Xara Seraphine, with her long, silky black hair cascading down to her hips, flicked it back with a graceful motion of her hand. Her dark, deep eyes shimmered with a hint of tears as she pulled her daughter into a soft, yet tight embrace! [Image in cmt]
“Mom… Y-You’re finally here!” Selene mumbled with a trembling voice, her words shaky as she buried her face into her mother’s chest, inhaling the familiar, comforting scent of her mother’s presence after what felt like an eternity apart.
“Yes… I am finally here,” Xara whispered softly, her voice gentle, though it carried a subtle longing that couldn’t be hidden. She ran her fingers through Selene’s hair, a gesture filled with love and tenderness, as though she was trying to memorize the sensation of holding her again.
Aether, standing awkwardly a few steps away, watched the touching scene unfold. His gaze lingered on Xara for a moment longer than he intended. His expression softened ever so slightly… and… was it longing?
Aether quickly shook his head, trying to clear the unexpected thoughts.
Inwardly, he screamed himself, ‘Okay, Log! This is completely messed up… What do you mean she was my target? I don’t understand… I mean, I do, but… this is really fucked up!’ His mind raced as confusion and frustration.
!~Ding~!
[A Target is a Target, and you need to seduce them at any cost, no matter who they are!]
Aether’s lips twitched violently.
He exhaled deeply, trying to compose himself. First, he let them have their emotional moment, but just as he was about to turn and leave the room—
“Ether?”
Her voice, so ethereal and melodic, echoed through the room, and Aether felt his heart skip a beat. He turned back, meeting the gaze of those striking, motherly eyes that had an unsettling power over him!!
‘arrhh! Please, don’t look at me with those pure, innocent eyes!!!’ Aether screamed inwardly, as he tried to suppress the unwanted feelings surging inside him. Those eyes—sparkling with kindness—felt like powerful, razor-sharp beams cutting through him.
Xara motioned for him to come closer, her hand beckoning. Aether hesitated, unsure of how to react. He knew he had to do this—he had to play his role—but something about the situation made it harder than he expected.
“Oh…? You must have forgotten about me…” Xara said softly, her voice laced with a mixture of realization and lost…. There was a hint of disappointment in her tone, but it quickly faded as she smiled warmly at him. “My name is Xara Seraphine. I am Selene’s and Kai’s mother.”
Aether, still somewhat flustered, nodded awkwardly, his voice sounding strained, “Oh… “
Selene, still wrapped in her mother’s embrace, glanced at Aether, noting how visibly uncomfortable he was with the situation. He was clearly taken aback, and his awkwardness was almost palpable. She let out a soft sigh before speaking up, her voice casual yet knowing. “He knew… Mom. He remembers everything”
“Oh? Oh…” Xara’s eyes widened in surprise for a moment before her expression shifted to one of mild amusement…. She turned her gaze to Aether, now wearing a deadpan look.
“Come here, brat!” she commanded playfully, pulling Aether into her embrace with surprising strength. She wrapped her arms around both her daughter and Aether, hugging them tightly, and then sighed with contentment. “I’ve missed you both so much~”
Aether, struggling to maintain his composure, did his best to keep a neutral expression. But inside, his thoughts screamed as he tried to avoid letting his face fall into those wonderfully soft… mounds!!
Selene, noticing Aether’s clear discomfort, couldn’t help but chuckle. This was the first time she had ever seen Aether so visibly disturbed, so clearly not enjoying being hugged… It amused her to no end!
After a few moments of soft, almost affectionate hugging, Xara pulled away and studied her daughter carefully.
She took in every detail, looking her up and down with a sense of pride. “You’ve really grown into such a wonderful woman, Selene… My dear,” Xara said, her voice filled with admiration. She leaned forward and kissed Selene’s forehead with both love and tenderness, her eyes glistening with emotion.
“Fu~Fu~ Of course. Who else’s daughter would I be?” Selene said with a proud grin, her chest puffing up just a little as she beamed at her mother.
