As much as Aria wanted to doubt Aether's story, everything seed to fit perfectly.
His knowledge about.. ancient texts, the unfamiliar technological terms he sotis slipped into conversation... all of it made sense now.
"I see..." She nodded slowly, snuggling deeper into his arms, though her lips trembled slightly as she continued, "So, I'm just a mission to you? Sothing you want to clear and move on from?" The vulnerability in her voice betrayed her calm deanour.
Aether gently lifted her chin, his fingers tender on her skin, "What do you think?" he asked softly, his gaze steady.
Aria stared into his eyes for a long mont before pulling him closer, burying her face in his chest.... She didn't say anything, but her embrace spoke volus. It was enough for Aether to understand her answer, but it felt strangely anti-climactic to him.
In the visions he'd seen in the ga, Aria.... ever the yandere—was supposed to react far more explosively.
He had braced himself for sothing intense, perhaps even violent, yet here she was, calm and rational. He couldn't shake the feeling that sothing was off, that her reaction should have been more... dangerous.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, Aether noticed sothing. His expression shifted from thoughtful to awkward as he glanced toward the kitchen, "Uh, Aria... are you sure your mother's okay sleeping in the kitchen?"
Aria flinched, her face instantly mirroring Aether's awkwardness.
Maelona, who had been peeking at them from the kitchen, slowly stepped out, her face flushed with embarrassnt.
"H-Haha..." Maelona let out an awkward laugh, but it quickly died when she noticed Aether staring at her with a blank expression.
She sighed, her shoulders slumping as she approached them, "As much as I don't want to ddle in your affairs... I'm sorry, Aether. But I can't let my daughter lose you.
Yes, I am disappointed in you, and Yes, she will get angry or... even more furious, but in the end, she loves you deeply. I know she would regret it if she let her anger push you away and... I definitely do not want that to happen!"
Maelona had visited Aria earlier, knowing full well that if her daughter found out about Aether's involvent with Liora while in an emotional state, things could go terribly wrong.
So, even though she didn't want to interfere, she had told Aria the truth, hoping to prevent sothing irreversible.... Aria had been furious—on the verge of hunting down Liora—but Maelona had managed to calm her down, using her motherly influence to hold her back from doing anything rash.
Aether sighed, rubbing his face tiredly before looking at Aria, "Even if she hates , I will still love her. I'll do whatever it takes to win her back. Believe , Aria... I know I'm not worth—"
Before he could finish, Aria placed her fingers on his lips, silencing him, "I believe in my love, Aether. I would never hate you, not in this life or any other. I will always love you."
"..." Aether bit his lip, overwheld by her unwavering devotion. He simply nodded and hugged her close, as Aria rested her head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
Maelona let out a quiet sigh of relief, grateful that things hadn't escalated as she had feared. She glanced at Aether once more, thinking, 'It looks like he handled it well without too much intervention.'
Just as she was about to quietly leave the room, Aether called out to her, "Why don't you rest beside ?"
Maelona froze, her eyes wide in surprise. "W-What?"
Aether smiled warmly, patting the empty space beside him. "Let's sleep together... like a family."
Maelona hesitated, her body stiff with uncertainty, but eventually, she nodded and slowly made her way to the bed, lying down on his other side. Her posture remained rigid, unsure of how to act.
Aether chuckled softly, "Relax... I'm not going to do anything. You can trust ," he said with a wink.
[ 2000 AP]
Maelona's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing slightly, "W-What are you talking about? I-I believe my son-in-law wouldn't touch an old lady like !" she stamred, trying to regain her composure.
"Old lady?" Aether raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused, "Are you serious?" while inwardly adding, 'With those curves?'
Maelona's face turned an even deeper shade of red, "O-Of course I am!" she snapped, but the way Aether was eyeing her up and down made her feel strangely exposed as if she were lying bare before him. Instinctively, she covered herself with her hands, even though she was fully clothed.
Aether smirked, shaking his head, "Well, I guess I have a thing for old ladies then," he teased.
[ 3000 AP]
Maelona's cheeks were now practically glowing as she softly punched his shoulder, "Y-You rascal! Teasing your favourite mother-in-law like that!"
"Favorite? Yeah... You are my favourite!" Aether's lips curled into an amused smile, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
Yet, Inwardly, he thought, 'Everything went perfectly, just as I planned...' He couldn't help but feel sly for how smoothly things had played out.
