“What’s going on in there?” Vesperine muttered to herself, her brows furrowed in confusion. The throne room was unnervingly silent, and Kaelen had been inside far longer than she expected.
She took a cautious step toward the door, but the guards instantly crossed their weapons in front of her, barring her way. Frustrated, she sighed and resigned herself to waiting.
‘Tsk, what the hell is going on in there? Why is it taking so long?’ she thought, tapping her foot impatiently. Just as her mind began to wander into darker possibilities—
Thud!
The heavy doors swung open, and Kaelen finally emerged.
“K-Kaelen?” Vesperine gasped, her voice tinged with both relief and concern. “Are you alright? You look pale… almost like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Kaelen stood there, unmoving, his eyes wide and distant as if trapped in some unsettling memory.
“Kaelen?” she called again, stepping closer. She gently cupped his cheek, her fingers brushing against his cold skin. “What happened in there?”
Suddenly, Kaelen’s blank expression shifted into something entirely different. His eyes lit up, and a broad, almost manic grin spread across his face.
“I FUCKING LOVE MY FATHER!!!!!” he bellowed, his voice booming through the corridor.
Vesperine flinched, her hand snapping back in shock. She stared at him, utterly bewildered. Her heart sank as she saw the reading,
[💗↓ 90%]
[💗↓ 80%]
[💗↓ 75%]
Her eyes widened in disbelief. ‘H-How is this possible? This is the first time I’ve seen such a drastic drop… What in the world happened in that room?’ She swallowed hard, trying to regain her composure.
“Kaelen,” she said carefully, her voice softer now, “can you explain what just happened? You seem… really happy. Did something good happen?”
Kaelen’s chest puffed up with pride, his eyes misting with tears. “Yes! My father slapped me—slapped me right across the face—and told me to man up!” He laughed, a mixture of pride and emotional release pouring from him.
Vesperine blinked, utterly dumbfounded. ‘Wait… He’s this happy because he got slapped? What the actual fuck is wrong with him?’ She forced a tight smile.
“So… let me get this straight. You feel inspired because your father hit you?” she asked, struggling to mask her disbelief.
“Exactly!” Kaelen declared, his voice brimming with conviction. “He believes in me so much that he even disappointed in my mother! I won’t let him down.
I’ll face that wicked woman with everything I’ve got! I refuse to fail him like my mother did!”
His words were fervent, filled with righteous determination. He spun on his heel and began storming away.
“W-Wait!” Vesperine called out, chasing after him. She clenched her fists, realizing she now had to work even harder to steer this impulsive fool in the right direction. But something caught her eye—a flicker behind the throne room door, just before it closed.
She squinted, barely catching the sight of three women and a man inside. She couldn’t make out their features clearly, but what stood out most were those two icy, piercing eyes glinting in the dim light from a side angle.
Meanwhile, inside the throne room,
“I FUCKING LOVE MY FATHER!!!!!”
Kaelen’s booming shout echoed through the chamber. The three women exchanged amused glances, their lips curling into sly smiles….. Aether, however, stood motionless, his face a strange mix of confusion and disbelief.
It wasn’t Kaelen’s outburst that had him stunned—well, maybe a little—but something far more bewildering.
!~Ding~!
[+5000 AP]
[Received New Title: Loving Step-Father]
Aether’s eye twitched. ‘What the fuck? What’s that supposed to mean, Log? And why the hell did I get seduction-level affection? I didn’t even do anything remotely seductive!’ He screamed internally, glaring at the notification.
[As the title indicates, it’s your love for your stepson and vice versa! Nothing more, nothing less!]
[And since the user is only interested in the opposite gender… Kaelen Darkfang will not count as a mission or any potential mission.]
Aether’s jaw tightened. ‘Opposite gender? What if I was interested in the same? Would you consider it then?’ His expression darkened with concern.
[Hehe… Do you want to be?]
‘Fuck you, you little shit! I’m straight as hell!’ Aether roared inwardly, his fists clenched in frustration. He couldn’t believe his own system had almost tricked him into questioning his preferences. He’d been curious about possibilities, but now? He didn’t even want to think about them anymore!
