Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1120: Girls Talk

Kaelith had arrived in the capital for two very specific reasons. One was obvious—the coronation of his daughter, a moment that marked her official ascension to power. The second reason, however, was far more personal and political. He came to secure the legalisation of same-gender marriage within their Empire’s law.

That was the condition, after all. The very reason he lent his support in the rebellion to overthrow Alaric. Without his power and strategic influence, they never would have succeeded.

Kaelith had upheld his end of the agreement. The war was won. The tyrant was gone. As far as he was concerned, whoever sat on the throne now didn’t matter to him—as long as they honoured the terms of their deal.

And so, here he was, standing tall in the throne room.

He had come to collect.

And he hadn’t come alone.

He glanced sideways and gestured gently, his expression unreadable. ”Her name is Chad,” he said calmly, voice laced with quiet pride. ”My beloved partner... and my future wife.”

Chad lowered his head with a small, serene smile, holding the hem of his skirt delicately in a gesture of politeness.

”I am deeply honoured to meet you all,” he said.

But the surprise didn’t end there—because the voice that followed was deep, resonant, and unmistakably masculine.

Thalia blinked rapidly, her head tilting to the side. ”Fuck... wait, are you... a man?” Her words burst out before she could stop herself, horror slowly spreading across her face.

Kaelith’s expression darkened immediately. His lips pressed into a thin, displeased line.

Aether shot Thalia a sharp glare, as if mentally yelling at her to shut her mouth. But Thalia only frowned and shrugged defensively. ”What? I was just asking! I mean, look at him. He looks exactly like a woman. No offense, but... he might be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.”

The rest of the group nodded in stunned agreement, eyes wide, expressions awkward.

Aether sighed deeply and facepalmed. Emberlyn, standing beside him, didn’t wait—she raised her hand and knocked Thalia lightly on the back of her head.

”Ouch!” Thalia muttered, rubbing her scalp and pouting.

Chad, however, only chuckled softly. He shook his head, his cheeks dusted with a shy pink hue. ”It’s alright,” he said gently. ”People often mistake me for a woman. It’s not uncommon.”

He glanced toward Kaelith, eyes full of affection.

”That’s actually how Kaelith first fell for me,” he added, voice a little softer now, as though the memory embarrassed him slightly.

Kaelith, standing beside him, let out a small sigh and gave Chad a sideways look that was more fond than irritated.

There was a pause. A long, uncomfortable silence.

Most in the room looked like they were trying very hard not to gag.

Thalia was on the verge of blurting something else inappropriate, but Emberlyn was faster this time—she swiftly reached out and clamped a hand over her daughter’s mouth before anything escaped.

Maelona exhaled slowly and finally spoke, trying to bring the focus back.

”Kaelith, I remember our agreement clearly,” she said in a calm but firm tone. ”I gave you my word, and I intend to honour it. There’s no need for concern. I will see to it personally.”

Kaelith stared at her for a moment, eyes narrowed slightly. ”Are you certain this is the right place to speak of such matters?” he asked, casting a glance around the throne room at the gathered nobility and royals.

Aether stepped forward, still holding Selene by the waist as he laughed softly. ”Oh, don’t worry about that. Everyone here is family... my beautiful wives.”

He gave a proud smile as he looked over at Selene, Aqualina, Helena, Liora, and the others, who blushed instantly at his words.

Except for Delphine.

She remained completely still, her face unreadable, eyes narrowed slightly as she stared at Aether with a deadpan expression. She didn’t say anything. Just stood there in silence.

Kaelith blinked in surprise, brows arching. ”All of them? You’re serious?” he turned to Maelona with visible disbelief. ”And Aria... she’s aware of this?”

Maelona gave a slow nod.

Kaelith let out a breath. ”Well, if she’s fine with it, then I suppose I have no right to protest... In any case,” he turned his gaze back to Maelona, his expression once again stern, ”I want actions, not empty promises. The law needs to be passed soon. I’ve already begun making arrangements for the wedding.”

