After barely managing to escape from drinking that horrifying thing, Aether made his way to the Naiadea Empire. As much as he wanted to take Snowflake away from Helena and keep her close to him, he knew deep down that this was the best choice for her.
Snowflake... she needs to grow into a perfect, graceful adult. A diligent one, disciplined and confident.
Helena would be the perfect mother-like figure for her, soone who could teach her patience, manners, and the kind of gentle strength Aether could never force upon her.
What was even more surprising was that Snowflake herself... actually wanted to stay with Helena.
"I-I will stay with Helena, M-Master," Snowflake whispered, her small lips trembling as though the words were heavy in her mouth.
It was hard to believe, right?
Aether’s chest tightened.
He was disheartened, yes, but rather than keeping her locked away in the cold emptiness of the inventory, he decided it was better to let her find happiness here.
Even so... he couldn’t ignore the faint shiver that ran through her body. She looked as if she wanted to say sothing more, sothing important... yet she kept it sealed inside, her eyes lowering as if she was bottling it up.
And Helena... Weirdly smiling.
Hmm....?
Why?
He wondered.
Anyway...
Celestia led Aether towards where Aqualina and Sandra were working.
They arrived at a vast open ground, an expanse where workers laboured under the bright sky. Heavy hamrs struck against stone, ropes strained, and the echo of chisels sang across the air.
Rising in the centre was a colossal tower-like structure, its shape long and proud, crafted from polished blue marble that glead like a frozen wave.
It was like a lighthouse... majestic, commanding, and ant to be seen from miles away.
Standing before the half-completed tower were Sandra and Aqualina, surrounded by a small group of dignified figures in heavy, jewel-embroidered robes.
"Those are royal magicians," Celestia said softly.
Aether nodded. He rembered them well—these were the ones who had crafted his Victor Mask. Honestly, he had been wanting to et them for a long ti.
They were also the ones who had taken his project and refined it into sothing far greater, sothing monstrous in scale.
With that refined technique of his Project was going on other Empires too.
As they approached, Sandra was the first to turn, her sharp senses catching his presence instantly. Aqualina followed only a heartbeat later, her gaze locking on him.
Aether smiled wide, his expression warm and teasing. "Hello, ladies~" he said, adding a playful wink.
Aqualina didn’t hesitate for even a second. She broke into a run, her long hair swaying wildly before she crashed into him with a forceful, almost desperate hug—right there in broad daylight, for all to see.
"Aether~"
Her voice was breathy and sweet, her arms wrapping around him tighter and tighter. She pressed her face into his neck, taking in his scent as though she’d been starving for it.
Aether let out a small groan from the pressure before patting her back, feeling just how much she had missed him—it wasn’t just a guess; he could feel it in every trembling squeeze of her arms.
His gaze slid to Sandra. She didn’t move, but her eyes... her eyes said everything. She wanted to run to him just as much, to throw her arms around him, but with so many eyes on her, she stayed rooted, her expression composed. Only the faint quiver of her lips betrayed her.
Aether gave her a soft, knowing smile... That was all he needed.
"Oh my? Who is the boy, Your Majesty?" one of the robed magicians asked with curiosity.
They had heard of Aether—stories of his stolen powers had circulated... but they had never seen him in person.
Sandra didn’t even blink. "Your next Emperor," she declared.
Work stopped mid-swing, hamrs froze in the air, and every head turned sharply towards Aether. Faces shifted from confusion to shock, glancing back and forth between him and Aqualina.
"Oh my goodness..." one magician muttered.
Sandra waved her hand dismissively, ordering them to continue their work, though their surprise lingered. Without caring for their murmurs, she stepped closer to Aether, her gaze locking with his.
"How are you?" she asked.
Aether almost smirked. Gods, he wanted to kiss her right there in front of everyone.
She was practically radiating heat—he could feel her wanting him, even if she buried it behind her cool deanour. She was the type to cling and need, but never admit it aloud.
