Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

“A-Aether… You’re here?” Stella’s voice came out breathy, slightly panting, as if she had sprinted the entire way the moment she heard he was nearby.

Aether stood up, raising a hand to wave casually, but before he could say anything, Stella’s teary eyes locked onto him. She ran straight at him—and in a heartbeat, she leapt into his arms.

He caught her effortlessly, sweeping her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her with a strength that felt both protective and tender. “I missed you~” he whispered into her ear, his voice low and warm.

“I-I missed you too… so much…” Stella murmured back, her voice trembling as her arms clung around his neck. She pressed her face into the curve of his shoulder before planting a soft, trembling kiss on his cheek. Her grip on him was desperate, like a clinging vine—refusing to let go, even for a second.

They stayed like that—wrapped in each other—for almost a full minute. Neither of them spoke. Only their shared warmth and the steady rhythm of their breath filled the space.

Then, slowly, Stella pulled back. Her cheeks were burning red, her eyes still slightly misty as she stepped away with an awkward, flustered smile.

“F-Forgive my inappropriate behavior…” she said softly, her voice almost a whisper as she looked down in embarrassment.

Aether chuckled, brushing his thumb gently along the corner of her teary eyes. “I love you~” he said, his voice tender and honest.

Stella’s blush deepened even more. Her heart stuttered. “I-I love you too,” she murmured, looking like she wanted to bury her face in his chest again. But when she saw Aether’s smirk stretching into a playful grin, she puffed her cheeks and quickly shifted the subject. “A-Anyway! What are you doing here, all of a sudden?” she asked, trying to sound casual as she moved toward a nearby chair.

Before she could sit, Aether stepped forward, grabbed her waist, and gently lifted her onto his lap instead—seating her with her back against his chest, his arms circling around her in a firm, possessive hold.

“A-Aether…!” she gasped, blushing so hard she felt her ears burning.

“What? Can’t I hold you like this?” he asked, chuckling softly as he nestled his chin into her shoulder, his hands tightening around her waist just enough to make her feel completely his.

Stella’s heart was thundering in her chest, but deep inside, a voice screamed, ‘Why didn’t you do this to the real me?! Why is only this old version getting all the affection?!’

She was dying from envy… of herself?

Trying to distract herself from the whirlwind in her chest, she listened as Aether began explaining his visit. His voice turned serious, and his words slowed as he walked her through his purpose, his intentions, and what had led him here.

Stella hummed, absorbing everything. “Wait… why do you want land here?” she asked, tilting her head up to glance at him. “Don’t tell me… you’re planning to settle down here?” she asked, a glimmer of hope shining in her eyes.

Aether smiled but gently shook his head. “As much as I’d love to live here… this isn’t where I truly belong.”

Stella’s shoulders slumped a little, the hopeful glow dimming. “Then… what’s the real reason?” she asked, her tone softer, more curious than before.

Aether was quiet for a moment, his expression contemplative. Then he leaned close and whispered near her ear, “Promise me you won’t tell your big sister.”

Stella frowned at first, but then nodded solemnly.

Aether exhaled, his voice lowering into something more thoughtful. “This Empire… it’s beautiful, peaceful—but there’s a problem. The flow of money is uneven. The rationing system barely sustains the people, and there’s constant strain. So… I’ve decided to buy a piece of land here. I want to build something—an economy-driven city. A place that thrives, that feeds the whole Empire without depending on those failing systems.”

He glanced at the half-empty teacup on the table and smiled. “Even the tea your sister served… it’s rich, soothing. I’m pretty sure it’d sell like wildfire.”

Stella’s eyes widened. Her mouth parted slightly, stunned. “You’re… doing this for us?”

Aether shook his head slowly. “For you,” he whispered again, and this time, it hit like an arrow to the heart.

Her breath caught. Her face flushed all over again, lips trembling at his quiet sincerity. He was doing all this—for her.

But then her brows furrowed slightly. “W-What about my big sister? Why won’t you tell her? She might be able to help you, you know…”

Aether’s expression turned unreadable. “I don’t know why, but… I just don’t trust her,” he admitted plainly.

The moment those words fell from his lips, Stella’s body tensed in his arms. She trembled, her lips parted as if she wanted to speak—but no words came out. Her throat closed up, and tears welled up again, this time from something other than joy.

But Aether didn’t seem to notice—or perhaps he pretended not to. He leaned back, glancing toward the door. “Come to think of it… where is your big sister? She was the one who brought you here. Where did she go?”