Maelona nodded, her expression showing a trace of weariness. ”I understand. I know you well enough to know you won’t take anyone at their word without proof. Don’t worry. It will be done.”

She turned to the nearby windows and squinted. ”It’s getting late... The sky’s already darkened,” she muttered, then turned back toward the gathered crowd. ”We’ll begin the coronation first thing in the morning. No delays.”

Liora stepped forward with a firm nod. ”I’ll station more guards around the palace tonight. For now, no one is allowed to form groups around the palace”

”Good,” Maelona nodded approvingly. Then, turned to other royals, with a more gracious tone, she added, ”I must apologise for extending your stay unexpectedly, but could I ask all of you to remain here tonight? Just to ensure everything runs smoothly tomorrow.”

Everyone exchanged glances. It had been a long time since they were all gathered in one place—and likely the last time before they each went back to their own responsibilities and politics.

They all nodded in agreement.

Aether grinned widely, rubbing his hands together. ”HEHE—”

”Absolutely not,” Aqualina cut in sharply, her cheeks tinged pink as she folded her arms. Her tone was final.

Aether’s face fell instantly, his dreams shattered as he stared down at the floor like a kicked puppy.

”Hah...”

”Fu~Fu~”

”My poor baby~”

The group chuckled softly at his misery.

Delphine stood up, brushing off her dress. ”Well then, I’ll be taking my leave and returning in the morning.”

But just as she turned to go, Selene stepped forward and gently caught her hand.

”Aunt... please stay. Just tonight,” she said softly, looking up at her with sincere eyes.

Delphine paused. Her jaw tightened. She hadn’t forgiven Selene yet—not completely. The manipulation still lingered fresh in her mind. But...

She looked at Selene’s pleading expression, and after a long moment, Delphine closed her eyes and sighed.

”I cannot, Sel... I have other duties.”

Selene didn’t let go. ”Aunt... Please. Just one day. Can’t you do that much for me?”

Delphine’s face faltered. Her hard expression cracked. And finally, she sighed again, this time deeper.

”Fine.”

Selene’s face brightened instantly. ”You’re the best aunt!” she exclaimed as she threw her arms around her.

Delphine smiled weakly, still holding her niece. But her gaze shifted beyond Selene... toward Aether, who was watching her, smiling that same soft, infuriatingly warm smile.

Her lips twitched.

And she looked away.

Soon after, Maelona personally guided them to their temporary chambers within the palace.

Though the rooms were simple by royal standards, they were warm, clean, and spacious—meant to host the group comfortably for the night.

However, one thing was clear: Helena, Selene, Aqualina, Aria, Raven, and Thalia were all placed together in one large room, their beds pushed close enough for conversation.

Delphine and Emberlyn, on the other hand, had chosen a separate room.

As the evening wore on and the sky outside faded into a deep violet hue, the atmosphere in the room was awkward at best. Six women, each connected to the same man, now under one roof for the first time.

None of them quite knew how to begin... even though they talked through telepathy but direct feels weird.

”I have a few old nightgowns,” Aria said after a moment, her voice gentle. She stood beside a chest and pulled out folded silk and cotton dresses, handing them out. ”They might be a little tight, but... they’ll do for tonight.”

One by one, the women dressed into those old gowns—some too snug, some too loose—but no one complained. It was oddly humbling. Once dressed, they found their way to the large shared bed and lay side by side, their bodies stiff, their eyes darting toward one another without knowing what to say.

After all, this was their first night together... and not just as allies or acquaintances.

As a family.

”Hmm... Are you sure I’m supposed to be here?” Thalia finally broke the silence, pouting as she crossed her arms and frowned slightly. ”Feels like I crashed a private sleepover.”

Selene narrowed her eyes at her, expression unreadable. ”Why wouldn’t you be? Don’t you love Aether?”

The question seemed normal on the surface—but her voice trembled just enough to reveal more beneath. There wasn’t judgment in her tone. If anything, there was longing—like she was hoping, almost desperately, that it was true.

But Thalia’s response crushed that little hope.

