Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1475: Official Engagement of Aerionis Zephyra: Part-2

Aether strictly ordered that no Void-affiliated individuals were permitted to enter the Empire.

Even from the remaining four, the people were subjected to relentless scrutiny before being allowed to enter.

The only reason Aurelia managed to set foot inside the Empire was because the engagement carried Aria’s official seal, and because Aria herself personally escorted her.

The engagement itself had been postponed countless times. Even so, Lia finally found herself within the Zephyra Empire after what felt like an eternity.

Seated in the front row, Lia watched as Aether, Aria, and Liora sat together. Aether wore a very happy expression, and Aria had a forced smile.

Lia’s attention soon drifted to Liora, who sat rigidly upon her chair with an irritated, detached expression.

Lia leaned slightly toward Kaelen, lowering her voice as she spoke carefully,

”If I may ask... does your mother truly approve of this? She does not seem pleased at all.”

Kaelen let out an awkward smile, rubbing the back of his neck as he searched for the right words,

”O-Of course she does. It’s just... everything surrounding this engagement has been exhausting. The preparations, the expectations, the politics. She is drained, that’s all. Despite everything, she truly loves him.”

Lia hummed softly, her gaze returning to Liora as she studied the woman’s distant eyes and clenched jaw.

Just then,

”The Sovereign of the Five Empires, the one who guides the Chosen Ones, has arrived!”

The announcement struck Lia like a sudden chill, her eyes widening as she stiffened in her seat. She turned sharply toward Kaelen, who appeared equally startled.

”Aria told me that Sovereign would not attend,” Lia whispered.

Kaelen rose slowly, disbelief written across his face as he shook his head,

”So did I.”

He remembered Dora’s complete lack of interest in this engagement. She had not even visited Naiadae, and her appearance here would undoubtedly stir uncomfortable questions among the other Empires.

Lia clicked her tongue under her breath before she stood and began walking away with hurried steps.

Kaelen frowned and called after her,

”Where are you going? That’s our Principal. We should be there to welcome her.”

Lia flushed deeply, panic flickering across her face as she avoided his gaze,

”I... I have something urgent I need to take care of. Please, excuse me.”

Her words stumbled over themselves as she turned and hurried off, disappearing into the crowd.

Kaelen blinked, his expression turning conflicted as he watched her retreat,

”Did I make her uncomfortable?” as he shook it off and redirected his attention toward Dora, who was advancing toward the front row alongside Maelona and several Elders.

Upon noticing Kaelen, Dora inclined her head slightly, her expression calm yet commanding,

”Emperor Kaelen.”

Kaelen smiled with respectful warmth, bowing his head slightly,

”Please... I am still your student, Principal.”

Dora’s stern demeanour softened as she rested a hand on his shoulder, her voice carrying quiet pride,

”Then all the better, Kaelen. You have held everything together remarkably well. For one newly seated upon the throne, you have shown restraint, strength, and clarity beyond your years.”

Kaelen’s chest swelled with pride as he gestured toward the seat prepared for her, signalling the accompanying Elders to withdraw respectfully.

As they stepped away, Maelona leaned closer and whispered under her breath, ”You said you would not come, that you would not show partiality toward us?”

Dora nodded slowly, her expression calm as she replied, ”I did say that... but,” her gaze lifted toward Aether as he stood ahead.

A faint pink hue glowed within her eyes as her vision sharpened, stripping away the illusion layered over him. Beneath it, she saw the truth: a cute girl basking in genuine happiness.

Dora chuckled softly, shaking her head as the glow faded from her eyes, ”Well, this is the empire I have grown up in. I see no reason not to visit it. Besides, I came here as a Principal and as a citizen of this Empire, not as the Sovereign.” Her final words rang just loud enough to reach the surrounding ears, deliberate and unmistakable.

Maelona smiled faintly and nodded in understanding. Kaelen gestured toward the chair prepared for Dora immediately, taking his seat just before her. His eyes instinctively drifted to the chair on his right, which remained empty.

Kaelen glanced around, ’Has she not arrived yet?’

”Sit down, Kaelen,” Dora said gently, motioning him closer as she noticed his hesitation.

Kaelen smiled and nodded, obeying as he took the seat beside her, his posture straight yet respectful.

Dora folded her hands on her lap. ”What time will the ceremony commence?”

Her eyes lingered briefly on Aria, who was forcing a smile that failed to reach her eyes, then shifted to Liora. Liora’s disinterest was unmistakable, though Dora understood it well enough.

Kaelen tilted his head thoughtfully before answering, ”I do not entirely understand the old ceremony either. Ms. Maelona mentioned that once the sky grows brightest and nature grants its blessing, the ceremony will begin. That is how their tradition has always gone.”

