If anything, Aether understood Thalia more than anyone else.
He, too, had once been lost in a sea of doubts, consumed by self-loathing and uncertainty.
Who was he, truly… Ether or Aether?
Even though he recognized that he was both of them, he couldn’t help but feel a peculiar distance from Ether, as if that identity wasn’t entirely his.
It was odd—he shared Ether’s essence, yet his connection to Aether felt stronger, more natural. Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire
Was it because his earliest memories belonged to Aether?
Perhaps that was why Ether felt like a stranger, even though he was supposed to be the same person.
But one thing was certain:…. He was either Aether who had lived Ether’s life or…. Ether who had inherited Aether’s. No matter how he looked at it, they were ultimately the same being, intertwined and inseparable.
That was the truth he held onto, the belief that grounded him!
Aether turned to Thalia, his voice softer now.
“You know,” he began, his words deliberate, “I’ve always wondered… what do the memories of the past truly mean?
Are they proof that I was that person?
Or am I someone new, born from the remnants of what once was?
Should I embrace the past or cast it aside?” He paused, his gaze locking onto hers, searching. “There were so many nights I asked myself, Who am I? And no matter how much I tried, the answers always seemed just out of reach.”
Thalia tilted her head slightly, her curious eyes fixed on him as if drawn to the weight of his words.
Aether smiled as he leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his expression introspective, “But you,” he continued,
“you’re not like me. You’re different. Your path is clearer, even if it feels tangled now.
So tell me, why did you decide to follow Raven? What made you take that step?”
“Well…” Thalia hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. “She is… I mean, I was…” Her words faltered, her uncertainty palpable.
Aether’s smile widened, but it held a hint of sadness. “You followed her because you wanted to be with her, didn’t you? As a sister. You said it yourself before, remember? You would do anything for a sister.
You gave up your life, and when you were given another chance, you chose to come back? Really?
But not for yourself.
You returned for her… to help her… to protect her.. to save her!!”
“…” Thalia’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
“And that,” Aether added softly, “isn’t something just anyone would do. It’s not a choice made out of obligation.
It’s love!
Whether you are Thalia or Noirix, you are her sister. That truth doesn’t change.”
Thalia blinked, her gaze lowering to the floor as if trying to process his words.
Aether studied her carefully, then leaned forward slightly, his tone shifting. “Or… is it something else? Could it be guilt?…. Do you feel responsible for breaking your family apart?”
[+500 AP]
She flinched at his words, her reaction immediate and involuntary.
‘Bullseye,’ Aether thought, his expression remaining neutral despite the confirmation.
Guilt?
Why would she carry such a heavy guilt?
Because she believed it was her fault.
She was convinced that awakening her bloodline had triggered the downfall of her family. That her status as a chosen one had caused her to lose her parents, forced her to be cast out of the Empire as a traitor. Her sister had suffered a mental collapse, their family shattered beyond repair….. And in her heart, Thalia blamed herself for it all.
Anyone would hide their true identity!
It had to be why she refused to fully embrace her identity as Noirix. It was the only conclusion Aether could draw.
Aether shook his head, exhaling slowly. “If it’s guilt driving you… then it’s not my place to judge or offer you solace….” He snapped his fingers, a sharp sound breaking the heavy silence, and—
Thud!
The door swung open abruptly. Raven and her mother stepped into the room.
“Noir?” her mother’s voice trembled with emotion, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “W-Why did you run away? My dear Noir…” She hurried toward Thalia, but Thalia instinctively shrank back, fear clouding her face.
Her mother bit her lip as she understood her daughter’s reaction finally….
Raven, meanwhile, stood frozen for a moment, her gaze fixed on Thalia. Slowly, realization dawned on her. She had never suspected that her sister had been by her side all along, watching over her like an older sibling—even though Raven herself was the elder one.
Silently, Raven removed her sunglasses, her movements deliberate. She approached Thalia, stopping just inches away.
Slap!
The sound echoed through the room.
Thalia’s hand touched her red cheek, her eyes wide with shock.
Tears welled up in Raven’s eyes as her voice cracked.
“Do you think your big sister can’t protect herself?
Do you think I’m so weak that you have to carry everything on your own?
You’ve been doing everything alone, haven’t you? Without ever talking to me about it. Without trusting me. Are you trying to sacrifice yourself? For what? To ease your guilt?”
Raven’s voice broke further, her emotions spilling over, “Tell me, Noirix. Do you really believe you’re the reason our family fell apart? That our parents are gone because of you?”
Thalia lowered her head, her lips trembling, but no answer came.
Raven’s resolve crumbled. She bit her lip hard before pulling Thalia into a tight embrace. Her voice softened, her words barely audible.
“D-Do you honestly believe we hate you? That I hate you?” She glanced at their mother, silently pleading.
Their mother stepped forward, wrapping her arms around both daughters, her tears flowing freely now.
