Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1303: We need Aether: Part-2

Inside Maelona’s grand mansion, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Maelona herself sat gracefully upon a velvet sofa, her posture perfectly composed as she fixed her eyes on Emperor Kaelen and the two elders accompanying him.

Her gaze drifted briefly to the tall windows, where she caught sight of the other elders gathered outside, shifting with impatience and barely concealed anxiety.

She turned back, her tone sharp and indifferent as she addressed her guests. ”Hmm... To what do I owe the honour of having all the elders appear in my home? After causing such a ruckus, no less?” She didn’t bother to stand, holding court from her seat, radiating the authority of one who ruled her own domain.

Even Kaelen, Emperor of Zephyra, held less sway here... This was Maelona’s house, her territory, and within these walls, her authority was absolute... though, of course, the proper respect for an Emperor was always maintained.

No one could openly disrespect the ruler, but Maelona’s power in her own home was clear.

The elders exchanged awkward glances, forcing uneasy smiles. ”L-let’s not dwell on the past, Queen Maelona... We must focus on the future. The lives of everyone in this Empire may depend on your hands.”

Maelona arched a brow, her eyes narrowing slightly. ”My hands?” She looked directly at Emperor Kaelen, her voice polite yet edged with suspicion. ”Forgive me, Emperor, but would you please clarify what is happening here?”

Kaelen nodded, his expression serious. He explained the situation in careful detail... Maelona listened without interruption, her face unreadable as she absorbed every word.

When he finished, she nodded slowly and murmured, ”So... to prevent Mr. Aether from being lost to another Empire, you wish to formalise an official engagement between Princess Aria and Mr. Aether. Is that correct?”

The three men nodded in unison.

Maelona tilted her head, her lips pursed in thought, eyes sharp with calculation.

Sweat broke out on the elders’ brows. One elder, unable to stand the silence, muttered,

”What’s there to consider? Wasn’t it always your daughter’s wish... to marry the man she loves?”

Maelona gave a quiet hum. ”She did wish for it, yes, but—”

At that moment, the door swung open. Aria strode into the room, her expression drawn into a frown.

”Why are all the elders waiting outside, Mo—?” She stopped mid-question, blinking as she took in the sight of the Emperor and the others. ”Oh? Even the Emperor is here? What’s going on?” Her voice was calm, almost bored, as she accepted a towel from a nearby maid and began to wipe blood from her cheeks.

The elders stared, their faces going pale. One finally found his voice.

”You’re covered in blood? What in the world were you doing?” he asked, anxiety prickling his words.

Aria just shrugged, utterly unfazed. ”Some fools thought they could challenge me to a duel. Their blood, not mine. I dealt with those bastards.” She washed her face in the basin with the same casual ease, her movements almost deliberate—as if she wanted them to see just how easily she’d handled the threat.

The elders swallowed hard, exchanging nervous glances. She had dispatched them all... without using any power at all?

Was she insane?

The blood on Aria’s clothes was still wet as she moved across the room and sat boldly beside her mother. She met Maelona’s eyes with a sharp, direct gaze. ”So? What’s going on here, Mom? Do these people want to challenge us too, or are they just here to stir up more trouble?”

Before Maelona could reply, both elders immediately raised their hands in protest, their voices overlapping in panic. ”Of course not!” they cried in unison, as if the very idea frightened them.

Maelona chuckled softly, a glint of amusement in her eyes as she turned to Aria. She explained the real reason for their sudden visit.

When she finished, Aria’s expression hardened, ”No.”

The elders’ faces drained of colour. ”W-What do you mean, no? This is about the future of our Empire—” one of them began, his voice quivering.

Aria cut him off, her words slicing through the room. ”That’s exactly why. No. This is for the future of your Empire... one that betrayed its own. Why should I care for it?” Her eyes flashed with anger and contempt.

The nerve of these men!! After everything, after all the betrayal and pain, now they wanted to force her into marriage as if she were a pawn in their endless games.

They really thought she’d let herself be used again?

She gritted her teeth... The hell did these assholes want?

She was not a remote-controlled toy, not some tool to be wielded by their greedy hands.

The elders turned desperately to the Emperor, hoping for his intervention. Kaelen nodded with a sigh, trying to mediate.

”Princess Aria... we know you and Mr. Aether are in a relationship. We only wish to make it official, to bring stability to our people.”

Aria stared straight at Kaelen, ”Yes, we will make it official.”

Kaelen’s face relaxed, hope glimmering in his eyes—until Aria’s lips curved into a sly smirk.

”But only when I choose it... and only when I truly want it.” Her words were hard as steel, leaving no room for argument.

Why was she being so stubborn?

Did she really not want to marry him anymore?

Was she changing her mind?

That couldn’t be it!!

Of course, she wanted to marry him... she wanted the dress, the ceremony, the whole Empire to see it. She wanted all of that more than anything.

Anyone in her place would.

But Aether had told her otherwise. He had urged her—no, ordered her—not to accept, but to drag things out, to keep pushing them.

She didn’t understand his reasons. He had accepted Aqualina so easily, without pause, but not her.

It made her want to pout, made her angry and confused inside, but she did as he asked.... She would play her part.

