Chirp, Chirp
The gentle sound of birds chirping floated through the open window, filling the wooden house perched on the mountain peak with a soft, tranquil melody.
“Hmmm…” Aether groaned, his body shifting beneath the covers as the growing light without a sun touched his face. He blinked slowly, his eyes fluttering open to greet the new day.
“Hmmm~” He let out a long, satisfied stretch, his muscles loosening as small crackling sounds echoed from his joints. His gaze drifted down to the figure curled up against him—Aqualina, resting peacefully on his chest, her breath soft and even.
A gentle smile tugged at Aether’s lips. He reached down and playfully ruffled her hair, whispering in a soft, teasing voice, “Wakey, wakey~ It’s morning, you know.”
“Hmmm…” Aqualina let out a sleepy murmur, burying her face deeper into his chest, clearly not ready to leave the warmth of their bed.
Her refusal only made Aether chuckle. Your adventure continues at empire
“…”
“Come on, I know you’re awake,” he teased again, brushing a few strands of her hair aside.
Still no response.
He smirked mischievously. “Your acting isn’t fooling me~” Without warning, he gave her a playful pinch on her ass, causing her eyes to snap open in surprise as she glared at Aether.
Yet,
Aqualina quickly looked away, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as the vivid memories of the previous night came rushing back. Her body stiffened, and she bit her lower lip, too embarrassed to face him directly.
“I-I can’t believe it…” she muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper. “My sweet, innocent Aether… turning out to be sooo perverted!”
Aether’s grin widened, and he pulled her closer into his embrace, his voice dripping with playful mischief, “Oh? You think that was perverted? Darling, you’ve barely scratched the surface of how much of a devil I can be~” He leaned in and playfully nipped at her neck, his breath hot against her skin.
“~ahh~”
Aqualina gasped, her body betraying her as she shivered in response, her blush deepening. She quickly pushed him away, flustered, “N-No! Only at night!” she stammered, scrambling out of bed and wrapping herself in the quilt.
Aether’s laughter echoed through the room. “Oh, so now you’re acting all shy after what we did last night?” His eyes sparkled with amusement.
Aqualina’s face burned red, but she didn’t dare meet his gaze. She attempted to stay composed, but her thoughts were still filled with flashes of their intimate night. Aether, however, wasn’t done teasing her just yet.
“Licking my coc–“
“OH MY GOD, SHUT UP!” Aqualina shrieked, her face now beet red, before darting into the bathroom, the quilt trailing behind her like a cape.
Aether leaned back on the bed, shaking his head in amusement.
A sly grin lingered on his lips as he telepathically reached out, connecting with Celestia.
/Celestia/
/Hmmm…/
/Is the production finished yet?/
/Hmmm…/
/Will it be ready for transport today?/
/Hmmm…/
Aether smiled as he shook his head saying, /If you’re curious about what happened last night, why don’t you just ask?/
/B-But I can’t simply ask how my niece enjoyed her first night with you… That would be too much./
Aether chuckled silently. /But you do want to know, don’t you?/
/…/ There was a long pause before she finally replied, /Well… Was she happy? How?/
Aether rubbed his chin with an amused face as he said, /Happy? Oh, definitely. But as for how…/as his face turned mischievous, /Well, you’d have to experience it for yourself to truly understand. Shall we arrange that little “process”?/
/Ahem… the production is done, and the final packaging will be completed this evening. We can deliver it by tomorrow morning./
Aether smirked, /Dodging my question, I see. You’re still curious…. Anyhow, Should I go or just you enough? Like before?/
/I think it will be better if you go since you are the creator… Let the world know You are more than just Kennedy/
There was a hint of pride in her voice that made Aether chuckle, ‘Even though those items are based on Kennedys?’ he thought but didn’t say to her. Then he thought about what Celestia said, ‘Yeah, I need to meet that auction woman directly as I needed to give her a unique product just as I signed in the contract’
Suddenly, Celestia asked with a curious tone,
/Mind telling me why you used ‘Lackey’ of all pseudo names?/
Aether coughed awkwardly before dodging, /So when we start our experience? You cannot lose to your niece, right~/
Ignoring his teasing, Celestia swiftly changed the subject again, /Actually, there was a box delivered earlier today./
/A box?/ Aether’s brow arched in curiosity.
/Yes. The same one as before—filled with those shining clothes and some money./
Aether sighed deeply, /Did it have a note this time too?/
/Yes, it was addressed to you, saying, ‘I love you for eternity. Use the money well.’/
/Who on earth keeps sending me these packages?/ Aether mused, exhaling again. The mysterious gifts had become a puzzling recurrence, but before he could dwell on it any longer—
“Aether! Hurry up and take a bath! We need to leave for breakfast!” Aqualina’s voice called out from the bathroom as she rushed back into the room, her wet hair still dripping.
Aether snapped out of his thoughts and blinked, his gaze settling on her as she stood there, hurriedly trying to dress.
Aqualina caught him staring and immediately blushed, glaring at him as she fumbled with her clothes. “W-What are you looking at? G-Go take your bath!”
He chuckled, enjoying the sight of her flustered, and finally got out of bed.
As Aether headed to the bathroom, Aqualina glanced back at the bed, her eyes falling on the sheets stained with the evidence of the night before. Her lips curled into a shy smile, cheeks tinged with a fresh blush… Without another word, she gathered the sheets!
Soon after, they rode together in a carriage to the same quaint restaurant they had visited the day before. The scent of freshly baked bread and brewed coffee filled the air as they sat down for breakfast.
Aqualina dug in with enthusiasm, but Aether remained unusually quiet, his thoughts elsewhere.
Halfway through the meal, Aether finally spoke. “There’s something you should know… about this tattoo.”
Aqualina blinked, glancing up from her food. “Yes?” Her gaze followed his hand as he absentmindedly traced the markings on his chest.
“This is the power given to me by the Arcane…..” His voice was calm, but there was a weight to his words. He offered her a carefully crafted explanation, revealing only part of the truth. He spoke of powers and abilities, yet kept the full story of his past hidden—for now, it wasn’t something she needed to know.