Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1016: Hehe.. It’s blood time, cuties

Meanwhile, Selene and Emberlyn had a quiet talk while Emberlyn helped Selene get settled in her room.

”So you knew Aether before Raven?” Emberlyn muttered, her tone laced with slight surprise. She was already starting to feel like her daughter might be losing the game. ʼStill, itʼs not about who comes first or last... Itʼs all about love... I believe?ʼ she thought, wearing a serious expression as she glanced at Selene.

Selene nodded slowly as she dusted off her hands and looked around the room—now filled with her belongings, her clothes, her little personal items scattered about—but still, something didnʼt feel quite right. It didnʼt feel like hers yet. Not until her scent completely blended into this space.

And more importantly, she needed Aetherʼs things here too. She needed his touch, his presence, the lingering trace of him, just like before. Only then would it truly feel like their room.

”Okay...” she murmured again, this time nodding more to herself. Inwardly, she smirked with a sly thought, ʼOnce we make love here... this room will feel just perfect.ʼ

Emberlyn leaned against the door frame with a curious expression. ”Your mother... she seems to be fine with everything thatʼs going on? You really donʼt mind her being with your husband?” she asked, tilting her head.

Selene gave a small shrug. ”It is what it is. There are things we just canʼt control. And honestly, as long as both me and Mother are okay with it, I donʼt see any reason to make a fuss about it,” she said casually, glancing briefly at Emberlyn.

But Emberlyn didnʼt look convinced. Her face tightened with a quiet concern.

Selene turned to her, noticing the tension. She frowned lightly. ”Are you... by any chance... worried that Iʼll end up getting in Ravenʼs way?”

Emberlyn stiffened instantly.

Of course, she was. How could she not be? The situation was delicate and which mother wouldnʼt be!

Selene had a way of understanding Aether that seemed almost uncanny, as though she could read his thoughts before he even voiced them. It was unsettling how easily she connected to him.

Selene noticed the flicker of hesitation in Emberlynʼs body language and let out a soft sigh. A weak smile tugged at her lips. ”Just so you know, Iʼm not here to fight over some throne or claim the title of Empress. Honestly? I donʼt even think Iʼm fit for it. Even Aether agrees on that part. That lifeʼs not for me.”

Emberlyn blinked, her expression turning a bit awkward. ”Well... I didnʼt mean it like that...” she murmured, then bowed her head slightly and sighed. ”Iʼm sorry... Itʼs just, as their mother, I worry. I donʼt want there to be any conflict within the harem. Harmony matters.”

Seleneʼs lips softened into a more genuine smile. ”Itʼs okay, really. Iʼm not angry or offended. And youʼre right—Raven is incredible at ruling. She might be quiet most of the time, but she has a sharp mind and a firm grip on things. Iʼm not trying to take that away from her. That much, I can promise you. And, just so you know, I already had a proper talk with her.”

That seemed to lift something off Emberlynʼs shoulders. Her body relaxed, and she let out a long, visible breath as the weight of her concern started to melt.

”Dragon Emperor really found an understanding partn—”

Before she could finish that sentence, Seleneʼs hand suddenly landed on her shoulder. Emberlyn flinched at the unexpected contact. She looked up, only to be met with Seleneʼs eyes darkened by something unreadable. That expression—cold, indifferent—sent a chill down her spine.

”Let the Raven take care of the Empire,” Selene said quietly, but there was steel in her voice. ”And I... will take care of my husband.”

Who cared about ruling?

Who cared about the Empire?

Selene didnʼt need any of that.

All she needed... was Aether. Being by his side was everything.

If she got dragged into all that political shit... she knew exactly what would happen.

No more time with him.

No more lazy mornings in his arms.

No more holding hands, kissing him for no reason, cuddling when the world went dark.

Just paperwork, endless meetings, responsibilities stacked on top of responsibilities... and for what?

To be seen as powerful?

Screw that.

Sheʼd let the side chicks deal with the Empire.

She would be the one pampering him. The one touching his skin when he came home, sore and drained. The one giving him peace when the world tried to eat him alive.

Simple, right?

Short and sweet.

No politics. No stress. Just her husband, their babies, and all the time in the world to love him right.

That was her ideal life.

That was enough!

Like a devoted wife who waited for her warrior husband, ready to welcome him home after every battle—ready to offer warmth, comfort, and love. Ready to be the soft arms he fell into when the rest of the world became too much.

