Chapter 294: Lights, Camera and…. Action!
“Wait a second!” Aqualina’s voice trembled with urgency as she dashed into her bathroom. Aether watched her retreat with a puzzled expression, blinking a few times before shaking his head in confusion.
Inside the bathroom, Aqualina’s heart raced. She leaned over the sink, desperately sniffing her breath. “It doesn’t smell, does it?” she muttered to herself, anxiety bubbling up.
The thought of her first kiss being tainted by bad breath made her stomach churn. She couldn’t bear the idea of that moment being anything less than perfect, especially with Aether, the man she adored.
She took a deep breath, relieved that there was no unpleasant odour. But as she glanced at her toothbrush, doubt gnawed at her, “Better safe than sorry…” she murmured, grabbing the toothbrush and hastily brushing her teeth.
Rinsing her mouth, she hurried back out, only to find Aether engrossed in his work, his back turned to her.
The sight made her heart sink. Had she missed her chance? Was her meticulous planning for nought?
Aqualina rubbed her temples, trying to dispel the rising panic. She had worked so hard, crafting the perfect scenario to confess her feelings… just to lose everything for the breath?
“A-Aether…” Her voice was soft, almost timid, as she called out to him, trying to gauge his mood.
“…” Aether remained silent, his focus unwavering.
Aqualina swallowed hard, her throat dry with fear.
Had she ruined everything with her momentary hesitation? The thought made her chest tighten.
This was supposed to be her moment, the culmination of all her efforts to win him over.
Aether slowly mumbled, “I-I am not a substitute for Kai…”
Hearing that Aqualina flinched, ‘Shit! He got everything wrong!’ she screamed inwardly…
Aqualina answered, “I-it’s not like th—”
Her worst fears were confirmed when Aether spoke, his voice low and distant, “I’m in love with Aria, Princess.”
The words hit her like a physical blow, her heart clenching painfully. A wave of nausea washed over her, and she felt her face contort with a mix of disbelief and disgust.
She had known about Aether’s feelings for Aria, which was why she had approached him cautiously, planning every step to perfection. She needed to ensure that his eyes were only for her, that his heart belonged solely to her.
Yet,
‘Fuck!’ Aqualina screamed inwardly, anger and frustration boiling over. How could she have let this happen? She gritted her teeth, feeling the sting of lost opportunity.
She had been so close, and now it felt like everything was slipping through her fingers.
“I won’t betray my love,” Aether continued, his tone resolute, his expression that of a man deeply committed.
A most loyal one!!
His words, laced with a quiet determination, were like daggers to her heart, cutting deep and leaving her breathless.
Aqualina’s mind raced. This unwavering loyalty of his was what she had feared the most. It was why she had been so careful, so deliberate in her actions. She knew Aether better than anyone and knew his fierce loyalty to those he cared about.
It was both his most admirable trait and….. her greatest obstacle.
She clenched her teeth, her mind whirling with desperate thoughts. She didn’t want to force him, but she was running out of options.
She had to make him choose, to see where his true loyalties lay. Her voice quivered as she spoke, her eyes wide with feigned vulnerability, “S-So, you love Aria more than me?”
Aether’s eyes widened, caught off guard. He stammered, “P-Princess, please—”
“Answer me, Aether!” Aqualina’s voice rose, a mixture of pain and desperation. She needed to hear him say it, needed to know where she stood.
“…”
Aqualina pressed on, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion, “A..Are you going to abandon me?”
Aether’s reaction was immediate and intense, “Of course not!” he shouted, the force of his words startling them both.
His eyes blazed with a fierce protectiveness.
“Then tell me who you love the most,” Aqualina insisted, her eyes boring into his, searching for the truth.
Aether’s expression twisted with anguish. “P-Please… don’t make me choose,” he pleaded.
“JUST ANSWER ME, DAMN IT!” Aqualina’s voice cracked, her frustration and heartbreak pouring out in a raw, scream. Her body trembled with the intensity of her emotions, tears welling up in her eyes.
Aether bit his lip, lowering his head in silence, unable to meet her gaze.
Aqualina took a step closer, ‘Little more push…’ she thought to herself, her mind calculating. Meanwhile, Aether, couldn’t help but think with an amusing face, ‘She’s really cooking something… Let her cook!’
Standing right in front of him, she gently lifted his chin, forcing him to look at her. Aether’s breath caught in his throat as he saw the tears glistening in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “P-Princess…” he breathed, reaching out instinctively to wipe away her tears.
But before he could touch her, she pulled back, her eyes cold and hard. “If you don’t love me anymore, don’t touch me,” Aqualina said, her voice like ice, freezing the moment between them.
Aether’s hand hovered in the air, trembling. He hesitated, torn between his feelings and his loyalty, “P-Princess… why are you doing this? I just don’t want to see you sad…” His voice was a mix of confusion and pain as if he were struggling to understand her actions.
“I told you not to touch me if you don’t love me!” Her voice was stern, but there was a crack in her resolve.
Aether clenched his fists, feeling a knot of fear tighten in his chest.
Seeing his hesitation, Aqualina felt a pang of panic.
Was Aria’s hold on him stronger than she had anticipated?
Was she losing him?
The thought was unbearable. She needed to act, to pull him back to her. She used her last trick…..
Drip, Drip
Aether’s eyes widened as he watched the tears flow freely, the drops glistening like diamonds as they slid down her cheeks, she blankly stared at him as she asked with a shaky voice, “N-Not L-L-Lo-Love m-me anymore..?”
To be honest, he was actually really shocked, ‘Is she for real?’ he wondered. He couldn’t tell if she was acting or…. if she was truly on the brink of despair.
Without thinking, driven by an instinct to comfort her, Aether reached out and wrapped his arms around her. He pulled her close, holding her tightly against his chest.
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