The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

Aisha had suspected as much the moment she’d walked in and found she was alone. Not even a servant or anyone in sight. And by the way, he had ordered the herald to take her into his residence instead of any other place to meet her...

”Your Majesty flatters me. But I’m hardly suited to stand beside anyone.”

It was a version of her own refusal to whatever proposal he was offering her. This old bastard wanted her to be his consort... since when did it become his turn? How shameless...

”I’m not asking for an answer today. I’m simply informing you that this offer exists for your benefit, and that I expect you to take it seriously,” he said it so righteously that someone might even mistake him for a gentleman trying to save a woman’s dignity by offering shelter in his house.

Aisha had no intention of even taking anything from him.

”I appreciate your words, Your Majesty. But I must decline. I have no interest in becoming anyone’s consort. Not the prince, and even you.”

Something flickered behind his eyes, close to anger that seemed to cool the room by a degree. Aisha held his stare anyway.

”And if I insisted?”

”Then you’d learn very quickly that I don’t respond well to force.”

”You’re really not afraid of me.” He said it in a matter-of-fact tone.

Aisha ignored it. ”I do fear you, Your Majesty.”

In fact, she feared she might commit regicide.

Emperor Nikulaus shook his head and chuckled. He didn’t believe a word of what she had just said. For someone to claim they’re afraid of him, the iciness in her eyes was far too obvious, and he even felt a stabbing sensation in his heart.

At this moment, he wanted more than he had expected. She was truly a captivating and entertaining woman.

When he first saw her at the ceremony, he was enraptured by her stunning appearance and boldness in wearing a red dress. But upon watching her face the entire hall filled with people without fear or any nervousness, he felt compelled to observe her more closely.

Initially, he wanted to call her to return to the hall. But upon seeing the Association’s young admiral trailing behind her, he felt a sense of loss and agitation. And so, he decided to order the herald to call her and have her escorted to his residence.

He left the imperial hall the instant he ordered the herald, using the secret passageways that could lead him directly to his room.

Emperor Nikulaus knew how irrational this was for him to call upon the woman who had just been his own son’s fiancée just an hour ago. But he could barely wait to see her appear and give her an offer that could be her only lifeline to live peacefully in the empire.

Besides, being an emperor’s consort was a much better and more dignified position than being his son’s consort.

And with her real background exposed as an orphan from the lowest sector, it’d be much harder for her to even get a standing anywhere.

So, Aisha’s refusal was nothing short of a surprise to him. However, he brushed it off as her being confused. He also blamed himself for telling her too soon about his intention of taking her as his consort.

Yet the sight of Admiral Valaerion following behind her as she left the imperial hall made him feel impatient. It was the same feeling of seeing the most gorgeous and sweet-smelling flower before him about to be taken, so he rushed over to grab it.

”Let’s pause this conversation. You’ll stay in the palace tonight, then we can continue this tomorrow once you’ve thought it thoroughly,” he said with a tone that offered no leeway for her to refuse.

Aisha almost laughed. She caught it before it escaped, though the corner of her mouth betrayed her.

”Is Your Majesty truly prepared to risk your honor? Trapping a young and unmarried woman in the palace by ordering her to stay, right after a very public annulment from your own son? Do you know what sort of rumor that’ll spread once it reaches the world outside these walls? The emperor steals his son’s discarded fiancée. A rather fitting title. I wonder how the Council of Elders would take it. Perhaps, the neighboring star systems would very much like to hear it as well.”

For the first time, a sharp and harsh look appeared in the emperor’s eyes. ”Watch your words, Lady Aisha.”

She coldly gazed at him with a lazy smile spreading across her face. ”If Your Majesty can’t tolerate hearing words like these from me now... How would you tolerate them in the future?”

”You’ll learn once you agree.”

”And should I ever say yes—which will never happen—what makes you so certain I’d change? What if... I’d rather break down these walls and burn everything to ashes than change?”

A strange light suddenly flashed across her eyes, then immediately disappeared. She could already imagine doing all of that if it came down to it. There was no need for hesitation or guilt for the people dragged into this mess. She’s never been one to concern herself with anyone when it comes to her own survival.

Her eyes bore into him like a hunter surveying its target. She’d have a hard time facing a sentinel, but it was a good thing the emperor wasn’t.

Now, what will you do?

The silence that followed had teeth of its own. The emperor stared at Aisha that suggested he was still underestimating her. Neither of them moved or spoke first.

Then, a voice sounded beyond the door.

”Your Majesty, Consort Gabriel requests an audience.”

The emperor blinked first.

Aisha rose from the bench and walked on the path. ”I should take my leave, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t want to keep the consort waiting.”

He hesitated, looking as if he wanted to stop her, but the voice called out again. This time, it wasn’t just the consort who wanted to see him. It seemed the mother and son pair had come to find the emperor.

Emperor Nikulaus’ face darkened.

Aisha didn’t wait or hesitate as she passed by him, completely ignoring the gaze he sent her way.

She passed the consort and Prince Soren as the door opened. Both of their eyes went wide at the sight of her emerging alone from the emperor’s residence. Aisha offered them a small, polite nod and kept walking, leaving them frozen and unable to comprehend what she was doing there.

Outside, Aisha looked out the window. The sky was strangely bluer than ever she’d seen it.

”Haa...”

This had been exhausting. But it wasn’t without a reward. She’d been able to cut her ties with Prince Soren.

However, at the cost of it, she had attracted the emperor’s eyes.

And there was also the matter of Nykos and Zeke’s growing interest in her.

”I should move my plans up.”

She’d have to visit the Association’s floating island and meet with Anshel once the match was done. Then, she’d look for a place to stay where no one would find her, living the rest of her life in peace.