Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1510: Mother got trapped by her own daughter! Part-1

Aether and the others soon returned and reached Maelona’s house, the quiet of the night settling over them like a tired breath after a long march. Kaelen slowed his steps before the entrance, then turned back toward the group. He explained that work awaited him in the palace.

”Don’t overwork yourself, Kaelen,” Aether said softly, his voice carrying both concern and restrained pride as his gaze lingered on his son.

Kaelen nodded with a small, tired smile, rubbing the back of his neck before adding, ”There’s something important I want to talk about too, but... I know you’re exhausted. Let’s talk tomorrow.” He yawned openly before turning and walking away into the dimly lit path.

Aether watched him leave, ”I know I’ve said this countless times, but... he’s really growing up too fast,” he muttered, rubbing his eyes as if dust had slipped into them, though the moisture gathering there told a different story altogether.

Liora shook her head as she pushed him inside the house, her hand immediately rising to pinch her nose in exaggerated disgust.

”You reek, Husband,” she said flatly, wrinkling her nose while shoving him further inside.

”Oi! I’ve been working nonstop, running across the Empires like a madman,” Aether protested, puffing his cheeks slightly as he was pushed along. ”It wasn’t easy, you know. Of course, I smell like this.”

Liora laughed under her breath, her shoulders shaking lightly as she guided him toward a room.

Aether slowed his steps and turned suddenly, a familiar glint flashing in his eyes as a crooked smile curved his lips.

”So, are you planning to wash me yourself?” he asked, his hand settling confidently on her hips,

”Or maybe we wash each other, slowly... inch by inch~”

Liora’s tail swayed behind her, ”That’s a lot of tempting offers at once,” she replied, her lips curling into a knowing smirk as she leaned in and kissed him. ”But you take the bath first. I’ll prepare something special surprise for you while you do.”

Aether chuckled softly, his fingers giving her a firm pinch on her ass, ”I’m going to fill this up again,” he said with shameless confidence, winking before disappearing into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Maelona walked slowly through the corridor, her fingertips brushing against the walls as if committing every texture to memory. A faint nostalgia clung to her expression, ”From tomorrow onward, I won’t be here anymore,” she murmured, ”It feels strange... almost unreal.”

Despite the freedom she had longed for, something inside her tightened painfully. A quiet emptiness settled in her chest, subtle yet impossible to ignore, as though part of her refused to let go so easily.

Aria let out a weary sigh, folding her arms as she watched her mother drift through her thoughts. ”Mom, you still have an entire week before you need to leave,” she said patiently. ”And it’s not like anyone is forcing you to go either... You can still stay here, you know!”

Maelona shook her head slowly, ”That wouldn’t be good for anyone,” she replied, ”He has his new life, and the past needs to step aside. That’s how it should be.”

She paused before adding, ”It will be better for everyone in the end.”

Aria studied her mother for several long seconds, her brows knitting together before she finally spoke.

”Then when are you going to start your own new life?”

Maelona halted mid-step, blinking in confusion as she turned around. ”New life?” she echoed. ”What are you talking about?”

”You know exactly what I mean, Mom,” Aria replied, her voice tightening as she exhaled deeply. ”I already told you it’s fine. So why are you still holding yourself back like this?”

Maelona stared at her, blinking repeatedly as though the words refused to settle properly in her mind.

Aria’s lips twitched, ”Sometimes you’re unbelievably dense,” she muttered. ”I’m obviously talking about Aether.”

Maelona stiffened instantly, her eyes widening as she stared at her daughter. ”W-What? Aether?” she stammered. ”What does he have to do with me? I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

”Mom, please stop pretending,” Aria said flatly, her disappointment no longer hidden. ”You’re making it painfully obvious. Even I’ve already accepted it, so why are you still hiding behind excuses?” She groaned, running a hand through her hair. ”I never thought I’d say this, but honestly...”

”Just FUCK already.”

