'Step--'
As Princess Aqualina halted her steps, everyone's attention shifted to the source of the pained cry, including hers. Aether's horrified expression didn't go unnoticed, and Delphine gently nudged his hand, prompting him to regain his composure.
"A-Aether?"
"H-Huh? S-Sorry..." Aether stamred, bowing deeply to acknowledge his mistake.
Though everyone frowned montarily, the Empress didn't intervene, so they shrugged it off and continued with the ceremony.
Princess Aqualina stood before the Empress, holding the hem of her exquisite dress as a sign of reverence, and bowed deeply, "Long live her Majesty!" she proclaid with respect and admiration.
"Hmm..." The Empress smiled gracefully and positioned herself between her daughter and Kai. Her misty purple eyes surveyed the gathering before making the formal announcent,
"I am pleased to announce the betrothal of my beloved daughter to Kai Frostblade."
'Clap, Clap'
The room erupted in applause and joyous smiles as everyone congratulated the newly betrothed couple. So even cast envious glances at Velc, acknowledging the significant rise in status his household would experience with his son's betrothal to the Empress's daughter.
The celebration continued with gifts and well-wishes pouring in for Kai and Aqualina.
Amidst the festivities, Aether.... a pitiful man in his thirties, stood in a quiet corner, questioning the turn his life had taken.
'Log, I know... I know you're going to fuck my life very soon in any way... But still, I had hoped the hurdle would be a little lower, like before,' Aether lanted internally, feeling a sense of despair.
He wanted to cry and yet no amount of tears would help his current predicant.
His gaze fell on the mission tab, highlighting the daunting task he was assigned...
[Mission: Seduce Aqualina Naiadia]
"Mmm... What should I do now?" Aether closed his eyes in fear, already picturing his demise at the hands of the Empress.
His dream coming true!!
"Is everything okay?" Selene asked with a worried expression, noticing Aether's unusual behaviour.
"Please, give a hug," Aether muttered unconsciously, surprising Selene.
"W-What?" Selene's face flushed bright red at his unexpected request.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Aether turned and saw Selene, her blue eyes wide with surprise and her legs trembling slightly as she muttered, "I-If you wa---" However,
Realizing his mistake, he quickly corrected himself, "I thought you were Ms. Delphine, Sorry, Madam Selene," he said awkwardly before moving away towards his goal.
"H-Huh?" Selene flinched, her expression shifting from embarrassnt to anger as she watched Aether walk away, her gaze filled with resentnt towards Delphine.
Pure hatred!
"!!" Delphine sensed the intense glare directed at her and flinched slightly.
Leaving the tense atmosphere behind, Aether steeled himself, prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
He was ready to face death!!
As Aether approached, the Empress narrowed her eyes, sensing sothing amiss.
"M-Maybe later" Aether shrugged and turned away.
His mind craved so fresh air amidst the bustling festivities. As he observed everyone engrossed in gift-giving and Timmy's assistance to Kai, Aether made his way to the tranquil balcony.
To his surprise, soone was already there, gazing at the star-filled sky that held no moon.
"Feeling a bit lonely tonight?" Aether's voice broke the quietude of the balcony as he positioned himself next to the solitary figure.
"H-Huh?" The sudden company startled the person, who turned to see Aether standing there, his gaze fixed on the starry sky with a faint smile.
Lia Scarlet, her eyes still moist from shed tears, hastily wiped them away upon noticing Aether's presence but remained silent.
Aether, unperturbed by her initial reaction, took in a deep breath of the cool night air, using the mont to reflect on his recent thoughts about the intricacies of seduction and relationships.
After a gentle breeze swept through, breaking the silence, Lia finally spoke up, her voice carrying a tone of contemplation and vulnerability.
"You know..." Lia began, her words were hesitant yet laden with emotions.
"Yes?" Aether's tone was gentle, encouraging her to share her thoughts.
"I don't understand what is love?...."
"Hmmm?"
"I believed that by showering him with unconditional love, he would never choose another over . Yet, he left without a second thought, leaving to bear the weight of heartache alone...." Lia confessed, her voice tinged with pain and disillusionnt.
Aether listened intently to a child's love failure story.
"It's frustrating, you know," Lia continued, her tone shifting to one of frustration, "He seems so reserved and shy around that bit- ahem I an another girl!!!, yet he never showed such affection towards , despite my devotion."
"I understand she's beautiful and compared to her beauty I would pale away but isn't love supposed to be about more than just physical appearance?" She asked with pain.
"When I finally saw him again after what felt like an eternity, I-I was overjoyed and waved to him, but he didn't even spare a glance!... It was as if he purposefully avoided eting my e-eyes," Lia recounted, her expression twisted with pain and anger
"And yet, when that bitc- I an other girl approached him, he lit up like a beacon and smiled like an idiot... she didn't even acknowledge his presence!!" Lia's tone shifted to one of anger and disbelief.
Her emotions fluctuated wildly, oscillating between sorrow and indignation. Aether remained a patient listener.
"Have you finished?" Aether asked gently, turning his gaze from the twinkling stars above to et Lia's tear-streaked face.
"H-Huh?" Lia's face flushed red with sha as she couldn't believe she had poured out her emotions in front of soone she perceived as beneath her, just as she was about to retreat back to the party.
"You know, for , love is a fight..." Aether's quiet words halted her movents.
"Fight?"
"Yes," Aether affird, his gaze eting her crimson eyes as he delved into his own mories, "I've never been loved by anyone in my life. Then she ca along... with unwavering determination, telling she loved without faltering. At first, I brushed it off, thinking it was a ga."
Aether took a step closer, his voice carrying a weight of experience. "But she persisted, undeterred by pouring rain or scorching sun, and kept professing her love, day after day. She stood her ground and said she loves no matter how much ti it takes..."
Aether stepped even further, " She fought for what she wanted, knowing what she needed until her presence consud my thoughts and my heart beated for her...."
Drawing even nearer, Aether's words were almost a whisper. "Love is a battle. You have to fight for it. If you're not willing to fight, you don't deserve that love."
Aether then lightly tapped his finger against his own chest, a gesture that sparked a fire in Lia's eyes.
"You didn't fight for your love..... Your love is aningless!" Aether's words hit a nerve, igniting Lia's fury.
"!!!!" In a sudden surge of anger, Lia grabbed Aether's collar, her eyes filled with dangerous intent. "How dare you question my love, you filthy slave?!"
Despite her aggression, Aether maintained a calm smile and replied, "Then prove wrong. Go fight for your love... if it's real, that is," his tone laced with a hint of arrogance.
'Thud!'
Lia threw Aether like a paper and stord back to the party with purposeful steps.
"Hehe..." Aether's smile took on an enigmatic quality as he watched her go, his expression hinting at deeper motives and calculations beneath the surface.
User Comments
0 comments from readers