“Are you alright now?” Victor asked with a worried expression as he looked at Dora. His brows furrowed deeply, his concern evident in his eyes.
Dora chuckled softly, noticing how much he was worried about her. It was almost adorable how he fretted over her injuries when, in reality, she had suffered far worse before. Compared to those, these wounds were nothing but a fli—
“Ouch!” Dora groaned, her face twisting in pain when Victor touched her fingers. The sharp sting shot through her, even though she had already used a high-level healing potion.
Victor immediately pulled his hand back, guilt flashing across his face. “Sorry,” he muttered in a worried tone, his voice laced with regret.
He hadn’t meant to hurt her.
Dora looked down at her trembling fingers, watching as they shook visibly. A deep sigh left her lips. “Looks like the backlash… isn’t just affecting my flesh but my soul as well,” she murmured under her breath.
She could feel it—an unsettling sensation gnawing at her from within.
She wryly smiled, forcing herself to appear unfazed as she glanced at Victor. “I really am useless, aren’t I?”
Her voice carried no self-loathing—just a bitter acceptance. It wasn’t that she doubted herself, but Aqualina’s words still echoed painfully in her heart.
She had failed as a Sovereign. She had trusted the wrong person and lost everything. That was why she was letting herself show weakness now… especially in front of Aether.
If not for him, she would have just brushed it off and walked away, pretending nothing had happened.
Victor let out a long sigh before reaching for his mask, pulling it off to reveal his true face. As the disguise disappeared, Aether stood before her, his gaze gentle yet filled with guilt. “Please don’t say that,” he said softly. “If anything, I should be the one apologizing. You got hurt because of me… I keep pushing everything onto you.”
Dora shook her head, her expression softening. “No… You came to me for help. How could I, as a Master, fail in that? I wanted to show off a little, you know,” she added with a half-wry smile, attempting to lighten the mood.
Aether chuckled as he took a step closer to her. “I’ve already seen plenty of your cool side,” he teased. “You don’t have to force yourself to act tough all the time. How could I not love my Master if she’s this cute?”
A faint blush dusted Dora’s cheeks before she quickly masked it with an annoyed glare. “I-I am your Master, damn it! Show some respect, you bastard!”
Aether only grinned. “Indeed… My Master. Mine only, right?”
Meanwhile, not too far away, Sandra, Raven, Thalia, and Emberlyn stood watching the duo, completely taken aback by their shameless flirting.
What the fuck?
That was the collective thought running through their minds as they watched the romantic tension between Aether and Dora escalate right in front of them as if they weren’t even there.
And then—
Cough, cough…
Cough, cough…
Two dangerous coughs broke the moment, one belonging to Raven and the other to Sandra.
Thalia, on the other hand, remained quiet. She already knew what was happening, so she didn’t react much. She was possessive, yes, but she wasn’t about to make a scene over this.
If she did, Aether would just end up getting super happy, and tease her to death!! she didn’t want that.
Sandra crossed her arms, her gaze sharp as she locked eyes with Aether. “Mind telling me what’s going on here?” Her tone was deadly, her voice laced with unspoken threats.
Meanwhile, Raven’s blank stare was fixed on Dora, her expression speaking volumes. She didn’t even need to say anything—her eyes practically screamed, ‘Can you even handle a young man, you old hag?!’
Dora’s lips twitched in irritation. ‘These fuckers…’
None of them had any idea how much she could handle, unlike these clueless women!
Sensing the growing hostility, Aether and Dora coughed softly before Aether took the chance to change the subject. “Looks like we can’t sever our ties with the Ebon Stone after all…” he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck.
The mood shifted instantly. The teasing atmosphere was replaced by a heavy silence as everyone’s expressions darkened.
Thalia was the first to break it, her voice uncertain, “So… Raven’s life is also tied to the Ebon Stone?”
“Also?” Dora and Sandra exchanged glances, both frowning at her choice of words.
Aether gave a small nod, confirming it. That single gesture was enough to make Thalia’s face pale. Her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging into her palms.
Why?
She screamed inwardly, frustration twisting in her chest. Just when they were finally getting closer, when things were finally starting to feel right, another pain had to appear—another cruel twist of fate, threatening to rip everything apart again.
“Don’t worry,” Aether started, attempting to reassure them. “We still have a chan—”
“What chance?” Sandra cut him off, stepping forward. Her voice was sharp, demanding. “What chance, Aether? Say it.”
She wasn’t just asking—she was challenging him. Unlike earlier that morning, Aether’s voice now wavered slightly, and that was enough for Sandra to realize something. He was reaching his limit too.
Sandra reached out, taking his hand in hers. Her voice trembled, but she didn’t care. “Aether, don’t be an idiot… You can’t have everything. There are times when… y-you have to let go—”
“Sandra,” Aether interrupted, his voice eerily serious, his grip tightening around her hand. “You are not going anywhere.”
Sandra’s breath hitched.
To be honest, she was happy to hear those words. It felt good knowing he was willing to fight for her. But at the same time… this wasn’t just about her.
By holding onto her so desperately, he was risking too much. He was putting everyone in danger—for her sake.
And she didn’t like that.
She didn’t want to owe anyone. Not even Aether’s other women… The only person she wanted to owe was him.
Sandra tightened her grip around his hand, biting her lip. Aether, noticing her hesitation, reached up and gently rubbed her cheek. His touch was warm and reassuring.
“I kept my part of the promise,” he murmured, his voice softer now. “Only one thing remains… and it will take time.”
“Huh?” Sandra frowned, confusion and disbelief flashing across her face before her eyes suddenly widened in realization. “A-Aqua?”
Aether nodded, his voice calm and measured, “Not even gods could claim her now… Go, She’s resting in the room beside mine.”
