Aria and Aether stood before the carriage, its polished surface gleaming under the mid-morning sun as they prepared to depart once again.
“Take care and be sure to eat well, my dear,” Maelona said, her voice trembling with emotion. She wrapped her arms around Aria, pulling her into a tight hug. Tears shimmered in her eyes, threatening to spill over.
Aria returned the embrace, her own eyes misting with unshed tears, “Yes, M-Mom,” she mumbled, her voice choked with emotion. She reluctantly pulled away and stepped into the carriage, her movements hesitant.
She knew that if she stayed any longer, she might break down, and she couldn’t afford to cry in front of her mother. She had to stay strong. With a determined look, Aria vowed silently, ‘I will do everything in my power to bring you back to normal, Mom.’
“I will be leaving then, Mother-in-law. Please use the medicine carefully and inform me as soon as you get tired,” Aether said, his tone firm but filled with concern.
Maelona’s lips twitched at Aether’s worried demeanour. With an amused smile, she teased, “Ara~ Are you not going to hug your pitiful mother-in-law? What a bad son-in-law I have.”
Aether chuckled and shook his head. He stepped forward and hugged Maelona, holding her close. As he stared into her eyes, he whispered, “Of course, I would love to hug my mother-in-law.”
Maelona grinned, but then she felt Aether tightening his embrace. She couldn’t help but tease him further, “Fu~Fu~ Aren’t you hugging me a little too tightly?”
Aether smirked, “Well, you are asking for it.”
“I am asking?” Maelona frowned, but her eyes widened as she realized her emotions were being transferred to Aether. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, a warmth spreading across her face. Flustered, she pushed him away gently. “G-Go!”
[+900 AP]
“Haha…” Aether chuckled, a deep, resonant sound, and kissed her cheek. He then turned to Liora, who stood nearby, watching silently.
“I will be leaving… Liora,” Aether said, standing before her. His heart worried at the thought of leaving her behind, knowing that her affection had not yet reached its limit… but he couldn’t have time.
Liora stared at Aether for a few moments before slowly wrapping her arms around him.
“I… I am not sure if you were pleased or not, but I gave my best,” she whispered, Her hand brushed against his crotch, a bold but tender gesture. With a determined look, she added, “I will definitely make you fall for me, no matter how long it takes.” with a happy and grinning face.
“~Hmm~”
Liora pulled him closer, her lips meeting his in a fierce, passionate kiss. Maelona’s eyes widened in surprise, but Liora didn’t care. Her tongue danced with Aether’s in a battle for dominance, their breaths mingling as they slowly parted, breathless and flushed. frёeωebɳovel.com
“~Ha~”
“~Ha~”
“Soon you will be mine,” Liora declared, her voice serious and filled with determination as she licked her lips.
“I am waiting then,” Aether replied with a gentle smile. He kissed her forehead tenderly, he then walked back to the carriage, his steps slow and deliberate.
Maelona watched the carriage leave, a small smile playing on her lips. As she turned to go, she noticed Liora biting her lip, her expression sad and her tail and ears drooping like an abandoned dog.
“Why do I feel like my son-in-law is the one who is after her…” Maelona mused, blinking in surprise.
With a sigh, she encouraged quietly, “Do your best, my daughter!” She then addressed Liora, “We shall proceed with the plan, Liora.”
Liora took a moment before nodding, her expression turning fierce. “It’s time to butcher some bitches!” she declared, her voice filled with a fierce determination.
Maelona’s lips twitched in amusement before she chided, “Mind your words! You barbarian woman!”
…..
….
Inside the carriage,
“Hmm~”
“Hmm~” Aria straddled Aether’s lap, her lips locked with his in a deep, passionate kiss…. as if she was trying to purify him!
After a moment, Aria pulled away, resting her head against his chest. She listened to the steady beat of his heart, finding comfort in its rhythm. “She will be fine for a week, right?” she asked, her voice tinged with worry.
“Yes, if the quality doesn’t change by our estimation,” Aether replied, his tone soothing. He gently stroked her hair, noticing the sadness and fear in her eyes. “It’s fine, Aria… We will definitely cure her.”
“Hmm…” Aria nodded, though the worry didn’t completely leave her face. Her fingers played with the fabric of his shirt, seeking reassurance.
“Hmm?”
“Yes?” Aria tilted her head, looking up at him with soft eyes.
“Aren’t you forgetting something?” Aether asked, knowing there was a question she hadn’t yet asked, one he knew she was curious about.
