“Why are you staring at my mother like that? Is something wrong?” Kai asked curiously, his brows slightly raised as he noticed Vesperine’s eyes fixed on his mother—like she had done something wrong, or worse, like she’d seen a ghost.
Vesperine snapped out of her trance, blinking rapidly before glancing at Kai. “Your mother?” she asked, her voice low, uncertain.
“Yeah,” Kai nodded casually, but then paused as he noticed the faint frown forming on Vesperine’s face. “Is something the matter? Do you… already know her or something?”
Vesperine shook her head quickly, clearly flustered. “N-No, it’s just… she’s very beautiful,” she said, her voice trailing off with a softness that didn’t match her earlier stare.
Xara, of course, wasn’t going to fall for those cliché compliments. She had heard them too many times, from too many lips and besides, she knew she was beautiful. She didn’t need anyone reminding her of what was already obvious. After all, this bastard Aether was practically worshipping her beauty like she was the centre of his universe.
Still, though… the way Vesperine had been looking at her just now—it didn’t feel like admiration. It felt… off. There was a flicker of something else in that gaze. Shock, maybe. Recognition? Xara couldn’t quite place it.
Kai smiled at Vesperine’s compliment, completely unaware of the tension. He thought she was already trying to impress his mother, maybe even win her over. ‘That’s my girl,’ he thought proudly, his chest puffing a bit before turning his attention toward Aqualina.
“Oh… right, there’s another one here too,” he added, almost like an afterthought.
Vesperine’s eyes shifted toward Aqualina. The moment their eyes met, Vesperine instantly lowered her head and bowed deeply.
“P-Princess… Y-You are here too? Oh!! Please forgive me for being impudent to see you like this without proper permission,” she said, her voice laced with both fear and formality.
Aqualina stared at her blankly. She was sitting right at the head of the table, directly in front of them, yet Vesperine had acted as if she hadn’t even noticed her presence until now. It was obvious—Vesperine had been pretending.
Kai frowned slightly, the gesture quick but noticeable. He hated seeing his girl bow her head to anyone—especially not someone like Aqualina. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder, offering both reassurance and a subtle push of confidence.
“There’s no need to lower your head to everyone,” he said calmly, his voice warm but assertive. “After all… one day, you’ll become more than just a princess yourself.”
“…”
A thick silence suddenly draped over the dining room.
Velc nearly choked on his own breath, coughing hard as he tried to recover. Kai was going to keep pushing buttons—especially Aqualina’s—and Velc knew where this would lead.
He tried to resort her out since the business was already over, but,
“I have time,” Aqualina said with a soft, composed smile. “My carriage hasn’t arrived yet, so there’s no need to rush, right?”
Velc swallowed hard, sweat gathering at his temples as he sighed internally. ‘Today might just be the end of my life,’ he thought, his face pale with dread.
Xara cleared her throat sharply, breaking the tension. “Anyway… sit,” she said curtly, motioning for Vesperine to take the seat first.
Kai smiled again, guiding Vesperine toward the seat beside him. He sat next to her, his hand briefly brushing hers beneath the table. Leon, who had been watching quietly from his side, blinked slowly. His friend had taken his seat without a word.
Leon understood.
He knew what Kai was feeling. If his own father were still alive, it would’ve been just as difficult—maybe even impossible—for him to get permission to marry the woman he loved. So he knew exactly what Kai was facing now.
“Hmm…” Xara mused aloud, her voice light but curious. “So, she’s the woman you love, huh? Ah… tell me, how did you meet her? I’d like to hear everything.”
Kai nodded eagerly, the happiness on his face blooming with every word. With excitement bubbling in his chest, he began to recount it all—the very first meeting, the way fate had thrown them together, the series of strange coincidences that led to their bond, and how they had slowly, then suddenly, fallen madly in love with each other.
It was like something out of a fantasy tale. A forbidden romance between a Royal Hero and a Commoner. It had all the elements—danger, passion, rebellion, and love.
