Chapter 95: Battle Arena

[Author’s Note: Discord Server Link: 6JA46z23bw]

“What the fuck is happening?” Aether muttered to himself, his eyes widening as he observed his survival rate increasing while he ran.

‘So, running away from her was the right choice?’ Aether pondered, his expression shifting to one of dread, “Damn it, what kind of tradition is that? Two sisters marrying one person… It’s like a buy one, get one free offer!” His frustration was evident in his voice.

No!! he wasn’t opposed to the idea per se; it was the sudden surge in affection points that was causing him to worry.

“S-So, B-Both sisters are going to rap…. ?” Aether couldn’t finish his sentence, trembling slightly in fear at the implications.

As much as he loved to have ‘somesome’… He also loved to have his life!!

His life was more worthwhile than some ‘somesome’!!!

“T-Tell me, Log, is this what you were hoping for? Getting Raped by two women!!” Aether muttered to himself, his thoughts racing with uncertainty.

“Slap!” Aether slapped himself lightly, trying to refocus his mind. “Focus on Aqualina Naiadia!” With renewed determination, he entered the Engagement Hall, where he noticed the Archpriestess shooting a quick glance in his direction.

“Sigh… Whatever,” Aether sighed deeply, steeling himself for what was to come, and finally approached his target.

‘Let’s deal with this jerk by myself’ he thought, mustering his resolve.

“Master, do you need help?” Aether asked politely as he stood beside Kai.

“Tsk, now you remember me, bastard!” Kai’s response was laced with a hint of irritation, though his smile remained intact, masking deeper sentiments.

“I apologize, Master, but I’ve been occupied with menial tasks as per the Empress’s directives,” Aether explained, his eyes briefly darting towards Princess Aqualina, who maintained an enigmatic stoicism.

“Snort,” Kai scoffed, a subtle indication of his disdain for Aether’s absence, before inquiring, “How in the hell do you know that dance?”

“Oh! that is… I’m uncertain, but the melody triggered a memory, causing my body to move instinctively as if it’s a skill from my past,” Aether responded with a calm expression, though a part of him wondered, ‘So, you are not going ask about the broken girl?’.

“!!!” Kai’s reaction was palpable as he finally turned to Aether with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, whispering, “Do you recall everything now?”

“Hmm.. No” Aether shook his head with a pained expression.

“Sigh” Kai visibly sighed in relief then he whispered,

“Hey, you’ll need to teach that dance later. My wife seems to be quite taken with your moves,” Kai remarked, an idea sparking in his mind as he observed Aether’s unique skill.

“Yes, Master, I am at your disposal,” Aether affirmed.

With a sense of purpose, Aether approached Princess Aqualina, his gaze steady as he met her stony gaze. “Princess Aqualina, My Master has asked me to teach you my dance,” he said with a gentle smile, extending his hand towards her in a gesture of invitation.

“….”

The Princess’s stony gaze slowly turned towards Aether, her eyes narrowing in scrutiny before flicking to Kai, who now wore a horrified expression as if realizing the gravity of the situation unfolding.

“YOU BASTARD!!” Kai’s outburst echoed through the hall as he lunged forward, grabbing Aether’s collar and causing a commotion that made everyone pause in their activities.

“Is something wrong, Master?” Aether’s voice held an innocent tone, though his eyes betrayed a hint of amusement.

“Wrong? What the hell are you asking my wife– I mean, the princess?” Kai’s face flushed red with anger and embarrassment, his grip on Aether’s collar tightening.

“Sorry, Master. But you said that princess liked my dance and asked me to teach,” Aether responded with a furrowed brow, trying to make sense of Kai’s outburst.

“Yes, I told you that, but not to her but to—” Kai’s words faltered abruptly as he realized the implication of what he was about to say.

“I-Is something the matter?” Velc, Kai’s father, arrived at the scene, his brow furrowed in fear as he sweated.

Aether maintained his innocent facade as he explained, “Master Kai asked me to teach the Princess my dance,” his voice was louder slightly to ensure others heard his explanation.

Murmurs and whispers spread among the onlookers, speculating about the unfolding drama.

“…Kai?” Velc’s frown deepened as he tried to comprehend the situation, wondering why his son seemed to be making a mistake.

“H-He is lying, Father!” Kai interjected hastily, trying to divert attention away from himself as all eyes turned towards him.

“Am I, Mast–”

“Shut up, Ether!” Kai ordered. Aether shut his mouth forcibly!

