Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey-Chapter 755: [Bonus (⌐■_■) 50 GT] The Spark!

Xara stared at the signature on the documents before nodding to herself. She tapped the stack against the table, aligning the edges with a sense of finality.

The atmosphere in the room was still as tense as before… No one dared to say a word.

Selene bit her lip, frustration and disbelief appeared on her face.

Her grand plan to claim Aether as her own had been utterly shattered—by none other than her own mother. She had never even considered the possibility that an enemy would rise from within her own family.

’Fuck you, fate!!’ Selene screamed inwardly, clenching her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms.

Xara’s calm voice sliced through the suffocating silence. "Hmm… Shall we begin the procedure?"

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Velc, after that humiliating slap, turned eerily silent. It was as if the fight had drained out of him in an instant as if he no longer cared.

Aether observed him closely, ’He dared to speak up against the Empress without hesitation, but now, before Xara… He’s suddenly quiet?’ The thought nagged at him. Something wasn’t adding up... And now that he thought about it, even at the funeral, Empress Marisandra had looked at Xara with an unmistakable look of irritation—animosity, even.... As if she considered Xara an equal, a rival.

’Interesting…’ Aether mused, shifting his gaze to Kai, whose hands trembled as he clenched his fists, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Kai?" Xara’s sharp gaze fell on him.

Kai exhaled heavily before meeting her eyes. His jaw tensed, his expression conflicted. Finally, he spoke, "Okay, Mother… But I don’t think I can do the ritual tonight. I’m completely exhausted. I spent the entire day working with the crew to rebuild the damaged buildings. Can’t we just postpone it until tomorrow?"

Xara’s expression remained unreadable as she shook her head, "We cannot delay it. I want you to immediately cha—"

"Can’t you just give us a single night?" Velc interrupted, his voice unusually measured. As much as he preferred not to get involved in divorce matters, this was different.

He had seen firsthand how hard they had worked. They deserved at least some rest. With a sigh, he added, "And let’s be honest here… The ritual takes an immense amount of energy. He’s already weakened. If he performs it in this condition, it’s only going to backfire on him—and on you."

Xara studied him for a long moment... She could sense the exhaustion in them.

They weren’t just trying to buy time—they were genuinely worn out. Finally, she let out a quiet sigh before nodding, "Very well. Rest for the night. Tomorrow morning, we’ll proceed with the ritual." With that, she turned and left the dining hall without another word.

Aether wasted no time in following her.

Meanwhile, the remaining trio let out deep sighs of relief, slumping into their seats as if a crushing weight had been lifted off their shoulders.

Selene had lost Aether’s ownership.

Kai had lost his only son’s name.

Velc… Well, he didn’t lose anything, to be honest.

....

As Xara walked down the corridor, the document still in her grasp, she suddenly came to a halt. Without turning around, she spoke in a low, firm voice. "I promised you freedom… and I will give it to you."

Aether, who had been trailing behind her, narrowed his eyes, "And what if I told you… that I’m not interested in becoming your son?"

Xara’s body visibly tensed for a fraction of a second before she slowly turned to face him. Her gaze was unreadable, but her tone was sharp. "Have you lost your mind?"

"Yes," Aether answered without hesitation, stepping closer.

Xara frowned, her piercing eyes scanning his face. After a long pause, she sighed. There was something in his eyes—something unwavering, something determined. "Fine. Let’s talk in private."

....

....

The moment they entered the room, Xara shut the door behind them and turned to face him with an intense glare.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Aether?" she demanded. "You wanted freedom, didn’t you? I practically threw everything away just to secure it for you! And now you’re telling me you don’t want it? Are you insan--"

Before she could continue, Aether took a step forward, his voice steady but firm, "Because I love you—as a woman."

Xara flinched, ’What the hell he is talking about?!’ her breath hitching ever so slightly. She stared at him, her lips pressing into a thin line as she took a deep breath. Then, without a word, she stepped closer, her sharp black eyes boring into his, searching for something.

Aether didn’t move.... He didn’t even blink.... He simply held her gaze, unwavering.

The air between them grew thick with tension.

Then, finally, Xara spoke. Her voice was soft, yet heavy with finality.

"That’s not love."

Aether’s expression darkened, "What?"

Xara shook her head, disappointment flickering in her gaze, "There is a difference between love and lust, Aether… and I see neither in your eyes. You want something else?"

Aether was taken aback, genuinely surprised by her response. He had expected many things from her—but not this, ’She is more observer than any others’ he thought making a note.... Still, he held his composure. "I don’t know what you’re talking about. But I do love yo—"

"Again, lies." Xara’s voice dropped lower, almost a whisper. She rubbed her temples before speaking again. "Tell me, then… What about Selene?"

"Selene?" Aether frowned.

"Don’t play dumb with me," Xara scoffed, folding her arms. "I saw the two of you—lying in bed, holding each other."

Aether didn’t even blink... He had already prepared for this moment. "She was crying. I thought giving her a hug would help. Was that wrong?"

"Hmm... Just a hug?"

"Yes," Aether replied without hesitation.

Xara frowned, her sharp eyes scanning his face as if trying to find any trace of deceit, ’Did I mistake it for something else?’ she wondered, but in the end, she simply shrugged it off.

"Anyway," she sighed, patting Aether’s head softly as if trying to knock some sense into him, "even if you say you love me... I believe it’s just infatuation. Maybe it’s because I was the only one who supported you.