Maelona turned sharply, her glare sharp enough to cut. ”What in the world are you saying, Aria?” she snapped. ”Is that really how you speak to your mother? He’s your husband. What was that even supposed to mean?”

Aria gave her mother a deadpan look, one that carried more exhaustion than surprise. She knew Maelona far too well. The hesitation, the denial, the awkward deflection, all of it felt like a thin façade rather than genuine confusion.

”Oh,” she said slowly, ”then would you mind telling me what you were doing on my husband’s lap earlier today?”

Maelona flinched immediately, her cheeks flushing as if the question itself had struck her. ”I-I wasn’t doing anything,” she replied too quickly, ”He pulled me without asking and made me sit there. I didn’t give him permission.”

Aria hummed softly, tilting her head as she studied her mother’s reaction. ”Oh? So he forced you to sit on his lap,” she said, ”and you had absolutely no choice in the matter?”

Maelona nodded rapidly, almost like a frantic woodpecker, clinging to the explanation. ”Of course. Otherwise, why would I ever sit on my daughter’s husband’s lap?” Her words came out defensive, as if repeating them might make them true.

Aria dragged a hand down her face. Her patience thinned visibly as she exhaled sharply, realising her mother was starting to genuinely test her restraint.

Honestly, Aria had been holding herself back this entire time, choosing what she believed was best for everyone involved. Yet her mother refused to even acknowledge the opportunity placed in front of her, let alone face it honestly.

Aria clenched her teeth before speaking again. ”Even when you two were acting that lovey-dovey in front of everyone?” she asked.

Maelona froze, her expression turning flabbergasted as her words tangled together. ”T-That... that was...” She trailed off, unable to form a proper explanation.

Aria merely hummed again, this time with clear amusement, patiently waiting as if expecting her mother to eventually trip over the truth on her own.

Unable to find any excuse that held weight, Maelona let out a frustrated snort. ”Whatever. I’m tired,” she muttered.

”I need to rest now.” She turned and started toward her room, hoping to end the conversation entirely.

Before she could pass, Aria stepped in front of her, blocking the path with a serious expression that left no room for escape. ”Mom,” she said firmly, ”how long do you plan on going on like this?”

Maelona lifted her chin slightly.

”As long as I can,”

”You’re only hurting yourself at this rate.”

”Ha... I’ve already had my share of pain.”

”Then why?... Why not just accept it?”

”...”

Aria’s fists clenched at her sides. ”If you truly didn’t want it, then why the hell did you stay back then?” she snapped. ”You could have left the room when you had the chance, but you didn’t. And now you’re the one making a mess out of everything.”

If her mother was truly so determined to deny it, then why had she stayed when Aether got drunk, when boundaries blurred, and things crossed lines that should never have been crossed?

Maelona’s shoulders shook slightly as she lowered her eyes, ”Dear, I... I made a mistake back then,” she said quietly. ”I was confused and lost. That mess was mine to begin with.” She swallowed hard. ”I know I shouldn’t have stayed, but... my heart was already tangled, and I wasn’t ready to face that question.”

”And now? Are you ready now?”

Maelona remained silent for a long moment before taking a slow breath. ”Darling,” she said at last,

”We’re both emotionally drained. I don’t think we’re in the right state to talk about this properly.” She gently pushed Aria aside and reached for the door. ”Let’s rest and talk tomorrow.”

Just then, Aria grabbed her mother’s shoulder, stopping her movement.

”Mom, please,” she said quietly. ”I know you love him. I know you’re doing this because of me.”

She took a breath, her voice trembling slightly. ”But I want you to find the love you deserve. Just this once, I want to see my parents living a truly happy life. Dad found what he needed, and you...” Her grip tightened gently. ”You’re letting go of something you already found. Please, think about it.”

Maelona remained silent for several long seconds, her lips pressed into a thin line, and finally, she spoke,

”If that’s all you wanted to say,” she said quietly, ”then I’m going to sleep. Don’t disturb me again.” Without waiting for a response, she opened the door and slipped inside quickly, as if afraid Aria might follow or glimpse something she was trying to hide.

