Chapter 140: He is still a Servant
“Hmmm?” Aether’s gaze lingered blankly on the Empress’s Maid, who stood before him dressed in attire typically reserved for boys.
The Empress’s Maid, undeterred by Aether’s scrutiny, simply patted down the folds of her clothing and met his gaze with a practised professional smile.
“So… you’re not exactly a cosplay enthusiast?” Aether ventured, breaking the silence with a hint of curiosity.
A soft sigh escaped the Empress’s Maid’s lips, a sign of her patience wearing thin, “Took you long enough to figure it out… No, I’m not some eccentric cosplayer. I’m merely in disguise,” she explained.
“Disguise? For what purpose?”
“… In order to safeguard the princess,” she replied matter-of-factly… while lying through her lips.
“I see…” Aether nodded, piecing together the puzzle.
Pretty much she was protecting Aqualina in the shadows while making others believe she was Selene’s Attendant.
‘Damn, the Empress is truly protective of her daughter,’ Aether mused silently before querying, “What’s your name again?”
“….”
“What?”
The Empress’s Maid sighed and confessed, “I am not permitted to disclose my name to others….”
“Hmmm…” He pondered further, desiring to delve into the matter but sensing her reluctance. Instead, he probed, “Under what name did you register?”
“Taylor”
“…” Aether blinked, processing the unexpected response, before blurting out, “Do you even sing?”
“Pardon?” She frowned, she felt she was somehow offended but didn’t know exactly what it was.
“Never mind,” Aether dismissed with a wave of his hand.
And they proceeded to the Girls’ dormitory to meet others.
“Good Morning, Princess,” Aether greeted with a respectful bow as he took her handbag, containing a few books.
The Princess nodded and began walking towards her class.
“Good Morning, Ms. Selene,” Taylor greeted with a bow.
“Tsk,” Selene expressed her displeasure at Taylor’s presence, not wanting any other males trailing behind her… She really didn’t want to Aether feel insecure.
She simply nodded and followed Aether. Taylor glanced at them and thought, ‘That womanizer!!’
“Can you take mine?” Selene asked, offering her handbag to Aether.
Upon seeing Aether again, she couldn’t help but blush, remembering their encounter from the previous day.
[+4000 Affection]
[Remaining AP: 22894]
‘What in the…? She’s really not holding back…’ Aether’s thoughts raced as his face flushed momentarily, but he quickly regained composure, he wasn’t going to act like a teenage boy controlled by hormones.
Aqualina smirked, observing both Aether and Selene’s hesitation. She couldn’t resist teasing Selene….. but she hadn’t anticipated her reaction.
“Oh? Why don’t you ask your atten–”
“WHAT?”
Aqualina suddenly flinched when she saw Selene’s dark and emotionless eyes.
Meanwhile, Selene’s thoughts raced, “How dare she interrupt my sweet time again with my darling? She’s pissing me off…. She REALLY pissing me off….. I should not have accepted the offer. It’s so annoying…..”
Unconsciously, Aqualina stepped back, muttering, “W-What the…?”
Sensing the tension, Aether took Selene’s handbag and said, “I am honoured.”
“Thank you~” Selene exclaimed with sudden happiness, grabbing Aether’s hand. There was no hint of her previous emotions… now, only a lovely girl!
“M-Mad–”
“Sel”
“….”
“Sel,” Selene looked at Aether with puppy eyes.
Aether grew worried. If Selene started showing her affection openly, it would be hard for him to seduce others.
Glancing at Aqualina, who had averted her head, ‘Traitor’ Aether thought while, Aqualina wondered why she found Selene dangerous, especially when Aether was involved…. She truly wondered why.
“S-Sel”
“Yes!”
“I-I am the Princess’s Servant, so…” Aether tried to reason with her, but she interrupted.
“Don’t worry, I don’t care,” Selene shrugged, pulling Aether with a happy smile.
‘My life is going to be fucked up….’ Aether thought, resigning himself to letting her do as she pleased.
Meanwhile, Taylor secretly noted everything to report to…. the Empress.
Everyone had their purpose.
As they arrived in class, they encountered Kai and the others.
Selene immediately let go of Aether. Aether sighed in relief, thinking, ‘I suppose she still maintains herself before her brother… that’s good.’
Approaching Kai, Aether noticed Kai and Timmy standing with Leon and Finnian, along with their servants.
“Good morning, Kai,” Aqualina smiled.
“Good morning to you too, Princess,” Kai replied with a smile
“Oh? What’s this? Why are you calling her by title instead of her name?” Leon asked with a knowing smile.
“T-That…” Kai’s face flushed as he tried to respond, but Leon teased him.
‘It seems they’ve become friends,’ Aether thought, then noticed Finnian staring daggers at him, ‘What’s his problem?’
Seeing Aether glaring back, Finnian averted his eyes and suggested, “Shall we enter the class?”
“Hmm… Let’s go,” Kai agreed, and everyone entered, with the servants following behind.
Entering the classroom, Aether noticed it looked like the same old college structure in his world, with rows of desks arranged in stepped tiers.
‘I never thought I would be in a classroom again,’ Aether thought with nostalgia, remembering his visits to his friend’s college during festive times….. It had always made him happy.
Aether observed that the other Chosen Ones were already present, accompanied by a few more children who had achieved top scores.
Aria cast a quick glance at Aether, a fleeting desire to wave her hand arising within her, only to halt herself upon catching sight of Aqualina’s presence.
Upon finishing the necessary arrangements, Aether made a move to take a seat when Taylor interjected.
“What are you doing?” Taylor’s inquiry broke the silence… Everyone glanced at Aether and Taylor.
“Hmm? Is something wrong?” Aether responded, genuine curiosity evident in his voice.
“Did you genuinely believe you could simply sit among the others?” Taylor’s disbelief was palpable.
“….I cannot?” Aether hoped at least he could learn here, even if standing…. only to be met with disappointment.
“You cannot!” Timmy’s voice chimed in, accompanied by a smirk, though his trembling legs betrayed a hint of nervousness.
“….” Aether’s gaze flickered briefly towards Timmy before he shrugged it off, choosing instead to rise to his feet before exiting the room.
“…” Aria and Selene exchanged glances, watching Aether’s departure with bittersweet smiles.
Outside the confines of the classroom, Aether and the rest of the group servants found themselves standing “So… we’re to wait until they finish?” Aether pondered aloud, seeking confirmation from Taylor, who simply nodded in response.
‘It’s going to be dreadfully dull!!’ Aether’s inner voice cried out.
Suddenly, the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoed through the corridor.
‘Step, step’
Reacting to the noise, Aether turned his attention towards the hallway, where he spotted…
An aqua-haired woman wearing a professional professor dress, her expression stern as she made her way towards them…
“Delphine?”
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