When he finished, Xara looked at him with a completely unreadable expression. A deadpan silence hung between them before she finally spoke.
“So… you fell in love with this woman even though you were already engaged to someone else?” she asked, voice flat but pointed.
Kai’s smile faltered. He froze for a moment before forcing a sheepish grin. “M-Mom… I—”
“No, no, no,” she interrupted sharply, raising a hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t mind polygyny, to be honest.”
The moment those words left her lips—someone reacted faster than lightning.
Of course, it was Aether.
He jolted internally, his eyes snapping open in under a second, and a wicked grin stretched across his face like a knife cut.
‘Hehe… I suppose I don’t need to drag too m—’
[You’re supposed to be unconscious.😑]
His log suddenly interrupted him with an annoyed ping.
‘Oh… shit!’ he thought, slamming his eyes shut and instantly collapsing back into unconsciousness. The entire thing happened so fast that no one in the room even noticed it.
Anyway—
Xara turned her focus back to Kai, her expression tightening. “But doing this behind the back of Princess Aqualina…” her voice grew sharp with emotion, “Don’t you think that’s wrong? Especially when that princess was once your fiancée, right? Even if it’s love… doing it behind her back is completely wrong, Kai!!” she said firmly, her tone laced with both confidence and deep disappointment.
An invisible arrow pierced through Kai’s heart, heavy and brutal. He felt his chest tighten with guilt, his entire posture sinking under the weight of shame. He couldn’t even look up.
And it wasn’t just him.
Even someone who was supposed to be lying unconscious—felt it.
Aether, deep in his mental realm, winced as if a spear had been driven through his own heart.
‘Don’t worry… she wasn’t talking about m—’ he tried to console himself.
But before he could finish that thought—
/Did you hear that?/
/Did you hear that?/
Aether’s mind echoed with two distinct voices. It was Aqualina and Selene. Both of them were silently staring at him.
Aether ignored them completely.
Xara shook her head slowly, her voice calm yet final. “Anyway, what happened in the past… has already happened. And the Princess officially broke off the engagement with you—”
“Wait… what?” Vesperine gasped, her eyes wide in shock as she quickly turned to Kai, her voice trembling. “B-Broken? You… you broke the engagement with the Princess? Why? Why would you do that?”
Her eyes began to fill with tears, the soft shimmer of heartbreak flickering within them. She looked at him helplessly, her voice cracking as she continued, “I told you already… I don’t mind being your concubine… I would have been okay with that… so why did you… why would you go that far… sniff, sniff…”
Her voice faltered as her shoulders shook gently. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and the sorrow in her voice nearly broke Kai’s heart.
But inwardly,
‘Fuck! Finally! This Handsome Hero finally belongs to me and me only!!’ Her thought screamed with happiness.
Kai smiled gently, his tone tender and filled with deep affection. He reached out, brushing a thumb along her cheek to wipe away her tears. “Don’t worry, my love… you’re more important to me than anything else in this world. I don’t care about status, I don’t care about power… none of that matters to me. You are my life.”
He leaned in a little closer, his voice dropping into a low, heartfelt murmur. “Concubine? No… you deserve so much more than that, my dear. You are not some side woman. You will be the first and last woman I will ever love—”
“Lia”
Cough!
Kai suddenly coughed mid-sentence, nearly choking on his own words. His heartfelt confession got cut off so violently that he almost spat blood. His head jerked around toward Aqualina, who had just softly spoken that name, completely amused.
Even Selene had to bite her lip to stop herself from bursting into laughter. Her shoulders trembled slightly as she stifled the giggles.
Kai glared at them, clearly flustered. He turned back to Vesperine and exhaled.
“Vesperine… you will be the only woman I will ever love for the rest of my life. I don’t care about titles. I don’t need thrones, crowns, or kingdoms. I just need you. I love you more than anything.”