“A-Aether?”
A soft, trembling voice pulled Aether out of his troubling thoughts. He turned to see Liora standing there, her wolf ears drooping and her tail hanging low. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty, her expression lost and vulnerable.
Aether exhaled deeply, brushing off the lingering tension in his chest. He stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “You should know, Liora… I understand you’re worried about your son. It’s natural. But he needs to grow his own wings. If you keep holding onto him, he’ll never leave the shadows. He needs to stand on his own.”
Her voice quivered like a wounded pup’s. “A-Are you still disappointed in me?” she asked, her ears twitching slightly. She bit her lip in a small, adorable gesture of remorse, barely able to meet his gaze.
Aether chuckled softly, his hand moving to pat her back in gentle reassurance. He wasn’t truly angry; he never had been.
He’d only been firm with her earlier because he needed her to understand!
“I’m not angry. You did what you thought was best for everyone,” he said, his tone warm. But then, he cupped her cheeks and gently tugged. “Still, you should have told me first.”
“I’m sorrrriiii!” Liora whimpered, her cheeks stretching as he pulled them playfully.
Satisfied, Aether released her with a nod. “That’s all I needed to hear. But don’t forget—if there’s anything you need or anything you want to discuss, you should always—”
“Come to you?” Liora interrupted, tilting her head with a curious look.
“Exactly.” He smiled softly, his gaze flicking over to Aria, who was standing nearby, her body visibly tense and her eyes narrowing in dark… She was practically vibrating with jealousy.
“And you…” Aether said, catching Aria by the hips and pulling her close. “I know this isn’t something you’re particularly interested in, and yet, you’re doing it for me. I’m truly grateful, my lady.”
“Fu~Fu~ Of course! Anything for my darling~” Aria cooed, her dark expression melting into a sweet, affectionate one as she clung to him tightly.
Aether turned his attention to Maelona. “Make sure the contest proceeds perfectly.”
Maelona offered a small, respectful nod. “Understood.”
Before Aether could return his focus, Aria pressed herself against him with a needy pout, her cheeks flushed. “D~Darling…” she whispered, her voice dripping with longing. “It’s been so long… I’ve missed you… You know how lonely I’ve been…”
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Aether chuckled, his eyes sparkling with mischief, “Of course, Aria deserves a reward.” His hand began to drift downward, sliding from her hips toward her ass.
Liora’s ears perked up at the movement, and before Aria could claim all of him, she wrapped her arms around Aether from behind. “M-Me too… Husband… I was lonely too~” she murmured, nuzzling into his back.
Aria’s eyes twitched with irritation. She spun around to glare at Liora. “Weren’t you busy with that building project of yours? Why don’t you go play there instead of intruding here?” she snapped, her voice laced with jealousy.
Liora smirked slyly. “Actually, that’s where I’m taking him. We’ve got one room ready, and I thought…” Her hand slid from Aether’s chest, inching lower toward his groin.
“Bitch! I was here first!” Aria’s voice rose in fury, her possessive grip tightening around Aether as she pressed his head into her bosom. “Unlike you, I’ve been stuck in that damn summit for ages! So, I deserve this more than anyone!”
Liora’s eyes narrowed, her frown deepening. “I’ve been working hard too. And we need to test that room, make sure it’s working properly!” Without missing a beat, she pulled Aether’s head into her own ample bosom.
The two women glared daggers at each other, their rivalry clear as they continued their back-and-forth tug-of-war, each pulling Aether into her softness.
Aether, meanwhile, merely smiled, content to enjoy the moment. Their different textures and warmths pressed against him, and he wasn’t about to complain…. as long as there was no blood bath!
Maelona stood to the side, watching the scene unfold with a blank expression. She sighed, shaking her head in disbelief. ‘Neither of them has a shred of shame,’ she thought. But just as she was about to intervene—
“Your Majesty, the Sovereign has arrived!” A sound echoed from outside!