Yes, Indeed... Yup, This was all his doing, ticulously crafted from the very beginning.
To deal with Aria... he had to use Maelona as his safe card!
Manipulator?
Liar?
Didn't learn anything from the ga?
Just like his stepfather?
You could call him whatever you wanted, but none of it mattered.
Nothing would change the outco!
Death... He saw before his very eyes!
Death was an ultimatum!
He would not leave Aria!!
He alone had witnessed and felt the truth of those monts with his own eyes... No one else could understand!
He realized that if he hadn't acted if he hadn't taken control, everything he held dear would have slipped away...
This was how the world worked, how nature unfolded in this ruthless place.
But his emotions were genuine... Believe him he was barely holding back his tears... It's just he didn't have any other options...
Suddenly, an icy, emotionless voice sent shivers down their spines.
"Mind telling the nas of those 'bitches'?" Aria's indifferent voice pierced the air like a dagger.
Aether and Maelona froze, looking down to see Aria, who was now perched on top of Aether, her chin resting on her hand as she smiled... a dark, dangerous smile.
Aether blinked, staring at her for a mont before grinning, 'Ah, there's the yandere side...' he thought with a nod of satisfaction.
....
....
After spending the night, Aether returned to the Servant's dorm, feeling rejuvenated.
[ 4000 AP]
"Masterrrrrr~" Snowflake hissed in happiness. It wasn't just because she saw Aether after a long ti—well, maybe a little—but more because she was brimming with joy for another reason.
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"I missed you, Snow! Please, Hug tighter, even more!!" Aether shouted, already wrapped tightly in Snowflake's tail, which coiled around his entire body.
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They continued exchanging affection, their happiness bouncing off one another.
"Masterrr~ Loveesss~ eeee~" Snowflake hissed, nearly vibrating with joy.
"Yes, I love you, Snowflake!!" Aether shouted back, wrapping his arms around her tightly.
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[Remaining AP: 1,736,532]
"Yaaayyyyyyyy~~~" She hissed with pure joy, her face glowing with happiness!
Celestia, who had been watching this from the side, couldn't help but smile. She was both touched and a little shocked to see how much Aether had grown, Though he'd seed unstable before, he was finally becoming more balanced—well, except for the sudden outpouring of affection.
Crack!
Celestia's eyes widened. "Calm down, Snow! Let him go, or you'll break him!" she warned urgently.
Reluctantly, Snowflake loosened her grip. Aether chuckled as he looked at Celestia. Without hesitation, he walked over and hugged her, "I'm back..."
Celestia smiled, her face softening with emotion as she returned the embrace, "Yeah... You've matured so much," she said with a smile, her eyes shimring with tears.
Whatever challenges he had faced during his visit to the Black market, he now possessed a stronger heart.
She could see it just by looking into his eyes, 'You've finally accepted yourself...' she thought and with a gentle kiss on his lips.
"Don't forget," she whispered, her lips brushing his cheek, "your Celestia will always be here for you.... No matter what." Find more to read at empire
Aether chuckled, feeling her warmth envelop him, "Yeah... you've always been there, Celestia. Until the end..." He gently tucked her chestnut hair behind her ear, leaning in to kiss her forehead tenderly.
Celestia bead with pride and love, 'He's truly Matur--' she thought, cherishing the mont.
Yet,
"Hey!" She glared playfully at him as she felt his hands fondling her ass.
"I really like your ass," Aether said with a cheeky smile, winking at her.
Celestia shook her head, half-amused, half-exasperated, 'Maybe not that mature...,' she thought before smirking, Her hand slipping down to fondle his crotch as she winked back at him.
"Haha..." Aether laughed, but just then...
!~Ding~!
[Both Body and Soul finally stabilized!]
!~Ding~!
[Initializing Soul Repair!!]
!~Ding~!
[Ti period: 30 days 60 minutes 59 seconds]
"Aether, you need to pack your things since everyone is leaving for the Pyra Empire," Celestia said, her face serious.
Aether, still fondling her ass with a playful smirk, didn't seem concerned at all. "No need..." he replied casually.
Celestia furrowed her brows, clearly confused, "What do you an by 'no need'?" she asked, her voice sharp with curiosity.
"You'll understand tomorrow," Aether said, his grin growing wider. He leaned in closer, his voice softening as he added, "But for now, I need your help with sothing... there's sothing I want..."
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