Chapter 86

"Hmmm..."

"What?" Aether tilted his head, curious. "Is something wrong, sir?"

"You're wearing quite a fancy dress for a mere butler, aren't you?" One of the middle-aged guests, whom Aether had just served juice, remarked.

"If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave," Aether said calmly, stepping away from the group of bothersome men.

"H-hey!" The man tried to call Aether back, but Aether chose to ignore them.

Yeah... Aether was just Jealous!

Even though he was a teenage boy but still a man nearing his thirties and couldn't help but be jealous of other middle-aged dude's happy lives.

While serving, Aether observed the guests engrossed in their conversations and juice, while the Empress and Velc engaged in a serious discussion, Velc's expressions ranging from frown to shock.

"Heheh..." Aether chuckled to himself, recognizing the cause of Velc's reactions.

That's right.... A fucking Tournament!

"No, no, no, that's not the right way to put it... It's just an ordinary tournament," Aether corrected himself internally, realizing the nuanced meanings behind his words.

Truly held different meanings!!

If his friends were to hear those words, they would do anything to come to this Tournament.

Aether sighed, his gaze landing on a figure of significant influence in his life-saving situation. With a sly smile, he made his way toward this person of importance.

"Madam Delphine," Aether greeted with the utmost respect.

"Yes?" Delphine turned and was surprised to Aether in new form!!

Not only her, but Aether was also surprised to see her.

Compared to her usual attire, Delphine's current outfit was a breathtaking departure.

The centrepiece of her ensemble was a One-Shoulder aqua-coloured Bodycon Dress, a garment that hugged her curves in all the right places. The colour complemented her complexion beautifully, accentuating her slender, pale legs that peeked out from beneath the hem. With each step, the high heels she wore added a touch of grace to her movements, enhancing her already captivating presence.

But it wasn't just the outfit that captured attention; it was the way Delphine carried herself. Her silky aqua hair, usually left to cascade freely, was now elegantly styled in a bun at the nape of her neck.

Really Hot!!

'She is fucking Hot!' Aether couldn't help but mutter under his breath, his eyes scanning the hall where he noticed many middle-aged men stealing glances at Delphine, eager to engage with her yet hesitant to approach.

Aether nodded appreciatively, acknowledging the beauty before him. 'Always appreciate true beauty,' he thought. However, their admiration was quickly cut short as they were met with disapproving glares from their wives, a silent warning against any untoward advances.

'Know your limits, Idioits!' Aether thought to himself as he observed the reactions around him.

"Hello?" Delphine called out, surprised by Aether's new appearance.

"H-Huh? Yes... Hello, Madam Delphine!" Aether snapped back to reality, slightly flustered.

"What happened to you? Where have you been?" Delphine inquired with curiosity.

Aether inwardly sighed, repeating the same explanation he had given to everyone.

"Is that so..." Delphine nodded thoughtfully, a hint of doubt flickering in her eyes momentarily.

"Del, you didn't say you caught yourself a wonderful young man," one of Delphine's friends chimed in.

"H-Huh? W-Wait! No, guys!" Delphine blushed deeply at her friend's remark.

Aether suppressed a chuckle at her embarrassment and then turned his attention to three MIL- ahem mature and elegant women.

"Hello, ladies!" Aether greeted them with a calm and gentle smile, earning him positive reactions.

+1 Affection

+1 Affection

+1 Affection

"Look at that, hello, young man. What's your relationship with our shy Delphine?" One of the ladies asked, curious.

'Shy?' Aether wondered but played along, saying, "My relationship with Madam Delphine is a bit close," adding a shy expression for effect.

"Oh!" The women gasped in surprise, casting knowing glances at Delphine, whose blush deepened at the attention.

"H-He is referring to how I helped him learn magic and such," Delphine explained awkwardly.

"Is that all?" Her friends teased with knowing smiles.

"Grr..." Delphine couldn't help but feel flustered, wondering why she always acted like a schoolgirl around Aether.

Pulling Aether aside, she whispered fiercely, "What are you talking about? Aren't you taking advantage of me?"

Aether simply smiled innocently and replied, "But aren't we close?"

"Huh?" Delphine was at a loss for words, feeling conflicted.

"I mean, I only told the truth to you, and I thought we were close," Aether innocently replied.

"W-Well..." Delphine struggled to find words.

+10 Affection

!~Ding~!