In an instant, Sandra spun on her heels and hurried toward her daughter’s room, though there was a brief moment of hesitation in her steps as she absorbed the unexpected news.
Aether watched her go with a soft smile tugging at his lips. ‘She really does love her daughter… or, well, Mother… whatever!’ he mused to himself, a wry chuckle escaping him before he shifted his gaze to Raven.
Raven was staring at him with a mix of curiosity and quiet concern, her sharp eyes silently asking for clarification about their earlier conversation.
“Don’t worry,” Aether reassured her gently, brushing off any lingering worries. “It’s just a few minor problems. Nothing major to fret over.”
Raven gave a small nod, her shoulders relaxing as she allowed herself a brief smile. “Do you need help with anything?” she asked, her voice steady and full of genuine care.
Aether shook his head with a light chuckle. “Nah… I’ll be fine. As long as you two are here with me, I have nothing to worry about,” he replied warmly, his tone laced with both humour and reassurance.
Raven nodded again, her expression softening as if she were a devoted partner, completely confident in her husband’s abilities.
Meanwhile, Dora frowned deeply, lost in thought. “What other options do we have? There’s no clear solution… and I can’t seem to sever the threads of fate,” she murmured, her voice growing soft and almost uncertain as she wrestled with the implications.
Aether smirked slightly before suddenly pinching her hip, making her jolt with a mix of surprise and mild irritation. He winked at her playfully. “There’s no need to sound so dull and defeated,” he teased, his tone light despite the seriousness of their situation.
Dora’s cheeks instantly flushed a deeper shade of red, and she let out an annoyed snort before composing herself. Clearing her throat, she crossed her arms and asked in a more serious, determined tone, “Alright then, what options do we have to overcome this fate?”
Aether took a deep breath, his expression shifting to something far more solemn, “I’m left with two choices. The first one… I’m not completely sure if she’ll be able to help me. And for the second option…” He paused, turning to Dora and locking eyes with her in an intense gaze. “Will you trust me with this?” he asked, his voice carrying a weight of expectation.
Dora frowned for a brief second, wondering why he was asking her. Then it hit her—she understood exactly what he was asking.
[+7000 AP]
A small, confident smile formed on her lips. “Come on… You’re not Alaric. I trust you, Aether, more than anyone else,” she declared, her tone laced with both affection and resolve.
To be honest, she wasn’t interested in trusting anyone after the deep betrayal however, if it was before Seduction… now, Aether was more than just a disciple or friend….
Aether raised an eyebrow at her words, a teasing smirk slowly creeping onto his lips. “Oh? More than Alaric, huh? So… does that mean I’m above him? Or maybe… something special?” He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a sly, almost conspiratorial tone.
Dora gritted her teeth, recognizing the familiar playful banter. This cunning fox was trying to toy with her emotions!!
She snorted dismissively before shoving him away gently. “You’re just my disciple! Nothing more, nothing less!” she retorted firmly, her tone equal parts scolding and affectionate.
Aether chuckled softly. “Yeah, yeah, sure,” he replied with a light laugh that carried both mischief and warmth.
Dora’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as she shot him a sharp glare, and Aether simply raised his hands in surrender, his grin never faltering. They continued to talk for a little while longer, their conversation gradually shifting from playful teasing to more serious matters.
After a long, reflective pause, Dora inhaled deeply and warned him, “You’re playing with fire, Aether. Be careful.”
Aether nodded slowly, but inwardly, he smirked. ‘More like dancing with fire, to be honest,’ he mused silently, a glimmer of amusement in his eyes.
Just as he was about to leave, he caught sight of Thalia glaring at him. But her intense glare wasn’t directed at him alone—it was focused sharply on the intricate Seal Tattoo etched on Raven’s forearm.
Aether’s smirk widened, his amusement growing, ‘If you want to say something, you’ll have to get it out—oh, wait.’
A sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning.
He looked from Thalia to Dora, then back to Thalia once more.
‘Now that I think about it… both Thalia and Dora share that same expression. They’re the type who would never, ever openly admit their true feelings. Is that why they became friends in the first place?’ he wondered with an amused glint in his eye.
Unable to resist the impulse, he turned to Dora and casually remarked, “Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention something… She’s Noirix.”
Dora blinked in confusion, her mind trying to catch up. “…Huh?”
Aether smirked wider as he pointed toward Thalia. “Your friend. Pyra Noirix,” he stated plainly, his tone carrying both mischief and a hint of revelation.
For a split second, everything seemed to freeze as if time itself had halted.
Thalia’s face twisted into sheer horror, her expression one of absolute shock—as if her most deeply guarded, lifelong secret had just been mercilessly exposed to the world.
“Y-You’re kidding, right?!” she stammered, panic rising in her voice as she struggled to regain control.
Before she could utter another word, Aether simply shrugged and walked away, leaving her standing there in stunned silence.
Dora’s mind raced for a moment before she turned to Emberlyn and Raven. Both of them silently nodded, their tired eyes reflecting the exhaustion and emotional strain of the moment.
Thalia, on the other hand, remained frozen for another lingering moment, her thoughts a chaotic storm.
Then, suddenly—
“YOU FUCKING PERVERT!!”
Her furious scream exploded through the room, her entire body trembling with raw frustration and betrayal.
“You RUINED my surprise, you PERVERT!!” she yelled, her voice echoing off the walls as she vented her pent-up anger.
In that instant, it became painfully clear to her one undeniable truth—Aether was nothing but a goddamn party pooper!
She had planned everything so meticulously—a grand reveal, a dramatic, breathtaking surprise that was meant to leave a lasting impact on Dora. Every detail had been designed with care.
And yet—
Like that… in just a few words…
Aether had blown everything up like an overzealous firecracker, shattering the carefully built anticipation into a thousand tiny pieces.