Chapter 72

"Is something the matter?" Delphine's concerned voice broke through Aether's horrified expression as if he had tasted something so repulsive it wouldn't leave his mouth.

"H-Huh? N-Nothing..." Aether stammered, snapping out of his fear-induced daze and awkwardly meeting Delphine's gaze.

Delphine frowned slightly but didn't press further. Instead, she sat on the edge of the bed and asked softly, "How are you feeling?"

"I-I'm fine," Aether replied his guard still up as he tried to decipher her intentions.

Recognizing Aether's guarded demeanour, Delphine let out a soft sigh. "I understand you have reasons not to trust easily after everything that has happened in your life," she said, moving closer to him, "But think of me as your big sister. I won't harm you.... Please, trust me."

Aether found himself completely caught off guard by Delphine's sincerity however, she didn't give a fuck about affection points.... He knew where this was going.

"T-Thank you, Madam," Aether replied with a hesitant nod, his mind racing with a mixture of caution and curiosity.

"Well then, could you confide in me, speak your truth?" Delphine's voice was soft, almost pleading, as she leaned in closer, her eyes searching his for answers.

"W-What truth are y-you referring to?" Aether attempted to maintain a composed facade, though his inner turmoil was palpable.

Delphine's frown deepened as she closed the physical gap between them, her presence growing more intense with each passing moment and enveloping Aether like a suffocating embrace...

'sniff, sniff'

As the scent of Delphine's matureness filled the air, Aether found himself momentarily entranced, his senses overwhelmed by the intoxicating allure of her femininity.

Finally, Aether, who didn't care about anything other than survival, looked at the woman in her thirties and inhaled her womanly scent, causing him to tremble... in fear?

'I am thirty, she looks thirty so....' He couldn't help but think.

All these complexities swirled in Aether's mind... All of this because his log said he needed to seduce if he wanted to live!!

"How did you manage to escape?" Delphine's curiosity was evident as she inquired about Aether's past experiences. She had a genuine interest, but then she thought he was hesitating because of here niece so curiosity led her to sneak back, hoping to glean more insights.

"O-Oh, that..." Aether's response was tinged with awkwardness. Despite feeling somewhat drawn to Delphine's mature demeanour, he was careful not to show any signs of being overly eager or gullible... he wasn't going act like Simp, however,

"Aether, please believe me, I have no intention of causing you harm. In fact, I was attempting to assist you... Please trust me!!" Delphine reassured him, noticing his hesitancy.

However, Aether remained cautious, not detecting any noticeable increase in affection points that could sway his trust.

Observing the lingering doubt on Aether's face, Delphine sighed softly. "I understand that earning your trust won't be easy... but perhaps this will help" She extended her palm towards Aether, prompting a puzzled frown from him.

"???" Confusion clouded Aether's expression as he tried to decipher her intention. 'Is she expecting me to read her future?' he wondered before a sudden movement caught his eye.

"~Ssss~"

A tiny white snake materialized on Delphine's palm, eliciting a surprised gasp from Aether as he instinctively reached out to catch it.

"HOH!!" Aether exclaimed, his eyes widening in amazement as he cradled the snake in his hands.

"~ssss~~"

+1000 Affection

The tiny white snake continued to affectionately lick Aether's face with its delicate tongue, evoking feelings of warmth and tenderness within him. Could this be... love?

'No!!' Aether couldn't contain his inner exclamation as he processed the surge of affection points. Despite his initial scepticism, he couldn't deny the happiness he felt knowing that the snake was content, even in its small form.

Delphine couldn't help but smile at the heartwarming scene before her. Observing the playful antics of the snake as it frolicked around Aether, she couldn't resist a light-hearted chuckle, "Hehehe... You know, when I first found you, you weren't alone," she reminisced, gesturing towards the serpent, "It cradled you in its tail, keeping you safe and warding off any potential threats."

"!!"Aether's eyebrows shot up in surprise as he regarded the snake with a sceptical face, but then the snake,

+1000 Affection

The small creature responded with a gentle nudge, emitting a wave of affection that melted Aether's reservations.

Delphine recounted the story with a fond smile, recalling the moment when she had encountered Aether and the humongous snake, "I was on the verge of dispatching it..." she explained,

"but I held back when I saw how delicately it cradled you, as if you were a precious treasure. Seeing its action I know it is tamed but I am truly surprised that you tamed it without needing any artifact.... So, I promised to take care of you, but the snake adamantly refused to part ways. It seemed determined to stay by your side...

It tagged along with me..." as she remembered how Aether rested on the snake's tail and how it followed like a puppy without hurting anyone and even more how it didn't give Aether to her until they reached the exit of the forest.

"Is that so..." Aether murmured softly as he affectionately rubbed the snake's head with his pinky finger.

+1000 Affection

As he marvelled at the snake's loyalty, Aether couldn't help but wonder about his growing affection points, 'Do I even need others to increase my points?' he pondered with a hint of amusement and then asked, "So other--"

However, before he could voice his question, Delphine intervened, "No, I haven't informed anyone else about the snake," she stated firmly, her expression serious, "I feared they might exploit its connection to you."

Aether's eyebrows shot up in astonishment at this revelation.

"Don't be too surprised," Delphine continued, her tone softening,

"I'm doing this because I'm on your side. You may not be aware, but my sister-in-law and I strongly opposed the old man's decision to bring you to the household when he brought you and further when another bastard subjected you to eternal slavery..... We left our home in protest against his actions," she added with a mix of sadness and frustration evident in her voice.

Aether processed the new information, trying to piece together the puzzle of Delphine's involvement. "Your sister-in-law... Velc's Wife," he repeated to confirm.

"Yes, that's correct," Delphine affirmed with a nod, though Aether could sense a hint of reservation in her tone.

"I see..." Aether nodded in response, though he remained uncertain about the sincerity behind Delphine's words. Despite the conversation, he noted that she hadn't displayed any neutral affection towards him, which added to his scepticism.

Curiosity still lingering, Aether directed his attention back to the small snake nestled in his hand. "Why are you so tiny?" he inquired, genuinely intrigued.

"That's because it has evolved," Delphine explained matter-of-factly.

"Evolved?" Aether's brow furrowed as he examined the small snake, silently musing, 'More like it's degraded,' his amusement evident on his face.

"!!!" The small white snake's expression darkened as it sensed Aether's doubt and amusement, prompting it to hiss in displeasure.

"Hiss~"

"NO! Don't do that here!" Delphine's voice rose in urgency, but it was too late.

The snake's hiss resonated with anger, accompanied by a sudden burst of light that momentarily blinded everyone in the room.

The transformation was sudden and startling. The small white snake underwent a rapid metamorphosis, growing into a formidable creature almost the same size as before, but now adorned with a silver crystal on its head. Within the crystal, two stars gleamed, signifying its mid-level aptitude at around Level 20!

Despite the significant change, the snake's appearance remained largely unchanged, except for its newfound aura of power and confidence.

"~SSS~" The white snake hissed proudly, its demeanour radiating a sense of superiority as if silently proclaiming, 'Bow before me, human!'

Meanwhile, Aether's attention was drawn to Delphine's deep blue eyes, framed by stylish glasses. The sudden expansion of the snake caused an unexpected chain of events. Delphine, caught off guard, found herself landing on top of Aether, her ample bosom pressing against his bare chest. A blush crept onto her face as embarrassment washed over her.

+10 Affection

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 2%↑

Something was rising....