Snapping out of her thoughts, Stella jolted upright. “S-She said she wanted to give us some personal space!” she blurted out, laughing nervously. “Y-Yeah, that’s why! She didn’t want to interrupt…”

Aether nodded slowly, still watching her every move.

“I-I’ll go get her!” she said suddenly, slipping off his lap and hurrying toward the door. She stepped out and quickly shut it behind her with a soft thud.

As the silence returned, Aether leaned back in the chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, a wicked grin curling at the corner of his lips.

‘Let’s see how long you can keep up this little lie~’

Tonight… he was going to shatter her facade—completely.

On the outside,

BOOM!!

The sound of something crashing echoed down the temple corridors.

Outside the chamber, the Archpriestess stood trembling, her hand slammed violently against the stone wall, deep cracks forming beneath her fingertips. She didn’t even realise the sheer force she used—it didn’t matter… Not when her heart had just been pierced by the words.

“What did he mean… he doesn’t trust me?” she whispered through clenched teeth, her voice cracking.

She had done everything for him. Given him her time, her heart, her loyalty… even shared a passionate kiss that left her breathless, trembling, wanting more. And yet, he—the one she opened herself to—spoke of distrust?

It wasn’t rage burning in her veins—it was fear. A deep, raw sense of betrayal. Aether didn’t even tell her the truth… but he told Stella?

Her fingers trembled as she touched her lips, the memory of their kiss still lingering—bitter now… Cold.

Her expression turned blank, drained of colour, as she turned and walked back to her room in silence. She was going to get the truth. Whether he liked it or not.

As she entered, Aether looked up with a perfectly innocent expression.

“Oh? Archpriestess… Where did you go off to? Stella just left to look for you, you know,” he said with a casual smile, as if nothing was wrong.

The Archpriestess forced a smile—so tight it could shatter glass. “I was a little busy with the temple maidens and all… yeah,” she replied with a lazy shrug, brushing off the obvious tension in her posture as she walked over and sat before him. “So… do you have something you want to say?” she asked, trying her best to keep her tone light, casual.

Aether blinked and gave a little shrug, “Nothing comes to mind.”

She bit her lower lip, fingers tapping against the edge of the table, a subtle rhythm of restlessness. Her eyes never left him—watching. Waiting. And Aether… he avoided her gaze.

She could see it in the slight twitch of guilt in his face.

Which only made it worse.

Time crawled, dragging every second like an aching wound between them. The silence grew thick, almost suffocating.

Then finally, she couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“T-Tell me, Aether… why do you want land in my Empire?” she asked directly, her voice sharp but laced with desperate undertones.

Aether tilted his head as if puzzled. “Why else? It’s an exchange, right? I wanted something, so I gave something. I mean… what else am I supposed to do? This was part of the trial. I couldn’t just do it freely, could I? It has to be transactional,” he answered with a thoughtful, almost detached expression.

The Archpriestess stared blankly at him. “Nothing else?” she whispered.

Again, he shrugged. “Nothing I can think of.”

And that—those simple words—were the final straw.

Her shoulders trembled. Her hands curled into fists on her lap. Her lips wobbled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. But she held back. Barely. She refused to cry—not in front of him.

Not now.

Aether, as if blind or willfully ignorant, stood and stretched. “Hmm… it’s taking too long. Maybe I should go look for Stella.”

But before he could move, the Archpriestess reached out and gently stopped him. Her voice steady despite her fragile state, “It’s dangerous to walk alone at this time. I’ll go look for her again.”

And without another word, she left the room, holding her crumbling heart in silence.

Just as she vanished down the hallway, Stella returned.

“Sorry, Aether. I couldn’t find my big sister anywhere,” she said, a little flustered as she stepped back into the room.

“Oh come on!” Aether grumbled, tossing his hands up in annoyance.

“What happened?” Stella asked curiously, walking closer—then without hesitation, she sat herself on his lap, casually, as if it was her rightful throne.

Aether smirked, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Your sister just left to search for you. Talk about perfect timing,” he said, shaking his head. “Anyway… it’s good that you’re the only one here now.”

Stella’s body stiffened. Her face turned pale.

“W-Why…?” she asked hesitantly, her voice trembling as if she sensed something ominous approaching.

Aether smiled sweetly. Warmly. But something dangerous glinted behind that innocent gaze.

“You see… I brought you a gift. A special one. Just for you~ My precious Stella~”

Stella blinked, her entire body going still. Her breath hitched. And then—

Drip…

A single tear rolled down her cheek.

Aether blinked innocently at the sight of her tear, as if confused—his expression still soft and warm.

But deep inside, he was grinning.

He was the wicked one.