Vicious one?
Sure, Aether might not fully understand Xara yet, but calling her a vicious one… wasn’t that a bit too harsh for a woman who seemed nothing less than absolute wife material?
Aether frowned slightly, his eyes turning curious as he glanced at Sandra.
Sandra smirked softly, leaning closer with a conspiratorial air. Aqualina scrunched up her face in distaste, dramatically waving her hand as if she were scattering salt to ward off the lust demon’s presence.
Ignoring her daughter’s playful antics, Sandra spoke in a solemn, measured voice. “She seems completely normal, doesn’t she? Sweet, caring, and gentle? But in reality… she’s far from it. All that affectionate motherly behaviour you’ve seen—it’s all a carefully practised act.”
Aether’s frown deepened subtly, his brow knitting in contemplation.
Aqualina frowned too, hearing that, “Mom, what are you even saying? She’s literally amazing—I saw her a few times, talked to her personally. She seemed genuinely caring, nothing fake at all!
Heck, She even blessed me warmly for my engageme—ouch!” Aqualina abruptly jumped when she felt Aether’s sharp pinch on her hip.
She turned quickly to meet his stern, expressionless stare. Her eyes widened slightly with realisation: he was jealous.
Actually jealous!
Quickly, Aqualina softened her tone, hugging Aether apologetically, “It’s just a past thing, you know, that engagement was ages ago,” she mumbled softly, attempting a regretful expression but failing completely.
Sandra’s lips twitched into an amused smile, clearly seeing through her daughter’s delighted reaction.
Oh, she was enjoying this. She was really enjoying his jealousy.
Maybe she said that on purpose. Just to tease him. Just want to make him possessive… after he spent time with her mother… so little worried here about herself!
Maybe not… who knows what women think after all!
“Wasn’t that engagement between Aqualina and Kai already nullified?” Aether asked coldly, his tone indifferent on the surface… but it carried a sharp thread.
“Heheh~” Aqualina let out a cheeky, satisfied giggle while burying her face into his chest. She felt his arms tense around her, and her heart skipped a little faster.
She kind of loved it.
‘Maybe I should make him jealou—’ Her thought died mid-formation as Aether’s hand came down and pinched her ass firmly.
“I will spank you~” he whispered, voice low and velvety, but layered with unmistakable danger.
All playfulness vanished from her mind as if erased. She shook her head furiously, clinging tighter to him like a scared kitten trying to pretend she hadn’t just been teasing the tiger.
Aether turned his eyes to Sandra, his tone demanding. “What about the legal side? It’s not just about how we feel. The engagement contract—was it officially voided? Publicly declared?”
Sandra sighed, brushing a hand through her hair. “Yes, yes… we issued the annulment documents already. But it’s Velc who’s holding it up. He claimed his child had gone missing and that he was… awaiting resolution before finalising anything.”
Aether opened his mouth to respond, but Sandra raised a hand and continued firmly, “And yes, I gave him a deadline. He has one week. If he doesn’t reply within that time, I’ll personally go public and void the engagement. No more delays, no further talks.”
Aether nodded slowly, his expression settling into something calmer, more composed. He glanced down at Aqualina, only to find her eyes sparkling like twin stars, wide and eager, practically screaming: Let’s get married!
He coughed quietly, redirecting the conversation before it spiralled.
“Anyway… What exactly did you mean when you said Xara was acting?” he asked, this time his voice serious and lined with concern.
Sandra’s expression grew distant, eyes narrowing with memory. “To be honest, I can’t say with total certainty. I only caught glimpses. Fleeting moments where her mask slipped. But she’s crafty—more cunning than she lets on. She even managed to trick me… and got her hands on my blood.”
“Your blood?” Aether’s voice dropped. His brow furrowed in alarm.
“Yes,” Sandra muttered, clearly still irritated. “That woman… tsk. She tricked me right inside my own territory. Fooled me so well, I didn’t even realise it until it was too late. She used some sly little game, played the helpless act… and got away with a vial of my blood.”
She looked more than annoyed — she looked humiliated. Like the memory still stung, deep down.
Aether was still confused. “But why? What could she possibly need your blood for?”
Sandra shrugged, her face darkening. “I don’t know. Not exactly. But I was furious afterwards — obviously — and I fought her.”
“You fought her?” Aether was clearly surprised. “You actually fought Xara? Did you… win?”
Sandra averted her gaze.
“…You didn’t?” Aether asked again, visibly shocked.
Sandra— lost?
OMG.
Sandra’s lips twitched, a flicker of frustration passing over her face. “Of course I didn’t lose,” she snapped. “It’s not like I was using my full power. she used some kind of hidden technique — something subtle. Threw my balance off. I couldn’t stabilise my powers properly, couldn’t even fight back the way I wanted… tsk, that bitch sure knows how to hide her techniques… she was tricky one to face.”