The elders gritted their teeth, unwilling to give up. These stubborn old men would not let the matter rest. They would wait, would persist, would use every trick to persuade her—because time, as always, was on their side.

They weren’t asking her to marry a stranger, weren’t forcing her toward Victor or any unknown prince.... They were asking for her to marry the one she loved.

So why, they wondered, was she so determined to resist?

Was she trying to get back at them?

For all the years of suffering and humiliation?

If that was her aim, why had she pleaded with Aether to save them all in the first place?

Why?

WHY?!

While the elders persisted in persuading Aria, the scene shifted... Meanwhile, in the Naiadae Empire, every territory received a proclamation from their Empress.

A soldier clad in golden armour stood tall upon a podium in each city and territory. People gathered below, staring with wide eyes, awestruck and buzzing with curiosity.

What announcement would shake their lives today?

Even those who had guessed the reason now waited, breathless, to hear it made official.

The crowd murmured, shifting in anticipation as the soldier drew a scroll, cleared his throat, and began:

”By the divine authority vested in Her Imperial Majesty, Marisandra Naiadia, Sovereign of the Aquaris Naiadae,

Let it be known to all Empires and loyal subjects that Her Majesty hereby decrees and proclaims the official betrothal between Her beloved and only daughter, Princess Aqualina Naiadia, and Lord Aether.

The auspicious dates and ceremonial details of this sacred union shall be announced in the days to come.

By Order of Her Imperial Majesty,

Marisandra Naiadia, Empress of the Aquaris Naiadae.”

A ripple ran through the crowd.

People gasped, faces lit with surprise and excitement.

They remembered the look of shock on Aether’s face before the last magical transmission had cut out. Clearly, this news had caught even him off guard, and there were those who wondered if he would accept, considering that for a brief moment Victor had seemed to take control of the Empire under the Empress’s name.

Many had expected Victor to be the one standing at Aqualina’s side.

”Goodness!”

”Oh gods, is it true?”

”I am so happy! We’re saved!”

The people erupted in celebration. For so long, they had lived under the shadow of a tyrant. Even if the Empress had not directly harmed them, the threat was always there—one wrong move and their lives could be snuffed out without mercy.

Some had feared that Victor, whose rule had nearly matched the Empress’s ruthlessness, would somehow seize the chance.

After all, they had seen what Victor was capable of. He was almost as fearsome as the Empress herself. Many had resigned themselves to the idea of the two ruling together, a partnership forged in blood and power.

But this—this was an unexpected relief... Their future, at last, seemed to be in safer hands.

The crowd cheered and whispered, hope swelling in every heart. For the first time in a long while, the Aquaris Naiadae looked ahead with excitement instead of fear.

A man who would care for them—with love, gentleness, and unwavering strength. Even the dangerous ones would come to admire him... or perhaps seek to exploit his kindness for their own gain.

For now, the people could not hide their joy. With Aether as their protector, their Empire would stand strong.

Whispers spread that the coming years would see unprecedented growth and prosperity.

But the same could not be said for the other two Empires.

In Aurora... the Archpriestess emerged from the unfinished temple, only to be stunned by the sight before her. The people still knelt outside, their faces drawn with fear and hope, praying with trembling hands as if waiting for a miracle.

The Archpriestess sighed, fatigue weighing on her shoulders. ”No matter how many hours you spend here... I am not the one who decides these things.” She shook her head and started to leave.

Helena appeared at her side, ”You should take care of your own health first.”

Yet, no one moved. The entire crowd remained kneeling, lips moving in silent prayer. If anything, the gathering only swelled as word spread... more arrived every hour, all desperate for hope.

A sharp frown creased the Archpriestess’s face. If Aether did not make a statement soon, this could spiral out of control.

Suddenly, a voice thundered from the edge of the crowd, sending a ripple of horror through everyone.

”Guys! Naiadae Empire just announced the official engagement between our Archpriest and their Princess!”

The words shattered the silence. Eyes flew open in shock, faces turned pale. Even Helena and the Archpriestess blinked, caught off guard—they were hearing it for the first time, just like everyone else.

Meanwhile, in the Zephyra Empire, Aria and the elders were still locked in a heated argument. The tension broke as the outer doors swung open and voices rang out.

”What? Naiadae announced the official engagement?!”

All eyes in the room widened in disbelief.

Maelona turned to her daughter, surprised. Aria just shrugged, as if to say, ’What game is my husband playing now?’

How was news travelling so quickly, from one Empire to another?

Who was spreading it, and how could the truth move faster than magic or wind?

The answer was simple.

Who did they think Aether was?

He was no mere side character in anyone’s story. He wrote his own legend, shaped his own fate, and bent the world’s events to his will.

In a shadowy valley far from the eyes, a lonely figure danced through the mist. Humming and spinning, his eyes glinted with amusement as he watched his handiwork unfold across three empires.

He leapt and skipped through the alleys, spreading rumour after rumour with wicked glee.

”Lonely~ I am so lonely... Where are my lovelies~ La la la~ la~ laaa~ I am so horny~”

His song echoed off the stone and the empty street.

Before vanishing from sight, he threw a final grin over his shoulder and whispered to the empty night:

”This is just the beginning~ Hehe~”