The door shut with a sharp click, and she slid the upper latch into place, locking herself away.

Leaning her back against the door, Maelona closed her eyes, ”I... I...” she whispered, her voice barely audible. ”What should I do now?” Confusion and conflict twisted across her expression, emotions crashing into each other with no clear direction.

On one side, she wanted nothing more than for her daughter to be happy, to enjoy her newly found life without interruption, without pain caused by her own unresolved feelings. She wanted to disappear quietly, to remove herself before she became a burden or a wound that refused to heal.

On the other side, her chest ached with an unbearable longing to hear Aether’s voice again, to feel his presence, his warmth, his touch. It frightened her how deeply that ache ran, how easily it stirred her heart.

She was not that kind of woman, or at least she had never been. She knew it was wrong, foolishly wrong, to feel these things. She would never have allowed such emotions to take root, never would have crossed that invisible line.... if only he had not been connected to her in such a way.

If only she had not been connected to him at all!

Those feelings were too much, far heavier than she could carry alone. The bond they shared made her feel like more than just a mother-in-law standing at the edge of someone else’s life.

It made her feel seen and desired.

That connection made her feel... like a woman.

It made her tremble... like a woman.

It made her love... like a woman.

It had been her first time feeling such emotions so vividly, and everything had slipped out of her control before she even realised it. Before she knew it, she found herself waiting for Aether’s visits, anticipating his teasing words, his presence filling spaces she never knew were empty.

Somewhere deep in her heart, without realising it at first, she had begun thinking of him as more than just her daughter’s husband.

Even though the truth had spilled out during that incident, and even though her daughter had accepted those feelings with surprising calm, it did not change the fact that such emotions were forbidden.

They were things a mother-in-law should never feel, no matter the circumstances.

Maelona pressed a hand against her chest, her fingers trembling as memories surfaced. She remembered the time with Sandra, when they had been helping Aether together.

She had asked Sandra then, hesitantly, whether such a strange relationship was truly acceptable, whether it was right for her and for her daughter.

Sandra had only smiled softly and said, ”Follow your heart, Maelona. If you don’t, you’ll only be left with regret.”

Even Xara had said something eerily similar, laughing lightly as if the world’s judgment meant nothing.

”I don’t think anyone ever accepted me for who I am,” she had said. ”But Aether does. He loves me like this, and I love it. No regrets.”

Maelona never truly understood why they could say such things so easily.

Was she not like them?

Was she incapable of understanding love the way they did?

Or did she simply love her daughter more than she could ever allow herself to love Aether?

The questions piled up endlessly, confusion and doubt lingering heavily in her chest until it felt hard to breathe. She shook her head, trying desperately to push those thoughts away, forcing herself to calm down.

When she finally opened her eyes, she froze.

The room was bathed in a soft, flickering glow. Candles lined the space, their warm light dancing along the walls, while flowers were scattered across the bed. A heavy floral scent filled the air.

”W-What the...” Maelona whispered in confusion.

Suddenly,

”Looks like someone’s getting ssoooo romantic tonight.”

A tall figure stepped out of the bathroom, steam still clinging to his skin as he dried his hair with a towel.

He had noticed the candles, and a faint smirk tugged at his lips. ”Isn’t that right, wolfy—”

His voice cut off abruptly when his eyes landed on Maelona standing near the door, her face burning red, her body completely frozen.

”Maelona?” Aether muttered, surprise lacing his voice as his smirk vanished.

Maelona swallowed hard, horror flooding her senses as her gaze betrayed her and dropped. Her eyes reflected his naked form, especially that... proud stiff... shaft!

Her breath caught painfully as she took in far more than she ever should have.

”Ha... hahah...” she choked out, panic overtaking her. ”ARIAAAAAAAA!!!”