“… K-Kai!!” Vesperine sobbed, her tears now of joy, and threw herself into his arms. She wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her face in his chest. Her voice trembled with happiness as she cried against him, her heart overflowing.
“…” The entire group sat in silence, quietly watching the emotional scene unfold in front of them. Some were surprised. Some thoughtful… But Xara… Xara was something else entirely.
She sat still, her gaze slightly wide, taken aback as she observed her son shower this woman with love and affection—like she was the only woman in existence. The only one that mattered.
Xara’s eyes drifted to Aqualina, who remained quiet. To be honest, while Xara had been disappointed that Kai had rejected Lia… a part of her was still relieved. At the very least, he would have had someone like Aqualina—someone strong, capable, and with the same powerful bloodline as her own mother. Their children… would’ve been terrifyingly blessed.
But now….
So fucked now!!
Xara’s jaw tightened slightly at the thought. That was blood she would have loved to add to their line…. But she had missed her chance.
Missed it completely!
She clicked her tongue softly and grit her teeth, shooting a subtle glance toward her son. But when her eyes met his—so bright, so full of happiness—she let out a long, tired sigh.
‘Well… if he’s happy, then so be it,’ she thought silently, her expression fading into a quiet, almost defeated frown.
Kai turned toward her, his face glowing with joy, and asked eagerly, “Mom, I want to marry her.”
Xara stared at him for a moment, then slowly nodded, offering him a small, warm smile.
Velc’s lips twitched.
Kai beamed even more. His heart swelled with hope… or so he thought.
“Until she proves her worth,” Xara added calmly.
“…Huh?” Kai blinked, stunned by the sudden shift.
Xara’s attention shifted toward Vesperine. Her gaze was analytical now—sharp, quiet, and heavy with judgment. She wasn’t about to let just any woman take her son.
No, she had to know. She had to understand who this girl truly was… Because something felt off.
There was something about Vesperine. Something strange… Something she couldn’t explain yet… but every instinct screamed at her not to trust this girl blindly.
Vesperine’s smile faltered for a split second, and inwardly, her mind hissed with irritation. ‘Tch… this bitch. I knew it. This is why I hate women… they can sense me too easily. Damn instincts.’
Kai frowned, visibly upset. “B-But Mom, what does she even need to—”
“Wake up, Aether,” Xara called suddenly, interrupting him, her eyes now falling to the boy who was still faking unconsciousness in her lap.
Aether’s eyes fluttered open groggily. He blinked as if dazed. “M-Mom?” he mumbled innocently.
Xara’s lips twitched hard. Her brows furrowed as veins bulged at her temple. ‘This little brat…’ But she didn’t lose her temper… Not yet. She simply sighed, grabbed his collar, and pushed him back into his chair.
Now fully visible under the table, Aether slumped in his seat—and that’s when Vesperine saw him.
Her eyes widened in pure horror. Her entire body tensed.
That jawline… That face… Those eyes… That nose… That mouth!!
There was no way she could forget the handsome face she had just seen in the village…
She had seen it all before. Every feature. It was him. It was exactly the same as…
“Oh… I forgot to mention,” Kai said, bitterness leaking into his voice. “My mother took in a slave and made him her adopted son now.”
Xara shot her son a sharp glare. “Hmm…” As much as she wanted to beat the living hell out of him for continuing to call Aether a slave, she held back.
She turned to Aether, voice cold and commanding. “And did you think I forgot about Aether’s ownership status? Don’t you dare even dream about running away. Tonight, it’s getting settled… Permanently.”
With that declaration, she grabbed Aether by the collar again and started walking out of the room with him.
Kai gritted his teeth, clenching his jaw silently as they vanished beyond the doorway.
Meanwhile, Vesperine sat frozen in place, still staring after Aether.
Blank at first… then slowly, a sly smirk curled at the corner of her lips.
“Adopted son, huh…” she murmured quietly to herself.
Her eyes shifted toward Velc, and for just a brief moment… she gave him a pitiful, almost mocking glance.