Survival rate: 0.8%↑

'Yes!!' Aether screamed inwardly, thinking he was mastering the art of seduction. The notion of potentially winning over this seemingly innocent woman excited him.

'Ah, how far I've fallen...' Aether's self-reflection turned sombre as he realized the lengths he was willing to change, albeit reluctantly, All for Living a peaceful life!!.

Observing Delphine closely, Aether couldn't resist a quip, "Is Snow not getting suffocated there, right?" as he glanced at her deep cleavage.

Noticing her bosom tighten, Aether couldn't help but wonder if his "snake" was being crushed under the circumstances.

"I think you should release my snake now..." Aether's voice trailed off as he caught Delphine's deadly glare.

"M-My bad!" Aether hastily apologized, sweating bullets as he hurriedly retreated.

"Hmph," Delphine snorted with amusement, watching him scamper away like a cat chasing its tail.

"~Ss---" ==

"Nope, you are not allowed to come out," Delphine playfully pressed down on her attire, as the white snake struggled to breathe.

"What happened?" Delphine's friends inquired when they noticed Aether hastily leaving.

"N-Nothing," Delphine replied, trying to brush off the situation.

"Oh! I see now, you're trying to hide something from us..." Her friends began to tease her, unaware of the real truth behind the interaction.

Since Aether was dressed in expensive attire, they assumed he was of noble status, adding an element of intrigue to the situation. As they teased Delphine, one of her friends took a moment to study Aether, their gaze lingering for a few seconds before joining the conversation, adding to the playful banter and curiosity surrounding Aether's sudden departure.

Though they wondered why he was giving drinks to others...

The anticipation in the room reached its peak as guests wondered about the delayed appearance of the event's stars. Just as murmurs of concern were about to surface, the Maid's voice resounded through the hall,

"Let's welcome the star of today's celebration. First, we welcome the grandson of Mortimer Frostblade.... Kai Frostblade."

'Thud'

The door opened automatically,

Kai in a white shirt paired with a neat black coat adorned with glittering embellishments that shimmered like stars under the lights. With a calculated and gentle smile, he exuded confidence as he walked in.

"WOHHH!" The women in attendance couldn't contain their excitement at Kai's handsome and regal appearance.

The Maid continued her introduction as Kai approached the Empress, "Kai Frostblade, blessed by the Arcane, one of the chosen ones... Arcane King of the Aquaris Naiadae Empire!"

'Thud'

Kai kneeled before the Empress, showing deep respect and admiration, "Long live her majesty!" he declared.

"Stand up," the Empress gestured, and Kai complied, standing tall and proud.

"Now, let's welcome our one and only Princess, the epitome of grace and charm, daughter of Empress Marisandra Naiadia, Princess Aqualina Naiadia!"

'Thud'

'sshhh'

The hall fell into a hushed awe as a girl emerged, surrounded by a swirling veil of white smoke that lent an otherworldly aura to her entrance. With each step of her slender leg, she commanded attention, her expression as cold as ice, betraying no hint of warmth or vulnerability.

Her striking purple hair cascaded around her like a regal mantle, swaying gently with each movement as if echoing the rhythm of the sea.

The focal point of her ensemble was her engagement dress, a masterpiece that seemed plucked from a fantasy realm. The dress resembled a purple mermaid's tail, clinging to her curves before flowing out in a mesmerizing train. Adorned with glistening pearls and intricate embroidery, it evoked images of vibrant corals and sea horses, creating a tapestry of marine wonder.

Despite the intricate details of her attire, it was her eyes that drew the most attention. Misty and purple like the twilight sky, they held no discernible emotions, giving her an enigmatic air akin to stone.

The Maid continued her introduction as Princess Aqualina approached the Empress, "Princess Aqualina Naiadia, blessed by the Arcane, one of the chosen ones.... Arcane Queen of the Aquaris Naiadae Empire!"

'Step, Step...'

As she made her way, everyone in the room was captivated by her beauty, even the women couldn't help but be enamoured by her presence.

Kai stood stunned, forgetting to breathe for a moment, as he realized he was about to marry this mesmerizing girl, a prospect he had never dared to dream of.

"Hehe..." The Empress chuckled softly, noticing Kai's enamoured expression and the general shock at Aqualina's beauty. A smirk of pride appeared on her face when she saw the total silence in the hall.

In the midst of everything,

!~Ding~!

Mission: Seduce Aqualina Naiadia

"NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!" A solitary horrified expression echoed in the silent hall.