Snap
The hooded figure frowned, realizing the sound wasn’t Taylor’s neck snapping, but rather… the crack of wood.
“Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr” A growling sound.
The hooded figure turned, spotting a monstrous gorilla-like creature with a golden 5-star Arcane crystal embedded in its chest. The beast’s eyes gleamed with predatory hunger, muscles tensed as it prepared to attack.
Seizing the moment, Taylor twisted her body with remarkable agility, grabbing the hooded figure’s hand and twisting it with all her might. The grip loosened just enough for her to slip free, moving like a slippery eel escaping a fisherman’s grasp.
“Cough, Cough!!”
Taylor gasped, her lungs finally filling with air. Her breaths were ragged, but she didn’t waste time. She quickly threw a bag of blood at the hooded figure.
‘Splatter’
“Tsk,” the hooded figure muttered, smelling the blood, “Lured the monster by spreading the other monster’s blood… not bad,” it mused, impressed despite the situation.
Indeed, Taylor had strategically spread the blood around the trees, knowing that the nocturnal monsters would be drawn to the scent. It was a calculated risk, one that was paying off now.
“Take care,” Taylor mumbled, her voice barely audible as she melted into the shadows.
The hooded figure sighed, turning to face the gorilla monster, which was now closing in with an intense, predatory gaze. The beast let out a deafening roar, its massive hands swinging down in an attempt to crush its prey.
“BOOOMMM!!!”
….
….
Inside the Academy
Thud
“Taylor?” Aether, deep in thought about his strategy for the contest, looked up as the door opened.
“Y-Yes,” Taylor answered, entering the room with a male attire. She removed her disguise and walked towards her bed, but Aether stopped her.
Taylor frowned, not in the mood for chit-chat, “A-Aether, I nee—”
“What happened?” he asked, his voice almost felt emotionless.
Taylor’s frown deepened. She wondered why he was so perceptive. She had treated her wounds meticulously before coming here.
“What are you talking about?” Taylor asked, feigning ignorance.
Aether didn’t respond with words. Instead, he gently traced his finger over the reddened mark on her neck.
“Shhh,” Taylor hissed at the burning sensation, ‘Shit! I forgot about this!’, she had overlooked one glaring detail… the full-grown hand mark on her neck.
She saw the concern in Aether’s eyes, a pained expression she hadn’t expected. Taylor was taken aback; no one had ever shown such expression for her before.
She was just a tool!
Taylor smiled weakly, “It’s fin—”
“Nothing is fine,” Aether interrupted, scooping her up like a princess and gently placing her on his lower berth.
“W-Wait!!” Taylor’s face turned red as she saw him applying ointment to her neck. “I-I am fine!” she protested, but Aether ignored her.
“Take rest,” he said firmly.
Taylor, surprised by Aether’s sudden attentiveness, felt her heart skip a beat.
She was really fine although she needed a simple rest but still, she was fine.
Yet, Her cheeks warmed as she realized she wasn’t used to such kindness.
After ensuring she was comfortable, Aether asked again, “What happened?”
“Well…” Taylor hesitated, unsure what to say. She couldn’t tell him she was gathering information about him.
Seeing his concerned and pained eyes, she decided to lie, “I… I was attacked by John’s servant.”
“John? Who?” Aether asked, frowning.
Taylor was surprised he had forgotten about them so quickly. She explained that John, wounded by Selene, had indirectly ordered his servant to harm Aether.
“Ah… I see…” Aether nodded, recalling the group of servants who had knocked on his door.
“So?”
“….”
“Come on, Tell me… Please”
“…. Since I was living with you, John’s servant cornered me and asked me to harm you and promised me that they would provide me with a large sum of money,” Taylor said. It wasn’t entirely a lie; it had truly happened, and she was using that truth now to cover up the night’s events.
Aether nodded, a smile playing on his lips, “You didn’t agree, so they hurt you?”
“….” Taylor remained silent. It wasn’t true that they had physically harmed her, but they had certainly warned her for not cooperating.
Understanding her silence, Aether nodded again and changed the topic, “You know, I brought a gift for you~”
Though Taylor already knew about the gift, she feigned surprise, “What is it?”
Seeing her genuinely curious and happy face, Aether chuckled, “Rest now like a good girl, I’ll show you tomorrow.”
Taylor slightly pouted at his chuckle but nodded, feeling the exhaustion settling in.
She was really tired!
Aether gently patted her stomach as if she were a child. Soon, Taylor drifted off to sleep, her breath finally calming down.
Aether watched her for a moment, then leaned down and kissed her forehead. He pulled a blanket over her and quietly left the room, closing the door with a soft click.
Click
“….” Taylor immediately opened her eyes and stared at the door for a moment. She gently rubbed her forehead, feeling a mix of guilt and warmth. She knew she had lied to him, but she had no other choice. With a slight blush, she prayed for John’s servant, hoping he would be spared from Aether’s wrath.
Meanwhile,
Knock, Knock
Thud
“Yawwwwn… Who is it at this hour?” A boy asked, opening the door with half-groggy eyes.
“Hello, Mr. Whatever,” came an indifferent voice. The boy’s eyes widened when he saw Aether standing before him.
The next thing he knew…
“AARHHH–mmfffffffff!!!”
A sudden cry echoed before it was quickly silenced.
Next Morning,
Aqualina looked at the Principal, who was glaring at Aether, who in turn was staring at the trembling, broken boy behind John. John gave Aether a dead glare, his eyes filled with fury.
Delphine sighed in the corner, not knowing how to respond to Aether’s audacious act.
“What? It’s not like it’s my fault!” Aether shrugged. He was used to this scene, having been called into the Principal’s office many times for his antics in his previous life.
“Aether!” Aqualina glared at him, silencing him. Aether shrugged again and chose to remain quiet.
“What do you want now?” Aqualina asked John directly.
The Principal and Delphine were surprised to see Aqualina negotiating so assertively.
John, though happy to get more from Princess, now decided to act tough so that he could increase the amount more, “Princess Aqualina, I hope you understand that my servant was really—”
Before he could finish, Aqualina showed him some papers.
“Your servant has been harassing my servant ever since you agreed to withdraw the complaint. Not only that, my servant has been ghosted in the Dormitory and Servant’s Cafeteria. Everyone treats him like a plague and some even provoking him calling him ‘Princess’s Lackey’….. Should I ask who is responsible for this?” Her voice was cold as ice.
“….” John was flabbergasted, gulping as he looked at the Principal, who wore a frown, “P-Princess, why don’t we talk alone—”
“A few nights ago, your servant, along with others, tried to harm my servant. What does that mean?” Aqualina asked, her tone unforgiving.
“….” John was completely taken aback. He had thought she was just a pushy princess just like before, but now he realized… She was a tiger who only hid once.
The next time he played, he would be at her mercy.
Aqualina was not just a treasured princess. She was the daughter of Empress Marisandra Naiadia, a very dangerous and cunning woman.
There was no way her kin would be pushovers!
John’s mind raced as he tried to think of a way out, “Princess Aqualina, I assure you, this is a misunderstanding. My servant acted independently, and I had no knowledge of his actions.” ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com
His servant had a horrified expression.