Both the Princess and the Empress fixed their curious gazes on Aether.... Their eyes literally sparkled as if they had stumbled upon a rare gem.

While Aether usually enjoyed the attention of beautiful women, the situation felt decidedly off.

"E-Excuse me?" he stammered, taken aback by their intense scrutiny.

"Yes?"

"What is it?"

The Empress and Princess responded simultaneously, their voices harmonizing in a strange synchronization.

Aether couldn't help but feel a bit suspicious.

Seated in a private dining room, Aether found himself surrounded by the Empress, who reclined gracefully in a chair opposite him, and the Princess, who sat beside her with a gentle smile. The Empress's maid stood nearby, poised to serve at a moment's notice.

"Can I eat, right?" Aether's gaze drifted towards the table, which was adorned with a lavish spread of exquisite dishes. Despite any suspicions he may have harbored about their intentions, hunger gnawed at him, and the tantalizing aroma of the food beckoned irresistibly. He hadn't seen such delicacies even in Velc's mansion, and he doubted he would get such an opportunity again.

"Of course, you may," the Empress assured him, her tone gracious.

The Princess nodded in agreement, her demeanor equally welcoming.

With cautious optimism, Aether selected a piece of meat and brought it hesitantly to his lips, half-expecting his survival rate to plummet..... Yet, to his mix of relief and surprise, no ominous notification appeared.

Food was not poisoned!

"Hmm~" Aether's surprise was palpable as he savored the exquisite flavors, his initial wariness melting away in the face of such deliciousness. Hunger drove him to devour the meal with gusto, his expression gradually shifting from caution to contentment.

The Empress observed with a smile as Aether consumed the food without reservation, was inwardly astonished at how quickly he devoured half of the dishes presented before him in mere minutes.

After an hour had passed, Aether sighed contentedly, patting his stomach. 'Damn, that was one of the most delicious meals I've ever had,' he thought to himself.

"You certainly have quite the appetite," the Empress remarked teasingly, her eyes dancing with amusement. Her maid nodded in agreement as she began to clear the table.

"...."

Feeling the weight of two stern stares directed at him, Aether coughed awkwardly and asked, "What about the others?"

"They've already eaten in the dining hall," the Empress's maid replied with a friendly smile.

"I see..." Aether nodded, waiting for further conversation. However, the intense gazes from the three women in the room made him feel as though he was being scrutinized like prey by predators.

'Why is she staring at me too?' Aether frowned, noticing the Empress's maid also taking an interest in him.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, the Empress finally spoke, "You don't remember your past, do you?"

"No," Aether confirmed.

"And you don't recall what happened last night either?" the Empress continued.

"Um, no... I don't," Aether admitted, scratching his head in confusion.

"Hmm..." The Empress nodded thoughtfully, exchanging a glance with her daughter before addressing Aether again, "My daughter was the one who invited you to this feast. She has something important she wishes to discuss with you.... I'll take my leave now."

"Huh?" Aether was visibly taken aback, wondering why the Empress was suddenly acting distant.

"Is something the matter?" the Empress asked, noticing Aether's shocked expression.

"N-Nothing," Aether replied, though his thoughts were racing with confusion as the Empress and her maid left the room.

'Something isn't right...' Aether thought as he stared at the closed door.

Once alone, the Princess spoke up, her eyes fixed on Aether, "You've won my heart..."

"Huh?" Aether snapped back to reality, frowning in confusion, "Pardon?"

"I said, you've won my heart," the Princess repeated.

Aether's eyes flickered to his mission tab, confirming that the mission was still active.

'What is she talking about?' Aether wondered, but then he recalled Delphine's story that he said inappropriate things not just to the Princess, but also to the to Empress.

'I see now....' Aether thought to himself, nodding with a polite smile. "Thank you, Princess, for allowing this humble slave into your gracious heart."

The Princess fell silent, sensing a something wrong with Aether's words, but she chose to dismiss it for the moment.

"You know, I have not very fond and little patience for lowlifes, especially slaves who ignore their master's orders..." Her tone carried a subtle edge as she stood from her chair and approached Aether.

Continuing as she stood before him, the Princess expressed, "However, YOU.... when you defy the very norms of our world... I find myself strangely drawn to you. A man who refuses to bound by the laws of this world..." Her gaze locked onto Aether's blue eyes, searching for some understanding.

"Isn't that intriguing?" she mused softly, reaching out to touch Aether's cheek.

As Aether and the Princess stood in a moment of silence, Aether's mind raced with questions and uncertainties.

'Should I say something now or waht?' Aether pondered, feeling the weight of the situation.

Breaking the silence, the Princess walked away from Aether, her steps carrying her towards the window, "A man who cannot be restrained by the law... everyone would love to claim him for themselves," she mused aloud, her voice carrying a hint of admiration.

Leaning lightly against the window frame, the Princess let the gentle breeze to play with her silky hair. She tucked a stray strand behind her ear as she continued,

"I now understand why the Archpriestess coveted you so much... going as far as offering her Empire's Arcane Queen." Her gaze turned skyward, lost in contemplation and finally those words that sticking on her throat, "I want you to be mine, Aether."

Her gaze met his with sincerity, a small smile playing on her lips,

"I know I have shortcomings," the Princess confessed with a sigh, acknowledging her flaws. "Sometimes I lose my temper over trivial matters, and I may have hidden agendas. But ultimately, I just want my mother to have a happy, normal life." Her voice carried a note of longing and determination. "She sacrificed a lot in her childhood...

her hands were stained by the blood of royalty, haunting her like a recurring nightmare. I want to free her from these burdens, to give her the peace she deserves..... Even more that nightmares that yet to began..."

Aether's frown deepened as he absorbed her words, feeling a sense of foreboding creeping over him, 'Nightmares... What the fuck am I being pulled into now?' he wondered anxiously.

"Please, support me, Aether," the Princess implored, her smile genuine as she extended her hand, "In return, I will grant you the freedom you seek."

Aether finally rose from his chair, meeting the Princess's gaze...

_____

[Author's Note: If we reach 100 Golden Tickets... I will upload two more chapters.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com