Aria smiled warmly and snuggled closer to him. “As I said before, I will wait until you are ready to reveal everything. It doesn’t matter whether you are Victor, a slave, a hidden prince, or whatever… I love you, and that’s all that matters.”
“I see…” Aether smiled, touched by her unwavering devotion. He ruffled her hair gently and leaned down to kiss her lips. “I love you too,” he whispered, his voice filled with emotion.
“But you better not approach Victor.”
“Hmm? Why is that? Here I was thinking I could have some lovey-dovey moments in the classroom,” Aria teased, her expression soft and sly. She traced her finger along his jawline, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Oh? He is an arrogant and unapproachable person, so no! And lovey-dovey… Aren’t we doing that now?” Aether replied, a playful smirk on his lips.
“Hmm? Where?” Aria asked innocently, but then,
“ahh~” Aether pinched her ass, making her squeal softly. He grinned as they continued their playful banter, the carriage rolling steadily towards their destination…
Sovereign Arcanum Academy
Deep Inhale
Aether took a deep inhale, feeling a wave of familiarity wash over him as they approached the grand gates of Sovereign Arcanum Academy. Beside him, Aria watched his reaction with a warm smile, understanding his emotions without a word.
“Come on, Aether,” Aria urged, gently pulling his arm.
“Okay!” Aether nodded, and as he stepped inside the ornate gates,
!~Ding~!
[Say: Log]
“….” Aether blinked a few times, taken aback by the sudden notification. He sighed, anticipating what was to come. ‘Can’t you just wait a little bit?’ he thought inwardly, hoping to delay whatever was about to happen.
To his surprise, the words vanished as if responding to his silent plea. Aether’s lips curved into a surprised smile before he continued walking with Aria to her dorm. After helping her settle into her room, he made his way to Aqualina to report his arrival.
“Princess, I am back!” Aether announced with an energetic expression as he entered her room without knocking.
“A-Aether? You came back!!” Aqualina, who had been engrossed in her study materials, looked up in surprise. Her face lit up with joy, her previous sombre expression replaced by genuine happiness.
Without a moment’s hesitation, she leapt into his arms.
“That’s dangerous!” Aether exclaimed though he caught her with ease, his expression shifting from surprise to affection. ‘She must have felt lonely,’ he thought, holding her close.
“Haha… I knew my Aether would catch me,” Aqualina said, her voice filled with trust as she hugged him tightly. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as she whispered, “I missed you a lot…”
Aether chuckled inwardly, thinking, ‘Look at the once prideful princess, now so cute and adorable.’ He hugged her back, feeling her warmth seep into him. “I missed you too…”
“Hmm,” Aqualina smiled contentedly. However, Aether’s brow furrowed when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes.
“Have you not been sleeping enough?” he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Aqualina smiled weakly, saying, “Yes, because someone left me all alone!”
She felt a warm rush of happiness that Aether noticed her condition immediately…. unlike Kai, who was often too busy.
But the real reason for her sleeplessness was her recurring nightmares, which she had kept to herself.
“Sigh,” Aether sighed deeply before picking her up in a princess carry, surprising Aqualina. She looked at him with wide, astonished eyes, noting how much he had grown. His face had become more charming and… he looked undeniably hot!
A deep blush spread across her cheeks, her heart beating wildly in her chest.
[+7000 AP]
‘H-He is a little too bold,’ she thought but kept silent, not wanting to miss the chance to be close to him.
Aether, ignoring her shocked expression, gently laid her on the bed and covered her with a soft bedsheet. With a stern yet caring tone, he said, “Now sleep!”
“H-Huh?” Aqualina snapped out of her trance, objecting, “I-I need to know what happened, and it’s not even night!!”
“Nope! Everything can wait, but your sleep is more important right now. And I also brought you souvenirs,” Aether said, his face firm but his eyes gentle.
Aqualina awkwardly shook her head.
She wanted to know everything…. Did he enjoy the new culture?
Did he have fun?
Did he miss her?
Did he tease any girls?
And especially, did he do anything with Aria?
These questions were more important than her mere sleep. However, suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over her, making her eyelids feel heavy.
She looked up at Aether, who was gently ruffling her hair. “S-Sleep with me…” she murmured, patting the space beside her.
Aether was startled but shook his head, replying softly, “You know I cannot do that, right?” Exclusive content from freewebnovel
Aqualina bit her lip before sighing, extending her hand towards him. It was a silent plea that Aether understood immediately. He took her hand and squeezed it tightly.
“Hmm…” Aqualina nodded, Her eyes slowly closed, her breathing evening out as she drifted into a peaceful sleep.