Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1088: Dad-Son Talk

Aether, of course, ignored his bashful stepson... who seemed to be acting like a weird girl in love, fidgeting with his fingers and stealing glances at him as if seeing someone entirely new.

”Ahem—Are you alright?” Aether coughed, deliberately breaking the awkward silence as he snapped Kaelen out of his mesmerised daze.

Kaelen jerked slightly, blinking rapidly as if waking from a vivid daydream, and said hurriedly, ”P-Please forgive me, Father... Itʼs just—You look really different. Youʼre the most handsome man Iʼve ever seen in my entire life.”

Aether chuckled warmly, a low rumble from his chest, as he stepped forward and placed a firm, comforting hand on Kaelenʼs shoulder. ”Looks like someoneʼs learned how to sweet talk now~” he teased, playfully giving Kaelenʼs shoulder a soft punch that carried more affection than force.

Kaelen looked down and smiled shyly, his cheeks glowing faintly.

Without another word, Aether gently guided Kaelen to the edge of the cliff, where the world spread out beneath them in vast, rolling beauty. He stood silently, gazing out at the golden horizon where the wind danced across the treetops.

Kaelen didnʼt speak at first. He simply stood by his fatherʼs side, letting the silence settle, waiting patiently, sensing that Aether had something deeper on his mind.

After a few quiet moments, Aether finally spoke, his voice soft, almost reflective. ”I heard from your mother... You did well. You protected Aria... and the others too”

Kaelen blinked, surprised by the recognition. He hesitated for a second, then replied, ”Well... without your help, I donʼt think I couldʼve done it. I wouldʼve lost to that man—the one who always looked down on me.” His fists clenched at his sides as memories surged back—Alaricʼs sneers, the humiliation, the way he was always made to feel like a joke, like nothing more than a mistake.

Aether turned his head slightly, a small, knowing smile on his lips. ”Even with my help... it wouldnʼt have meant anything without your will, Kaelen. You stood your ground. You chose to fight. That wasnʼt me. That was all you. So take the credit. Youʼve earned it,” he said, gently patting Kaelenʼs shoulder again.

Kaelenʼs expression softened. His smile came slowly this time, as if blooming from somewhere deep within, and his eyes lingered on the endless sky stretching before them.

After a moment of silence between them, Kaelenʼs voice came low, a little nervous, a little hopeful. ”C-Can I... call you... Dad?”

Aether blinked, clearly caught off guard, his eyes widening. But then, like sunlight breaking through clouds, a wide and genuine smile spread across his face. ”Of course,” he said, without hesitation, voice filled with warmth.

Kaelen blinked, too, as if afraid it was a dream. Then he smiled, shy but full of emotion. ”Then... Dad it is.”

Aether smiled back, pride shining in his eyes. ”So... how did your exam go?”

Kaelen immediately flinched, groaning a little. ”W-Well... why donʼt we talk about something else, huh? That hell is finally over... I-I just donʼt want to relive it.”

Aether raised an eyebrow, then chuckled, shaking his head lightly. ”Haha... fair enough,” he said, tightening his grip slightly on Kaelenʼs shoulder in a reassuring squeeze.

Aether could see the unease lingering in Kaelenʼs posture, could feel the weight still hanging on him. His voice lowered with sincerity. ”Youʼre feeling fear, arenʼt you?”

Kaelen didnʼt answer, but he lowered his head slowly. And that was enough. Aether understood.

”Thatʼs good,” Aether said quietly.

”Huh?” Kaelen looked up, confused.

Aether raised his hand and pointed toward the Empire spread out before them. The vastness... The responsibility...The burden.

”This... this isnʼt something you can take in your hands just because you feel powerful or proud. This is duty. This is fear. This is love. This is pain. This is nightmare. This is—” he paused, letting the moment settle, ”—the future.”

He let the silence stretch, his voice growing deeper, firmer. ”No matter what anyone says or how they act... every single person feels fear when it comes to holding something as heavy as an Empire.”

”Even Aria?” Kaelen asked softly, curiously.

Aether nodded slowly. ”Yes. Even she. She felt the fear, too. She just didnʼt show it. Not outside. But it was there... just like with everyone else. But hereʼs the difference—” he turned fully to Kaelen now, his expression serious, gaze steady, ”—you cannot let that fear consume you. Donʼt let it win. Donʼt let it freeze you.”

”If you ever feel unworthy, if you ever feel like the path is too much, if you ever feel lost... then just remember this, Kaelen: the world chose you. The land, the stars, fate—something out there saw you and said, ʼYes, you.ʼ You have to keep moving forward, no matter how loud the criticisms are, no matter how heavy it feels.”

Kaelen blinked, overwhelmed by the weight of those words. He didnʼt understand all of it, not yet, but there was something in Aetherʼs voice—a deep, raw honesty—that settled in his heart. ”W-Why are you telling me all this... like Iʼve already won, Dad?”

Aether raised his hand again and brushed Kaelenʼs cheek with his fingers, eyes soft but searching. ”Because something inside me says... youʼre the only one truly worthy of this land.”

His eyes locked with Kaelenʼs, and in that moment, Aether could see it clearly... the flames in Kaelenʼs eyes.

