Chapter 85

"Is something troubling you, Aether?" The Empress Marisandra's expression softened slightly as she noticed the perplexed look on Aether's face, resembling that of someone who had seen a ghostly apparition.

The Empress Marisandra Naiadia, true to her royal status... Her choice of attire, an exquisite purple one-piece gown, spoke volumes of her impeccable taste and regal elegance. The fabric clung to her curvaceous form in a way that accentuated her figure without being overly revealing.

The gown's deep purple hue enhanced her natural beauty. Intricate embroidery adorned the edges of the gown, adding a touch of intricate detail that caught the light in mesmerizing patterns as she moved.

Her neck and wrists were adorned with jewels of unparalleled quality and brilliance... Each gemstone, carefully selected and expertly set, not only enhanced Marisandra's physical allure but also served as a tangible symbol of her status and authority as the Empress of the whole empire.

A focal point of her attire was the small, exquisitely crafted golden crown perched atop her head. The crown, adorned with intricate designs and delicate filigree work, gleamed softly in the ambient light of the corridor.

While Aether remained silent, clearly taken aback by the Empress's sudden attention, the loyal Maid of the Empress stepped forward with a respectful nod, "Yes, Your Majesty. He said that he needed to take a Very BIG sh--mmffff!!" Aether immediately covered her mouth.

Before the Maid could elaborate further, Aether swiftly intervened, his hand covering the Maid's mouth in a gesture of urgency, "S-She's just joking, Your Majesty," Aether interjected quickly.

"I assure you, I am perfectly fine," he added, casting a pointed look at the Maid, who nodded in agreement as he removed his hand from her mouth, a faint blush colouring her cheeks.

The maid's glare intensified as her face flushed crimson due to the sudden closeness between herself and Aether.

The Empress observed this interaction with a neutral expression before nodding in acknowledgement.

Her gaze then shifted to Aether's altered appearance, particularly noting his new hair colour.

"Hmm... You look different," the Empress remarked, her eyes lingering on Aether's darkened locks.

"I prefer black to white," Aether responded awkwardly, running a hand through his hair in a self-conscious gesture.

"Hmm..." The Empress merely hummed in response, her expression thoughtful as she continued to study Aether for a moment longer as if pondering something.

"Is something the matter?" Aether felt unease, sensing the Empress's lingering gaze.

However, instead of answering, the Empress remained silent, her eyes fixed on Aether in an inscrutable manner.

"Shhh," the Maid suddenly whispered softly, catching Aether's attention. As he leaned in to hear her whisper, she urged him, "Tell her she looks good."

"Hmm?" Aether's expression betrayed his confusion, silently questioning why he should make such a remark, 'Why would I?'.

"It seems the two of you have grown quite close, am I correct?" The Empress's voice broke the silence, her gaze shifting between Aether and her Maid.

The Maid flinched under the Empress's penetrating stare, hesitant to respond. Before she could deny any closeness, Aether spoke up first, affirming, "Yes," with a nod and

"I've never been comfortable with physical contact, but she's helped me dress up without ever intruding on my personal space... Her hand never touched my skin... It's truly fascinating" Aether added.

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 0.79%|

'W-What?' Aether flinched, not understanding what had just happened. He glanced at the Maid, briefly considering if she might be an enemy. However, when he saw her expression, it was as if she were silently saying, 'Are you an idiot?'

"Let's go inside!" Suddenly, the Empress said in a cold voice as she turned to face the door.

The Maid nodded and ignored Aether's bewildered state. She gracefully swung open the ornate doors to the grand hall. With an air of authority, she announced to the assembled dignitaries and guests,

"Your Excellencies, honoured guests, and esteemed colleagues, it is with the utmost reverence and respect that I announce the arrival of Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Marisandra Naiadia, Sovereign Ruler of the Aquaris Naiadae Empire and Defender of the Realm."

As the doors parted, revealing the grandeur of the engagement hall beyond, a hushed anticipation fell over the crowd. People of various backgrounds and stations, each adorned in their finest attire befitting the occasion, knelt in deference and bowed their heads in acknowledgement of the Empress's presence.

'Step, Step...'

With measured and deliberate steps, Empress Marisandra entered the hall, her presence commanding attention and respect. Her posture was regal, and her expression, though inscrutable, exuded an aura of authority and poise. Every movement seemed calculated, adding to the mystique surrounding her.

