Xara wasn’t entirely sure about Vesperine being a Succubus… but if she really was one, then she had no choice—she needed to save her son from getting sucked dry by that seductive bitch.
Xara knew all too well just how wicked a Succubus could be, and how dangerously manipulative they were. She had read about them, seen what they could do. Heck, she interacted with one that her boss had, and she refused to let her son fall victim to such a creature. She needed to stop this madness before it completely spiralled out of control.
But then she frowned, her mind racing. Aether would definitely ask what happened—he wasn’t the type to ignore things. And if she told him exactly what happened… Aether was a possessive man. There was no doubt about it.
She could already imagine the bloodbath that would follow.
She might not know the full extent of his strength, but a man who had lifted the entire Empire with his bare hands… She fucking believed it would be a massacre. And she didn’t want that. No, she had to come up with some kind of excuse—anything to keep him calm.
‘Hmm…’ she thought for a moment, nodding to herself slowly as if an idea had just clicked.
She raised her hand, and in an instant, her palm flickered with a deep, blood-red glow. A set of clothes appeared from the swirling magic. She immediately changed into them, her body still a bit sore from earlier, and walked out of the bathroom.
Only to find Aether standing there, arms folded, his gaze locked on her with a clearly annoyed expression.
Xara blushed instantly, her eyes darting away as she tried to play it cool.
Aether sighed deeply. “What happened?”
Xara twiddled her fingers nervously, her voice trembling a little. “W-Well… it kind of… you know… I sort of had an experiment with blood. It’s just a side effect… I guess,” she mumbled, giving an awkward shrug.
Aether raised an eyebrow. “Side effect? Really? Can I… get one too?” he asked, curiosity dancing in his eyes.
Xara’s lips twitched slightly, half in amusement, half in embarrassment. “For what?”
Aether tilted his head. “I don’t know. Just curious.”
Xara huffed softly, turning around as she tried to walk away, clearly not in the mood to explain more. But before she could take another step, Aether suddenly appeared in front of her, making her flinch.
“Do you really think you can just walk away like that?”
“W-What? I told you, it was an accident~hmm~” she stuttered, trying to sound casual.
Before she could stammer further, Aether leaned in and softly pressed his lips against hers.
“Hmm… S-Stop it…” Xara mumbled, her hands pushing against his chest as a heavy blush colored her cheeks. Her core was still slightly sensitive—any more contact and she might end up soaking her clothes again.
Aether grinned mischievously. “First, you pounce on me, and now you tell me to stop? Aren’t you being just a little selfish?”
His voice held a slight disappointment, just enough to make her wince.
Xara flinched, her voice low. “W-Well, I didn’t mean to… it just happened like that… so…” She trailed off, looking at him.
Seeing the way he looked—disappointed but understanding—she sighed softly. Her cheeks were beet red as she leaned forward and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips.
Aether smirked, satisfied. Xara slowly stepped back, her eyes looking down as she whispered, “N-Now we’re even?”
Aether smiled and shook his head. She was unpredictable—fierce one moment, then shy the next. It was strange, confusing… and yet, somehow, it made him happy.
‘I guess I still have a lot to learn about her,’ he thought, his expression softening.
He leaned forward again and gently bit her neck.
“KYAA!!”
Xara jumped like a startled maiden before spinning around and glaring at Aether, her face flaming red. “Y-You…!”
Aether winked playfully at her. Just that alone made her cheeks burn even more before she angrily turned and stomped away.
Aether chuckled, watching her retreating figure. “So cute~” he murmured under his breath, shaking his head before reaching out mentally to contact Delphine through telepathy.
/Hello, Del~ Are you there?/
/Aether? Oh wow, look who finally decided to speak to me after all this time./
Aether smiled, his tone gentle. /Come on now… I was kind of busy, you know…/
/Busy doing what? Ignoring your beautiful lover?/
Aether blinked in surprise, clearly taken aback by her bold words. Then he chuckled and replied, /Please forgive this ignorant man of yours… My perverted wife~/
/O-Oi! W-Who are you calling perverted?! A-And who are you calling y-your wife?!/
She stammered so cutely, it made his heart ache. He wished he could see her face at that very moment.
