“Aqua… my dear, can I come in?” Marisandra called out, her voice firm but gentle as she stood before the tightly shut door of her daughter’s room.
“…”
There was no response.
Marisandra sighed, glancing at Aether, who stood beside her with a deep frown.
“As you can see…” Marisandra began, her tone was heavy with frustration. “She’s shut herself in and refuses to speak to anyone. If I try to use force, she just runs away. I’ve tried everything—talking, pleading—but she stares at me like I’m some kind of ghost. I don’t know what to do anymore.” Her voice faltered slightly.
Ever since Aqualina had returned, this was how she had been behaving.
Marisandra’s mind was a whirlwind of uncertainty. She had initially suspected Aether might have done something to trigger this behaviour, but after seeing that video, she reconsidered, ‘Maybe she’s worried I won’t let her marry him… Could all of this be part of some plan?’ The thought gnawed at her.
“Can I try?” Aether asked softly.
Marisandra hesitated, then gave a slight nod.
Aether stepped forward, knocking on the door. His voice was calm but firm. “Princess.”
Tang!
The unmistakable sound of something shattering echoed from inside. Both Aether and Marisandra flinched, exchanging a quick glance.
Aether smiled reassuringly, “Princess, it’s me, Aether. I’m here to see you. Can you open the door?”
“…”
Silence.
Frowning, Aether turned to Marisandra, his expression hesitant, “A-Aqua… your mother’s gone now.”
Marisandra’s lips twitched violently, barely suppressing her irritation.
Undeterred, Aether leaned closer to the door, lowering his voice to a whisper, “You have no idea how hard it was for me to get here. Your mother nearly killed me for entering without permission. And if you don’t let me in…” He glanced back at Marisandra, whose forehead now pulsed with visible veins. Swallowing hard, he added, “I think she will kill me. So please, Aqua—”
Thud!
The door suddenly swung open, and Aether was yanked inside before it slammed shut again with a resounding bang.
Outside, Marisandra’s eye twitched even more violently, ‘I can’t believe she just pulled him in… a stranger over her own mother!’ Clenching her teeth, she decided to wait.
Meanwhile, inside…
“What the…” Aether’s eyes widened in shock.
The room was in total disarray. Broken furniture littered the floor, shards of glass and scattered debris were everywhere, and the air was thick with the stench of decay.
But most of all… Aqualina herself.
Her eyes were dark, hollow voids as if she hadn’t slept in days. Her hair was a tangled mess, stiff and unkempt. Her torn clothes hung in tatters, clinging to her as if they’d been through a storm.
And most of all…. she smells bad.
The smell… it was overwhelming, a pungent mix of sweat, grime, and neglect…. like a garbage!!
Aether’s heart clenched.
“W-Why are you here?” Aqualina croaked, her voice hoarse and scratchy like she hadn’t had water in days.
Aether’s worry deepened, ‘She’s messier than the previous timeline… What the hell happened to her?’ Questions flooded his mind, but he pushed them aside for now.
“You need to refreshen up first,” he said, his voice firm and commanding.
Aqualina shook her head weakly. “You need to leave… You can’t be here—”
Before she could continue rambling incoherently, Aether stepped forward, scooping her into his arms. Her weak protests faded as he carried her toward the bathroom.
In a calm but decisive tone, he ordered, “Enough. You’re not staying like this.” Without missing a beat, he summoned his second clone to begin cleaning the disaster that was her room.
Meanwhile, Aether gently removed Aqualina’s dirty clothes. She stood still, indifferent, her eyes glazed over. “Aether… please leave. She might harm you,” she whispered, her voice strained and distant.
Ignoring her plea, Aether continued undressing her, even removing her undergarments. She stood completely naked before him, like a baby!!
Yet, there was no shyness that she usually showed!
Aether guided her to the shower, letting the warm water cascade over her. She stood like a lifeless doll, unmoving and silent. Concern deepened in his eyes as he tried to elicit a reaction, even teasing her nipple lightly.
Nothing.
