“Master, Is it a wise decision?” Alfred inquired, his gaze lingering on the retreating carriage that traversed the gates of the Frostblade Mansion.
“Hmm?” Mortimer’s eyes trailed after the carriage before he turned his attention to Alfred, considering his question carefully. “I know I am the one who stipulated he wasn’t permitted to learn anything, but…” He paused, his brow furrowing in thought as he shifted his gaze to his son, Velc, “Since the Empress’s interest has been piqued due to someone’s idiocy, I am left with no choice. I need him to increase his level as soon as possible and summon the Arcane card.”
At the mere mention of the Arcane Card, both Alfred and Velc visibly tensed, memories of the ominous dark entity haunting their thoughts, sending involuntary shivers down their spines.
Noting their reactions, Mortimer’s curiosity deepened, and his desire to witness the nature of the Card Aether would summon grew stronger. While he had received the results from the test he had tasked Alfred with conducting, confirming Aether as a Holder of an Arcane Card because his body rejected the impurities that had been stored inside Ether’s body by the Arcane energy, Mortimer remained puzzled by the mysterious crimson red, flesh-like substance.
Despite his vast knowledge and experience, Mortimer found himself intrigued by the unknown aspects of Aether’s mysterious substance. It was as though the young man held secrets that even Mortimer, with all his wisdom, could not fathom.
“Is it a consequence of my meddling with Nature’s order that altered his destiny ?” Mortimer pondered aloud, his mind drifting into contemplation before he vanished from sight.
Alfred and Velc exchanged a knowing glance and shrugged their shoulder before entering the mansion…. The engagement ceremony, set to take place in the grandeur of the Royal capital, was a momentous occasion that required meticulous preparation.
Despite the prestigious setting, Velc understood the importance of ensuring every detail was perfect to showcase his son in the best light possible. It was not merely about presenting Kai as a suitable match for the noble family they were allying with, but also about upholding the honor and reputation of the Frostblade household.
With a sense of duty and determination, Velc and Alfred set about their preparations, each fully committed to ensuring the success of the upcoming engagement.
Inside the carriage,
‘Tuck, Tuck, Tuck…’
The rhythmic sound of the horse’s hooves echoed within the carriage, creating a soothing backdrop to the palpable tension that hung thick in the air.
Aether stole a cautious glance at Timmy, whose expression seemed to radiate anger, his features contorted as if flames were licking at his face. Beside him, Kai stared out the window with a visible air of annoyance, his jaw set in determination.
On the opposite side sat Selene, her posture rigid as she stared fixedly at the passing scenery, her expression serious and focused. Beside her sat the aqua-haired woman, exuding an aura of calm indifference.
Originally, Aether was meant to sit with the coachman, but Mortimer insisted he join them inside the carriage, displaying an unexpectedly paternal concern that left Aether feeling both doubtful and uneasy.
If Aether were more naive, he might have been fooled into believing Mortimer’s outward display of generosity and warmth. But his instincts told him there was more to Mortimer’s actions than met the eye…. since there were no affection points till now from the old man!!
“Not going to speak to me?” the aqua-haired woman inquired, her voice laced with a hint of amusement, as she casually crossed her legs.
Her soft aqua eyes studied Kai and Selene with genuine curiosity, betraying a keen interest in their demeanour.
Kai and Selene turned their attention to their aunt, their expressions guarded yet curious.
“How are you, Aunt?” Kai forced a polite smile, though a trace of irritation coloured his voice.
“I’m well, thank you. And how about you?” Delphine responded with a small smile, seemingly unfazed by Kai’s tone, her gaze unwavering.
“Better than ever,” Kai replied proudly, his tone masking the underlying tension that simmered beneath the surface, ‘I have to deal with everything.. tsk’.
“Hmmm,” Delphine murmured, her gaze shifting to her niece, Selene.
However, Selene remained silent, her focus solely on the passing landscape, her thoughts shrouded in a veil of introspection.
“Selene?” Delphine called out softly, her voice gentle yet insistent.
“Yes?” Selene responded without turning her head, her tone distant yet composed.
Delphine didn’t press the matter further, her attention shifting to Timmy and then to Aether.
“Timmy and Ether, Right?” Delphine inquired, her gaze shifting between the two.
