Never in his wildest thoughts would Alaric have guessed the truth: Aether was the real Arcane King. Then again, no one would have suspected it. Stealing someone’s power wasn’t as simple as it sounded. Even Mortimer had paid the price by being cursed.
‘That explains so much… his unusual powers, his arrogance…’ Alaric nodded to himself, finally piecing together why Aether’s strength had been growing so rapidly, far surpassing expectations. Yet, the question lingered, gnawing at him:
How?
‘How could he still grow stronger after supposedly losing his power? It doesn’t make sense… What’s happening inside that body of his?’ Alaric’s thoughts spiralled.
“Hello? Alaric?” Aether’s cheerful voice broke through Alaric’s trance. He waved a hand playfully in front of Alaric’s face, tilting his head.
Alaric snapped back to reality, blinking at Aether. After a brief pause, he muttered, “I see…” and nodded before abruptly turning on his heel to walk inside.
Aether blinked, a bewildered expression spreading across his face. ‘What the hell was that about?’ he thought, shaking his head before shrugging it off and continuing to dance his Hawaii belly dan–
“Nope, not that one… Beat it~ Just beat it~” he sang, breaking into his signature Michael Jackson moves. His feet slid across the floor in a flawless moonwalk, his hips swaying as he spun with exaggerated flair.
Inside the room, the tension had reached a boiling point.
Kai thrashed violently, his eyes blazing with anger as his mother, Xara, held him firmly in place. “L-Let me go!” he shouted, his voice cracking with desperation. “I won’t let anyone take my powers! I won’t!”
“You need to calm down, Kai,” Xara urged, her grip tightening around him.
“NO! I w—”
Thud!
Kai’s protests were cut short as Xara struck a pressure point, knocking him unconscious. His body went limp, and she gently lowered him onto the sofa, her hands trembling as she brushed his hair away from his pale face. She let out a weary sigh, her gaze turning sharp as she addressed the Empress and Aqualina.
“No! No matter what happens, I will never let my son become egoless. I won’t let him suffer the same fate as Aether!” Her voice trembled with raw emotion, her maternal resolve unyielding.
The Empress and Aqualina exchanged glances, their expressions unreadable. But inwardly, they both shared the same thought, ‘Aether’s far stronger than Kai… There’s really no need to get it back, to be honest.’ but then A sly smile curved their lips in unison.
The Empress finally broke the silence, “If that’s the case, then do as Mortimer said. Release him from your family’s control.”
Velc’s face turned a shade paler as he stammered, “N-No! I cannot allow—”
Aqualina stepped forward, her voice sharp and unyielding. “Didn’t your father want Aether to be free? Are you really going to ignore your father’s last wish, Velc?”
Velc’s expression twisted in dread as he clutched the letter tightly in his trembling hands. “I… I believe this letter is a forgery!” he shouted, holding up the document. “There’s no way my father would have written this. He told me countless times he had no interest in releasing Aether. He wouldn’t have changed his mind—especially not after his death!”
Delphine, who had remained silent until now, took the letter from Velc’s trembling hands. She examined it carefully before speaking. “But this is undoubtedly Father’s handwriting. Even his fingerprint is present as proof.”
Yet, Velc refused to accept it. “My father wouldn’t do anything without telling me first!” he snapped, his voice hinting with frustration.
The Empress’s gaze turned icy, her voice laced with contempt, “And tell me, Velc—what holds more weight? His final letter, witnessed by all, or your self-serving words?”
Velc’s face turned ashen. He could feel the pressure of the room closing in on him. Everyone wanted Aether’s release. But Velc couldn’t accept it—not after everything.
His jaw clenched as he thought ‘That fucking old man told me never to let Aether go. Now, after death, he wants to repent for all the crap he pulled?’ Rage simmered under Velc’s skin.
His father, even in death, was still a pain in the ass!
“E-Even so, I won’t—”
Knock, knock…
The door creaked open, revealing Alaric standing in the doorway.
The Empress’s frown deepened, “What do you want, Alaric?” she asked flatly.
Alaric’s expression remained calm, though his tone carried an air of authority. “I need a word with Princess Aqualina few moments….”
Aqualina hesitated, she really wanted to secure Aether’s ownership… Her eyes flicked to the Empress, who gave her a subtle nod, silently assuring her, ‘I’ll handle things here’
Reluctantly, Aqualina stepped out, flashing a polite smile as she exited. Once the door shut behind her, the Empress turned her attention back to Velc,
“You know the situation, Velc,” she said, her tone sharp and cutting. “The contents of the letter have already been read aloud for everyone to hear.” Her gaze flicked briefly to Xara, who snorted in annoyance. The Empress continued, her words deliberate. “If we delay any longer, it will only sow doubt among the people. Discontent could spread. Do you really want that on your hands?”
