“So, you are leaving tomorrow?” Aqualina asked, her eyes trembling as the thought of leaving Aether alone with the Elven woman gnawed at her heart.
The anxiety was almost unbearable; What could that Elven bitch could to do him?
Aether paused in his task, his gentle smile spreading across his face, “Yes, I am,” he replied softly.
“…”
Aqualina stared blankly at Aether, her heart heavy with sadness, “I will be so lonely,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aether stopped what he was doing and turned his full attention to Aqualina. He knew he needed to maintain a dense act about her feelings to keep things simple. With an awkward smile, he said, “I promise to buy you a souvenir. Something special, just for you.”
Aqualina’s lips twitched in frustration. She felt like Aether was treating her like a child, and that only intensified her longing to express her true feelings. Gathering her courage, she stood before him, opened her arms wide, and said, “H-Hug me.”
“Hmm?”
Aqualina’s face flushed a deep red, her cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and determination. “H-Hug me…”
Aether’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. With a shy expression, he said, “B-But I cannot, Princess. You are Master Ka—”
“This is an order!!” Aqualina declared, her voice firm and authoritative. She hoped that invoking her authority would make it easier for him to comply.
Aether hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Then, slowly and quietly, he moved his hands. Aqualina’s heart pounded wildly in her chest as she watched his every move, her breath catching in her throat.
Despite his initial hesitation, Aether’s hands finally encircled her, “C-Come on, Aether… Please,” she pleaded, her face a brilliant shade of crimson.
That plea struck Aether’s heart directly. He immediately pulled her into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around her with a tenderness that surprised even him.
“HA!”
Aqualina gasped as she felt the warmth of his body envelop her. It was a sensation she had longed for, melting into his embrace like a fragile flower in the sunlight. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around him, a small, contented smile playing on her lips.
‘I love you…’ she thought, though the words remained unspoken. Her shyness held her back, preventing her from voicing the feelings that threatened to overwhelm her. ‘He is really strong,’ she noted, marvelling at his sturdy build.
Aether looked down at her and smiled, ‘She is kind of cute,’ he thought, his hands slowly travelling toward her hips. He gently grabbed them, causing Aqualina to momentarily stiffen. However, she quickly reminded herself that he was innocent and unaware of the impropriety of his actions.
“Aether… make sure to be careful around her, alright? And…” she began, her voice trembling slightly as she looked up at him without breaking the embrace. Blushing deeply, she added, “… N-Never show your genitals to anyone.”
Aether tilted his head in genuine curiosity, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he asked, “Why?” while suppressing a chuckle.
“W-Well…” Aqualina’s eyes darted around like a frightened animal, her mind racing for a suitable explanation. ‘W-What should I say? It’s so obvious what might happen, but I truly hope she won’t take advantage of him after the divorce. She might corrupt my innocent Aether!’ she screamed inwardly. With a face as red as a tomato and trembling lips, she finally said,
“This is an order. Never show your genitals to anyone.”
Seeing her adorable, earnest expression, Aether couldn’t help but smile. He patted her forehead gently before saying, “If the princess insists… then I will obey.”
Aqualina’s lips trembled even more as she let out a soft snort, “Hmph, you must,” she said, but her hug tightened around him, not wanting to let go.
…
…
Tuck, Tuck, Tuck…..
A horse-drawn carriage came to a halt, its wheels creaking against the gravel path.
“Aether, we have arrived,” Aria announced, her voice carrying a note of excitement. She wore a stunning one-piece traditional green dress that highlighted her ethereal beauty. She reached out and pulled Aether, who was clad in a white robe she had given him.
Stepping out of the carriage, Aether found himself surrounded by a scene unlike anything he had ever witnessed before.
Towering, ancient trees loomed overhead, their massive trunks intertwined with each other like guardians of the forest. Amidst this natural splendour, houses of exquisite architecture dotted the landscape. Each dwelling seemed to blend seamlessly with its surroundings as if crafted by the forest itself.
