After Kaelith left the room, Aether lazily sank into the chair, shoulders dropping as the tension finally slipped away from him. His gaze drifted across everyone present, a faint, tired smile tugging at his lips, eyes carrying exhaustion that no one could miss.
"I was almost worried I would miss everything," he said, "But thank goodness, I managed to reach in ti."
He let out a long breath.
Soft chuckles spread through the room. If he had inford them about his awakening earlier, none of this chaos would have happened.
"Also," Aria growled, her sharp eyes snapping toward Ashara.
Ashara flinched imdiately, instinctively slipping behind Aether and clutching onto him like a frightened cat seeking shelter.
"Pull. her. out," Aria said coldly, each word edged with restrained anger.
Ashara stiffened, fingers trembling as she tried to reach out to soone only she could sense... The connection answered her with nothing but silence.
"S-She is not coming out..." she whispered, panic creeping into her voice despite her effort to stay calm.
Aria stared at her without blinking, expression empty in a way that felt far more dangerous than anger. Ashara shrank further behind Aether, pressing herself closer as if trying to disappear.
"A-Aether..." she muttered in fear.
Aether turned his head slightly, "Aria, you are scaring her. That is enough."
Aria did not look away at first. She continued to stare for several long seconds before saying,
"You do not understand, Aether. Do you even know what she did on the stage?"
Aether exhaled slowly. He knew Nightfire could be mischievous, playful to the point of trouble. He expected teasing, maybe provocation, but nothing truly serious... At least, that was what he wanted to believe!
"She was probably just playing around," he replied, trying to sound reasonable. "She is happy being with all of you. That is all."
Aria’s eyebrows lifted in amused disbelief. "Oh? Playing around?" she said, "Like screaming in front of everyone, ’I don’t have a dick?’"
Her glare cut straight toward Ashara. Only Aria knew the depth of humiliation and frustration she had endured in that mont, and worse, how Aether’s na had been dragged through it.
If there had been no people around, she would have beaten the shit out of Nightfire without hesitation.
Aether blinked, confusion slowly surfacing.
"You do not have one... do you?" he asked, as if he was genuinely unsure.
Veins pulsed at Aria’s temple as heat rushed to her face. She clenched her teeth, cheeks flushing hard as her voice snapped.
"You idiot. It was not . She shouted it while wearing your form!"
Her voice echoed again, but this ti only within their shared connection.
/Do not act confused when you have seen the most, asshole!/
She dropped her gaze afterwards, embarrassnt burning hotter than her anger.
’The nerve of this bastard,’ she thought, grinding her teeth.
Hmph!
Aether froze as the aning finally settled in. The pieces aligned far too clearly in his mind.
Nightfire.
His form.
Those words.
His thoughts stalled as his eyes shifted toward Ashara, who stood behind him with a stiff, pale expression.
Ashara raised her hands defensively, "I-I did not do anything," she insisted, "Believe , please. It was her. I really did not!"
Her words tumbled out in fear, certain Aether would misunderstand everything.
Aether watched her closely for a mont before reaching out, catching her wrist and pulling her gently yet firmly onto his lap.
Ashara gasped, instinctively trying to pull away, but his hold did not loosen.
"N-No, I did not do it. Let go," she cried, struggling weakly.
Aether smiled softly, warmth returning to his expression as he cupped her cheek with care.
"Do you really think I would ever hurt you, dear?" he said quietly. "Of course not. There is no reason to be afraid. This is nothing more than a simple matter."
Aria opened her mouth to speak again, but Aether lifted his hand, stopping her without even looking.
"So what if she did?" he continued calmly. "It is my dear Nightfire, after all."
Aria’s lips twitched as she watched him, pouring his affection out so openly.
Ashara flinched when Aether’s hand ca close to her face, she thought he going to hurt her, but... Aether softly tugged Ashara’s hair, the gentle pull sending a visible shiver through her body. She opened her eyes, heat creeping up her cheeks as she struggled to steady her breath.
"W-What? You believe ?"
[ 3000 AP]
"Of course. Don’t worry... My love," he said quietly, carrying warmth that wrapped around her like an embrace.
[ 3000 AP]
Ashara’s heart skipped hard against her chest, the words striking her far more strongly than she expected.
"N-No, I am not... your... your..." she stamred, flustered and breathless, struggling to finish her sentence.
Before she could, her body suddenly straightened, her body grown a bit, as her tail popped out, posture shifting as a haughty tone slipped effortlessly from her lips,
"He is not talking about you, idiot!~"
Nightfire giggled as she wrapped her arms around Aether’s neck, pressing close with a radiant smile that carried mischief and affection alike.
"Aether~ Aether~ Aether... I missed you and your co—"
Aether reacted instantly, blocking her without a word. He knew what she was going to say, but saying it before his son, who was still here... Nah! He did not want that!
Even if Kaelen didn’t mind, but he does!
Nightfire caught the ssage at once. She nodded softly and hugged him tighter, resting against him without saying another word, simply breathing him in and feeling his warmth seep into her.
She stayed silent, holding him, savouring that familiar heat she had missed so deeply.
Especially the warmth from below!!
A single tear slipped from the corner of her eye, but she wiped it away almost instantly. Lifting her head, she smiled again, seductive and bright, clinging to him with clear happiness.
"I almost thought you were going to punish , this pitiful woman~ But thank goodness," she teased lightly, winking at Aria, who responded with an irritated snort.
Aether chuckled softly and kissed her forehead, his expression gentle as he held her close.
"Of course I would never punish my darlings over a silly mistake," he said, arms tightening around her as if to reassure her further.
Nightfire nodded with satisfaction, amusent dancing in her eyes.
’If I had known he would be this forgiving... I would have had even more fun,’ she thought with a hint of regret, ntally cursing herself for holding back.
