Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1027 1027: Archpriestess/Stella: Part-2

”Why are you crying?” Aether asked gently, his voice filled with both worry and concern as he noticed a single tear slipping down from the corner of her eye. His grip on her hips instinctively tightened, grounding her against him.

Stella blinked, snapping out of her thoughts, and quickly rubbed the tear away. She forced a soft smile onto her lips and muttered, ”I... I was just happy to see that you have a gift for me,” she said, her voice shaking slightly as she tried to act normal, her expression shifting into something strange and unreadable.

Of course, Aether could see through her lie immediately. He didnʼt press her on it, though. Instead, he simply nodded in silence and reached into his storage to pull out a wrapped package.

It was... food?

Stella blinked again, her brows knitting together as she looked at Aether with a puzzled expression.

Aether chuckled softly, a warm smile tugging at his lips. ”Maybe you donʼt remember clearly, but... do you recall that time we ate at that restaurant? You had a dish you loved so much, you even asked for seconds. I remembered that moment... and thought you might like this,” he said gently as he slowly unwrapped the food with care, as if unveiling something precious. He even pulled out a clean plate from his storage and carefully placed it on the table before them.

Stella stared at him, her chest swelling with emotions she tried hard to suppress. Her eyes softened as a gentle, grateful smile formed on her face. As much as she hated to admit it to herself, she truly loved how he noticed the small things... how deeply he cared for her.

She tried to move off his lap and walk to the chair to eat properly, but Aether held her firmly in place, not letting her go. Then, leaning closer, his lips brushing against her ear, he whispered, ”Iʼm the one whoʼs going to feed you, Darling~”

Her body trembled lightly, warmth flooding through her. Her lips curled into a shy but happy smile. ”I-Iʼm not a child, you know!” she pouted, her voice filled with a soft fluster, though she made no effort to escape his hold. And truthfully... she didnʼt say she didnʼt like it. Did she?

Aetherʼs smile deepened. He picked up a small piece of food and slowly brought it to her lips, feeding her tenderly. Stella blushed hard, her heart fluttering at the intimate gesture. It was embarrassing... but she couldnʼt help loving it—loving him.

”Does it taste good?” Aether asked curiously, watching her reaction with eager eyes. This was, after all, the first time he had ever stored food in his spatial storage, hoping it would remain fresh just for her.

Stella gave a soft nod. ”Hmm...” she murmured contentedly, her lips parting again as she opened her mouth for another bite, her eyes twinkling like a spoiled lover who didnʼt want the moment to end.

Aether smiled deeply, continuing to feed her with affection and calm care. Between bites, Stella glanced at him with a slightly worried expression and asked, ”D-Do you have anything... for my sister?”

Aether blinked, caught off guard. He tilted his head slightly and replied with honesty, ”I donʼt know what she likes, to be honest,” he said with a shrug, looking thoughtful.

Stella bit her lower lip, hesitation flickering across her face before she gathered courage to ask again, ”M-May I ask... why donʼt you trust her?”

Aetherʼs smile faded a little. He frowned slightly and looked at her with a serious expression. ”Are you worried I might.... mistreat your big sister?” he asked gently, his voice lowering, and he paused his feeding, eyes locking onto hers.

Stella slowly lowered her head, avoiding his gaze, and gave a small nod, her shoulders tense.

Aether sighed softly. ”Look at me, Stella,” he said, placing the spoon down and lifting her chin tenderly with his fingers. His eyes searched hers as he continued, ”Itʼs not that I want to mistreat her... itʼs just—sheʼs hiding something from me. I can feel it. And it hurts, because I donʼt understand why.

Also... It pissed me off even more when I saw she was living here comfortably while you... you were somewhere else, all alone, like an abandoned child. Youʼre her sister, Stella... and you deserved better.”

Every word he spoke was like a knife to her heart. The more he poured out his frustration and pain about her sister—who was actually her—the more fear and guilt twisted inside her.

What if he found out the truth? What if he knew everything?

Would he be disgusted?

Would he hate her?

Would he turn away and never look at her the same again?

She couldnʼt bear that. No, she wouldnʼt survive it.

If what Aether needed was Stella... then maybe she should just give up her true identity completely. Maybe pretending was better than losing him forever.

Aether watched her closely. He could feel something shifting in her, something heavy and hidden. He hummed softly under his breath, then said gently, ”Hmm... your big sister is taking quite some time. Why donʼt you stay here and eat, while I go search for her?”

He was about to move, but Stella quickly grabbed his hand and stopped him, panic rising in her voice. ”I-Iʼll bring her! You canʼt go outside now!” she exclaimed, standing up so fast her chair (i.e. Aether) nearly toppled. She didnʼt wait for his response—she rushed out, leaving him behind with food in hand and questions in his eyes.

