“Kai, what exactly do you think you’re doing? You’re managing to irritate the Princess to no end!” Velc’s urgent whisper reached Kai’s ears, laden with concern and warning.
With a heavy sigh, Kai turned to the Princess, his expression contrite yet resolute, “I apologize sincerely, Princess. My actions were influenced by emotions that got the better of me,” he admitted, his voice tinged with regret as he steeled himself for what needed to be done. Gazing at his slave, who was tenderly holding the wounded Lia, Kai issued a clear directive, “Ether, please escort her out.”
“Hmmm, Hmm…” The Princess, her demeanour unyielding, shook her head disapprovingly and reiterated her command with a firm tone, “Throw her out.”
“T-Throw her out,” Kai repeated, his inner turmoil reflected in the way he nervously bit his lip, knowing the gravity of the situation but determined to follow through.
Silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by Lia’s quiet gasps and the tension that gripped everyone present. Something within Lia seemed to fracture, her heartache palpable yet hidden beneath a facade of strength.
Aether, feeling the weight of the Princess’s command conflicting with his sense of worry, dared to speak up, “But she needs immediate medical attention.”
The Princess’s frown deepened as she turned her disapproving gaze towards Aether, her displeasure evident. Her attention then shifted back to Kai, her voice tinged with disappointment, “You haven’t even trained your slave properly?”
The revelation of Aether’s status as a slave rather than a servant working under the Empress shocked those who had presumed otherwise, their expressions a mix of surprise and confusion.
“SLAVE?”
Delphine’s friends exchanged uncertain glances, silently questioning the dynamics they had misunderstood.
“Ether, you will do as I say,” Kai reiterated firmly, his resolve clear despite the inner turmoil.
“….” Aether stayed silent. Throw her out? Like now? She might die!! These were the questions swirling around in Aether’s mind.
If she died… then Aether knew his guilt would never leave his heart. It all started because he was trying to use her, but who knew this girl was so idiot that she was directly asking for a share instead of getting the food for herself while the other was a ruthless crazy insane bitch!!
Worse than her mother!!
He had only one option, and that was… the Empress.
Aether looked at her, silently asking for her help.
Seeing him staring at her… as if he was asking for her help. Despite her reluctance to publicly associate with him, there was a glimmer of understanding in her gaze, hinting at a hidden friendly relationship between them.
She then glanced at her loyal Maid. The maid nodded in understanding and was about to move when…
‘Thud’
Before any action could be taken, the solemn atmosphere was interrupted by a sudden announcement, resonating through the grand hall,
“The Ruler of the Light, The Protector of the People, The Only Holiness from the Elysiumis Aurora Empire… The Archpriestess,
Seraphina Ashwood”
Eyes widened in astonishment as the esteemed title was announced, and when Seraphina Ashwood, the revered Archpriestess, entered, a hush fell over the assembly.
They saw the sinful body…. which was considered Pureness and They couldn’t help but lower their head in the presence of another Ruler from another Empire.
“Hmm?” The Empress furrowed her brow at the sight of the Archpriestess’s arrival without prior notification, a hint of displeasure flickering in her eyes.
With a gentle smile gracing her lips, the Archpriestess gracefully entered the hall, her two followers trailing behind her.
For Name and Title’s sake, the Empress rose from her seat and descended the stairs to greet her esteemed guest.
“Welcome, Seraphina Ashwood,” she said, offering a respectful nod.
“Thank you, Marisandra Naiadia,” the Archpriestess replied, returning the courtesy with a warm smile.
A brief pause ensued as the two women regarded each other, a subtle undercurrent of tension lingering in the air, unnoticed by most but keenly felt by those present.
Breaking the momentary silence, the Empress acknowledged the purpose of the Archpriestess’s visit. “Well, thank you for gracing my daughter’s engagement with your presence,” she said, gesturing towards her daughter.
“The pleasure is mine,” the Archpriestess replied graciously, her gaze sweeping the room in search of a particular individual.
‘Did he not come?’ Noticing the absence, a faint furrow creased the Archpriestess’s brow before she proceeded to present gifts to the Princess and Kai.
“These may not be extravagant, but I have personally selected them. I hope they find favour with you,” she said, her smile genuine and warm.