Timmy bowed deeply, his respect was evident in the gesture, “Y-Yes, Miss Delphine,” he replied, his tone deferential.
Delphine acknowledged Timmy’s response with a nod before directing her gaze to Ether. However, she was met with unexpected defiance from the young man.
“No, Madam. My name is Aether,” Aether corrected her, choosing not to bow.’
Indeed, he was a slave but that didn’t mean he needed to bow to everyone. It’s not like his actions would tarnish Kai’s reputation…
Though Aether wished it to occur….. not right now.
“Aether?” Delphine’s brow furrowed in confusion, mirroring the expressions of Selene and Kai.
Despite multiple people referring to him as Ether, Aether insisted on his chosen name.
“But I’ve heard your name was Ether. Is that not correct?” Delphine questioned, aware of Aether’s amnesia but intrigued by his insistence on using a different name.
Delphine couldn’t shake off her curiosity about why Aether insisted on using the name “Aether” instead of acknowledging his true identity as Ether.
Despite the homophones ‘Ether’ and ‘Aether,’ Aether clung to his name as if it bore profound significance to him as if every syllable resonated with his essence.
“Yes, since I had amnesia, I don’t remember anything, so instead of living Ether’s life… I like to live my own life as… Aether,” Aether answered with a small, thoughtful smile, his eyes gazing into the distance as if searching for lost memories.
Selene’s frown deepened as she mulled over his words, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that there was something more to Aether’s insistence on his chosen name.
“Hmmm…” Delphine’s nod was accompanied by a contemplative expression before shurgging off.
!~Ding~!
[+1 Affection]
Aether simply shrugged and peered outside.
As the journey continued in silence, each passenger lost in their own thoughts….
As the evening descended upon them, they finally reached their destination.
“Hmmmmm,” Aether groaned in relief, stretching his tired limbs as he emerged from the carriage, feeling the stiffness of the long journey dissipate.
“Let’s stay in the hotel for the night,” Delphine declared, leading the way into the grand establishment, which Aether regarded with a mixture of awe and curiosity.
Kai, trailing behind Delphine, muttered to himself, “I want to level up as soon as possible, not waste time on luxury accommodations.”
Silent and reserved, Selene followed Delphine’s lead without uttering a word, while Timmy dutifully lugged her oversized suitcase behind her.
‘Well… I am free then’ Aether thought.
With his hands-free, Aether was about to follow them into the hotel when he was suddenly interrupted.
“Excuse”
‘Thud’
“OUCH!”
Aether yelped as he stumbled forward, his head making unexpected contact with the ground.
Turning to face the source of the disturbance, he found the coachman standing before him, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he held out several bags.
“I think you forgot these, little boy,” the coachman teased, depositing yet another bag atop Aether’s head.
“W-Wait, I don’t think those are ours,” Aether protested, furrowing his brow in confusion, ‘We didn’t load anything… did we?’
Before that coachman could answer, “Those are mine!” Delphine declared, waving her hand to claim the bags.
“Heh….” Aether muttered with an annoyed expression, tightly gripping the bags as he trudged inside the hotel.
Delphine observed his irritation keenly, her sharp eyes noticing every flicker of emotion, ‘Seems like he really regained every sense… Should I tell sister about this?’ she pondered briefly before dismissing the thought.
Once inside the grand hotel, Delphine confidently approached the reception desk. “Two rooms already booked in the name of Delphine Frostblade,” she informed the receptionist.
The receptionist nodded, efficiently retrieving the room keys and handing them over with a polite bow,
“Please have a pleasant stay, Madam Frostblade,” she said courteously.
After receiving their keys, Delphine and Selene made their way to one room, while Kai and Timmy headed to the other.
“Wait? Where am I supposed to sleep?” Aether’s voice echoed as he pounded on the door.
“Slaves have separate rooms on the lower floor, and they’re free, so go there!” Timmy’s voice came through the closed door, accompanied by the sound of the latch clicking shut.
“….heh,” Aether sighed in frustration, feeling the tension rising within him. He reluctantly suppressed his anger, realizing his hands were tied in this situation. As he turned to leave, a familiar voice called out to him,
“Eth– No, Aether Come with me!”