Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 618 Iʼm mad at all of you

”D-Didnʼt you love Kai?” Kaelen asked, his voice hesitant, his brow furrowed with confusion. He distinctly remembered hearing about them being a couple.

Vesperineʼs expression twisted into something pained, her body trembling. Seeing her reaction, Kaelenʼs face paled. ”Whatʼs wrong? Did I say something I shouldnʼt have?” he asked, panic seeping into his voice.

Vesperineʼs lips quivered as if fighting back a wave of emotions. Finally, she whispered, ”I-Itʼs just... Iʼm here because of him.”

”Huh?” Kaelenʼs eyes widened, uncertain of what she meant.

Her shoulders trembled, and Kaelen instinctively placed his hands on them, his touch gentle but firm. ”Vesperine... talk to me. What happened?”

Taking a shaky breath, Vesperine muttered, ”A-After Victor beat him... Kai and Leon started acting... differently. They were always together, never apart, like they couldnʼt stand to leave each otherʼs side.”

But in reality, they were together since neither of them wanted the other person to be alone with Vesperine, thatʼs why!

Kaelenʼs expression darkened. ”Together... always?” His eyes flickered with realization, a horrified look spreading across his face... He had seen behaviour like this before in someoneʼs family!

Vesperine nodded, her body trembling as she continued, ”Y-Yes... whenever I tried to talk to them, they acted cold, distant...”

In truth, they werenʼt being cold. They were being distant to each other, suppressing their growing affections to prevent either of them from raising their attachment to Vesperine.

Kaelen clenched his jaw, his suspicions solidifying. ʼI knew it! I knew something was off with them. Theyʼre probably... together now.ʼ

Her voice broke as she said, ”They told me to meet them on the outskirts of the city, but... instead of them, I was ambushed by those monsters.” Her eyes filled with tears, her cheeks wet with streams of sorrow. She looked utterly betrayed like her entire world had been shattered.

But in reality, Vesperine fabricated everything. Leon and Kai were spending time together simply because Leon had lost his empire, and Kai, out of compassion, took him in.

Kaelenʼs fists clenched as he recalled seeing Kai and Leon heading toward the teleportation station together. His rage bubbled beneath the surface. ʼThose bastards... they set her up? Were they trying to get her killed?ʼ

”I-Iʼm sorry...” Vesperineʼs sobs broke his thoughts. ”I didnʼt mean to fall for you... You saved me, cared for me... treated me like I was precious... s-so thatʼs why I feel this way. Iʼm sorry if itʼs wrong... If it makes you uncomfortable... P-Please forget what I said...” She tried to pull away, her tear-filled eyes avoiding his. Discover stories with

But Kaelen caught her hand.

”P-Please... let me go,” she whimpered. ”I-I donʼt want to be a burden to anyone.”

Kaelen didnʼt let go. Instead, he sighed deeply and stood, pulling her toward him. Vesperine stumbled into his arms, and before she could react, he wrapped his arms tightly around her. His voice was calm but firm, ”Youʼre not a burden, Vesperine. But let me be honest... In our tribe, partners having more than one partner isnʼt a big deal. Polygyny, polyandry... those arenʼt taboos here”

Vesperine froze, her heart racing as her mind processed his words. Inwardly, she sighed in relief. ʼFinally... Itʼs working.ʼ Her hidden grin was filled with triumph. ʼMy harem of strong, handsome men... itʼs slowly becoming real. Thank you, Mother Goddess.ʼ

Kaelen continued, his tone softening, ”I was just surprised to hear all this from you, thatʼs all.”

Vesperine clutched his shirt tightly, hiding her smile. ”S-So... youʼre not upset?”

Kaelen shook his head, resting his chin on her shoulder. ”Not upset. Just... surprised”

”However...” Kaelenʼs voice grew serious, his face stern. ”Youʼll need to defeat my mother.”

”....What?” Vesperine blinked, her heart sinking as if sheʼd misheard.

”Yes,” Kaelen nodded firmly. ”Thatʼs the rule my mother set for any woman who tries to approach me. Since that decree, no girl has dared to even look in my direction.” His expression wavered with pain before softening into a smile. ”Until you...”

ʼWait, what the fuck is he talking about?ʼ Vesperineʼs thoughts raced in disbelief. ʼDefeat that barbaric woman? Hell no! Thatʼs way too much of a hurdle!ʼ Her mind screamed in panic, her body tensing at the thought.

Kaelen noticed her stricken expression and chuckled, brushing a comforting hand over her shoulder. ”Donʼt worry. Iʼll help you...”

Vesperineʼs teary eyes flickered with a mix of hope and dread. Raising an eyebrow, she hesitated. ”S-So... youʼre saying you accept me?” Despite the 99% heart meter, she needed verbal confirmation.

