Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 90: Fake Shadow

”Miss Lia,” Aether called out to Lia Scarlet, who was sprinting through the corridors of the palace.

Not only had she endured a brutal humiliation, but she had also been brutally rejected by her lover in front of everyone.

ʼThrow her out!ʼ

Those words from her beloved still echoed in her mind, like a sentence of imminent death.

The fact that no one came to her support except the slave added more pain to her already wounded heart.

If only she had listened to her uncle, she wouldnʼt have faced such humiliation.

If only she had stayed home instead of coming to see him just to convey her wishes, she wouldnʼt have endured such heartbreak.

If only she hadnʼt loved him so foolishly, she wouldnʼt have experienced this unbearable pain, tearing at her sanity and reason like shattered glass.

The suffering she endured, both in terms of humiliation and heartbreak, clouded her mind, pushing her towards unreasonable thoughts.

”What if... What if I died?” she wondered.

Would he mourn for her?

Would he feel guilty for her demise?

Would he remember her until the end?

Countless thoughts swirled in her mind, clouding her judgment and pushing her to the brink of despair.

”YOU BITCH!!” Aetherʼs shout startled Lia, causing her legs to slip, and she fell to the ground with a painful thud.

”OUCH!!”

Grimacing in pain, Lia held onto her knees and glared at Aether, who had finally caught up to her, ”How dare you call me a bitch!!” she snapped, her voice filled with a mix of pain and anger.

”Sigh,” Aether sighed deeply and knelt down beside her.

”W-What?” Lia was taken aback by his sudden change in demeanour.

”You truly are an idiot, you know,” Aether remarked, his gaze shifting to her scratched knees, blood seeping out.

”W-who are you calling an idiot?” Lia retorted, wincing as she covered her wounded knees.

”...” Aether stared at her crimson eyes silently.

”W-What?” Lia felt a pang of unease at his silent scrutiny.

Aetherʼs expression softened as he observed the faint light in her darkened eyes, ”You have beautiful crimson eyes...”

”W-What?” Liaʼs embarrassment was evident as a.... hint of clarity flickered in her eyes.

”Yes, you do have wonderful crimson eyes... just like Lily,” Aether said with a small, genuine smile, acknowledging her unique beauty amidst the chaos of emotions.

[+1 Affection]

”W-What are you talking about, you idiot?!!” Liaʼs face turned crimson in embarrassment as she shouted in response to Aetherʼs compliment about her eyes.

”Nothing, show me your knees,” Aether calmly requested as he removed his overcoat.

Upon seeing this, Liaʼs embarrassment escalated, ”W-wait!! What are you doing!!!” she exclaimed, hastily covering her eyes.

”ttrr”

Aether tore his inner white shirt and focused on the task at hand, ”Show me, we need to stop the bleeding; otherwise, youʼll get an infection.”

Lia stayed firm but getting stared at by him long time made her awkward.

With a hesitant nod, Lia reluctantly revealed her injured knees.

”Ouch!”

”It will be a little painful,” Aether warned as he skillfully tightened the makeshift bandage around her knees.

After finishing the bandaging, Aether inquired, ”So, did anyone come with you?”

Lia remained silent, her thoughts muddled.

”Sigh, Listen, Little Girl, youʼre vulnerable right now, You might break at any moment and there are some bastards who might take advantage of that. If thereʼs anyone you know here, tell me, and Iʼll take you to them,” Aether spoke with a serious tone, emphasizing the need for caution.

”Some bastard... ah, you mean you?” Lia muttered sarcastically.

”...” Aetherʼs expression remained blank again not indulging anything.

Seeing him going to do the staring contest... Lia gave up.

”I-I called my uncle; heʼs coming to pick me up,” Lia finally responded, sighing softly.

”Good,” Aether acknowledged, scanning the area near the gate and calculating the time it would take, ʼWell, itʼs nearʼ.

As he crouched down and prepared to lift her, Lia protested,

”H-hey, W-What are you doing?!!”

Ignoring her protests, Aether picked her up as gently as he could, adopting a princess carry. Though his initial inclination was to carry her differently... like a sack, he realized the need to rectify the situation he caused and opted for a more respectful approach.

”I am taking you to the gate,” Aether explained calmly, his tone firm.

”I-I can... ʼOuchʼ” Lia winced in pain as Aether pinched her knees to discourage further objections.

”B-Bastard!!” Lia exclaimed, her frustration evident as she gritted her teeth, her weakened body struggling with the pain.

Aether continued walking slowly, casting occasional glances at Lia. Her silent demeanour and trembling eyes reminded him of his own brokenness during a past breakup, evoking a sense of empathy despite the current circumstances.

However, unlike him, who had at least matured enough to comprehend everything, Lia was younger and the guilt of using her weighed heavily on Aetherʼs adult responsibilities, adding to his worries.

”You know, love is truly an amazing thing, and each person experiences it differently...”

Aetherʼs words interrupted Liaʼs thoughts, drawing her attention to him.

”This might be heartbreaking and all, but one day you will learn something from this heartbreak, so donʼt dwell too much--” His words were cut short by a sudden action.

ʼThump, Thumpʼ

Lia struck his chest as tears streamed down her face, ”Y-You donʼt understand! YOU NEVER KNOW MY PAIN!!” she cried out, clutching her chest in emotional turmoil.

ʼStep, St--ʼ

Aether paused his steps, looking at Lia with a mixture of sadness and understanding, ”Yeah, I canʼt understand your pain, and...” he continued softly, ”You cannot understand my pain”

”....” Lia fell silent, her emotions swirling. She didnʼt need to see his face; his tone alone conveyed everything.... She felt he was the same as her.

Observing her silence, Aether was about to speak when she questioned,

”D-Did she left you?”

”Hmm?”

”The woman you mentioned, the one who fought for her love... did she leave you too?” Liaʼs voice trembled like a whisper.

”... Yeah,” Aether admitted with a heavy heart.

”W-Why? Didnʼt she love you? Didnʼt she fight for her love for you all these years?” Liaʼs questions revealed her inner turmoil as her body shook with emotion.

”.... Well, our status is a big factor... big enough to make her doubt her choices,” Aether confessed, his voice tinged with regret.

”S-Status...” Lia repeated the word, recalling Kaiʼs words about talent not being enough.

ʼDrip, Dripʼ

”W-Why? W-Why do they care about status? Why do they focus on... t-talent? WHY?..... What about l-love?” Liaʼs voice cracked as her mental barriers began to crumble.

”Because love often fades when faced with reality... Lia, Love can be like a fleeting shadow that vanishes when thereʼs no light... There are times you should let it go when it cannot be held it together” Aether spoke gently, his words finally piercing through her defences.

”awwwwwwww.....” Liaʼs outburst was a release of her pent-up emotions, the dam of her suppressed feelings finally breaking down.