Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1448: Come on, ladies... There’s no point hiding it anymore

Delphine blinked in surprise when she noticed how everyone reacted.

A faint, tired smile curved her lips despite the heaviness in her chest, the kind of smile that came from resignation rather than comfort.

’Looks like he didn’t tell them either,’ she thought quietly as her gaze drifted toward Aether, his body lying still.

The room fell into an uneasy silence as everyone exchanged glances, understanding passing between them without words.

One by one, they let out weary sighs, shoulders slumping with exhaustion and acceptance carved deep into their expressions.

Sera looked worse than the rest, her posture stiff, but her eyes dulled by dread; she tried and failed to hide. She exhaled slowly before speaking,

”He is holding the God of Death inside him,” she said, ”If word reaches my Aurora people... I can’t even imagine what kind of horrors would follow.” Her gaze shifted toward Delphine,

”Does Mary know about this?”

Delphine lifted her shoulders in a weak shrug, fatigue weighing down every movement.

Another wave of sighs rippled through the room, deeper than before.

”Now I get why she was pissed at Aether,” Thalia muttered, ”He didn’t just steal Lia’s heart... he went ahead and took their god too.” A hollow laugh slipped out of her. ”Honestly, I don’t know whether to cry or laugh anymore. Both are trying to come out at once.”

A few weak smiles appeared as their eyes drifted back to Aether.

Even now, unconscious, he looked infuriatingly calm, like someone who could mess with monsters, gods, and fate itself without ever taking it seriously.

They shook their heads together, a silent agreement forming without discussion.

Delphine let out a breath she hadn’t realised she was holding, her weak smile lingering as she recognised the same expression on all of their faces.

It mirrored her own thoughts perfectly, the sense that no matter how unfair it felt, their fate had somehow slipped into this bastard’s hands, and there was nothing they could do about it.

Her smile slowly faded, replaced by something softer and far more fragile. When she spoke again, her voice wavered, thick with emotion she struggled to keep under control.

”He found a way out of the eternal prison,” she said quietly. ”But... only one person could leave.” Her fingers curled into her palm, trembling as memories surfaced. ”He tried to use it on me. We fought about it, and then... I... I broke it.”

She clenched her hand tighter.

The group stiffened, eyes widening... Aether had found a way out, an actual escape, and yet it could be used for only one person.

One person.

”Well... that answers everything without needing to ask,” Selene muttered, her voice low and bitter.

They all knew exactly what Aether would choose without needing him to say a single word.

He was a selfish bastard in the worst possible way, the kind who would throw away his own life without hesitation if it meant saving theirs.

Delphine’s lips trembled as fear surged back through her. The thought of leaving Aether alone in that endless, empty place still made her stomach twist.

She had been terrified beyond words, scared shitless by the idea that she might never return, that she might fail him and leave him trapped forever.

Gathering herself, Delphine continued,

”And then... Thank goodness, as a god sent... a strange portal appeared,” she said.

”I don’t remember everything clearly after that, but I know we couldn’t enter it at first.” She paused, searching her memory, then continued explaining what followed before her consciousness faded.

”After that... I collapsed when he was pulled into the portal, and then...” She lifted her hands slightly, helpless. ”Here I am. I don’t even know what happened after that.” Her head tilted.

Everyone exchanged looks again, nodding slowly as the pieces finally aligned. It explained the delay, the instability, and the struggle they had faced on their end.

The other side simply hadn’t had enough energy to fully stabilise the portal.

”Well, let’s talk about what happened on our side,” Sera interjected, breaking the silence. She explained everything that followed, how they struggled, how time dragged on, and how they ultimately used the contract to reach Aether.

”Eternal Contract... using that,” Delphine murmured, shock clear in her voice. ”I-If it was the Eternal Contract, then—”

Before she could finish the thought, Sandra cut in gently but firmly.

”Yes,” she said. ”He could have entered the portal.” Her eyes softened, filled with something close to sorrow.

”But he didn’t.”

Everyone clicked their tongues quietly, the sound carrying a mix of frustration and helpless understanding.

None of them knew whether to feel angry at his decision or accept that, in truth, he had barely been given a choice at all.

If the place had been even remotely safe, Aether would have left her there without hesitation and searched for a way to bring her back later. But that horrifying prison, endless and merciless, was never something he would abandon her to.

Not even if it meant giving up his own escape.

”T-That means...” Delphine’s voice cracked as realisation fully settled in.

”He had two chances to leave... and yet...” Her eyes grew glassy, her vision blurring as she slowly turned her head toward him, her gaze trembling as it rested on his unconscious face.

”W-Why... idiot...” she muttered, her voice broken and barely holding together.

No one spoke.

No one tried to interrupt.

They simply stood there, watching as Delphine’s composure slowly crumbled, piece by piece.

Her eyes remained fixed on the bastard who had refused to leave her behind.

Not once!