The engagement hall itself was a marvel of architectural splendour, its vast expanse capable of hosting grand events and ceremonies of significant magnitude. The decor, while opulent, maintained a tasteful elegance that spoke of the empire's refined aesthetic sensibilities. The play of light and shadow accentuated the intricate details of the hall, casting a magical ambience over the proceedings.

Upon reaching the focal point of the hall, the elevated throne that symbolized her sovereignty, the Empress took her seat with practised grace. Beside her, the Maid assumed her position like a sentinel, her presence a silent but formidable testament to the Empress's authority and security.

"Raise your heads," the Maid's voice cut through the solemn silence, prompting the gathered attendees to lift their gazes and fix their attention on the Empress, their admiration palpable in the air.

"Hail the Empress Marisandra Naiadia!" The collective voice of the attendees reverberated throughout the hall, a chorus of respect and reverence that underscored the Empress's esteemed position in the empire.

Meanwhile, amidst the orchestrated spectacle, Aether found himself ensnared in a different kind of attention as Velc, approached with a mixture of anger and irritation evident in his demeanour.

"Where the hell have you been?" Velc asked as lowly as possible.

"I beg your pardon, Master. I was aiding Her Majesty with the arrangements," Aether responded without hesitation about using the Empress as he knew this Velc guy was really scared of Empress.

Hearing Aether's explanation, Velc flinched and let out a sigh, his efforts to keep Aether away from the Empress's influence clearly thwarted.

He resigned himself to the thought that as long as his son married the Empress's daughter, everything would be fine.

Then he frowned at Aether's new attire and hair colour, but before he could ask...

"Duke Velc Frostblade!"

Hearing his call, Velc immediately moved toward the Empress's side.

Aether sighed in relief and decided to watch the show from the corner, carefully hiding from everyone's view.

+1000 Affection

".... Who?" Aether flinched and turned around.

He saw Selene!

Selene's Royal Blue Pleated dress flowed elegantly, its rich hue complementing her fair complexion. Adorned with intricate details and subtle shimmer, it caught the light, adding a touch of magic. The cascading pleats created a mesmerizing effect as she moved, enhancing her slender neck and shoulders. The fabric draped her figure with sophistication, accentuating her curves without being revealing.

The royal blue colour perfectly complemented her enchanting blue eyes.... captivating and exciting enough to make other teenage boys smitten.

Even further behind her stood someone.... Aether knew all too well.

She was the reason he first felt emotional like a hero and messed up... It was none other than Kai's first partner, Aurelia Scarlet.

Lia's Phantom Black dress draped her like midnight, its fabric whispering tales of mystery and allure. The sleek silhouette accentuated her curves with subtle grace, while intricate details added depth to its elegance. Paired with her blonde hair and fierce crimson eyes, Lia's attire was a captivating blend of power and allure, leaving an indelible mark on the onlookers' minds.

Her Phantom Black dress elegantly stirred any man's dream, her crimson red eyes fierce as if ready to devour.

"Where have you been, Slave?" Selene asked as she stood before Aether.

"I had been helping with decorations under the Empress, Madam Selene," Aether replied respectfully.

"Hmm..." Selene nodded and stared at Aether up and down before asking, "You look different, and where did you get those dresses?"

"Since I helped with decorations, the maid standing beside the Empress gave me these as a gift for my assistance," Aether explained without hesitation.

"I-I see.... Y-You look sex- I mean good" Selene's cheeks suddenly turned slightly red, and she twirled her silky hair, waiting for something.

"...." Aether waited for a few seconds and saw her not moving away. He wondered why, but then he remembered something, looking at Selene who had the same expression as the Empress.

"You also look good, Madam Selene.... You are exceptionally beautiful today," Aether said with a smile, unaware of how many arrows he had pierced through her heart.

"I-i-i-Is -is is th-that..." Selene stammered as her lips trembled, unable to leak any smile; her face turned red in embarrassment.

"Selene? Are you okay?" Lia asked, worried about who had been waiting for Kai's arrival.

"H-Huh? Yay- I mean, cough, cough... Yes, I am fine" It took every bit of Selene's energy to control herself.

Lia frowned and looked at Aether with a frown but then dismissed him like a piece of trash... She needed to see the man that she had been searching for.

It was then when,

"Hey, Slave! Where have you been? Come and help me pour drinks for the guests!" Timmy said as he arrived before Aether, fuming with anger when he saw Aether speaking with Selene. Even more, he frowned upon seeing Aether wearing a dress better than his butler's attire.