Dora raised her eyebrows slightly before nodding, fragments of memory stirring within her. She recalled Alaric, the previous Emperor, mentioning something similar long ago. Back then, she had not cared enough to listen.

”And your tribe?” she asked, turning toward him. ”What is your tradition?”

Kaelen flinched, heat rushing to his face as his cheeks turned crimson. His lips parted, but no words came at first.

”I... I...”His voice faltered as he looked away, visibly embarrassed.

Dora blinked, then let out a slow sigh. She already understood enough without hearing the rest, ”So... straight mating, then?”

Kaelen flinched again, panic flashing across his face as he waved his hands hurriedly, ”N-No, not that. Mating is not the proof.”

Dora frowned slightly, ”Then what is?”

Kaelen swallowed hard, his voice dropping to a whisper as his blush deepened, ”T-They have to... kiss each other in front of everyone.”

He covered his face with his hands, mortified beyond words.

Dora stared at him blankly, her mind momentarily refusing to process what she had just heard.

So he felt shy not because of mating... but because of a kiss?

A sharp groan escaped her as she shook her head in disbelief, muttering under her breath, ”I truly do not know how Aether plans to deal with you...”

Kaelen tilted his head, confusion replacing embarrassment as he tried to understand what his Principal meant.

Truthfully, it was not that Kaelen was ignorant.

In his tribe, mating was common and carried little emotional weight on its own. Wolves often tested compatibility through the body first, females choosing the strongest males to ensure powerful offspring, while males sought beautiful females to display what they possessed to the world.

Once physical compatibility was confirmed, the true work began. Bonds of the heart were forged through effort, loyalty, and understanding. Only when both body and heart aligned would they perform the final act, a public kiss before everyone, declaring that the other had been chosen and claimed.

It was their way of announcing commitment, of stating without words that the partner beside them was no longer available to anyone else.

Of course, this tradition did not apply to all. Nobles and royalty stood apart, burdened by responsibility and image.

They could not afford such a two-stage verification before sealing their fate.

Males were often forced to marry unattractive females (In Males’ eyes) for Wealth.

Females, in turn, were compelled to marry disgusting, weak males (In Females’ eyes) for power, money, and hope.

Because of that, for their people, a kiss before everyone carried a meaning far deeper than intimacy. It was sacred, frightening, and heavy with consequence, far more binding than the act of mating itself.

Once everyone had gathered, Maelona stepped onto the platform and closed her eyes, bringing her hands together in a slow, deliberate clap.

The Elders followed her lead, lining up behind her as their heads lowered in silent prayer, their expressions solemn and focused.

The crowd fell into silence. Those unfamiliar with the ritual, Dora among them, frowned in confusion and quietly questioned those beside them.

The older attendees leaned in, whispering explanations while maintaining their prayers, describing the call for nature’s blessing and the patience it demanded.

Time stretched unnervingly, each second dragging longer than the last.

The wait felt deliberate, almost cruel, as if the ritual itself tested the resolve of everyone present.

Slowly, the sky brightened.

Sss-!

Then, without warning, the surroundings went utterly still. Not a single leaf shifted. Not even the faintest rustle disturbed the air.

Dora raised her eyebrows as she scanned the area, sensing the unnatural calm. No breeze flowed, no sound stirred, as if the world itself had drawn a breath and refused to release it.

She noticed that nearly everyone around her had their eyes closed, lips moving in prayer.

’Interesting... staying here for a thousand years, and I still never bothered to learn their traditions properly.’ She shook her head in quiet disappointment.

Truthfully, Dora had spent most of her time within the academy walls, rarely involving herself with the Zephyra Empire.

It was not neglect, but restraint. Any deeper involvement would disturb the delicate balance, inviting dangerous questions about who truly ruled the Empire.

She was the Sovereign of the Five Empires.

Not a ruler meant to govern people, but a guardian tasked with preventing conflict between the Empires and guiding the Chosen Ones along their destined paths.

Just as her thoughts settled—

Keeeee-ow!~

A high, piercing cry erupted from the depths of the forest, slicing through the stillness. The sound rolled across the Empire, followed immediately by a sudden surge of wind that swept through the ceremonial grounds.

Ssshhhh~

The crowd reacted as one. Eyes flew open, soft smiles spread across faces, and heads bowed slightly in unison, reverence evident in every movement.

Maelona Zephyr straightened and raised her voice, her announcement ringing with authority and relief, ”The ceremony shall begin!”

The moment her words left the air—

Step!!

Kaelith Zephyr, Aria’s Father, stepped forward onto the platform.