Aether giggled softly. /So, where are you right now?/
/Sigh… What can I say… I’m currently at the Academy. The principal asked for my help with something./
Aether frowned, /Come on, Del… you’ve been working too much lately. First, you handled the Naiadae Empire mess, and now this? You need to start saying no to people… seriously!!/
He couldn’t hide his frustration. Aether knew exactly how much Delphine had been putting on her shoulders lately, and it angered him.
It wasn’t fair… Not to her!
/…/
/Delphine!!/
/Sigh… I’m sorry, okay? Please don’t be mad…/
/No. Not okay! Where exactly are you right now? I’ll come and pick you up./ Aether’s tone was serious, firm, leaving no room for excuses.
/…Pick me up? R-Really?/
Aether could feel her joy swelling through their connection. That soft warmth spread into his chest.
/Yes. I’ll come get you. No matter where you are./
/…Okay. But… not right now. I’m really, really busy, you know? Just give me a little time. I’ll call you back. It’s an urgent matter here… you understand, right?/ she replied in a slightly rushed voice, clearly flustered and distracted.
Aether frowned for a second, frustration rising, but then sighed and shrugged it off.
/Fine. Once you’ve finished everything, call me immediately. I have something important I want to show you./
/Okay… I also… I also have something I need to tell you. It’s been on my mind./
Aether raised an eyebrow at that, curiosity sparked. He gave a small nod.
/Alright. I’ll wait./
/Well… then… talk to you later…. Bye./
/Bye./ Aether replied calmly.
/…/
/…/ Aether tilted his head slightly, sensing hesitation, confusion. Something she wanted to say but was struggling to voice.
/…I LOVE YOU—/
She immediately severed the connection the moment those words left her lips.
Aether blinked, completely caught off guard, then smiled softly, a deep warmth glowing behind his eyes. “I love you too…” he whispered gently, though no one heard it.
Still, the words were real, and his smile lingered.
Meanwhile…
Xara stood outside Kai’s room, arms crossed, knocking rapidly and furiously. Her voice rang with intensity.
“Kai! Open the damn door! I know that girl is in there! Don’t make me break it down—open up!!”
Knock, knock, knock…
She kept pounding her knuckles against the wood, her anger building.
After a minute or so, the door creaked open—just a small gap. Kai peeked through with a flushed, panicked face.
“M-Mom?! What are you doing here?!” he asked, clearly alarmed.
Xara didn’t answer. Without hesitation, she pushed the door open wide and stepped inside.
“M-Mom!! What are you doing?! This isn’t—”
The room was dimly lit. A heavy, sweet aroma lingered in the air, thick and unmistakable.
Xara’s nose wrinkled in disgust. ‘This smell… ugh, it’s disgusting… fuck this…’ she thought bitterly, clenching her teeth.
Then her eyes locked onto Vesperine—her face flushed, clothes slightly wrinkled, though she sat composedly on a nearby chair, acting casual.
Xara didn’t need to be a genius to figure out what had happened. But she didn’t come here to lecture about that.
She just stared, her gaze sharp and full of fury.
“W-What are you doing here?” Vesperine asked, trying to sound shy and innocent, but beneath her soft tone, she was seething.
‘This bitch ruined the moment… That damn Velc must’ve finished too fast. That’s why she barged in so quick,’ she cursed inwardly, clicking her tongue in frustration.
“M-Mom? You need to—”
“Kai,” Xara cut him off coldly, her eyes not leaving Vesperine, “get out of the room.”
“Mom—”
“Get. Out. Of. The. Room.” Xara’s voice was dangerous—low and cold, laced with pure venom.
It made even Kai instinctively flinch.
He turned to Vesperine, worried, but she gave him a small, silent nod, signaling him she’d be fine.
Kai sighed heavily, then glanced quickly at the bathroom—almost like he left something there—before reluctantly stepping out.
Now, the room was silent.
Only Xara and Vesperine remained.
Their eyes locked.
And in a flash—without warning—
Xara lunged forward and grabbed Vesperine by the throat, lifting her clean off the ground with terrifying strength.
“You filthy little thing,” she hissed, eyes glowing with wrath, “how dare you lay your hands on my son?!”