”I do...” she muttered, gaze dropping. ”But that... pervert hasn’t even marked me yet. Look!” She grabbed her sister’s wrist and yanked it up, revealing the inked bond etched into Raven’s skin. Then she pulled back her own sleeve—nothing.

No mark.

No bond.

Just bare skin.

Everyone blinked and turned to look at each other with curious expressions.

”Wait... why hasn’t he marked her yet?” Aria asked, genuinely confused, brows furrowed.

”Maybe he doesn’t love her that much,” Aqualina replied bluntly, not even blinking as she folded her arms.

Thalia’s lips trembled, and her eyes welled up with frustration. It looked like she was trying very hard not to burst into tears.

”Hey!” Raven interrupted quickly and leaned toward her. ”No—my husband does love her!” she said seriously, pointing a firm finger. ”He eats her pussy!”

”PUFF!!!”

Helena, who had just taken a sip of water, choked instantly, coughing as her face flushed bright red.

Not just her—every single one of them blushed with burning cheeks. Even Aqualina’s lips twitched, though she managed to suppress her reaction.

Only Aria remained calm, as though she had been through this kind of conversation too many times to be phased anymore.

Aqualina opened her mouth as if to comment, but then wisely closed it again. Probably for the best.

Selene broke into a small smile. ”Okay, okay. That’s enough Aether talk. Can we focus on ourselves for a moment?” she said, her voice suddenly serious. ”We’re going to be like sisters from now on, whether we like it or not. If that’s true... we need to build some kind of foundation. At least start acting like one.”

The room went silent.

Everyone just stared at her.

Wait... did Selene say that?

Her?

They might not have known her deeply yet, but if there was one thing universally accepted about Selene—it was that her entire personality revolved around Aether.

Her obsession, her affection—everything pointed toward him.

Aqualina narrowed her eyes. ”You just want to find our weaknesses, don’t you? Something to use against us later.”

”Righ—Ahem, I mean, what? No!” Selene said, catching herself and placing a hand over her chest with theatrical innocence. ”Come on... I’m just trying to be a good girl. For my husband.”

The expressions around the room turned deadpan instantly.

No one believed her.

They just shook their heads.

Aria let out a breath and sat up on the bed, grabbing a pillow and placing it on her lap. Her expression shifted to something more anxious as she glanced around. ”Anyway... What did you think about my race today?”

The answers came quickly.

”You did good.”

”Yeah. Pretty solid.”

”Hmm.”

”Indeed.”

”You’re fast.”

But the tone was identical—flat, automatic, rehearsed.

Aria stared at them with a blank expression. ”Really? That’s it? Come on, if we’re going to be together for the rest of our lives, we should at least be honest with each other. No sugarcoating. Otherwise... we’ll end up like Delphine.”

At the mention of her name, the room dimmed slightly.

They all knew about Delphine’s pain... her distance. The walls she built. Aether was doing his best, but even he had asked them not to interfere. To give her space. To let Delphine be herself.

She was hurting, and no one blamed her for that.

Selene sighed, then finally broke the silence. ”You shouldn’t have blasted the ground like that.”

Aqualina added, ”You could’ve used your arrows to distract Kaelen. Blind him. Or at least trip his steps.”

Helena whispered, ”... I think you messed up. Betraying him like that. It didn’t feel right.”

Thalia grumbled, ”You could’ve pushed harder. Reacted quicker. Or at least realized what you were doing sooner.”

Raven chimed in with one final stab, ”You weren’t fast enough.”

Aria took it all in silently.

Each comment felt like a needle in her chest. Her lips trembled before she bit down on them, trying not to show how much it stung. Her fingers clenched into the pillow on her lap.

”Fine...” she muttered through gritted teeth. ”I get it. I messed up... But could you have been just a little less harsh?”

”OI!”

”Bitch, you asked for it!”

”Yes, Bitch!”

”Ha ha ha...!”

And just like that, the tension cracked.

Laughter spilled out of them one by one, light and playful. The room, which had once felt heavy and awkward, slowly warmed with shared giggles, teasing, and soft conversation.

The night had begun with distance and walls.

But now... it felt like the beginning of something real.