Two days later...
Aether formally inford the Aurora Empire to prepare for the final engagent.
Sera and Helena stord back the mont they learned he had awakened, their relief tangled tightly with anger. They scolded him relentlessly for not informing them sooner, voices sharp with fear they had carried through sleepless nights and anxious days, each word striking him harder!
After patient coaxing, soft laughter, and a fair share of teasing that lted the tension between them, the storm finally passed.
The two won departed happily for their Empire, already discussing preparations for the engagent with renewed excitent.
Aether spent his ti working alongside Mareth.
Everything moved forward without disruption, and for the first ti in a long while, the world felt ordinary.
The Empires seed to return to what they once were, not battlefields or ticking disasters, but functioning realms with people simply living their lives.
There was less fear in the air, less dread clinging to tomorrow.
Even though the values in the sky remained an ever-present fear, almost everything else looked fine.
More importantly... it felt fine.
Aether, along with many others, silently wished this fragile peace could last just a little longer.
As for Vesperine and the discussion that would redefine their approach and alter the Empire’s future entirely, that mont had arrived today.
Within the palace, Aether sat at the round table with his wives and Kaelen, his gaze fixed on the woman before them.
She looked nothing like the figure he rembered, her presence sharper, more commanding, her aura heavier. Only the three familiar clowns beside her remained unchanged.
Aether’s brow furrowed as he studied her carefully.
"Are you... Vesperine?" he asked.
Compared to the ek and overtly slutty woman he had t before, this version felt entirely different. She carried herself with confidence rather than submission, allure sharpened into elegance.
Not vulgar, not timid, but dangerously captivating, the kind of woman who could turn heads without trying and command attention simply by standing still.
Vesperine chuckled softly, "Of course it’s ," she said lightly, amusent glinting in her eyes. "My na hasn’t changed. I’ve simply refined myself... Beautiful and improved in every way. Don’t you think? Or... do you want to see~?" As she folded her arms beneath her chest, her boobs juggled a bit. Aria, Liora, and Maelona reacted instantly, their expressions tightening with shared irritation.
Kai, Leon, and Finnian exchanged glances, confusion clearly written across their faces. They watched her closely... unable to grasp why she behaved this way.
In fact, they weren’t aware of the proposal she offered.
Aether exhaled slowly and shrugged,
"I have seen more than enough beauty in my life," he replied calmly. "I am not interested in indulging it further. If you’re finished, then let us discuss the situation we’re actually here for."
Vesperine’s lips curved into a faint pout.
"You really are no fun," she said with a playful lilt, her tongue briefly tracing her lips before she glanced toward Kai, Leon, and Finnian. "But that’s exactly why I like you."
At her signal, the three n nodded in unison and summoned their origin cards, as they presented them toward Aether’s group without hesitation.
Eyebrows lifted around the table as everyone noticed the numbers displayed at the top right corner, the values no longer empty.
They had risen from 0 to 109.
Vesperine spoke calmly, "As you all already know, we discovered a way to increase the points using our cards," she said, her fingers resting lightly against the edge of the table.
"Those points are directly linked to the values displayed in the sky."
Aether and the others exchanged brief glances before nodding in quiet acknowledgent.
Vesperine continued,
"The values in the sky are not as simple as they appear. They are not re numbers ant to intimidate. They carry aning. Our cards carry aning as well. And those who possess higher points," she paused deliberately, her gaze sweeping across the table,
"Will be the ones standing tall in the new world that is about to erge."
Aether leaned forward slightly, his brow furrowing, while the others mirrored his curiosity.
"So," Vesperine went on, "we ca here today to propose a deal to Emperor Aether, the man destined to rule three Empires. In exchange for our thod of increasing the points in your cards, we expect fair compensation."
A low hum of thought rippled through the room.
Before anyone else could speak, Aria leaned forward, "How do you know all of this?" she asked.
Kai snorted openly, "Of course she knows," he scoffed, glaring at Aria. "Unlike you, she doesn’t survive on empty talk and blind assumptions."
Aether’s eyes flicked toward Kai, his expression darkening slightly.
Kai t his gaze without flinching, returning the stare with open defiance.
"It seems," Aether said slowly, "that you didn’t co here intending to speak politely."
Kai’s lips curled into a smirk.
"Do you even understand what polite—"
"Kai."
Vesperine’s voice cut through the room. Kai stiffened, then fell silent without another word, his expression tightening as he looked away.
Vesperine turned her attention back to Aether, her face composed once more.
"Does it truly matter how I know these things?" she asked evenly.
Aether shrugged faintly, though his frown deepened.
"Perhaps not," he replied. "But I am confused. Why now?" He leaned back slightly, eyes fixed on her.
"You just said that those with higher points will stand proudly. If that’s the case, you could have focused on increasing your own. Why co to us instead?"
For the first ti, Vesperine fell silent thoughtfully.
Then she spoke,
"Void and Terra have already raised their values far beyond what we anticipated. At this rate, catching up is impossible." Her fingers curled slightly. "And with no further sightings of those ch-suits, we are no longer ahead. We are falling behind."
"It’s only a matter of ti," she continued, "before they reach the peak and complete the trial."
Aether’s group found... Several truths in that mont.
First, the points truly mattered far more than anyone had initially believed.
Second, the trial was not a race against ti, but a brutal competition between Empires... the one who reaches the peak first.
And third, sothing that made Aether’s expression tighten sharply.
ch-suits.
The term echoed unpleasantly in his mind. There was no official word for such constructs in this world.
He had always referred to them as tallic figures, because that was all they appeared to be.
tal shaped like people.
That’s how people call it... even a child here.
