did you bring me here?” Aether asked with a doubtful gaze, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.
After nearly escaping punishment, the day had returned to a semblance of normalcy. However, when he visited the Servants’ Cafeteria to have brunch, he noticed the other servants giving him strange looks, and Taylor had disappeared for unknown reasons.
He attempted to contact Aqualina, but she seemed preoccupied with her studies, much like Selene and Lia.
With nothing else to do, he decided to roam around the academy, helping a few workers along the way and earning some affection points.
Aria Zephyr, who had been skipping classes, caught him performing these good deeds like a responsible boy. She then brought him to a large playground that surrounded the academy and sat under a tree. Aether did not object to her presence; after all, he needed to score some points with her as well.
“Hmm? Nothing much… ” Aria tilted her head and said, “I saw you were eager to learn new things, so I thought I might help you.”
“Oh!” Aether was genuinely surprised. He hadn’t expected her to be so attentive toward him. He sat before her, albeit at a little distance, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable.
Then, with a curious look, Aria asked, “H-How is it going between you and your master?”
Aether knew exactly what she was hinting at, so he replied, “After that day, she told me not to approach any of the other chosen ones.”
Hearing that, Aria looked surprised and a bit worried, “Then what about now? You should have told me this before… She’s going to beat you later!”
Aether awkwardly said, “Well, since it’s Madam Aria, I thought it would be alright even if I get a little beating,” as he avoided looking directly into her eyes.
Seeing his shy expression, Aria couldn’t help but smile as she teased, “You’re really good with your words… Tell me, how many times have you used that line on others?” She expected Aether to become flustered and stutter, but to her surprise, he replied with a serious face,
“No, Madam Aria, You are the only one!”
[+100 Affection]
“…” Aria blinked in surprise before nodding. “You really are good with words, you know.”
“Is that so? If Madam Aria thinks so, then it must be true,” Aether replied with curiosity, hiding his smirk.
“Anyway, what do you want to learn first?… I know lots of things… hmm” Aria changed the topic, feeling like she was being led by Aether’s smooth words.
“Everything”
“Everything? Oh! I see…” Aria nodded in understanding, thinking that since he was a servant, he might not have received a proper education.
Aria then started with the basics. She wrote something on a piece of paper and asked Aether to read it. Aether read it without stuttering.
“Good,” Aria nodded, impressed by his quick reading. She then said, “Now write what I say…”
‘What she is even doing?’ Aether thought, but he didn’t say anything. As long as he could spend time with Aria and get closer to her, it was fine. He wrote down what she dictated.
However,
“What is this?” Aria frowned when she saw Aether’s writing. The letters looked different, almost foreign, and she couldn’t understand the words.
Aether looked at his writing and asked, “Is something wrong? Isn’t this what you told me to write?”
Aria looked at Aether with a frown before asking him to write his name. Again, she was shocked to see those strange alphabets.
‘What happened?’ Aether wondered, feeling nervous under Aria’s scrutinizing gaze. He wondered if his handwriting was so bad that she had trouble recognizing it.
Aria, with a mix of serious and shocked expressions, asked, “A-Aether, are you from….” But before she could finish her sentence,
“Who told you to cut classes?” A cold voice interrupted, making both of them flinch. They turned to see Alaric walking toward them with a stone-cold face.
Aria frowned and quickly hid the paper, burning it with her magic.
Alaric stood before them and repeated, “Who told you to cut classes?”
Aria snorted and replied, “I can do whatever I want.”
Veins popped on Alaric’s forehead as he focused on Aether, who was sitting a little too close to his wife for his liking, “Hey, lowlife… Didn’t I tell you not to get close to my wife?” His voice was cold as ice.
Aria frowned. “Lowlife? Mr. Professor Alaric, that is not the right way to address a student during academic hours.”
“Heh… Student? Who?” Alaric looked at Aether with an amused expression. However, Aether didn’t get angry; he was more interested in watching the drama unfold, something he had missed in his new life and most of all… Alaric could only bark!
Aria gritted her teeth, then glanced at Aether and sighed, saying, “Let’s talk later, Aether,” as she hurriedly left the place. She knew staying there would only cause more problems for Aether.
Alaric snorted and glared at Aether and warned him not to get closer to his wife… before catching up with his wife, “Later? What’s that supposed to mean? Didn’t I warn you not to get close to other males?!”
Aria halted her steps and glared at Alaric, “What right do you have to order me around, Mr. Professor who wags his tail to the principal?”
Hearing that, Alaric almost grabbed Aria’s throat, but he calmed his anger sensing a few students around them and said, “Aria, she is…. Different, okay? She is the person I fell in love with first!”
Aria’s face turned to one of disgust.
However, Alaric didn’t care. He continued, “I do love you, but… she was the first, okay?” He slowly touched her neck as he said, “Next time you insult her… I won’t show mercy, even if it’s you.”
‘Slap’
Aria swatted his hand away and said, “Go and lick her feet all you want, but… don’t you dare question me if I will lick anyone!!” She turned and walked away.
Alaric’s face twisted in disgust and anger, ‘How dare she say that!!!’ and he was just about to shout at her when his sharp ears picked up the principal’s voice calling him urgently.
A gentle smile adorned his face as he shouted to Aria, “You’re lucky for now…”, she simply showed her middle finger without turning back.
chapter-source-NovelFire
Alaric’s eyes twitched then he looked at Aether, who was still watching them with amusement. Aether even waved his hand at Alaric, as if mocking him.
‘…. I will deal with him later’ Alaric thought before walking away.
“Oh! This is better than K-Dramas…” Aether thought with an amused tone, thoroughly entertained by the unfolding drama.