Chapter 82

Empress Marisandra Naiadia, the sole ruler of the vast Empire known as Aquaris Naiadae, was a figure of unparalleled allure and authority. With glossy purple hair cascading like a regal cloak and misty purple eyes that held the secrets of centuries, she possessed an ethereal beauty that left women in their thirties questioning their own allure and stoking the flames of jealousy and envy.

Despite their envy, even these women couldn't help but be drawn to her, like moths to a flame.

She was the embodiment of every man's clandestine desires and every teenage boy's wildest fantasies... a vision of perfection that stirred the depths of desire and longing. Yet, despite her intoxicating allure, no one dared to lay a hand on this lavender-scented goddess. Those who dared to covet her were swiftly dealt with, disappearing from the world without a trace... She was unreachable!

"Hello~" Empress Marisandra tilted her head gracefully as she regarded the boy who had just entered her opulent chamber.

Aether stood frozen, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of the Empress, casually reclined on the triple king-size bed, draped in a flowing black nightgown that accentuated her regal presence.

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 2.8%|

"I-I am sorry!!!" Aether's voice cracked with panic as he turned to flee, but to his dismay, the door remained steadfastly closed, refusing to yield to his desperate attempts to escape.

'That fucking maid!!' Aether cursed inwardly, frustration bubbling within him as he abandoned his futile efforts to open the door. Slowly, he turned back towards the Empress, steeling himself to plead for his release. However, before he could utter a word...

"!!!" Aether's breath caught in his throat as the Empress, who had been lounging moments ago, now stood before him with ethereal grace, reminiscent of a ghostly apparition from a.... horror movie!!

"H-Hello?" Aether managed to mutter, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Hmm~" The Empress hummed softly, her eyes scanning him with an inscrutable gaze. "You've grown in such a short time," she remarked casually, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.

"Thank you...?" Aether responded tentatively, his mind racing with confusion and apprehension in the presence of the powerful woman.

"Come with me," Empress Marisandra said, extending her hand towards him without awaiting his consent.

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 2.7%|

'T-That's just her hand!! It's just a hand, you fucking log!' Aether's inner voice screamed in panic as he felt the survival rate indicator dropping with each passing moment when she was near him.

'Though... her hand is surprisingly soft,' Aether couldn't help but notice, a strange mix of fear and fascination swirling within him as he reluctantly followed the Empress, his fate hanging by a delicate thread.

Sitting down on the expansive bed, Empress Marisandra patted the space beside her, inviting Aether to join her.

"I-I don't think it's a-appropriate to sit on--" However before he could voice his reservations about sitting beside her, she interjected with a hint of melancholy in her voice, "But I sat on the ground for you that day, didn't I?"

'Don't fall for this, Aether!!!!' he chided himself internally, remembering how she had casually sat on his papers without a second thought. Despite his reservations, he reluctantly settled on the bed, making sure to keep a considerable distance from her.... after all, the bed was quite spacious.

"Hehe..." Empress Marisandra couldn't suppress a playful giggle as she noticed Aether's deliberate distance, realizing she had unintentionally made him uncomfortable. She shifted her posture, adopting a more relaxed and innocent pose, folding her knees and resting her chin on them as she gazed at Aether with genuine curiosity.

Empress couldn't help but notice the subtle dance of Arcane energy around Aether, a testament to his connection with the mystical forces that governed their world.

'So, he is really blessed by the Arcane, ah?' Empress thought, akin to the Arcane Kings and Queens. Yet, the reason behind this blessing remained a mystery.... She wondered why.

Caught in the intensity of her gaze, Aether felt a bead of sweat trickle down his spine. 'Why do we feel like a newly arranged marriage couple?' he pondered, his discomfort growing with each passing moment.

"Aether," the Empress spoke, drawing his attention back to her.

"Y-yes?" Aether turned to face her, only to be taken aback by her endearing posture. The words slipped out before he could stop them, "You look... cute..." Aether blinked in disbelief, surprised by his own admission.

She is really cute!!!

"Hehe..." Empress Marisandra couldn't contain her amusement as she observed Aether's horrified expression upon her sudden appearance beside him in the same tucked position. With a playful glint in her eyes, she inquired, "Did you eat well?"

"Y-Yes," Aether managed to answer, his surprise evident in his voice.

"Hmm... then did you sleep well?" she continued, her tone gentle and caring.

"Yes," Aether replied inwardly, 'Don't fall for her tricks, Aether!!'

"Did you sustain any injuries during your time in the hunting forest?" Empress Marisandra's inquiries were thorough, showing a genuine concern for Aether's well-being.

"... No," Aether responded, he wasn't surprised that much since it was clear that she wasn't merely an Empress by title.

"How was your journey?" Her final question seemed innocuous enough, but Aether couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to her words than met the eye as he said,

"It's fine, I guess?"

If Kai were here, he would undoubtedly be coughing up blood and on the verge of fainting from the sheer audacity of the situation.

Empress Marisandra regarded Aether intently, studying his facial expression as if searching for hidden truths beneath the surface. Then, she posed a question that caught Aether off guard, "Can you show me your Log?"

Aether's expression remained unchanged, silently conveying his awareness of where the conversation was headed. His eyes seemed to say, 'I knew this was coming.'

A faint blush tinged Empress Marisandra's cheeks as she sensed Aether's scepticism. Despite her interest, Aether wouldn't be fooled since she had yet to provide any real evidence that was... Affection points.

Aether proceeded to show his fake profile, maintaining his guarded demeanour. Little did he know that the Empress possessed the ability to partially pierce through the veil of his deception.

As the Empress's eyes shimmered with Arcane energy, a subtle flicker passed through the panel before her, reminiscent of an old TV struggling to tune into a clear signal. Then, with a sudden clarity, the panel revealed Aether's true attributes, laid bare in front of the Empress.

Name: Ether

Sex: Male

Race: Human

Level: 1

Title: Slave

Attributes:

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Intelligence: 10

Magic Affinity: 1

Charm: 10

'Super....' Empress Marisandra nodded in response to Aether's true attributes, her curiosity piqued.

+1 Affection

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 2.6%|

Aether's initial surprise had now transformed into a subtle worry. He knew he needed to strategize quickly to increase his survival rate, and teasing Delphine seemed like a reliable option in his mind.... the one solace in his wretched world.

'Though, I can't deny I enjoy her clumsiness,' Aether mused to himself, finding a small moment of amusement in how she turned red like a little girl.

However, his fleeting thoughts were interrupted as the Empress's voice cut through the air, cold and commanding, "You should not think of other women in front of me."

Aether's inward smile froze as he swiftly composed himself, his face betraying none of his inner turmoil. "W-what are you talking about, Madam?" he asked, feigning innocence.

".... Nothing," Empress Marisandra replied cryptically, her gaze lingering on Aether before she gracefully moved closer to him.

"Ba-Dump"

Aether's heart raced as she neared him, the intoxicating scent of lavender enveloping him, mingled with her own alluring aura that made his body respond involuntarily.... His body turns a little hot.

'N-No, Don't think anything!!' Aether scolded himself internally, trying to shake off the distracting sensations.

"!!!" Aether's breath hitched when Empress Marisandra's hand made contact with his chest, sending a shiver down his spine. Her tone took on a hint of pleading as she softly requested, "Could you show me your Arcane Card?"

'FUCK!'