She theatrically wiped imaginary sweat from her brow and sighed loudly.
"Sigh... here I thought you tricked into coming back just to throw into the monster’s den... hahaha."
She shook her head as she laughed, genuinely cheerful, clearly thinking less about her husband these days than she probably should have.
Then, suddenly, the room fell silent.
Not a peaceful silence, but a dangerous one that crept in without warning.
Nightfire, who had been laughing haughtily as if deliberately provoking Aria, slowly lowered her voice. Her eyes shifted toward Aether, and what she saw made her stomach drop.
He was smiling.
But it was not a gentle smile.
It was wicked!
"I said I would never," he spoke calmly, voice smooth and almost playful. "But that does not include your dear sisters, though~"
Before she could react, he grabbed her like an unruly cat and tossed her effortlessly in Aria’s direction.
Nightfire’s eyes widened as she watched Aether smirk.
The betrayal.
Oh God!
"Noooooooo—"
Her dramatic cry echoed through the room as Aria caught her mid-air with ease, holding her securely like a struggling cat.
"Hello~ kitty~" Aria said, smiling wickedly as she leaned in closer.
Nightfire flinched instinctively, shrinking in her grip.
"M-ow?"
"..."
"Awwweeee."
Ignoring Nightfire’s punishnt, Aether and the others shifted the conversation toward the situation within the Empire and everything that had transpired so far. They discussed whether he needed to act further, whether more asures were required to make the people feel safe again.
Maelona reassured him calmly, explaining that everything was under control. After witnessing his magnificent appearance earlier, she believed the citizens already felt secure, their fear replaced by awe and confidence.
"Help !"
"There were a few legal docunts you still need to sign for Liora," Maelona said calmly, her gaze shifting toward Liora with a reassuring look. "But that can be taken care of later."
"Fuck you, Aethe-Ouch!"
Aether rely nodded with an easy smile, clearly unfazed.
’I suppose I had nothing to worry about after all,’ he thought quietly, choosing to ignore the familiar background noise entirely.
Kaelen watched the strange scene unfold, eyes lingering on his unusual family. Despite everything, a faint sense of happiness settled in his chest as he took it all in.
Just then, a sharp voice rang out from beyond the doors.
"Your Majesty!"
Kaelen imdiately straightened his clothes, posture shifting into sothing more composed as he gave permission for them to enter. A guard stepped into the room and approached him.
Aria paused mid-strike. Nightfire let out a breath of relief as her battered body bounced awkwardly before settling.
The guard leaned in and whispered sothing into Kaelen’s ear. Kaelen’s expression hardened instantly, before he muttered under his breath,
"Again..."
Aether frowned slightly, sensing the shift.
"Is sothing wrong?" he asked.
Kaelen flinched almost imperceptibly before shaking his head.
"No, Father. It’s just a small matter," he replied quickly. "I can handle it easily."
Without waiting for further questions, he stood up and walked away in a hurry.
Aether’s eyes lingered on his retreating back, sothing unreadable flickering in his gaze. He then lifted his hand casually toward Aria.
"She is escaping."
Aria snapped her attention downward just in ti to see Nightfire attempting to crawl away with desperate effort. Nightfire froze, slowly turning her head to et Aria’s gaze, which had twisted into sothing far uglier than before.
"YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" Nightfire scread!
Ignoring the chaos once more, Aether continued to stare toward the door Kaelen had exited through. After a mont, he turned back to the others and spoke quietly,
"He has grown up."
Maelona and Liora nodded in agreent. Maelona spoke after a brief pause,
"Well, after you fell unconscious, it seems it affected him deeply. He began taking matters seriously and even started working on his own without relying on us. That alone says a lot."
She allowed herself a small, approving smile. "It is a good thing."
Aether smiled warmly at that.
’Everyone is growing,’ he thought.
"Aethole help - Ouch!"
’Except Nightfire’
"Anyway," Dora said as she rose from her seat, brushing herself off. "I should be leaving as well."
Aether lifted an eyebrow, surprised.
"That soon? You could at least stay for dinner."
Dora shook her head.
"I do not have ti—"
"It’s not like you are busy running an academy, right?"
"..."
Dora stared at him in absolute silence, her expression flat and unamused.
Aether coughed awkwardly, "Joke..."
Dora sighed and continued, her voice serious once more.
"Since you are awake now, there is sothing Victor needs to see."
Aether frowned slightly.
"Victor?
Dora nodded once.
"Yes. It is sothing Victor must witness personally."
Aether’s frown deepened as concern crept in.
"If it is important, I can co with you now."
Dora blinked and tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she noticed two predatory gazes locking onto her with unsettling intensity.
Dora chuckled softly, her eyes glinting with mischief as she leaned closer for just a mont.
"I do not think there is anything more important than letting the bride night wait~" she said teasingly, giving him a playful wink before turning away.
She walked off with a light laugh, her voice trailing behind her.
"et tomorrow... if you still have the strength, that is~"
Aether blinked, montarily caught off guard.
’She really was looking at like that, wasn’t she?’ he thought, as he glanced back into the room.
Liora sat quietly at the table, calmly scratching its surface with her nails, her expression composed and indifferent, as if nothing around her concerned her in the slightest.
Aria, on the other hand, continued beating Nightfire without rcy.
Nightfire scread as she took the punishnt she had thoroughly earned.
"Oi, bitch! You were just about to stop to fuc—OUCH!!"
Aria’s cheeks turned beet red. Her fists continued raining down on Nightfire with even greater force, fury speaking louder than words ever could.
Aether watched the scene with a soft, resigned smile tugging at his lips.
’Looks like tonight is going to be a long one,’ he thought as his gaze drifted toward the open window.
Outside, the sky slowly darkened, shadows stretching across the horizon as night crept in.
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