And within a few seconds, the Archpriestess returned, stepping into the room with a soft click of her heels. ”Sorry, Aether... I couldnʼt find her anywhere. She must be lif—” Her words abruptly halted the moment her eyes landed on the food laid out neatly on the table. She tilted her head slightly, then asked with a curious smile, ”Are you eating all alone?”

Aether let out a low chuckle, a soft smirk playing on his lips. ”Well, your little sister just left the room moments ago. She went out searching for you,” he replied casually, then added, ”And no, Iʼm not eating this... itʼs for Stella.”

”Oh...” The Archpriestessʼs expression shifted—her lips slightly drooped into a frown as she stared at the plate, then turned her gaze back to him. ”And what about me?” she asked, her voice dipping just enough to sound faintly wounded.

Aether looked at her, then gave a shrug, completely unfazed. ”You? You can eat it if you want,” he said in a laid-back tone, almost dismissive, as if her presence didnʼt matter much to him at all.

Her face visibly darkened for a second. Hurt flashed through her expression before she quickly masked it and forced a small shrug of her own. ”Well, donʼt mind me then,” she said in a composed voice, even as her heart sank a little.

She sat down quietly across from him, picked up a spoon, and took a bite of the food. ”Hmm... Itʼs delicious,” she murmured, chewing slowly, her eyes not leaving Aetherʼs face. ”Actually... I like this dish a lot.”

Aether shrugged again without looking at her, his tone disinterested. ”Is that so...”

The expression on his face clearly said, ʼWho cares?ʼ

The Archpriestessʼs shoulders tensed. Her body trembled subtly, and her eyes grew misty, the emotion building behind them threatening to overflow. She was really going to cry, and yet... Aether continued pretending not to notice anything at all.

She bit her bottom lip, struggling to keep her composure. Then, summoning a seductive smile that didnʼt quite reach her teary eyes, she whispered, ”H-How about... feeding me~?”

Aether gave her a long, blank stare, as if considering whether she was even serious. Then, without the faintest trace of romance or emotion, he picked up the spoon and shoved a bite into her mouth like he was feeding a stranger.

No softness.

No warmth.

The Archpriestessʼs heart cracked a little more at the cold gesture.

Feeling her chest tighten, she couldnʼt help but speak, her voice trembling. ”D-Do you... do you hate me, Aether?” she asked with visible worry, her voice quivering with fear that clawed at her insides.

Instead of answering, Aether stood and spoke with a deliberate calm, ”Your sister is taking her time... I should—”

Before he could finish his sentence, the Archpriestess suddenly stood and dashed out of the room, ”I will bring her!!” she shouted and left.

And in less than a second, Stella returned, wearing the exact same clothes and expression as before. She gave the same excuse, her voice breathless, ”I couldnʼt find her... she mustʼve gone somewhere far.”

Aether, of course, played along. He pretended as if nothing was unusual, continuing to pour all of his attention and affection onto Stella, while offering only the bare minimum to the Archpriestess.

And so, the ridiculous, heartbreaking cycle continued—her dashing in and out, switching appearances, slipping into one role after another like a desperate actor trying to hold a fragile lie together.

It happened again... and again... fifteen times.

Until finally—

”W-Wait... ah... ah... I need a break... ah...” The Archpriestess panted heavily, her voice ragged, her face flushed and dripping with sweat. She collapsed to her knees in front of the table, clutching her sides, trying to catch her breath.

It was getting harder and harder to change her appearance so quickly... the physical toll was unbearable.

She slumped back into the chair with a gasp, her chest heaving, eyes shut tightly. Her entire body felt like it had run a marathon.

She for a second thought of telling the truth rather than doing this.... just for second though!

Aether looked at her, and for a moment, it seemed like he was about to burst into laughter. But he held it back, keeping his expression serious. Then, finally, he dropped the act.

Aether frowned. ”Somethingʼs not right here...” he said, his voice low and suspicious, his eyes narrowing slightly.

The Archpriestess flinched. Her body stiffened as she tried to compose herself, her voice unsteady. ”W-What... are you talking about?”

Aether leaned in, frowning more deeply. ”It feels off... strange. Why havenʼt I seen the two of you in the same room? Now that I think about it... not even once. Why is that?” His voice sharpened, suspicion thickening as he pressed, ”Tell me, are you... hiding something from me?”

The Archpriestessʼs face turned pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead. Her heart pounded against her ribcage. Her throat felt tight.

And in that moment, the fear and the truth sat heavy in the air—waiting to shatter everything.