Thud!
Aria had Victor pinned against the wall in a classic kabedon move, her hand slammed next to his head as she cornered him with sudden intensity.
Victor caught off guard, blinked in surprise.
One moment they were walking, and the next, he found himself dragged into her room, her body pressing close, the door closed behind them. His mind raced, trying to make sense of her sudden boldness. “What’s going on?” he asked softly, his fingers brushing her cheek, his voice tender, though his eyes scanned her face for answers.
Aria held his gaze, her lips pressed into a firm line. For a long, charged moment, she said nothing, just staring into his eyes. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice serious and low. “What are you planning?”
Victor blinked again, confused. “Aria, what are you talking about—?”
“Aether,” she interrupted, her tone sharper now.
Aether sighed, realizing she wasn’t going to let this go. Reluctantly, he removed his mask, revealing the face beneath. His eyes met hers, “My current target,” he said calmly, “is Thalia Crimsonclaw.”
Aria’s expression darkened immediately, her lips parting in shock as the name sank in. “Thalia…” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly before she bit her lip.
There was a long pause before she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, “D-Do you need help?” The offer was there, but there was hesitation in her eyes. She knew what she about to do but for his freedom…. she was willing to do anything!!
Aether’s eyes softened as he took in her expression, touched by her willingness despite the anger she tried to hide. He gently cupped her face, his thumb brushing over her lips. “I know what you’re thinking, Aria… I can see it in your eyes,” he murmured, his voice low as he looked deeper into her gaze, almost into her soul, “Believe me when I say, I love you. And I will never let you go.
Not now, not ever…. Until the Eternity!”
Aria’s body trembled at his words, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson. She could feel the possessiveness in his eyes, the intensity that made her heart race, “I-I love you too,” she whispered, her voice soft and shaky, “and that’s why… I need to help you. Any way I can.”
Aether shook his head, his hand sliding through her silvery white hair. “There’s no need for you to get involved, Aria—”
“Aether… please,” Aria cut him off, her eyes wide with worry, “I don’t know what’s happened to you, but I can see it. Ever since that day got here, you’ve been… off. And the way you’re acting, the artifacts you gave me before we arrived… you’re preparing for something, aren’t you?
You know something bad is coming.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, her body trembling as she clung to him.
Aether stared at her, his heart clenching at the sight of her fear and love.
She was right, of course… there were things only he could do, things he couldn’t share with anyone. He let out a sigh, running a hand through her hair, “There are some things… that only I can handle.”
Aria didn’t let go, her grip tightening as she rested her forehead against his chest. “That’s why I have to help you. Look at me, Aether. I can’t just watch you suffer alone. That’s not what I want… You saved me when I was at my lowest, and now…” she pressed closer, her voice softening, “I want to do the same for you.
I just want to help my husband. Is that so wrong?”
Aether blinked her words…. He gently stroked her head, letting the silence between them settle for a moment. He could feel her desperation, her love, and her fear…. he could feel her raw emotions… And finally, he gave in, “Alright,” he said softly, a small smile tugging at his lips, “If you truly want to help… I won’t stop you.”
Aria’s face lit up with a mix of surprise and joy, “Really?” she asked, her voice full of excitement, her eyes wide and eager.
Aether chuckled, nodding as he leaned down and kissed her softly, “Of course,” he said with a wink, before raising his voice slightly, “Celestia.”
“??” Aria blinked, her happy expression faltering slightly as confusion crept in. “Who?” she asked, tilting her head, suspicious.
Her gaze shifted as she heard movement behind her. She turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she spotted a woman with chestnut-brown hair, wearing a maid’s uniform and glasses, lounging casually on the bed. The woman was watching them with a smirk.
A dangerous gleam flashed in Aria’s eyes, “Is she… also a target?” she asked in a low, eerie voice, her possessiveness flaring as she glared at the stranger.
Before Aether could respond, Celestia spoke up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “And what if I am?” she teased, winking at Aria.
Aria’s lips twitched in annoyance as she instinctively hugged Aether tighter, her eyes never leaving Celestia.
Celestia chuckled softly, “Don’t worry, I am not going to steal him~” as she winked at Aether and licked her lips seductiviely.
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Aria’s eyes turned even more dark…. The urge to lash out was growing, her fingers itching to grab her weapon…. the Blood of her foe!! But before she could act, she felt Aether’s hand gently patting her head, soothing her tension.
“No one can steal me away, Aria,” he whispered with a playful grin, biting her long elven ear lightly.
“~Mmm!” Aria flinched, her face flushing bright red. She quickly pushed him away, whispering in a flustered tone, “W-What are you doing? In front of a stranger?!”