They werenʼt wild. They werenʼt overwhelming. But they were there—steady, glowing, full of potential. Not burning harder... but shining brighter. Brighter than even Ariaʼs.

Well, Aether would love Aria too, but now... Itʼs a matter of will, and Aether could see... Kaelen have more than Ariaʼs.

Kaelen blinked again, a little dazed, still trying to understand the depth of it all.

Aether gave a small shake of his head, as if chasing away thoughts too big to put into words. ”Who knows...” he said with a soft shrug, his voice quieter now, ”The winner shall claim this land.”

Then he noticed Kaelen hesitating, shifting awkwardly on his feet, something clearly weighing on his mind.

”Go on... You can ask me anything.”

Kaelen flinched slightly before his expression softened, a shy blush creeping up his cheeks. His fingers fidgeted, and he looked down as he murmured, ”Itʼs just… Dad… I… I kind of fell in love with a girl.”

”Oh?” Aether raised an eyebrow, surprised. Then his eyes widened in exaggerated realisation. ”OHHHH!!” he exclaimed, utterly taken aback before breaking into a wide grin that stretched from ear to ear. Without a second thought, he dropped down onto the cliffside, laughing as he patted the spot beside him. ”Come on, sit down! Now, who is the lucky lady who managed to catch my sonʼs heart?”

Kaelen sat beside him, his face burning red, clearly overwhelmed.

Aether leaned forward with a mischievous sparkle in his eye. ”Are you blushing?” he teased, grinning even more as Kaelen turned his face away. ”Now youʼve got me really curious. Who is she? How did you two meet? What happened? Come on, spill it!” he nudged Kaelen insistently.

Kaelen realised he had no way out of it now. He sighed and began, his voice quiet but sincere. ”W-Well, I was just busy working, doing my usual rounds... and then I saw her—this strange woman—she was caught by monsters…”

Aether nodded knowingly, smirking with amusement. ”Ahh, the classic saving-a-damsel-in-distress scenario... I see. I know exactly where this is going,” he said, his tone half-joking, half-proud.

As Kaelen went on, telling the story of how they met, how he risked himself to protect her, how she fought for him in return, how they kept finding each other again and again—Aether listened in silence. And by the end of it, his eyes shimmered with pride.

”Oh my god...” Aetherʼs voice cracked, clearly moved. ”You… youʼve found a wonderful woman, my son. A woman who fights for you, who stands by you—thatʼs rare. Iʼm so damn proud of you.” He pulled Kaelen into a tight hug, patting his back with fatherly pride. ”So... you got laid too?”

Kaelen turned beet red, shocked. ”D-Dad!” he gasped, looking horrified yet embarrassed beyond belief. He covered his face, but the truth still slipped out in a whisper, ”...Yeah.”

Aether bit his lower lip, struggling not to cry. His hand trembled slightly as he placed it on Kaelenʼs head and kissed his forehead with pride. ”My sonʼs become a man... Iʼm proud. So proud.”

Kaelen, still blushing, looked away with a shy smile, his heart full of warmth despite his embarrassment.

Aether gave him a soft smile, eyes glimmering. ”Looks like... I might be a grandfather sooner than expected,” he muttered under his breath with a strange tone—somewhere between confusion, excitement, and uncertainty. He wasnʼt quite sure how to feel about it... but who cares?

”You still havenʼt told me her name, though,” Aether added curiously, tilting his head. ”Who is she?”

Kaelenʼs expression shifted. He blinked slowly and lowered his head, the mood growing a little heavier. ”...You see… thereʼs a problem with that. My mother… she hasnʼt accepted her.”

Aetherʼs brows furrowed. ”Why not?”

Kaelen sighed, the weight of the situation clearly pressing on him. ”You might not know this... but the only woman allowed to marry me is someone who can defeat my mother in combat.”

”Oh?...” Aether blinked in disbelief. Then, as the truth sank in, his expression twisted slightly. ”...Oh.”

The bar was high—absurdly high. Sure, there might be girls strong enough to challenge Liora, but to defeat her?

”Sheʼs not talented enough?” Aether asked cautiously.

Kaelenʼs entire body tensed, a flash of fear crossing his eyes. ”I-I… she… I—” he stammered, struggling to form words, his fear obvious.

Before he could spiral further, Aether interrupted him, his tone steady and serious. ”Thereʼs no need to be afraid. Iʼm not going to judge her based on talent alone. I only asked because I want to understand—does she have the capability to defeat your mother?”

Kaelen let out a long breath of relief. He had been terrified that Aether would reject her without a second thought. Slowly, he nodded. ”No... Iʼm pretty sure she canʼt defeat my mother. Not yet. But… she tries. Every time. She gives it everything she has.”

His voice broke with emotion. ”Sheʼs been hurt four times. Badly. All because of me. She stood up for me even when she had no chance... Dad…” he turned toward Aether, his face vulnerable, pleading, desperate.

”C-Could you please help me? I really, truly love her... I donʼt want to lose her. Mother… she wonʼt listen to anyone. Not even me. But she listens to you, Dad. Youʼre the only one I have left. Youʼre my only hope. Please...”

His voice cracked. His eyes shone with desperation.

”Would you talk to Mother...? Please?”