But she had nad them precisely.
ch-suits.
Not a vague description, but a term that carried familiarity.
’Is she... from Earth?’ the thought crossed his mind.
Vesperine continued without worry, "That is why I had no choice but to seek cooperation with other Empires. If we cannot increase our values fast enough, Void will surpass everyone, and we will fall behind permanently."
Liora’s eyes narrowed as she studied Vesperine more closely.
"You know far too much for a commoner," she said coolly. "Don’t you think?"
Kai and his brothers reacted instantly.
"How dare you call her a commoner?" Leon snapped, "She is not so lowly nobody anymore. She is our wife. The woman who will save these Empires from people like you."
Liora stared at him blankly, "Is she royalty, then?" she asked calmly. "Is there any official record of her lineage? Any proof that she belongs to a noble house?" Her eyes shifted briefly to the three n.
"And what about you? Do any of you still hold noble titles, or any authority at all to stand here making such claims?"
Leon and Finnian fell silent at once.
Liora’s lips curved into a slow, mocking smirk as her gaze flicked dismissively toward them.
"By law," she said coolly, "the only noble in your entire group is that foolish blue-headed one."
Kai’s lips twitched as he opened his mouth to retort, when her voice cut in again without rcy.
"Did he marry her officially at least?" Liora continued, "Did he establish any legal bond, any rightful claim? No.
Then officially, she is nothing more than a commoner."
The words pierced straight through Kai’s chest.
"I-I wasn’t avoiding marrying her—" he began desperately.
"Silence."
Aether said coldly. His gaze shifted toward Vesperine as he spoke again.
"I understand your actions," he said. "But the deal you’re asking for goes far beyond what is necessary. Don’t you think so?"
Vesperine smiled faintly, almost amused, as she interlocked her fingers atop the table.
"Didn’t your soon-to-be wife already clarify it?" she replied smoothly. "I am still a commoner."
The trio-brothers raised their eyebrows all at once as the pieces aligned. Vesperine was not seeking protection alone.
She was aiming for legitimacy... A noble title... Official recognition!
Territory of her own, with authority and rulership tied directly to her na.
Excitent surged through them at the thought. Having land again. Power again. Standing proudly under this Emperor’s nose, watching his expression twist as they rose higher.
It would be hilarious!!
The three brothers exchanged looks, grinning with barely restrained triumph.
Aether’s expression darkened as he spoke again.
"If you desire a noble position," he said evenly, "I can arrange that for you--"
Vesperine shook her head lightly.
"No," she replied. "That’s far too excessive. I simply want the other option Kaelen ntioned to you. You rember it, don’t you?" She glanced sideways at Kaelen.
The trio-brothers frowned in unison.
"Other option?" Kai whispered under his breath.
"What is she talking about?" Leon muttered quietly.
Finnian shook his head slightly.
"I don’t know."
Their eyes returned to Vesperine.
Aether stared at her for a long mont before slowly shaking his head.
"That is too much."
Vesperine leaned back slightly, her smile turning sharp, almost predatory.
"So you’re prepared to abandon the Empires?" she asked softly. "How cruel of you, Mr. Aether~"
She leaned forward just enough for her shadow to stretch across the table.
"You need our help," she continued. "The Ruler of Three Empires carries the fate of Billions on his shoulders. Their future rests on your decision."
Aether frowned, her attempt to guilt him obvious... It did not truly sway him, but he allowed his expression to soften just enough to sell the illusion.
Then his eyes flicked briefly toward Kai’s puzzled face.
’They have no idea about her real deal,’ he realised. ’Now this becos interesting.’
He nodded slowly.
"I can offer you many things," Aether said. "Power. Wealth. Influence."
Vesperine’s smile vanished.
"It seems you haven’t thought this through," she replied coldly. "Very well. You have two days to decide. Otherwise, we will accept the invitation extended to us by the Void Empire."
Aether’s eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise.
Vesperine chuckled softly.
"You didn’t think we ca here without alternatives, did you?" she said mockingly. "So sweet. We have options, Mr. Aether. We always did."
She sighed theatrically.
"It’s just that my poor husbands are sentintal," she added. "They didn’t want to leave the lands they once lived in—"
"We never sa—OUCH!"
Leon yelped as Vesperine’s heel ca down hard on his foot.
"If you don’t like the offer," she continued calmly, as if nothing happened, "we will be leaving for Void. Think carefully, Mr. Aether. Ruler of Three Empires."
She stood and turned away without waiting for a response.
The trio-brothers hurried after her imdiately.
Kaelen tried to say sothing, but Liora gave him a dead glare... he turned silent.
Aether watched their retreating backs in silence. Once they vanished beyond the chamber doors, he turned slowly toward Kaelen, his voice ice-cold.
"I tried to speak with them first," he said. "Didn’t I?"
Kaelen nodded hesitantly, "Yes, Dad"
"I asked them calmly, right?"
"Yes, dad"
"I didn’t get angry or corner them, right?
"Yes... dad"
"I gave options, right?"
"Yes... dad"
"I didn’t even try to harm her, did I?"
"No..."
"I spoke perfectly, calmly, thoughtfully... right?"
"Yes..."
"And yet, nothing worked. You have seen it by yourself, right?"
Kaelen nodded again, unease creeping into his expression, "Y-Yes, Father..."
"Then we proceed my way," Aether said calmly as he took a breath.
He snapped his fingers.
A portal blood open in the air, frost spreading outward as snowflakes drifted from within.
"You know what to do," Aether said evenly.
"Yes, Master," Snowflake hissed softly, her smile curling into sothing wicked. "It’s playti."
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