Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 447 Way too Different!! Even someone changed!!

”Tell me… did you sleep with Li—Wait! You… look different now?” Maelonaʼs stern face softened, a flicker of curiosity replacing her previous intensity as she studied Aether.

Aether scratched the back of his head, forcing a smile. ”Yeah… I hit a growth spurt.”

Maelona raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying his explanation. ”A growth spurt, huh?”

”And yes,” Aether suddenly added.

”Huh?” Maelonaʼs frown deepened.

Aether took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. ”Yes. I slept with Liora… and Iʼve decided to take her as my wife in the near future.”

Maelona blinked. Once... Twice.... His words didnʼt immediately register until her eyes widened in shock. Her mouth opened, but no words came out as she processed the bombshell.

Aether stood still, watching her carefully. He was braced for the storm, prepared for the wave of emotions that might come—anger, betrayal, hatred. He was ready to accept any consequences.

But Maelona didnʼt explode. She exhaled slowly, letting out a long sigh.

What she saw in front of her wasnʼt a man smug with his decision... it was a young man carrying the weight of his actions.

The slight tremble in his voice and that faint, broken smile spoke of his own inner turmoil.

ʼSigh…ʼ she thought, shaking her head.

She had lived through enough pain and betrayal in her tribe to know when something was worth fighting over... and this wasnʼt it.

It wasnʼt betrayal.

It was just a disappointment!!

”Does Aria know about this?” she asked, her tone calm but stern.

Aetherʼs gaze faltered, his head lowering in shame. He couldnʼt meet her eyes. ”Not yet,” he admitted quietly.

Maelona rubbed her temples, letting out another sigh, this one heavier than before,

”Donʼt tell her.”

”I will tell her,” Aether responded immediately.

Both of them froze, their eyes locking in surprise as they spoke at the same time.

”What do you mean by that?” Aether asked, his brow furrowing, confusion lacing his words.

Maelonaʼs expression grew serious, her eyes sharp as she spoke. ”She loves you, Aether. If you tell her now, it will break her heart. I donʼt want that for her.”

Aether nodded slowly, but ”Still… she deserves to know—”

”Aether.” Maelonaʼs voice turned sharp, ”For now, letʼs keep this from her. Iʼll handle it.”

”You?”

”Yes.” Maelonaʼs face was set in stone, her determination clear. She was protective, not just of Aria but of Aether too, ”Iʼll figure out how to break it to her. Let me deal with it.”

Aether sighed, shaking his head slightly. ”Iʼm sorry, Mother-in-law… but this is something I should tell her myself.” His eyes, however, betrayed something else.... something hidden, a burden he hadnʼt yet revealed.

Maelona could feel it, the heaviness of whatever Aether was carrying.

She didnʼt press him further. Instead, she nodded. ”Well, itʼs your choice then.”

Aether offered a small smile, though it didnʼt quite reach his eyes, before turning to leave.

As Maelona watched his retreating back, a pang of concern tugged at her chest. Something was wrong with him.

He wasnʼt the same.... there was an underlying sadness that she couldnʼt ignore.

Just then, Maelona called out, her voice lighter, ”Whereʼs my hug from my favourite son-in-law?”

Aether halted, turning back with surprise in his eyes. He saw Maelona with her arms open, waiting for him.

For a moment, he hesitated, but then he slowly walked towards her, wrapping his arms around her tightly.

”Iʼm sorry… Mother-in-law,” he whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

Thatʼs all Aether could say.

Maelona hugged him back, her grip tightening as she felt the warmth of his body. They stayed like that, in each otherʼs arms, for what felt like an eternity.

Maelonaʼs cheek slowly flushed as the moment lingered on, and she awkwardly cleared her throat. ”Ahem…”

Yet Aether didnʼt let go. Instead, he hugged her even tighter, as if seeking comfort in her presence, as if trying to anchor himself in the storm brewing inside him.

Maelonaʼs cheeks burned hotter, her heart racing. She could feel his body heat seeping through her skin, and for the first time in a long while, she felt flustered. ”L-Let me go! Iʼve got work to do!” she stammered.

Still, he didnʼt release her.

Maelona sighed heavily, feeling his hold only grow tighter, ”Okay, okay… youʼre forgiven. Now let me go, alright?”

Aether finally responded, his voice soft and hesitant, ”Really?”

[+1000 AP]

Maelonaʼs lips twitched at his question. She suppressed her thoughts and nodded, ”Yes, really. Now let me go!”

But Aether shook his head playfully, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. ”No… I donʼt want to.”

Maelonaʼs face turned a deeper shade of red, ”W-What?” she sputtered, her heart thudding in her chest.

”You feel warm… Mother-in-law,” Aether whispered gently, his voice laced with a tenderness that made Maelonaʼs legs go weak unexpectedly.