Meanwhile, Velc glanced over at the Empress and Archpriestess, who were engaged in a heated conversation nearby. Without further hesitation, Velc moved forward and pulled Aether away from his son’s grasp to avoid problems.

However,

“You asked a slave to teach me?” The Princess’s tone carried a hint of disappointment and displeasure as she addressed Kai directly.

“N-No, Princess, I-I mean, it’s not what it seems, he—” Kai’s attempt to explain was cut short.

“So, you didn’t teach your slave very well for his unruly act?” The Princess’s evaluation of Kai seemed to diminish visibly, her dissatisfied eyes conveying her growing disappointment in his actions.

“P-Princess, I—” Kai’s protest was interrupted before he could finish.

“Hey, Slave,” the Princess called out to Aether, her voice commanding yet composed.

“Yes, Princess?” Aether responded with a respectful bow.

“Did he really say he wanted you to teach me?” The Princess’s question held a note of incredulity.

“Yes, Princess, he asked me to teach since you liked my dance,” Aether answered honestly, his gaze steady as he maintained his composure.

“Oh!” The Princess’s expression shifted, a hint of surprise evident as she turned to Kai, her gaze searching for an explanation, “When did I say I liked his dance?” Her calm yet pointed question hung in the air, awaiting Kai’s response.

“T-That…” Kai’s brow furrowed deeply, beads of sweat forming on his forehead like bullets. If he admitted that he had asked his slave to teach the dance to himself and not to the Princess, Kai was certain that his beloved Princess would essentially label him as useless. Her disdainful gaze already made him feel like a worthless piece of shit, and saying anything more would only further shame him.

“Y-You were kind of staring at his dance, that’s why,” Kai stammered, his throat dry as he gulped nervously.

“Just because I stared at his dance you decided I liked his dance?” Princess frowned.

“T-That’s….” Kai was really losing in her eyes.

Aether’s lips curled slightly, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes, though he quickly masked his expression….. Everything was unfolding exactly as he had planned.

Before, he had made the mistake of underestimating his opponent and using a chip that was not stable, but now he could predict the outcome like a familiar bedtime story. It was almost too easy; he simply exploited Kai’s attempts to maintain his composure while the Princess, with her sense of superiority, played right into his hands.

‘You are too young to play with words… brats’ Aether muttered inwardly, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he observed Kai struggling to speak the truth.

No matter which route he takes… Princess was really going to get disappointed.

That’s when Aether going to step up his game!!

The Princess’s dissatisfaction grew palpable as she watched her future husband falter, ‘I guess he is truly useless! Let’s cripple him on the first night… just like how mother did to her husband,’ the Princess thought to herself, her disappointment evident in her sigh. She couldn’t believe she was unwittingly following in her mother’s manipulative footsteps.

‘I guess it runs in the bloodline…’ The Princess’s thoughts took a dark turn, a sly smile curling on her lips as an unsettling chuckle escaped her, “Hehehe…”

The unexpected laughter not only startled Kai but also caught Aether off guard.

‘Did I awaken inside her something?’ Aether couldn’t help but wonder, sensing an ominous undercurrent beneath the Princess’s demeanour.

The Princess was just about to delve into this matter further when the Maid intervened, breaking the tension with an announcement,

“Since everyone has enjoyed the party so far, shall we witness the true power of the Arcane King and Queen?!!!” The front wall suddenly dispersed into a cascade of water particles, revealing a massive Battle Arena beyond, capturing everyone’s attention and shifting the focus of the gathering to a new spectacle.

“The tournament is to determine Kai Frostblade’s worthiness to stand beside Princess Aqualina Naiadia,” the Maid announced grandly, her voice carrying across the transformed Engagement Hall.

As her words echoed, the entire hall underwent a gradual transformation, morphing into a grand seating arrangement. Nobles and esteemed guests were seated below in carefully arranged rows, while the Empress and other high-ranked officials occupied elevated seats above, overseeing the proceedings with keen interest.

“Well the—” Before the Maid could resume speaking, Princess Aqualina Naiadia interrupted with determination evident in her voice.

“I shall go first,” the Princess declared as she rose gracefully from her seat, casting a meaningful glance at the Empress, who gave a subtle nod, indicating her approval for the Princess’s decision to take the lead.

With a confident smile, Princess Aqualina directed her gaze towards Kai, her words carrying a subtle challenge, “I will demonstrate my skills first, and then it will be your turn… Please, don’t disappoint me again,” she added her tone a mix of encouragement and expectation.