Velc’s teeth ground together audibly. He knew the situation was spiralling out of his control. His voice wavered as he offered a desperate excuse. “W-What if we claim the letter is fake?”
The Empress’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “So, you admit it’s real then?” she asked smoothly, watching as Velc’s face twisted further. Her next words were a deliberate taunt. “Go ahead. Try to convince the people it’s a forgery. Let’s see how that plays out for you.”
Velc didn’t bite. He knew the consequences too well. A single misstep could tarnish the Frostblade family name beyond repair. Losing their noble status was a risk he couldn’t afford… especially Empress knew the real deal… He seethed silently before finally snapping, “Even if I wanted to free him… an Eternal Slave cannot simply be freed! Only Ma–“
“Only the master can change?” the Empress pressed, her smirk widening. “Then do what needs to be done. Let Aether go from ‘THIS’ family. Declare him free, and let the people see it for themselves.”
Velc gritted his teeth inwardly, suppressing the frustration, and said with a sly smile, “Even if I wanted to, I can’t just hand over Aether to anyone. First, I need to find—”
Thud!
The door burst open as Aqualina entered in hurried, almost frantic, as she leaned close to the Empress, whispering something urgently into her ear. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire
The Empress raised her eyebrows, her expression shifting slightly, “Really?”
“Yes, it’s urgent,” Aqualina confirmed, her face serious, almost grim.
The Empress nodded slowly… Aqualina immediately turned and exited…. but not before the Empress discreetly tapped the floor with her foot. Her shadow flickered unnaturally, sliding toward Aqualina’s as if it had a life of its own.
Thud!
The door closed behind her.
“You may continue,” the Empress said, her tone flat but commanding.
Velc hesitated, his composure faltering for a moment before he recovered. “Well… First, I need to find a suitable master—”
“I am here, Velc,” the Empress interjected.
Velc’s frown deepened, confusion flickering across his face, but realization dawned on him moments later. His eyes widened, and he let out a nervous laugh. “N-No way… You’re joking, right?”
The Empress smirked, her amusement evident. “Do I look like I’m joking? I’ll take care of him myself. Since it was Mortimer’s wish, I will personally assume ownership. There’s no room for discussion.”
Velc’s face twisted, his emotions swirling between disbelief and anger. He was just about to explode when—
“HELL NO!!” Selene’s voice erupted, loud and furious. Her cheeks were flushed, her body tense. This was her chance, her only chance, to have Aether all to herself. “Give him to me! I’ll take care of him!”
The Empress’s face hardened as she turned to Selene, her expression unreadable, “You belong to the Frostblade family, little girl. You too have no authorit—”
“I’ll disown them,” Selene interrupted with a careless shrug, “I don’t care about that family name!”
Velc’s jaw dropped in utter horror. “W-What are you talking about, Selene?! This is insane!” He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Xara’s brows furrowed as she stepped forward, her voice a mixture of shock and concern. “Sweetie, what are you saying? This isn’t like you!”
Selene crossed her arms, her expression unwavering, “I mean every word of it! I’ve asked so many times brother of mine, but now I’m asking again—officially. Give me Aether’s ownership!”
The Empress pinched the bridge of her nose, clearly irritated. She was just about to put an end to this nonsense when—
“I-If that’s the case… C-Can I take him?”
The hesitant voice startled everyone in the room. All eyes turned to Delphine, who stood blushing furiously, her hand raised like a shy schoolgirl asking for permission.
Selene’s frown deepened as she stared at her aunt. ‘Something isn’t right… Why the hell does she want him?’
“What in the…” Velc muttered, utterly dumbfounded. The absurdity of the situation was overwhelming.
The Empress’s lips twitched, a violent spasm, “Are you all serious right now? Are you truly willing to throw away your nobility and everything your family stands for… over a mere slave? and why do you want him?”
“Hell yeah!” Selene shouted, before adding, “B-Because I want as my b-b-b-brot-brother” she managed to say it
“…Y-Yes,” Delphine mumbled, looking down, though her cheeks remained flushed, “I want him as my hus-ahem I mean my child?”
“….” Everyone turned silent.
Meanwhile, the Prophetess watched quietly from the seat, her expression serene but her thoughts anything but. ‘That brat… He’s really playing games with my family. Ah, how amusing this is turning out to be,’ she mused with a faint hint of amusement curling her lips.