That’s not love, Aether.

That’s just something you feel right now but it’s definitely not love!"

Aether didn’t reject her words. Instead, he simply nodded and met her gaze,

"Maybe it’s infatuation, a crush, or something fleeting... But from the bottom of my heart, I believe it’s love. And I want to spend the rest of my time with you.... Is that wrong?"

Xara pressed her fingers against her forehead, a painful expression crossing her face as if she could feel a headache creeping in, "Aether... Just think rationally. What would others think—"

"Because I’m a slave?" Aether cut her off.

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Xara immediately shook her head, sighing. "Of course not. Just listen to me first… I am marrie—"

"Divorced," Aether corrected with a smug look.

Xara’s lips twitched, "Fine… A divorced woman with two children who are almost at the age of marriage. What would the world think if that woman married a boy their age? What would my children think of me?"

Aether studied her silently before asking, "Do you care?"

’Of course not!’ she wanted to say, but she held back. It wasn’t about what others thought—it was about setting this man straight instead of letting him fixate on her.

"Yes, I care," she answered with a firm expression.

Aether nodded, but his next words made her shake! "What about ten years later?"

"Huh?"

"Twenty years?"

"H-Huh?"

"Thirty yea—"

"W-Wait!" Xara immediately raised her hand to stop him, her expression bewildered. She opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. The moment he mentioned those years, a strange thought crept into her mind, ’Is he even alright?’

She narrowed her eyes in suspicion before gritting her teeth, "You love me that much? Aether, I’m too old! Can’t you understand that? You’re still young.

You’ll find someone better. Even Selene would love to have you as her husband. Why bother with me? An old woman?"

Aether’s reply was immediate, unwavering. "Love is blind. It has no age and no borders. It’s just… a feeling." as his face turned mesmerized as if he was mesmerised!

Xara stared at him, completely deadpan.

Aether coughed awkwardly before regaining his serious expression. "I don’t know about Selene or anyone else… Whether you’re old or not doesn’t matter.

To me, you’re the only one who matters."

Xara bit her lip. She was tired—mentally exhausted from this absurd conversation. With a deep sigh, she shook her head, "Whatever. We’ll talk about this tomorrow." She waved her hand dismissively, massaging her temples.

Thinking he might have been excited about the situation that’s why he was not thinking clearly, given time he would come normal... that’s what she was thinking in her head.

However, Aether wasn’t finished. His face suddenly lit up with excitement as he stepped forward, his entire body radiating enthusiasm.

"You know… when you showed the divorce papers, I was like—heck yeah!!" He pumped his fist in victory, his eyes practically glowing with satisfaction.

Xara blinked, utterly speechless. She stared at him, then shook her head in disbelief.... she had done many things today but he hanging on that, "I cannot believe you…"

But before she could push him away, Aether suddenly grabbed her hand and blurted out, "I thought you accepted me! That’s why you divorced that old man!"

Xara flinched slightly at his words, but she didn’t pull her hand away. Instead, she narrowed her eyes and tested him. "Old man? Then what does that make me? An old lady who married that man?"

She was expecting him to stammer, to take back his words.

Instead, he smirked without hesitation.

"Haha… Even if you think you’re an old lady, I wouldn’t mind taking this hand for the rest of my life.

I’ll do my best to give you everything you desire… I’ll love you even more than you can imagine…

I’ll make sure you live happily, with nothing to regret.

At the very least, you won’t be lonely before you die.

I’ll be there—watching over you, staying by your side until those eyes close forever…" His voice softened, his grip tightening ever so slightly, "And even after that, I’ll keep you—your body all to myself, carve you into my life so you never leave… I love that. Though, without you, I’d feel lonely too…" He let out a quiet laugh.

Suddenly—

Step.

Aether’s words halted... His breath hitched as he glanced down.

Xara had taken a step back.

She had always been indifferent to personal space when it came to him, never one to shy away or hesitate.... But now, all of a sudden, she was stepping back? That could only mean...

Aether’s lips curled into a slow grin. His fingers twitched as he lifted his head, anticipation flickering in his chest. He wanted to see her expression—wanted to confirm what he was suspecting.

But the moment his eyes met her face—

Something inside him shifted.

Ba-Du--!!

Before he could even process the erratic pounding in his chest—

"Alright, that’s enough. I am not interested in children! Get out!" Xara snapped, her voice firmer than usual.

Aether barely had a second to react before she shoved him backwards.... The door slammed shut in his face with startling finality.

On the inside, Xara stood frozen, her back pressed against the door. Her hands trembled slightly as she lowered her head... her face hidden beneath strands of hair, concealing emotions she couldn’t afford to let surface.

Meanwhile, outside—

Aether stood there, dazed, his cheeks burning. His hand instinctively clutched at his chest as if trying to grasp the unfamiliar sensation coursing through him.

He had felt it!

That spark!!

It wasn’t his imagination.

That fleeting moment—when he saw her face—it wasn’t just Xara he had seen.

It was something else, something unfamiliar yet strangely... intimate. A face he had never seen before, neither as Ether nor as Aether. His mind struggled to register it, to comprehend it.

But he had seen it.

He was sure of it!!

His heart nearly lurched at the thought.

Then, as the realization fully sank in, his lips curled into an amused smirk.

"Heh... Hehe..."

A soft chuckle escaped him, low and breathless.

This was getting interesting.

But what he said that caused that much reaction... He wasn’t sure about that!