[+10 AP]
Returning to Aria’s house, Aether and Aria sat before Kaelith. The room was filled with unspoken tension, Kaelith’s gaze deeply assessing Aether before turning to his daughter.
“I know I have no right to say this, but you have found a wonderful partner, my daughter,” Kaelith said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and resignation.
Aria simply smiled and nodded, her eyes shining with both happiness and relief.
Kaelith’s smile was gentle yet laced with sadness, “Please take care of my daughter, and may you have a wonderful life together,” he said with a heavy heart, knowing this moment marked a significant change. With that, he turned and left the room.
That’s right he left!
Aether watched him leave, his frown deepening. ‘Just like that?’ he thought, puzzled.
He looked at Aria, who was beaming with joy, “With that, no one is going to come between us!” she declared, hugging him tightly. Despite her happiness, there was a lingering irritation in her eyes, a reminder that another woman had dared to touch him.
Aether gently stroked her back, trying to soothe her, “It seems your father is… kind of good,” he remarked, hoping to ease her lingering annoyance.
Aria sighed, her expression softening but her eyes still reflecting a hint of turmoil. “Yes, as a father, he is good,” she agreed.
Just then, Maelona entered the hall “Don’t be fooled by him, Aether,” Maelona said, her tone serious and carrying a weight of authority.
“Huh?” Aether looked at her, puzzled and curious.
Maelona stepped closer, her eyes locking onto Aether’s with a stern, unwavering gaze. “Yes, he is indeed a good father to Aria, but I’m pretty sure he felt relieved knowing that from now on, he has no responsibilities left,” she explained, her voice steady but laced with a subtle edge of bitterness.
Aether frowned, “What do you mean?”
Maelona smirked, a dry chuckle escaping her lips, “Haha… after winning against the Darkfang tribe, you are now eligible to become an Elder of our tribe. All that’s left is the official marriage between you two!”
Aria’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson at the mention of marriage, her mind racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety.
Aether, on the other hand, stayed silent, noticing this!
“A-Are you not—” Maelona began to question, but Aether interrupted her with a tone that carried both fear and frustration, “Then I will deal with this pain-in-the-ass tribe!—Ouch!”
Aria pinched him sharply.
“It’s not a pain!! Hmph!” she huffed, crossing her arms in a display of fake anger. Aether pulled her closer, planting a series of soft, lingering kisses on her lips. Each kiss seemed to dissolve her resistance, and she melted into his embrace.
Maelona sighed in relief, then cleared her throat to regain their attention.
“Do you want to know about Kaelith and me?” she asked, her tone more sombre and reflective.
Aether looked at her, pondering for a moment. “As long as you want to share,” he replied, glancing at Aria, who had settled comfortably on his lap, her head resting against his chest, listening intently.
Maelona nodded, a distant look in her eyes as she began to recount her story, “Well, I am from the Moon Elf tribe, as you can see…” she said, pointing to her dark blue skin.
“Moon Elf tribe? I read they went extinct,” Aether remarked, recalling the history he had studied Yesterday.
Maelona sighed deeply, her shoulders slumping slightly, “The last woman of that tribe… due to certain biological problems, our bloodline could not be passed down to future generations,” she explained, pointing to Aria, who only inherited the High-Elf bloodline from her father, not even a hybrid mix.
“Anyhow, as you can see, I became a political tool and married into the High Elf tribe.
However, Kaelith was already in love with someone else,” she continued, her voice tinged with bitterness and sorrow that seemed to have aged her spirit.
Aether could sense where this story was headed, recognizing the parallels between Aria and her mother’s situations.
“He could have married her as a second, right?” he asked.
Maelona shook her head, “It’s not that simple… the person he loves is a… man”.
“…..” Aether opened his mouth to respond but found himself speechless.
Maelona chuckled wryly, the sound tinged with sadness and a touch of irony, “Due to tradition, he couldn’t be with him. I hope this answers your questions,” she said, her eyes reflecting years of unspoken pain and sacrifice, the burdens of duty.
Aether stared deeply into Maelona’s eyes, which held an awkward expression but…. Aether could see,
“You loved him, didn’t you?” Aether asked softly. Aria clenched her fists. ‘Aether…’ she thought inwardly.
It was astonishing how he always managed to find a way into another person’s heart, unveiling their deepest emotions and touching their most hidden wounds.
Her father’s love for another man had been a secret burden, but the real heartbreak was her mother’s unrequited love. Maelona had poured her heart into her marriage, trying her best to win her husband’s affection, yet her father never reciprocated those feelings, not even after Aria was born.
He was a good father, caring for Aria, training her, and teaching her many things, but he failed as a husband…. He never showed any genuine emotion towards Maelona.
Maelona’s smile grew even more wry, never responded.
Aether nodded in understanding, gently moving Aria aside before standing up and walking over to Maelona.
He looked into her eyes, seeing the pain and resilience. “I… I don’t have the words to fully express this,” he began softly. “… You knew your love was never going to bloom, and yet you loved him for over a thousand years….. That’s True love,” he said, and gently hugged her.
Maelona’s eyes widened in shock. She hadn’t expected such words, let alone a hug, from Aether. It was as if he could see straight into her soul, understanding the depths of her unrequited love.
‘True love… ah?’ she thought, reflecting on her feelings. Indeed, she had loved her husband after their marriage, even though she knew he loved another man.
Her love had never reached his heart, leaving her with the lonely feeling that only one-sided lovers know too well.
Aether quietly whispered, “A lonely love…” and patted her back gently.
[+200 AP]
Those words hit Maelona’s heart, and tears welled up in her eyes. Her hands trembled as she subconsciously embraced Aether in return. “Y-Yeah, a lonely love…” she mumbled back, her voice tinged with a sorrowful smile, a single tear slipping down her cheek.
Aether smiled gently, continuing to pat her back.
To be honest, He wasn’t trying to win her over or anything; he just wanted to acknowledge her love, a lonely love that deserved recognition.
Nothing more, nothing less!
He glanced at Aria, who was blankly staring at her mother. He smiled and beckoned her over. Aria snapped out of her daze and slowly, gently joined the hug.
“My Mom is strong!” Aria whispered softly, her voice filled with admiration and love.
“Ha-haha…” Maelona chuckled awkwardly, her tears flowing more freely now. “Why is everyone getting so dramatic?” she joked lightly, trying to ease the heavy emotions in the room.
“Just like my Aria,” Aether whispered, holding them both tightly.
Both women had suffered in different ways but had never given up. He now understood where Aria had inherited her strong patience and resilience.
[+300 AP]
The trio embraced, the atmosphere around them becoming calm and tender, filled with unspoken words and shared understanding.
However, the serene moment was abruptly shattered.
“My husband, I brought you a gift!!!” Liora’s voice rang out from outside.
Aria’s lips twitched, her eyes darkening with unknown emotions. Aether felt a bead of sweat form on his forehead. ‘Does she have a death wish?’ he wondered. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
He braced himself for the inevitable clash, knowing that Liora’s interruption would not be taken lightly by Aria.
To be honest, he even wondered why his log selected her as he felt she was… way too easy!