The buildings were constructed with a keen eye for elven aesthetics, using materials that harmonized with the natural environment. Some houses were nestled within the embrace of colossal tree roots, their structures supported by the sturdy branches arching overhead.
“Wow!” Aether mumbled in awe, his eyes wide with wonder. He had never imagined that the fantastical scenes he had read about in novels could be so vividly real. The beauty and tranquillity of the Elven village took his breath away, leaving him speechless.
“Haha… Welcome to our city, Faerie Arbor,” Aria announced with a proud expression, her chest puffed out slightly.
Then she grew serious, her tone becoming stern. “Aether, these people are old and believe in old traditions—”
“Just like you?” Aether interrupted, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Aria frowned, her lips curling into a playful scowl, “Who are you calling an old traditional useless woman?”
“…” Aether was taken aback, unsure how to respond to her sudden shift in demeanour. Aria giggled softly before whispering, “I’m just teasing~”
Aether’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Look at her, she’s in a good mood,’ he thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Leaning closer, he whispered back, “Even if my Aria is old-fashioned… I still love her~”
Aria flinched, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red, and immediately moved away from him.
[+7000 AP]
Aria then coughed, trying to regain her composure, “A-Anyhow, you need to follow me closely and never make eye contact with the elders. They can be quite irritable, especially since you are human. Some might not welcome you much, so stay close and do as I do, okay?”
Aether nodded with a serious expression, “Okay, Teacher!”
Aria giggled, tempted to kiss him right then and there, but she restrained herself. They were in the presence of many onlookers, and such a display would be inappropriate.
As Aria and Aether walked further into the city, Aether couldn’t help but check his New Log….. or rather modified Log after…. The crash had altered many things:
/
Name: Aether
Sex: Male
Race: ___________
Level: 17
Title: The Progenitor of Unknown Species, Eternal Contract to ########, The Only Holder of Ether and A Past-less, Future-less Entity
Skills: Freedom[Updated], Clone[Updated], Eternal Seal [Updated](Passive)
Attributes:
Strength: 160
Agility: 170
Intelligence: 160
Magic Affinity: 160
Charm: 160
Compatibility: 91%
Survival Rate: 35%
Affection Points: 1,000,000
Seduction: 3/10 :-
Stella
Aria Zephyr
Aqualina Naiadia
/
!~Ding~!
[Due to an excessive amount of affection received from Selene Frostblade, she has been removed from your Affection List. Consequently, you will no longer receive affection points from her.]
!~Ding~!
[As a result of Aether’s actions, the Log has anticipated potential imbalance and danger in certain individuals. Therefore, affection points will no longer be awarded once a specific threshold is reached.]
!~Ding~!
[The Threshold will be 500,000 AP for every individuals]
‘Well… I suppose even the Log is terrified by her affection,’ Aether thought, recalling the cute little girl he had left behind. He felt a pang of sadness remembering her gloomy face, ‘I need to pamper her more.’
Suddenly,
/A-Aether?/
Aether heard a voice in his mind and immediately recognized who it was, ‘So, the Eternal Seal’s telepathy works even at this distance,’ he thought before sending a telepathic reply. /Nothing much, Sel. I miss you~ and I’m sad that I couldn’t kiss you today./
He suddenly felt a wave of intense love and longing and even a hint of destroying something…. Aria!….. He sweated a little before saying, /I love you./
The intense emotions calmed, replaced by a pure eruption of love.
/I-I love you too!!!/
she shouted in his mind before cutting the connection. Aether could feel her overwhelming happiness and… was that a hint of arousal?
Anyhow,
“Aether?” Aria called him, snapping him back to reality.
They stood before colossal wooden structures that towered above the rest of the village. These buildings, larger and more grandiose than the others, commanded attention with their intricate carvings and elaborate designs. The massive wooden beams and arched doorways suggested a place of great significance, perhaps a sacred place.
“It’s my home,” Aria said, pulling him inside the grand house.