Selene blinked, her face softening again as she patted Emberlynʼs shoulder.

”Iʼm just joking...” she said with a light, almost teasing laugh, and turned to leave.

But after a few steps, she stopped.

Without turning around, she added in a low, serious voice, ”But not everything,” before walking out—headed to meet Aether, who had just telepathically shared his current location.

Emberlyn blinked in confusion. ”What the hell... did I just witness now?” she muttered, her face twisted in shock and disbelief.

Eventually, Emberlyn followed after Selene, and the two of them walked together in silence. Neither of them spoke a word as their footsteps echoed softly through the halls. Soon, they reached the Yard—where Aether was currently present.

”Candy! Yay!”

”Me! Me too!”

”Yah! Candy!!”

”Big brotherʼs w-wife is giving chocolates!!”

”Wife?”

”Wife, yeasss! Chocolate, yesss!!”

Selene and Emberlyn blinked in surprise, taking in the chaotic yet adorable scene in front of them. Dozens of children—many with clearly mutated body parts—were running around excitedly, surrounding Xara.

She stood among them, beaming with a joyful, motherly smile as she handed out candies like some chaotic fairy godmother.

Aether—currently disguised as Victor—stood a short distance away, wearing a simple mask. He watched the scene quietly, his arms crossed, a warm and amused expression on his face.

”Big brother! Candy! Here!” one of the children called out happily, flapping the Big, painful wings on his back as he ran over and offered a candy to Victor with a wide grin.

Victor smiled gently. ”Oh... I love it. But your big brotherʼs wife gave that to you, didnʼt she? Sheʼll be sad if you donʼt eat it,” he said softly, with a kind tone.

The child pouted, clearly torn for a second, before nodding in agreement and licking the candy with a satisfied, cheerful expression.

Victorʼs eyes lingered on Xara. She was crouched down, passing out sweets while patting the childrenʼs heads one by one, her face lit up with a rare kind of gentle peace. It was a strange sight... especially coming from her. But ever since she had mentioned the possibility of curing the children, everything moved quickly.

The moment she proposed the idea, Aether hadnʼt wasted a second. He immediately contacted the mothers of these children—even before he could assure them with 100% certainty. Yet, they didnʼt hesitate. They believed in him, believed in the hope he brought... and they brought their children to him within minutes.

And now here they were.

”Whatʼs going on here?” Selene asked curiously, narrowing her eyes slightly as she took in the sight of so many odd-looking kids bouncing around.

Emberlyn frowned. ”Is something wrong with the children again?” she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.

Selene, however, gave a slight chuckle. ”Looks like my mom already made friends with them,” she said, amused.

Victor glanced at them briefly. ʼFriends? I wonder about that...ʼ he thought silently. Only he knew what was about to happen next.

And right then, one of the children—who had been licking the candy happily—suddenly stumbled. His legs trembled as he blinked rapidly, confusion on his face.

”W-World... spinning—” the child slurred before his eyes rolled back and he collapsed.

Thud!

”OH!” Emberlyn flinched and instinctively stepped forward, but Victor gently grabbed her wrist, holding her back.

”No. Stay here. Itʼs just a sleeping serum... mixed into the candies,” he said calmly.

And just as he said that, one by one, the rest of the children started falling over—like dolls whose strings had been cut. Their tiny bodies dropped to the ground with soft thuds, fast asleep.

Xara stood tall among them, completely unfazed, her face slowly morphing from gentle serenity to something far crazier. Her eyes gleamed with twisted delight as she pulled out a massive syringe—something that looked like it belonged in a horror lab.

”Hehe~ Itʼs blood time, cuties~” she giggled darkly, the crazy in her voice making both Selene and Emberlyn freeze in horror.

Their eyes widened in disbelief, dread crawling up their spines.

But Victor stepped forward and gently covered their eyes with his hand.

”Just… donʼt,” he muttered, his voice quiet but firm.

He stood still, watching as Xara knelt beside the unconscious children and began drawing blood from various parts of their mutated bodies, humming to herself with manic glee.

Thank the heavens heʼd made sure the mothers waited outside... Something in his gut had told him Xara would pull something bloody like this.

ʼFuck, that needle is huge!ʼ Aether shivered internally, goosebumps creeping up his arms just from seeing the monstrous injection.