His hold tightened slightly, and his breath brushed against her long elven ear, ”I really need this before facing them…”

”I-You—” Maelonaʼs words faltered.

Realizing the intensity of the situation, she slapped a hand over her mouth, pushing him away with sudden force. Her face flushed, and without looking back, she stammered, ”I-Iʼll be leaving now!” She spun on her heel, practically fleeing down the corridor, but not before tossing a warning over her shoulder, ”You make Aria cry, and youʼll pay for it, brat!!”

[+2000 AP]

Aether stood still, blinking in surprise before a chuckle escaped his lips. He had managed to diffuse the tension, for now at least, ʼSheʼs cooled down… for the time being,ʼ he thought, watching her retreat with a small smile.

He exhaled deeply, allowing himself a brief moment of relief before his thoughts returned to the looming task ahead.

As Aether made his way to his final destination, his heart began to pound in his chest, each beat louder than the last.

His breathing grew shallow. ʼYouʼve got to face it, Aether,ʼ he told himself, even though his legs trembled, every step heavier than the last. His body felt sluggish, resisting him with every inch forward.

Just as he was lost in his thoughts, a voice rang out behind him, filled with amusement, ”Whatʼs this joker doing?”

Startled, Aether turned around and found himself face-to-face with an orange-haired boy wearing a smug grin.

ʼDo I know him?ʼ Aetherʼs brows furrowed in confusion. He hesitated for a second before asking, ”Who might you be?”

The orange-haired boy blinked, then burst into laughter. ”First time Iʼve met someone who doesnʼt know an Arcane King,” he replied, his tone dripping with mockery as he walked in a slow circle around Aether, inspecting him like a curiosity.

”Arcane King?” Aether frowned, trying to piece together the strange puzzle. ʼWhat the hell is he talking about?ʼ

The boy chuckled again, clearly enjoying Aetherʼs confusion. ”You seriously donʼt remember? I beat your ass in the Capture the Flag event!” He smirked, crossing his arms, ”Thought youʼd never forget that.”

Suddenly, something clicked in Aetherʼs mind, his eyes widening in realization, ʼThereʼs only one person who ever beat me (My clone to be exactly) —in that event...ʼ His voice wavered slightly as he spoke. ”Jack Sparrow?”

The orange-haired boyʼs grin widened, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction, ”Yup! Yours truly, Sparrow… Jack Sparrow!”

The Orange-haired boy suddenly grinned with satisfaction, ”Yes, Yours Truly, Sparrow.. Jack Sparrow!”

Aetherʼs shock only deepened. ”What the hell happened to you?”

Jack tilted his head, a puzzled look crossing his face. ”What do you mean?”

Aether was about to speak but stopped himself, narrowing his eyes in suspicion. He wasnʼt sure what game Jack was playing, ”Are you messing with me?” he asked, his voice colder.

Jackʼs smirk faltered briefly, his expression growing annoyed. He couldnʼt believe a mere servant was questioning him. ”Oh, come on…” Jack muttered, but before he could say anything else—

”Jack!” A sharp voice called out from behind, breaking their moment.

Both Aether and Jack turned to see Nyx approaching with an impatient glare fixed on Jack. Her presence radiated authority.

”Well, see you later,” Jack muttered, his amused expression returning as he immediately walked back toward Nyx.

She looked irritated, her steps quick and deliberate.

”What were you doing, talking to a servant?” Nyx asked, her voice laced with disdain as she glared at Aether for a brief moment before dismissing him.

Jack shrugged casually. ”Nothing much. Just ran into someone who didnʼt recognize me.” He grinned, clearly unbothered.

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Nyxʼs frown deepened as she glanced back at Aether. Her gaze lingered on him for a second longer before turning back to Jack, ”Remember, Our Grace only called for me. Youʼre the one who begged to come along, so youʼd better follow my lead.”

”Okay, okay,” Jack replied with a carefree tone, though inwardly he was already scheming. As they walked away, he spared one last glance at Aether, ʼMy joker card… just wait. Iʼm going to use you in my perfect plan soon enough,ʼ he thought, his grin widening mischievously as he followed Nyx.

Meanwhile, Aether stood frozen in place, watching them leave. His mind was racing, trying to make sense of the situation, ʼWhat is going on? Jack… an Arcane King? But how…?ʼ His thoughts spiralled as he struggled to process everything he had just heard and seen.

ʼThis doesnʼt make any sense,ʼ Aether thought, frowning deeply. He sighed heavily, frustrated at the lack of clarity, ʼHey, Log,ʼ he called out mentally, ʼMind telling me what the hell is going on here?ʼ

For a moment, there was only silence, and Aether sighed knowing it wasnʼt going to answ--

!~Ding~!

Aether was surprised to see the notification!