She simply stared at the mirror, her reflection as hollow and broken as her spirit.
He sighed, washing her hair and every crook of her body and rinsing her body thoroughly before placing her into the bathtub.
The warmth of the water enveloped her, and for the first time, her eyes flickered. The tension in her body began to ease.
Slowly, her eyelids drooped, heavy with exhaustion. Her breathing steadied, and she drifted into sleep.
Aether watched her closely, a soft smile forming. He let her soak for a little longer, then carefully lifted her from the tub, wrapping her in a towel. He dried her gently, mindful of her fragile state, and carried her out of the bathroom.
His clone had already cleaned the room.
He laid her down on the bed after wearing some nightgown and then covered her with a soft blanket.
“Zzzz… Zzzz…” Aqualina’s deep, rhythmic snores filled the room. Aether chuckled softly. “She must not have slept for days,” he murmured, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face.
He hadn’t realized how serious her condition had become. He thought giving her space was the right thing, but he now regretted it.
“What happened, dear?” he whispered, planting a tender kiss on her forehead.
As he began to pull away, Aqualina’s hand shot out, grabbing his. Her grip was weak but desperate.
“A-Aether…” she mumbled, her face contorted in pain as if trapped in a nightmare.
Aether’s heart ached. Without hesitation, he climbed into bed beside her, wrapping his arms around her trembling form.
He kissed her forehead again, his warmth melting into her.
Gradually, her strained expression softened. Her body relaxed, and she sank into a deep, peaceful slumber.
_____
Meanwhile… Find adventures on My Virtual Library Empire
A shadow flickered in the room, disappearing silently before reappearing in front of Marisandra. The figure knelt, head bowed.
“Your Majesty,” Celestia reported, “Aether bathed her, cleaned her room, and put her to sleep. She’s finally resting after all these days.”
Marisandra exhaled deeply, relief washing over her. “I see…” she muttered, her voice softer. “And now?”
Celestia hesitated. “He tried to leave after she fell asleep, but… Her Highness grabbed his hand. She wouldn’t let him go, so he stayed with her.”
Marisandra’s lips twitched violently. She sighed, rubbing her temples. “As long as she’s back to normal, I’ll allow it,” she said, turning to leave.
“Are you really okay with this?” Celestia asked, her tone laced with curiosity.
Marisandra stopped in her tracks, frowning. “Huh? What do you mean?”
Celestia cleared her throat, maintaining a respectful tone. “Even though you love him… and he loves you… are you really willing to let this go?”
Marisandra’s frown deepened, “What are you talking about? I’ve told you before—I don’t love hi—”
Before she could finish, Celestia snapped, “You’re so damn annoying, Sandra!”
Marisandra froze, stunned by her outburst.
Celestia’s voice trembled, both in anger and pain.
“You know I love him, don’t you? You know how much I’ve wanted him to love me back.
Yet no matter how hard I try, no matter how much I seduce him, he only sees you!… He never looked at me like he looking at you!! You know how painful it is!!!” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her expression twisted with anguish, “I didn’t care when you killed our father and mother… but when you hurt him? That was unbearable.
You know how it felt? It is like broken!
For the first time, in this heartless creature… felt pain—real, soul-crushing pain!! Sandra!
And you? You act like everything’s fine, doing whatever the hell you want!… You fucking asshole!!!
Her voice broke, laced with hatred. “If it were anyone else, I’d have killed them—even if it cost me my life. But him… he still loves you, even after everything. You, a wicked woman who nearly destroyed him. What does he even see in yo—”
CRACK!
Before Celestia could finish, Marisandra slapped a hand over her mouth, her grip so tight it nearly broke her jaw.
With eyes burning red, Marisandra growled, “You better shut your damn mouth, Celestia. I won’t forgive you… Not even if you are my sister. This is your last warning!” She yanked Celestia away, storming off with heavy, furious steps.
Celestia collapsed to the ground, coughing as she cradled her aching jaw. Despite the pain, a sly smirk curved her lips. She watched Marisandra’s retreating figure, her eyes gleaming with dark amusement.