“Thank you, Archpriestess”
“T-Thank you, Archpriestess”
Both the Princess and Kai expressed their gratitude, with Kai particularly awestruck by her ethereal beauty, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as if he harboured impure thoughts.
“L-Let me go!!”
At the sudden outcry, all eyes turned towards the commotion, and a collective sigh of disappointment swept through the room… it was none other than Aether, struggling against the guards while holding Lia in his arms.
Princess regarded Kai with a blank expression as if deeming him useless. Kai’s face flushed with shame as he shouted, “Ether, I order you to stop immediately!”
‘Tkkk’
Aether’s body stiffened abruptly, freezing in place like a statue.
‘Eternal slave?’
The room fell into a hushed murmur as everyone’s eyes shifted to Velc and then to Kai, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disdain, which quickly turned into whispered conversations among themselves.
There was a palpable tension as the distinction between Normal/Temporary Slaves and Eternal Slaves became the topic of discussion.
Eternal slaves, it was known, were bound not just by physical chains but by unyielding orders, unlike other slaves who had some autonomy unless their actions directly harmed their master.
As all eyes turned back to Aether, a collective sense of disapproval seemed to wash over the crowd, their glances laden with judgment and superiority.
The Archpriestess’s eyes widened in surprise as she observed Aether’s changed appearance…. She searched white-haired boy but never she thought he would change his hair colour.
‘Ba-Dump, Ba-Dump’
Internally, she chided herself for the unexpected rush of concern she felt for Aether. ‘Come on, I only came here to check whether he was in danger or not!!’ She thought, quickly regaining her composure as she calmed the longing in her heart.
However, when she noticed the blood on Aether’s body, her eyes froze, betraying her true concern for his well-being. She swiftly approached him, her voice cutting through the tension like a cold breeze, “Are you fine?”
Her voice was cold as a snowstorm.
Aether’s response was quick but tinged with awkwardness, “Y-Yes, Madam,” he managed to say, though it was clear something was restraining his movements.
The Archpriestess then saw Lia’s bloodied body and turned her gaze towards Kai, her tone authoritative yet composed, “Stop the command; I need to treat her wounds.”
Kai’s hesitation was evident as he glanced nervously at Princess, seeking her approval before complying with the Archpriestess’s request. With a nod from the Princess, Kai stopped the command.
‘Thud’
Aether collapsed to the ground, the weight of his restrained movements released. The Archpriestess wasted no time and knelt beside Lia, her touch gentle yet potent as she healed the girl’s wounds in an instant.
“You?” Archpristess looked at Aether.
“I-I am fine, Madam. I appreciate your help,” Aether replied, his gratitude mixed with a touch of awkwardness as he tried to make sense of the situation. He wasn’t sure who it was but seeing the Empress herself welcoming her meant he thought she must be some kind of big shot.
The Archpriestess nodded in acknowledgement, her curiosity piqued and ready to inquire about the events when Lia abruptly stood up from Aether’s embrace and silently left the room.
“I am sorry, Madam. But really, thank you for your help,” Aether expressed his gratitude once more, his voice tinged with genuine appreciation as he hastened to follow the retreating figure of the unstable girl.
“I… sigh,” the Archpriestess sighed softly, a mix of concern and curiosity lingering in her eyes as she considered following after them. However, the weight of everyone’s stares, especially the penetrating gaze of the Empress, made her pause. With a resigned expression, she decided against pursuing them and instead moved back to her seat beside the Empress’s throne.
“You came without informing me?” The Empress’s murmured question held a note of reproach as she gestured for the festivities to resume.
“Well, I wanted to surprise you,” the Archpriestess replied with a nonchalant shrug, her tone light.
The Empress regarded the Archpriestess with a mixture of disbelief and amusement, “That’s the last thing you would do, woman!!”
“Hehehe…” the Archpriestess couldn’t help but giggle like a child at the playful exchange, her laughter momentarily breaking the tension in the room and catching Kai’s attention.
Archpristess waved her which made Kai blush and turn back.
“Hehe.. you have a cute son-in-law,” the Archpriestess remarked teasingly.
“Hmm? You think so?” The Empress’s frown deepened slightly, not quite grasping the notion of Kai’s “cuteness”.