Celestia chuckled, “Oh, don’t worry,” she said with a wink. “I’ve seen much more than that.”
Aria’s face turned beet red as she glared at Aether, her embarrassment skyrocketing, “You—! What did you tell her?!”
Aether immediately raised his hands in surrender. “Hey! I didn’t say anything.”
Aria’s glare shifted to Celestia. “Have you been spying on us?”
Celestia smirked, shrugging nonchalantly. “Who knows~?”
Aria’s eyes darkened as she thought to herself, ‘Alright… let’s kill this bitch… by accident.’
Aether softly embraced Aria, guiding her toward the bed. His gentle touch eased her as he whispered, “Since you wanted to help me… why don’t you start by helping her?” He motioned toward Celestia, who had been lounging nearby, eyeing them both with a smirk. “Celestia’s been handling a lot on her own—”
“Meeee tooooo~” Snowflake, the little snake resting on his neck, chimed in proudly.
Aether chuckled, the sound low and amused. “Yes, yes, both Celestia and Snowflake have been doing a lot.”
Aria nodded, her expression dead serious as her eyes narrowed in determination. “Okay, I get it. What do you need me to do?”
Aether’s heart swelled as he gazed at her, unable to resist smiling warmly. He leaned in and kissed her forehead softly. “I’m so lucky to have a woman like you in my life,” he said with genuine affection.
Aria’s cheeks flushed with pride at his words, and she cast a triumphant glance at Celestia, who rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smirking.
“Alright,” Aether said, turning to them both, “here’s what you need to do…”
…..
….
..
After laying out the details of the plan, Aether—or rather, Victor—left the room, letting the two women digest everything. As he walked back to his own room.
/Hey, Aether?/ Celestia’s voice rang out in his mind.
/What is it?/
/You know what you just did, right?/ Celestia’s tone was accusatory.
Victor’s lips curled into a sly smile /What are you talking about?/
/Oh, don’t play dumb with me, Aether! You totally set me up with another wild and weird one… just like last time!/ she complained, her voice brimming with frustration, /Do you remember what happened with Selene? She almost killed me! If it wasn’t for that pair of your underwear, I swear there would’ve been a bloodbath! You knew that, didn’t you?!!/
Victor’s chuckle echoed in their shared telepathic space. Memories of that chaotic day flashed in his mind… when he and Aria had left the academy to visit her home, leaving poor Celestia to fend off Selene’s growing suspicions,
/Of course I knew, But I also knew you were the only one who could handle it/ He amused.
/Handle it?!/ Celestia shot back, her annoyance palpable, /I barely survived! Aria’s even more intense than Selene!/
Victor continued walking, suppressing another laugh, /That’s precisely why I left her in your hands. You have your ways—your escape techniques, your soothing voice. You can calm anyone down, Celestia. I trust you/
There was a moment of silence before Celestia growled, /Hmph!! Five hours of cuddling. Minimum. And soft kisses until I say stop. You hear me, perverted womanizer jerk?/
Victor smirked at her demand /Deal,/ he agreed easily, though a faint trace of concern crossed his mind, /But are you sure you can handle her? She’s stronger than Selene/
Celestia’s voice regained its confident edge as she replied, /Don’t worry. I’ve got a backup plan./
/Backup?/
/Oh yes/ Celestia purred, a hint of mischief returning to her tone, /I’ve been collecting your underwear for this very moment. I knew this would happen sooner or later, so I prepared! Your scent— it’s the only thing that can calm these crazy women down. Don’t worry, I’ve got enough stockpile for anything/
The telepathic connection cut off as Celestia finished her statement, leaving Victor standing in the hallway, blinking.
‘Collecting… my underwear?’ Victor stood frozen for a second, piecing everything together. His mind flashed back to all those moments when he had wondered where his missing garments had gone.
Now it all made sense.
‘So my underwear is the backup plan, huh?’ He stifled a laugh as he resumed walking. ‘I’m not even sure how to feel about that…’
Shaking his head in amusement, just as he opened the door,
“Took you long enough to arrive, Victor,” the voice rumbled, filled with authority and contempt.
Victor grinned as he entered the room, finding Arkanis, sitting at the table with his piercing gaze fixed on him, “Ah, Mr. Shitty Lizard,”
Rumble!
The entire castle seemed to tremble under Arkanis’s barely contained rage. His eyes blazed as he snarled, “Watch your mouth, lowborn.”
Without care, Victor moved and sat before him and said in an indifferent emotionless voice, “Then watch your shitty tone, lizard”