Maelona stared at Aria with wide, disbelieving eyes. She couldn’t fathom that her daughter, her precious, strong-willed daughter, had actually fallen in love with a mere servant.
Aether, on the other hand, felt a mix of surprise and anxiety as he watched Aria reveal the truth to her mother. Yet, she carefully omitted the fact that he was an Eternal Slave.
Like any protective mother, Maelona struggled to maintain her composure. She fought the urge to lash out at the stranger who had captured her daughter’s heart. She understood the depth of Aria’s sacrifices for their tribe and knew she had to respect her daughter’s wishes, no matter how difficult it was.
“My daughter, I know you have done so much for this unfaithful tribe,” Maelona began, her voice trembling with emotion as she glanced at Aether, who sat quietly beside Aria. “But still…” Her voice softened, filled with concern. “Is he truly the one for you?”
Aria’s expression turned serious, her eyes reflecting her unwavering determination. “Yes, Mother,” she replied firmly, “I am sure he is the only one.”
[+7000 Affection]
Aether’s heart swelled with affection and a twinge of guilt, ‘Ah… Come on, Aether,’ he chided himself inwardly.
He looked Maelona in the eye and bowed deeply. “I apologize for my behaviour earlier,” he said sincerely.
Maelona’s gaze remained fixed on Aether, her silence speaking volumes.
Undeterred, Aether continued, “I understand that as her mother, you have many doubts about me. But there is one thing I must make clear: I truly love her, not her position.” As he spoke, he wrapped his arm tightly around Aria’s waist. She blushed deeply, her heart racing. ‘Oh my God, Aether!
I love him so much!!’ she screamed inwardly, gently pushing him away, wanting to hide her embarrassed face from her mother.
[+1 AP]
Maelona frowned, her protective instincts flaring. She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a whisper filled with menace, “What will you do if I refuse to give you my blessing and forcibly separate you two?” Her eyes narrowed, and her voice took on a dangerous edge. “A decade for us is but a day. She will grieve, but eventually, she will heal, for by then, you will be long dead, human.”
Aether’s expression darkened at the words “forcibly separate.” Those words struck a deep, painful chord within him. He had heard them before…. A Pain!
“M-Mom?” Aria’s voice wavered with a mix of hurt and defiance. Despite her respect for her mother, she couldn’t stand by and allow her to disrespect the man she loved. She was on the verge of retorting when,
“Hehehe…” Aether’s laugh cut through the tension like a knife, sending a chill down Maelona’s spine.
“Forcibly separate? Oh, come now, my dear mother-in-law,” he said, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. “I came here to support her. Whether you grant us your blessing or not, I couldn’t care less.”
[+1 AP]
Maelona’s frown deepened, confusion mingling with her anger, “What do you mean?” she demanded.
Aether’s eyes bore into hers with an intensity that left no room for doubt, “I love her, and she loves me. That’s all that matters!
Whether you bless us or not, I will take her with me. And if you are determined to separate us…” His voice dropped to a chilling calmness. “I will come…. I will come and haunt each and every one of you until you beg me to take her.”
It was a threat!! A blatant challenge to the ruler of the High Elves.
Aria was stunned, not by the threat itself, but by the fierce possessiveness in Aether’s eyes, the way his touch sent shivers down her spine.
[+8000 AP]
[+1 AP]
“Come after us? Ara~Ara Boy, you are too young to make such threats—”
“Shall we wager on it, then?” Aether interrupted, his voice unwavering.
“Hmm?” Maelona’s curiosity was piqued despite herself.
“Take Aria with you….” Aether said, his voice steady and resolute, “…. And I promise, within a year, I will ensure that your entire tribe, the one that has hurt my beloved despite all her sacrifices, falls to its knees before me.” His face was set in grim determination. Though he was bluffing slightly, he wouldn’t hesitate to follow through if necessary.
Maelona’s frown deepened. She sensed his bluff but also recognized the dangerous resolve in his eyes. She couldn’t simply dismiss him, and before she could formulate a response,
“O-Okay, Aether!! Stop! I’m fine,” Aria cried, throwing her arms around him to calm him down. Her heart overflowed with happiness as she saw the depth of his anger and protectiveness. ‘I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!’ she thought, overwhelmed by her feelings.