Aether stared, stunned. The Xara he knew — or thought he knew — wasn’t anything like this.
Could she really be hiding that much?
Had she changed?
It was possible. After all… time changes people.
Sometimes for the better.
Sandra added, “But one thing was for sure… you should’ve seen her laugh… whooo.” She rubbed her arms as goosebumps ran up them, the memory of that woman’s laugh crawling down her spine. “She’s a wild one… absolutely insane. Right next to Scarlet,” she muttered under her breath.
Aqualina’s ears perked up at that name, even though she was still busy rubbing her scent all over Aether’s chest, neck, and shoulder in slow, possessive strokes. “Scarlet? You mean… Lia’s mother? Mom?” she asked, blinking curiously as she turned toward Sandra.
Sandra nodded slowly, her tone firm. “Yes. There are three insane women in these worlds so far… Scarlet is by far the most insane woman I’ve ever met. And Xara… she’s a close second. Trust me on that.”
Aqualina blinked again, confusion flashing across her face—before a cold chill shot through her and her expression turned horrified. “Wait… don’t tell me… didn’t I—?”
“Yes, dear,” Sandra interrupted with a knowing sigh, “Scarlet was furious. She wanted to meet you that day for some reason, she was pacing like a damn hurricane.” She offered a soft, mischievous smile as she watched Aqualina’s horror deepen.
Aqualina… remembered it all too vividly—how she had pinned Lia against the wall, stabbed her, made her cry…
“H-Holy shit! Why didn’t you tell me that day?!” she yelped, eyes wide, her voice cracking under sudden panic.
Sandra shrugged casually, flipping her hair back. “Well, you were busy putting on your first real show, remember? I didn’t want to kill the mood.”
“M-Mom…” Aqualina muttered, her voice dropping into a shaken whisper, her entire body tense now.
Sandra, of course, had handled the entire mess herself. She’d told Scarlet it was all Kai’s fault—that poor Kai had lured Aqualina into the madness. Scarlet, in return, had vented her wrath entirely on the unfortunate boy.
Watching her daughter’s pale, horrified face now… it was kind of amusing.
“A-Aether… I-I think I’m in—” Aqualina began to tremble again, voice fragile.
Aether gently reached out and patted her head, his palm warm and steady. “It’s okay. I’ll be there to protect you.”
“Always?” she asked, tilting her face up to him, her voice almost childlike in its pleading innocence.
“Yep. Always.”
“Hehe…” Aqualina giggled softly, then turned her head just enough to shoot her mother a sly glance.
‘This little brat…’ Sandra’s lips twitched at the sight.
Noticing her mother’s annoyed stare, Aqualina smirked inwardly. She felt like she’d just gotten her revenge—or at least a small victory.
“So… who would be the third craziest then?” Aether asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.
Sandra grinned, flipping her hair with theatrical flair. “Who else? Obviously, it’s me. I’m the third most insane one…. Quite proudly so.”
Celestia, Aether, and Aqualina just stared at her in unified silence.
That’s not exactly a—
“It’s not a compliment, Mom,” Aqualina deadpanned.
Sandra’s lips twitched again as she shot a narrow-eyed glare at her daughter.
“Aether!” Aqualina squeaked and jumped, hugging him tighter like she was clinging for safety.
Sandra narrowed her eyes, watching them, ‘She’s getting too damn cozy with him…’ she thought with a faint frown.
“Anyway,” Sandra sighed, crossing her legs, “just be careful around her. That’s all I’ll say. Don’t take her lightly.”
Aether nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. He trusted Sandra’s words, but something told him he needed to get to know Xara personally before making any judgment.
He didn’t want to jump to conclusions.
So far, Xara seemed… well, fine.
His gaze drifted to Celestia as he leaned slightly lower, his eyes scanning her body—but more precisely, her uniform, her modest maid attire.
“Sandra… About Celestia—” he began.
“I know,” Sandra interrupted smoothly, as if reading his mind. “She loves you. We all do. And… we couldn’t just keep her as my maid forever. It’d be a problem sooner or later, right?”
She gave him a knowing smile, then shifted her eyes toward Aqualina, who immediately tightened her grip on Aether’s arm and scowled.
‘Hmph! I know him better!’ Aqualina thought, pressing her chest even closer against him.
Sandra smiled inwardly, satisfied with her little provocation. Then she turned back to Aether.
Slightly with a haughty and prideful tone,
“You see, Aether… even if she does love you, she’s still my sister. My little sister. She’s always loved me more than anyone else, even before you came along. She just loves taking care—”
“My resignation, Your Majesty”
A quiet, resigned voice cut in—followed by the gentle slide of a neatly written document across the table.
“…”
“PFFft!! Hahahaha!!” Aqualina burst into uncontrollable laughter, nearly falling over as she clung to Aether like a lifeline.