Not twice!!

Even when escape had been placed right in front of him, he still chose her over freedom, over himself, over everything.

Drip...

Dripp...

Tears slipped down her cheeks, falling without restraint as her lips trembled. ”Even after I broke up with you...” she whispered shakily.

”You... you insane idiot...”

Everyone stiffened in surprise, exchanging looks filled with disbelief.

So they broke up?

That was news to all of them.

Selene stepped closer, gently wiping away Delphine’s tears with careful fingers.

”Isn’t it obvious, Aunt?” she murmured. ”He loves you... far more than you realise. He would do anything to protect you.” Her gaze flickered briefly toward Aether before returning to Delphine.

”Even if it means protecting you from himself.”

Delphine didn’t respond immediately.

She stared at his face,

”If only I had used the crystal,” she said slowly. ”We could have escaped without suffering like this.”

In truth, if she had used the crystal to leave the prison, Aether could have taken the portal.

It would have worked.

They could have both returned.

But none of them knew that at the time.

The possibility itself was utterly unthinkable.

Did Aether ever believe his women would bring him back using the Eternal Contract?

Hell no.

The thought never crossed his mind. After losing access to his powers, he genuinely believed it would be impossible for them to even execute the contract.

There were too many unknowns, too many risks, too many variables stacked against them.

So yes... it had been an impossible situation.

A place where he couldn’t leave her alone there, and she couldn’t leave him alone there.

If she had known the truth, if she had understood what was possible, she would have used the crystal without hesitation.

No second thoughts.

No fear.

Only the certainty that she would never leave him behind.

But... they didn’t know it was possible!

Dora offered a gentle smile, ”Don’t beat yourself up over it. It just happened. No one could have predicted that outcome.” She gestured lightly toward the others.

”Honestly, I believe everyone here would have done the exact same thing.”

She didn’t need to say more. One by one, they nodded, their expressions awkward yet sincere, unable to deny the truth behind her words.

In reality, they weren’t much different from Delphine at all.

If that had been their only path out, if the roles had been reversed, none of them would have acted any differently.

Delphine nodded slowly, her face clouded with disappointment that refused to fade completely. It lingered in her eyes, the quiet belief that she should have done better, no matter how impossible the situation had been.

”But...” she murmured after a moment, ”If the portal was meant for Aether... how did I manage to get out?”

Eyebrows rose around the room as several of them exchanged looks before shrugging almost in unison.

”That’s something Nyx needs to answer,” someone finally said.

They genuinely didn’t know how Nyx had managed to pull her out of the portal.

All they knew was that she did.

Somehow, against every rule they understood, Nyx made it happen.

”Where is she?” Delphine asked.

Thalia spoke gently, ”She’s resting in one of the rooms right now. She’s been unconscious ever since she pulled you out of the portal.” She hesitated slightly. ”It looks like she was hurt too—”

Before she could finish, Raven sharply jabbed her in the side.

Thalia blinked in surprise and turned back toward Delphine, only to see her expression darken, sadness deepening in her eyes.

”So... she hurt herself trying to save me,” Delphine murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Thalia panicked, waving her hands slightly as she hurried to clarify. ”N-No, I wouldn’t say hurt, exactly. She’s just unconscious, that’s all. She’s fine. Definitely fine!”

Delphine gave a weak, knowing smile. She understood what Thalia was trying to do, and she appreciated the effort even if it didn’t ease the weight in her chest.

She took a slow breath, preparing to rest, when something suddenly clicked in her mind.

”Wait,” she said, lifting her head again. ”You keep mentioning that someone told you about the contract and helped reestablish it.” Her eyes narrowed slightly.

”Who?”

The room fell silent.

Delphine blinked at the sudden stillness. Selene looked away, her face turning awkward, embarrassment creeping into her expression.

The silence stretched longer.

”What?” Delphine asked, her confusion growing.

Dora let out a long sigh before stepping forward. ”Come on, ladies. There’s no point hiding it anymore.” Her voice softened. ”She deserves to know the truth. After everything that happened... that’s what everyone wanted, right?”

Delphine turned to Dora with a puzzled expression.

What were they hiding from her?

Slowly, the group parted.

Delphine’s breath caught as her eyes widened, locking onto the figure standing there. An awkward smile greeted her, familiar in a way that made her chest tighten instantly.

”S-Sister?” Delphine murmured, genuine surprise flickering across her face. Then her eyes grew teary, her voice trembling.

”You came all the way here... for me?”

Xara nodded, her smile gentle and affectionate. ”Of course I did,” she said softly. ”How could I not come for my cute little sister-in-law?” She giggled lightly as she stepped closer.

Delphine didn’t hesitate. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Xara, holding her tightly as emotion poured out in silent waves.

Xara returned the hug, one arm around Delphine, while casting a sharp, deadly glare at the others.

As if saying... Shut your bitchy mouths.