“Of course, only my daughter,” Xara chuckled softly, amusement dancing in her eyes. She then turned her attention to Aether, her expression softening once again. “Look at you, all grown up… How are you, Ether?”
Aether inwardly sighed before speaking, “I am fine… Lady Xar—” He was cut off as Xara pulled his cheek, her grip firm as she teased, “Brat, you can call me just Xara… or…” She winked playfully at him, adding, “Mother~.”
Aether was truly taken aback, his mind screaming, ‘It’s fucked up!!’ It felt as if he were literally banging his head on the floor in disbelief.
His face turned awkward as he stammered, “W-Well… X-Xara is fine,” his words barely escaping.
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Xara frowned slightly, her lips forming a playful pout. “Well, it will take some time,” she said, eyes glinting mischievously.
Aether, feeling his discomfort rise, inwardly screamed, ‘Nope… that’s definitely not going to happen!!’ before forcing out, “H-How are you, Xara? Where have you been? Selene was really worried, you know?”
Xara sighed softly, her expression shifting to one of mild sadness. “I’m fine… Eth—”
“Aether”
Xara frowned, her expression becoming more thoughtful. “That’s my real name,” he added.
“Oh? So you remember your past too…” Xara’s gaze softened as she studied him. Her eyes lingered on the boy standing before her—the once egoless child, now brimming with life. His eyes sparkled like the stars, and she couldn’t help but smile, a quiet joy filling her as she saw Aether speaking again, his presence so different from the one she’d known.
‘What a cute little child he grew…’ She thought.
“Kind of…” Aether mumbled.
Xara nodded, her eyes never leaving his face. She took a deep breath and continued, “Okay… Aether. I’ve been a little busy with certain matters that required my utmost attention. And as for… Selene,” she turned her gaze to her daughter, her face softening with guilt. “I know what I did. I know you won’t forgive me for what I let you go through alone… But—”
“It’s fine, Mom… I never hated you,” Selene interrupted gently, her voice warm and understanding. She glanced at Aether, her eyes shining with gratitude. “He took care of everything…”
Xara blinked, her lips curving into a soft smile. “Looks like someone kept their promise…” Her voice took on a more motherly tone as she looked at Aether, though the warmth was tinged with an intensity that made Aether’s heart sting even more!
Xara nodded several times before speaking with satisfaction, “That’s how a big brother takes care of his little sister!” She beamed at Aether, her pride unmistakable.
Selene’s face turned beet red, her eyes wide in shock. “M-Mom!! What the hell are you saying?! H-He’s not my b-big brother!” she stammered, flustered to the point of near embarrassment. Her cheeks burned with a mix of disbelief and frustration as if she couldn’t fathom her mother’s attempt to redefine their relationship so casually…. After everything~
Xara tilted her head in curiosity, about to respond, when suddenly—
“Lady Xara… The Empress has arrived.” A voice echoed from the door behind them.
Xara was startled, quickly straightening her clothes and walking toward the door. Just before she exited, she turned back with a sly grin and called over her shoulder, “You two, continue whatever you’re doing on the bed~” Her wink was playful, and she sashayed out of the room.
Of course, she saw Aether lying on the bed and her daughter’s tears on his shirt… she knew it!!
Selene’s face turned a deep crimson, her entire body tensing as she groaned in embarrassment. “T-That… aaarrhh!!!” She let out a frustrated sigh, finally realizing her mother had been toying with her the whole time.
“Aether… It’s seriously fucked up.”
Aether sighed deeply, staring blankly at the door. “Yeah… I don’t know what to do now,” he mumbled, his voice heavy with confusion.
Selene glanced at him, recalling his words about the mission. He had told her that if he didn’t finish it, he would remain a slave…. The targets would die if he didn’t seduce them.
Her expression turned horrified,
“That means… my mother… is going to die?” she mumbled, her voice trembling with fear. “But why?”
Aether looked down at his mission details, his mind racing as he considered the similarities to his previous Mission with Liora. Unlike before, it wasn’t about Saving and seducing rather… it was just Seducing which meant, “No…. more like I am going to die?”
“H-Huh?”