[+8000 AP]
Aether blinked for a moment. His heartbeat gradually slowed, and he took a deep breath to steady himself. ‘Sigh, I cannot believe my emotions got the best of me, even if just for a second’.
Aria’s face was flushed with frustration and disbelief. She turned to her mother, her eyes blazing, “Mom, I can’t believe you! You tease too much!” she exclaimed, she pouted, crossing her arms over her chest.
Aether looked puzzled, his brows furrowed. ‘Teasing? I’m pretty sure she was serious,’ he thought, glancing at Maelona. Her face was alight with amusement, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the room moments before.
[+10 AP]
“Not bad… ‘my son-in-law,'” Maelona said, a sly smile playing on her lips. Her tone was light, but there was a glimmer of approval in her eyes. She then turned to Aria, her expression softening. “Though I am still reluctant about him being a servant, he certainly has some guts,” she added with a nod of satisfaction.
Knock, Knock
The sound of knocking broke the moment. Maelona straightened, her demeanor shifting back to that of the dignified matriarch, “I will be leaving now,” she announced, her voice authoritative yet gentle.
As soon as the door closed behind Maelona, Aria turned to Aether with an intensity that took his breath away.
She fervently kissed him, her lips pressing urgently against his. Aether responded instinctively, pulling her closer, his hands roaming her back. He lifted her effortlessly, carrying her to the bed. With a gentle yet deliberate motion, he laid her down and climbed on top of her, his eyes never leaving hers.
“What’s with the sudden kiss?” Aether asked, slightly out of breath, his voice tinged with amusement and curiosity.
“Hmm… I wonder why,” Aria teased, her eyes twinkling mischievously. She gazed deeply into his eyes, her expression softening into one of pure adoration, “You are too much, you know!”.
“Haha…” Aether laughed, the sound warm and rich. He leaned down and sealed her lips with his own, kissing her passionately. Their tongues intertwined, each trying to outdo the other in a dance of desire and dominance.
Suddenly,
“My dear, come with me!” she called, her tone commanding yet laced with amusement as she watched her daughter with a bemused expression.
Gossip was already circulating, and it wasn’t wise to leave them alone together for too long.
Aria’s face turned beet red with embarrassment. She reluctantly broke the kiss, her breath coming in short gasps.
“Mom!” she exclaimed, but the protest died on her lips. She threw a longing glance at Aether before following her mother out of the room, her heart heavy with a mix of frustration and desire.
…
…
Elven Court
Maelona sat on the elevated floor, her regal presence commanding the attention of all in the grand hall. The room was adorned with intricate carvings of ancient elven lore, and the air was filled with a faint, ethereal glow from the enchanted crystals embedded in the walls.
From her position on the raised platform, Maelona looked down at Alaric and Aria, who stood before her. Alaric’s expression was calm, while Aria’s eyes, reflecting a mixture of anxiety and resolve, met her mother’s gaze.
Around them, the gathered audience of elves watched intently, their expressions ranging from curiosity to sympathy. In a corner, Aether observed the scene, while hiding from other’s eyes.
The High Elves ruled over all sub-races of elves and other demi-humans, making their authority unquestionable. Despite being the Emperor, Alaric stood in the Elven Court of the High Elves, a place where even he had to answer and respect their traditions…. If he wants!
“Aria Zephyr, Alaric Zephyr,” Maelona began, her voice resonating through the hall with the weight of her authority, “You stand before this court to finalize the dissolution of your union.”
She turned her gaze to Alaric, her eyes sharp and discerning, “Alaric, do you acknowledge the request for dissolution by Aria?”
Alaric nodded, his face etched with deep sadness. In a voice heavy with emotion, he said, “I… I truly love her. Even though she cannot bear a child, I still love her, Your Grace. If this dissolution makes her happy… t-then I will…
will…” His voice broke, the words sticking in his throat as he struggled to continue, his expression filled with profound pain.
The audience’s eyes filled with tears. They could hardly believe that the Emperor, a figure of immense power and authority, was shedding tears for a barren woman.
Meanwhile,
Aria had, ‘What the fuck..?’ expression and Aether had, ‘Who the fuck…?’ expression.