Aether stood quietly, sensing this was a moment meant for them alone. He turned to leave, wanting to give them privacy, but—
“Aether,” Raven’s voice called out, firm but laced with vulnerability.
He stopped, smirking inwardly before turning back to face her “Hmm?” innocently titled his head.
Raven hesitated, glancing at Thalia and her mother before speaking again. Her voice softened as she said, “You are… our family too.”
[+1000 AP]
Her mother raised an eyebrow, startled by the declaration, while Thalia looked up at her sister, her expression shifting to mild surprise.
Aether grinned inwardly, a satisfied smile tugging at the corner of his lips, ‘I finally broke the second wall!’ he cheered internally. Outwardly, though, he maintained a soft, composed expression. With a polite nod, he said warmly, “Thank you, Raven,” before leaning back in his chair…. settling into it even more comfortably!!
‘Now, only one wall remains,’ he thought, his amusement evident in his expression, ‘And I’ll break it soon enough. Just wait.’
No, no—don’t mistake him for manipulating everyone.
He wasn’t some scheming villain, alright? He was just… opportunistic.
That’s a valid strategy, isn’t it?
He needed to seduce Raven, no matter the cost. With the impenetrable emotional walls she’d built around herself, he had to chip away at them…. And, whether by luck, providence, or sheer audacity, he’d gained the trust of her mother and her sister.
Was it wrong to use that advantage?
He thought not.
Besides, he was a good guy. Really!
Raven turned her attention back to Thalia, her smile softening. Her voice was steady, yet brimming with emotion.
“I love my sister,” she began. “No matter what happened—no matter what you believe—you are my sister, and I love you.
Whether you think you were responsible or not, that doesn’t change how I feel. I still love you.” She stepped closer, her hands trembling slightly as they reached for Thalia’s shoulders. “If it’s guilt you carry, then let me take it from you.
You’ve already borne enough pain. You don’t need to hold this burden anymore.
Let me, as your big sister, carry it for you. That’s the least I can do for you, My little sister.”
Thalia’s lips quivered, and she bit down hard to stop them from trembling. Her voice cracked as she stammered, “B-Big sis…”
Raven’s breath hitched, her eyes widening in disbelief. Those words—words she hadn’t heard in hundreds of years—sent a surge of emotions crashing through her. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she whispered, “Y-Yes…”
“BIG SIS!!” Thalia cried out, throwing herself into Raven’s arms, her tears soaking her sister’s embrace.
“Noir,” their mother called softly.
“MOOMMMM!” Thalia’s cry came like a torrent. “I’M SORRRYYY!!” She sobbed uncontrollably, her voice breaking with anguish. “It’s all because of me… We lost our happy family… We lost our father… We lost our home… everything—it’s all my fault!!”
Her mother shook her head, pulling both her daughters into her arms as she sobbed with them. “No, dear. No, it’s not your fault. You are not to blame for anything.” She paused, her voice faltering as guilt crept into her own tone. “If anything, it’s me who should bear the blame… It’s because of my b-bloodline…
sniff
because it was passed on to you…” Her words dissolved into quiet sobs.
Aether watched the scene unfold in silence, his gaze lingering on the mother and daughters as they took turns trying to shoulder the blame.
‘Was only…. my mother really shitty?’he wondered bitterly, his thoughts trailing to his own past. Ever since he’d arrived in this world, he’d encountered mothers who were so vastly different from his own.
Here, they were caring, and nurturing—no matter what their children had become.
Even Liora, cold and aloof as she seemed, surely cared for her son in her own way.
Or… was this world trying to teach him something? That not all mothers were like his?
That maybe he had been cursed with a terrible one, just to make him suffer?
If that were the case, then, ‘Fate, I’ll fuck you over one day!’ he raged inwardly, his fists clenching momentarily.
However—
[You better not go for her too!]
Aether blinked, ‘Wait? What?’ he was taken aback.
[Just kidding!]
He rolled his eyes and shook his head, ‘Whatever,’ he thought dismissively, his focus returning to the present.
Thalia, still clinging to Raven, seemed to be coming to terms with her guilt at last. Her tears hadn’t stopped, but there was a change in her demeanour…. something beginning to flicker.
Aether’s gaze shifted to Raven. She was showing more vulnerability now than he had ever seen.
Her love for her sister shone through in every word, every gesture….
[+5000 AP]
!~Ding~!
[Congratulations on Completing the Hidden Mission: Seduce Thalia Crimsonclaw/Pyra Noirix]
!~Ding~!
[Reward: 200,000 Affection Points]
!~Ding~!
[Reward: Skill: Rebirth]
[Remaning AP: 3,704,563]
Aether blinked, his eyes narrowing in shock, ‘
Wait… Thalia?!’
His gaze darted to Thalia, who, despite the tears still streaming down her face, was looking at him now. Her expression had shifted—her soft vulnerability replaced by something sly, dark, and unnervingly familiar.
‘FUCK!!! I KNOW THAT EXPRESSION!!!’ Aether screamed internally, his heart sinking like a stone.