Kaelenʼs grin widened. ”Thereʼs no way Iʼd let go of a woman who loves me for who I am. Youʼve shown me emotions I never thought I could feel...” His voice dropped into a warm tone. ”Lady Vesperine, if you donʼt mind...” He leaned in, his lips nearing hers.

Vesperineʼs mind screamed with joy. ʼYes, yes, yes!ʼ she cheered inwardly. Just as their lips were about to meet, Kaelenʼs ears twitched.

His expression shifted as his ears tilted sharply, scanning the air. ”Mother?” His voice was tense, his eyes darting left and right. Then his face paled. ”Father too?” he murmured in disbelief.

”Whatʼs wrong?” Vesperine frowned, her heart pounding at the sudden change in his demeanour.

”My motherʼs calling me. We need to go!” Kaelen didnʼt wait for her response. In one swift motion, he transformed into his wolf form.

Vesperine sighed, frustrated but resigned, and climbed onto his back. Without a word, Kaelen bolted through the forest, his pace hurried and frantic.

She frowned, glancing at his heart meter—her stomach dropped as it flickered down to 98%.

ʼSeriously? We were so close!ʼ she seethed inwardly, clinging tighter to his fur.

.....

...

Back in the castle,

After what felt like an eternity of tense negotiations, the Elders finally departed, their footsteps echoing down the hall.

”Sigh... Dealing with them is such a headache,” Aria groaned, rubbing her sore shoulder. Her face twisted in annoyance as if the weight of the entire meeting still clung to her.

Stretching her arms, she muttered under her breath, ”I wonder what heʼs up to right now...”, ready to reach out to her beloved, when the heavy throne room doors creaked open, revealing two familiar figures.

”Mom... and tsk,” Ariaʼs expression soured the moment her eyes landed on Liora, ʼBitch.ʼ Yet something caught her attention—Liora wasnʼt her usual composed self.

”Hmm? Whatʼs going on?” Aria murmured, suspicion creeping into her voice.

Before Maelona could respond, a shadow blocked Ariaʼs vision.

”Who is this?”

Aria instinctively prepared to kill but froze when she recognized the voice. In an instant, her guarded demeanour vanished, replaced by pure delight.

”DARLING~!” She spun around and flung herself into Aetherʼs arms, clinging to him with almost desperate affection.

”Haha...” Aether chuckled, holding her tightly. He pressed a soft kiss to her lips before pulling back just enough to meet her gaze. ”Looks like someoneʼs been working hard,” he teased, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face.

Aria pouted, her cheeks puffed slightly. ”I missed you so much, you have no idea~” she cooed, peppering his face with kisses, much like Liora used to do.

Aether laughed again, returning her kisses with equal warmth, his hands resting on her waist.

Maelona observed them, a gentle smile gracing her lips. Yet, her gaze shifted toward Liora, whose head remained lowered, hands clenched tightly at her sides.

Maelonaʼs heart tightened... She glanced back at Ariaʼs radiant expression, knowing that this moment of happiness was short.... The storm was already brewing.

And just as expected...

”Mind telling me what youʼve been up to, dear?” Aetherʼs tone suddenly shifted, his voice firm, his eyes darkening with a rare seriousness.

Aria froze mid-kiss, her heart skipping a beat. She had never heard that tone from him before—not directed at her.

Her face paled. ”W-Whatʼs wrong, Darling?” she asked, her voice trembling as she clung to him, refusing to let go.

Aether turned to Maelona, who gave a silent nod and called her ”Aria, come here.”

”N-No... I wonʼt!” Aria tightened her grip, her eyes brimming with tears. ”W-Why are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong? Please, Darling, if I did anything, forgive me!” Her heart ached, her voice cracking under the weight of her fear.

Aether sighed, looking deeply into her tearful eyes... he could feel her scared emotion.

His heart softened as he stroked her hair gently. ”You didnʼt do anything wrong, Aria. Iʼm not mad at you.”

Relief washed over her face, and her tears vanished almost instantly. She smiled, leaning in for a kiss when...

”Because Iʼm mad at all of you,” Aether stated sharply, his tone cutting through the room like a blade. ”KAELEN!” His voice echoed through the vast hall.

”!!!” Kaelen, who had just arrived outside the hall, froze. His heart thundered in his chest. His instincts screamed for him to flee. ʼIs Father going to kill me?!ʼ

But running wasnʼt an option. He knew his mother would hunt him down if he tried.

”Kaelen? Whatʼs wrong?” Vesperine asked, leaning forward on his back, her voice filled with curiosity.

”W-Well... Letʼs just hope for the best...” he muttered, his voice strained with dread.

As they approached the entrance, the guards crossed their spears, blocking their path. Their sharp eyes locked onto Vesperine.

Kaelen sighed heavily, his ears flattening against his head. ”You need to stay here... Iʼll be back... hopefully,” he said, lowering her gently in front of the throne room doors.

Vesperine frowned, arms crossed. ”What the hell is going on?” she whispered, watching him disappear behind the imposing doors.