Chapter 197: Capture the Heart: Part-9
Aqualina Naiadia’s POV
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I-I felt something inexplicable surging into my heart… as if… as if… I…. I…. No, NO!!
Then his gentle voice reached me, breaking through the turmoil.
His words were like a soothing balm to my wounded spirit, “You don’t need to worry, Princess… Even if I were to marry another, a part of my heart will always be there for you.”
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A whirlwind of emotions surged within me, a conflicting mix of feelings that shouldn’t exist for a slave…
For heaven’s sake… HE IS A SLAVE!!!!
I-I must distance myself, gather my thoughts, and take a deep, steadying breath.
Just as I moved to leave, Aether’s concerned voice stopped me short. “Are you alright, Princess? Can I get you something? Here, I’ve packed some water,” he said, offering me a bottle with such care that my heart ached even more.
Meeting his worried gaze, I sensed his concern was solely for me.
ONLY ME!!
Not wanting to push him further, my mind was in disarray, unsure of my own feelings. My thoughts were a tangled mess, a storm of confusion and longing.
I didn’t want to push him too much as I felt pushing him… might be… I-I don’t know what I was even thinking now.
I just took the bottle and drank.
My parched and dry throat was instantly refreshed, and a sigh of relief was released from my mouth as I continued to drink. The corner of my eyes looked at Aether subconsciously, my heart pounding with every glance.
“…” Aether looked at me as if I was precious… the tenderness in his eyes made me feel like I was over the moon, but then I remembered that tenderness now belonged to someone else. Just remembering it made me clench the water bottle, causing the water to pour out more and gag my throat.
“Cough, Cough”
Aether suddenly came to my side, his face full of concern. He was about to pat my head, but then he stopped with an awkward expression before taking his handkerchief and giving it to me, waiting patiently for me to calm down.
‘Why?’ I shouted inwardly. Didn’t he pat me before?
Why did he hesitate now?!
Was it because of that bitch?!
… or because I shouted at him that time!
My heart grew heavier, thinking about the past… Yeah, I always treated him as below me. That must be why he felt happy that Aria treated him equally.
I-I suppose I could treat him equally hereafter and make sure… a part of his heart was still for me.
‘A part… only a part, huh?’ I thought, wiping the water from my lips. My heart pounded with a mixture of hope and dread as I turned to Aether, my voice barely a whisper, “Did you… give up on something?”
I didn’t know why I asked, but I needed to know… D-Did he really give up on me?
The thought of it sent a shiver down my spine, my heart pounding in fear, dreading his answer.
Aether’s expression turned pained, his voice hoarse and trembling as he replied, “I had no choice…”
“N-No choice?” I repeated, though my heart was racing uncontrollably, each beat echoing like a drum in my ears.
“Yeah… that ‘something’ I cannot reach. No matter how much I tried, I could not reach it…. No, maybe that’s my fate… heh,” he let out a painful chuckle, his eyes clouded with sorrow. “A slave should not touch ‘something’ that was above his status… I am merely a slave,” he said, raising his hand as if to touch me but halting midway, his smile gentle yet broken.
The sight of his halted gesture, the way his hand trembled, made my chest tighten painfully.
It… It’s breaking my heart!
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I swallowed, my throat dry and tired, feeling a lump form. My voice was shaky as I asked, “W-What about Aria? If she truly loves you… What will you do if she knows you are a slave?”
Aether lowered his head, his lips trembling, “I-I will try my best to make her happy… even if it means lying to her.”
“Do you think it’s a wise choice? What will you do once she knows the truth, that she has been deceived by a slave ordered by Master?” I asked, hope flaring within me that he might throw her. My fingers dug into the fabric of my dress, knuckles turning white as I waited for his answer.
Aether simply smiled, a bittersweet expression that made my heart ache even more, “I will give her my life.”
It might have been a simple statement, but when I saw his smile, I knew he didn’t care for his life.
He was ready to sacrifice everything for her, even if it was based on a lie. Something inside me snapped, the torrent of emotions overwhelming me.
“What the hell!!!” I grabbed his collar and shouted, desperation and anger mingling in my voice, “You will die for her!! This body belongs to me… Only me!! YOU WILL DIE FOR ME, NOT FOR HER, YOU SLAVE!!!”
I didn’t know what came over me, but I needed to remind him who his master was.
My vision blurred with tears of frustration, my chest heaving with the intensity of my emotions.
And yet,
“I know, Princess, but… I truly love Aria. She has already suffered a lot in her life. If she wanted my life for causing her more pain… I am ready to give it to her. I cannot see her shed tears because of me,” he said with a resolute expression, his eyes reflecting a depth of feeling that tore at my heart.
“Grrr,” I visibly clenched my teeth, my body trembling with suppressed rage and sorrow. I glared at him, “But you are MINE!!”
“Yes, I am ready to die for you, Princess,” he said with a gentle smile, the softness in his eyes cutting me deeper than any harsh words could.
“I AM BEING SERIOUS!!” I shouted, enraged by his gentle smile and the knowledge that he had fallen for another woman.
My fists tightened, nails digging into my palms.
“You are ready to die for me and for her too?” I asked, my voice cracking under the weight of my emotions.
Aether nodded with a smile, a calm acceptance that made my blood boil.
If he truly loved her, he wouldn’t be so willing to die… He was clearly lying!
“Tsk, then die for me NOW!” I demanded, wanting to see what kind of excuse he would give… but,
“Understood,” he said with a trembling yet determined expression, his eyes unwavering.
“H-Huh?” My hands loosened their grip on his collar, shock coursing through me.
He stood up and walked out of the cave, each step heavy with resolve…
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