Chapter 221: Why do I feel like I'm raising something dangerous?
"Is that so?" Aria had a sceptical expression as she rubbed Aether's drenched hair with a towel, her fingers lingering in his hair a little longer than necessary, feeling the softness beneath the wetness.
"Yes, she just asked me to repair her shower," Aether sighed deeply, a mix of relief and frustration in his voice.
He was grateful that the truth had managed to calm her down, but the weight of the situation still pressed heavily on his mind. He watched as droplets of water trickled down his chest, catching Aria's eyes momentarily.
"You know, you could have just ignored her. It's not like you're a servant to everyone, right?" she asked with a pout, her lips forming a small, adorable frown that made Aether's heart skip a beat. Her eyes, filled with a mix of concern and irritation, bore into him, making it clear how much she cared.
Aether just smiled at her concerned face. He knew she was deeply in love with him, and yet... A pang of guilt pierced his heart. He was about to speak when Aria mumbled,
"You know..."
"Hmm?" He leaned in closer, his curiosity piqued, his breath mingling with hers in the small space between them.
"... I applied for the divorce,"
"... I know,"
"Next week the elven court summoned both of us and... I... I'm a little scared to go alone," Aria stammered, her eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and hope as she looked into Aether's eyes.
Aether understood what she was trying to say, "Should I come with you?".
Aria's face lit up with a gentle smile. "I would be happy if you came with me," she said, her voice tender and filled with happiness.
Aether didn't think much at that moment. She was making an important decision in her life, and he needed to be there for her who was responsible for that decision, He nodded, "I will."
Hearing that, Aria couldn't help but grin like a little girl who had just been given her favourite treat.
Seeing Aether staring at her lips, Aria bit hers, her body trembling with a mix of anticipation and..... desire.
She was a traditional woman, but still, she was a woman before everything else, and her feelings were consuming her.
Last time, she hadn't wanted to kiss him because she was tied to Alaric, but now she was free, even if the divorce wasn't finalized yet. The mere thought of Alaric no longer having a hold on her filled her with a sense of liberation.
She had already submitted the papers, so there was no need for her to feel guilty or even wrong.
At this moment, she was no man's woman, and the freedom made her bold.
"A-Aether..." she barely whispered, her voice trembling with desire as she let go of the towel and wrapped her arms around his neck, slowly parting her lips. Her eyes closed, lashes fluttering against her cheeks as she leaned in closer.
Aether's hand gently caught her slender hips, his touch sending a shiver through her spine. Slowly, Aether's lips met hers in a tender kiss, the world around them fading into insignificance.
"~hmm~"
She slowly melted into his embrace. Her hands slid up to tangle in his hair, pulling him closer.
It was a simple peck, yet Aria felt as though her entire body was on fire.
Her long elven ears turned bright red, her cheeks burned hot, and she felt a tingling sensation spreading through her stomach, a mix of nerves and excitement.
The simple kiss quickly deepened into a passionate one, Aether sucked her lips with a hungry expression as Aria struggled to keep up with Aether's intensity. His hands roamed her back, pulling her flush against him.
"~Hmm~"
She moaned again, more urgently this time, when Aether's hands roamed to her bust ass, squeezing gently.... Her legs wrapped around his hips as she hugged him tightly, kissing him even more fervently. Her body pressed closer to his, feeling the heat radiating from him.
"~mmm~"
The room filled with the sounds of their kissing, the wet, hungry noises echoing around them.
Aether's hands explored her ass, sinking his fingers into her flesh, while her ample breasts pressed against his chest, the sensation driving him wild. He could feel her heart beating rapidly against him, matching his own.
He felt like he was floating on a cloud. He slowly walked towards the bed and gently sat down, never breaking the kiss.
Aria, slowly but surely, started to keep up with his passionate kisses but then... she needed to breathe...
"~ha~"
She gasped for air, her chest heaving as she pulled away slightly, their foreheads resting together.
"~ha~"
Aether also breathed heavily, looking at her with a tender smile, "Aria," he whispered, kissing her forehead softly, the gesture filled with love and care.
[+7000 Affection]
Aria felt a surge of emotions. Even though they had kissed like lovers, when he kissed her forehead, she felt something entirely different, something she couldn't put into words.
It was a mixture of love, security, and an overwhelming sense of being cherished..... Tears welled up in her eyes, but they were tears of joy and relief.
Seeing her lovely expression, Aether felt the need to say something now; otherwise, he would feel like a total bastard towards her.
"A-Aria... I need to tell you something," he said, his voice serious and filled with an earnest desire to come clean.
Seeing his expression, Aria nodded, but she didn't move away from his lap, her hands still resting on his neck, her eyes locked onto his.
"There are lots of things that I'm hiding... I... I don't know how to tell you this, but... I am a--"
"Eternal Slave," Aria mumbled softly, her voice calm and understanding. Her eyes softened with empathy as if she had known all along.
Aether blinked in surprise, "How did you--- Princess?"
Aria just smiled, and it was enough for Aether to understand that the little princess had already devised some plan to break them apart.
'Tsk, I knew this would happen, but never thought she would tell her sooner!' Aether clicked his tongue inwardly before looking at Aria with an apologetic expression, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide it--"
"Aether," Aria interrupted him with a serious face, "Whether you are a slave or whatever... I don't care... Nothing matters to me because.... I love Aether, that's all!" Her voice was firm, leaving no room for doubt.
When she learned that Aether was an Eternal slave, instead of feeling disgust or pity, she felt an inexplicable anger... an anger that almost made her want to kill the person controlling Aether's life..... Her hands tightened around him as if vowing to protect him from any harm.
Aether seized this opportunity to test her, "Even if I lied to you?" he asked, needing to be sure he had an escape route.
Aria tilted her head for a moment before asking, "What lie are we talking about?" Her curiosity was genuine, her eyes searching his.
"Well... nothing," Aether averted his eyes awkwardly.
Aria frowned before pinching his cheeks and hugging him tightly as if she didn't want to let go, "As long as you love me... I don't care," she said possessively, her voice dripping with determination and love.
She knew her Aether was different... of course, her man had to be different from others. She understood that he had some secrets, but she didn't care as long as he loved her... a love for her heart..... a love that she wanted.... a love that she hoped for.
She only wanted that!!
[+8000 Affection]
Aether gulped inwardly, before saying sincerely, "I will tell you everything one day... I promise..." and inwardly added, 'I hope I will be alive after that...' as he resigned himself to the truth.
Hearing that, Aria smiled even more and nodded, hugging him tighter, her heart swelling with affection and devotion. She felt a sense of peace, knowing that he intended to share everything with her one day.
[+8000 Affection]
'W-Why do I feel like I'm raising something dangerous?' Aether thought, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement as he looked at the cute yet intense Aria, who seemed to be perfectly calm on the outside. Her possessive eyes hinted at a fierce protectiveness that both thrilled and terrified him.
...
....
Aether left the dorm and quietly walked towards the restroom.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself, before disguising himself as Victor. With his new persona firmly in place, he made his way to the Principal's house.
As he entered the house, the Principal looked up from her work, her eyes sharp and inquisitive, "You late! What are you doing?" she asked.
"Kind of busy with servant works," Aether replied with a carefree attitude, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Shall we start the training, my disciple?" she asked, her tone regaining its authoritative edge.
"Yes, Master," Aether responded.
Meanwhile...
Back at the servants' dorm, Selene stood before the building, her dark and eerie eyes staring at it with an indescribable expression.