He gave her a gentle nod before glancing at the towering structure. "Looks like everything’s going fine."
Aqualina bead. "Yes, we are doing fine," she said, her cheeky grin stretching wider.
Aether leaned in and nudged her nose with his own. "What’s with that smile?" he asked in an amused tone.
Aqualina’s giggle was like music. "Find out~"
Aether shook his head with a quiet laugh. Of course she was over the clouds—after all, she was going to marry him.
Wasn’t it obvious by now?
She didn’t even bother hiding it anymore... she could cling to him in public, wrap her arms around him without fear, and even—
"Hehe." She smirked over his shoulder at her mother.
Sandra’s lips twitched violently. ’This brat...’ she thought, barely restraining herself.
Later, they sit together drinking tea, discussing the ongoing situation.... nothing explicit or scandalous... except for one thing:
Aqualina sat herself boldly on Aether’s lap, leaning back like she owned him entirely.
"Anyway, are you okay with the idea?" Sandra asked, her tone calm but watchful, referring to the details of the announcent they had discussed.
Aether humd softly, his gaze drifting with a thoughtful expression.
"What are you thinking about?" Aqualina asked, her brows knitting slightly as she sat comfortably on his lap, her pouty eyes narrowing at him.
He was marrying the princess, you know!
He was supposed to say yes—not sit there thinking, idiot!
She scread inwardly in her thoughts.
Aether chuckled faintly, reaching up to pinch her cheeks. "It’s just... sothing going on with the Void Empire. Hmm... okay, announce it... in two days."
Aqualina’s eyes widened in surprise before she suddenly wrapped her arms around him, peppering his face with quick kisses. Her voice broke slightly as she let out a tiny, trembling laugh that almost sounded like a cry.
She didn’t even know why she was reacting like this... maybe it was relief, maybe excitent... but in this mont, kisses felt like the only way to speak what words couldn’t.
Sandra and Celestia watched with soft smiles. They were happy for her, yes... but deep down, there was a faint sting in their chests.
Still... jealous!
After taking so sweet ti with both won—laughing, playing, exchanging small touches and glances.... Aether turned his attention to the royal magicians.
....
"How long do you think it would withstand?" Aether asked, his eyes fixed on a massive construct before them. It was a colossal, glowing sphere, nearly the size of a truck, radiating a yellowish light.
The surface was etched with intricate magical circuits, pulsing like veins of molten gold.
One of the royal magicians stepped forward. "With our thod, it should remain stable for another five years... longer than the previous blueprint."
They answered not because he was the future Emperor, rather... only because of the Empress’s presence.
Without her, they wouldn’t have been so forthcoming—not unless Aether already held the title himself rather than just being the promised future.
After all... who knew? An Empress could change her mind, choose another emperor for her daughter.
Like before!
Aether nodded, murmuring, "That’s more than what my initial project would have managed... Super!"
That made the magicians pause.
"W-Wait? Your initial... You an you created this?" one of them blurted out, eyes wide.
Aether blinked, glancing at the Empress, who was now grinning slyly. "Didn’t she tell you?"
Before he knew it, he was surrounded. The magicians crowded him like bees discovering a rare flower... wide-eyed, eager, almost drooling at the thought of such talent.
"Could you please tell how you ca up with this idea?"
"You’re far too young for a theory like this!"
"Your Majesty, please accept as your disciple!!"
So even went so far as to call him their future emperor... not for the title, but for his mind.
Scholars... sotis they were idiots, weren’t they?
Whatever.
After a few minutes of politely fending them off, he excused himself—he didn’t have the ti or patience to be anyone’s ntor.
And, of course, Sandra got her own "lesson" for letting this surprise happen.
Finally... Aether teleported to see Grandma.
The Holy Oracle Temple was where she resided.
How could he forget her?
The GILF on his private seduction list.
There was no way he could forget h—
[Oh, please, you only rembered now! 😑]
Anyway...
Aether appeared... only to stand in an empty, barren place.
"Where’s the temple gone again?"
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