‘Step–‘
As Princess Aqualina halted her steps, everyone’s attention shifted to the source of the pained cry, including hers. Aether’s horrified expression didn’t go unnoticed, and Delphine gently nudged his hand, prompting him to regain his composure.
“A-Aether?”
“H-Huh? S-Sorry…” Aether stammered, bowing deeply to acknowledge his mistake.
Though everyone frowned momentarily, the Empress didn’t intervene, so they shrugged it off and continued with the ceremony.
Princess Aqualina stood before the Empress, holding the hem of her exquisite dress as a sign of reverence, and bowed deeply, “Long live her Majesty!” she proclaimed with respect and admiration.
“Hmm…” The Empress smiled gracefully and positioned herself between her daughter and Kai. Her misty purple eyes surveyed the gathering before making the formal announcement,
“I am pleased to announce the betrothal of my beloved daughter to Kai Frostblade.”
‘Clap, Clap’
The room erupted in applause and joyous smiles as everyone congratulated the newly betrothed couple. Some even cast envious glances at Velc, acknowledging the significant rise in status his household would experience with his son’s betrothal to the Empress’s daughter.
The celebration continued with gifts and well-wishes pouring in for Kai and Aqualina.
Amidst the festivities, Aether…. a pitiful man in his thirties, stood in a quiet corner, questioning the turn his life had taken.
‘Log, I know… I know you’re going to fuck my life very soon in any way… But still, I had hoped the hurdle would be a little lower, like before,’ Aether lamented internally, feeling a sense of despair.
He wanted to cry and yet no amount of tears would help his current predicament.
His gaze fell on the mission tab, highlighting the daunting task he was assigned…
[Mission: Seduce Aqualina Naiadia]
“Mmm… What should I do now?” Aether closed his eyes in fear, already picturing his demise at the hands of the Empress.
His dream coming true!!
“Is everything okay?” Selene asked with a worried expression, noticing Aether’s unusual behaviour.
“Please, give me a hug,” Aether muttered unconsciously, surprising Selene.
“W-What?” Selene’s face flushed bright red at his unexpected request.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Aether turned and saw Selene, her blue eyes wide with surprise and her legs trembling slightly as she muttered, “I-If you wa—” However,
Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself, “I thought you were Ms. Delphine, Sorry, Madam Selene,” he said awkwardly before moving away towards his goal.
“H-Huh?” Selene flinched, her expression shifting from embarrassment to anger as she watched Aether walk away, her gaze filled with resentment towards Delphine.
Pure hatred!
“!!” Delphine sensed the intense glare directed at her and flinched slightly.
Leaving the tense atmosphere behind, Aether steeled himself, prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
He was ready to face death!!
As Aether approached, the Empress narrowed her eyes, sensing something amiss.
“M-Maybe later” Aether shrugged and turned away.
His mind craved some fresh air amidst the bustling festivities. As he observed everyone engrossed in gift-giving and Timmy’s assistance to Kai, Aether made his way to the tranquil balcony.
To his surprise, someone was already there, gazing at the star-filled sky that held no moon.
“Feeling a bit lonely tonight?” Aether’s voice broke the quietude of the balcony as he positioned himself next to the solitary figure.
“H-Huh?” The sudden company startled the person, who turned to see Aether standing there, his gaze fixed on the starry sky with a faint smile.
Lia Scarlet, her eyes still moist from shed tears, hastily wiped them away upon noticing Aether’s presence but remained silent.
Aether, unperturbed by her initial reaction, took in a deep breath of the cool night air, using the moment to reflect on his recent thoughts about the intricacies of seduction and relationships.
After a gentle breeze swept through, breaking the silence, Lia finally spoke up, her voice carrying a tone of contemplation and vulnerability.
“You know…” Lia began, her words were hesitant yet laden with emotions.
“Yes?” Aether’s tone was gentle, encouraging her to share her thoughts.
“I don’t understand what is love?….”
“Hmmm?”
“I believed that by showering him with unconditional love, he would never choose another over me. Yet, he left without a second thought, leaving me to bear the weight of heartache alone….” Lia confessed, her voice tinged with pain and disillusionment.
Aether listened intently to a child’s love failure story.
“It’s frustrating, you know,” Lia continued, her tone shifting to one of frustration, “He seems so reserved and shy around that bit- ahem I mean another girl!!!, yet he never showed such affection towards me, despite my devotion.”
“I understand she’s beautiful and compared to her beauty I would pale away but isn’t love supposed to be about more than just physical appearance?” She asked with pain.
“When I finally saw him again after what felt like an eternity, I-I was overjoyed and waved to him, but he didn’t even spare me a glance!… It was as if he purposefully avoided meeting my e-eyes,” Lia recounted, her expression twisted with pain and anger
“And yet, when that bitc- I mean other girl approached him, he lit up like a beacon and smiled like an idiot… she didn’t even acknowledge his presence!!” Lia’s tone shifted to one of anger and disbelief.
Her emotions fluctuated wildly, oscillating between sorrow and indignation. Aether remained a patient listener.
“Have you finished?” Aether asked gently, turning his gaze from the twinkling stars above to meet Lia’s tear-streaked face.
“H-Huh?” Lia’s face flushed red with shame as she couldn’t believe she had poured out her emotions in front of someone she perceived as beneath her, just as she was about to retreat back to the party.
“You know, for me, love is a fight…” Aether’s quiet words halted her movements.
“Fight?”
“Yes,” Aether affirmed, his gaze meeting her crimson eyes as he delved into his own memories, “I’ve never been loved by anyone in my life. Then she came along… with unwavering determination, telling me she loved me without faltering. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was a game.”
Aether took a step closer, his voice carrying a weight of experience. “But she persisted, undeterred by pouring rain or scorching sun, and kept professing her love, day after day. She stood her ground and said she loves me no matter how much time it takes…”
Aether stepped even further, ” She fought for what she wanted, knowing what she needed until her presence consumed my thoughts and my heart beated for her….”
Drawing even nearer, Aether’s words were almost a whisper. “Love is a battle. You have to fight for it. If you’re not willing to fight, you don’t deserve that love.”
Aether then lightly tapped his finger against his own chest, a gesture that sparked a fire in Lia’s eyes.
“You didn’t fight for your love….. Your love is meaningless!” Aether’s words hit a nerve, igniting Lia’s fury.
“!!!!” In a sudden surge of anger, Lia grabbed Aether’s collar, her eyes filled with dangerous intent. “How dare you question my love, you filthy slave?!”
Despite her aggression, Aether maintained a calm smile and replied, “Then prove me wrong. Go fight for your love… if it’s real, that is,” his tone laced with a hint of arrogance.
‘Thud!’
Lia threw Aether like a paper and stormed back to the party with purposeful steps.
“Hehe…” Aether’s smile took on an enigmatic quality as he watched her go, his expression hinting at deeper motives and calculations beneath the surface.