Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Time moved slowly in the Frostblade family, and somehow—so many things had unfolded within a single day... The sky had begun its descent into dusk, painting the world in muted purples and cold gold.

Aqualina and Selene had one of their glorious, sisterly fight—one that nearly shattered a few nearby cities into rubble. Thank the stars Aether intervened just in time before it could escalate into full-blown catastrophe. After settling the chaos, he took Aqualina back to her home. She was adorably pouting about not being able to defeat Selene... so, naturally, he spent some time playing with her to calm her down.

Then, he returned—and of course, Selene was pouting too. She didn't win against Aqualina either. So he played with her as well, doing his best to soothe her frustrations.

Still, there remained one very furious, very cold-blooded little creature.

Snowflake.

She was sulking—because Aether didn't play with her. It was hard to comfort a snake... right?

Wrong.

That was very wrong!!

Anyway, night eventually crept in. The Frostblade territory slowly faded into deep blue shadows, lit by flickering lamps and shimmering enchantments. And tonight... a certain sacred ritual would take place.

Aether's ownership—would be transferred to Xara.

He soaked in a warm, relaxing bath, steam swirling around him as he pondered the mysterious ritual. He had no idea how it would go or what would happen afterwards. But one thing was certain now... he was not a slave—no matter what others thought. Even he had believed that lie once.

It wasn't a slave contract.

It was something far more ancient—an Eternal Contract.

Whatever the contract truly entailed... he would uncover it eventually.

After stepping out, warm droplets still clinging to his skin, Aether opened his wardrobe and found clothes neatly arranged—elegant, formal, slightly ceremonial. They weren't too flashy or too dull.

Perfect balance. Of course, Xara had chosen them.

Strangely, they were a bit bulky—the kind Xara preferred to wear. But then again, considering his true form... maybe that was unintentional.

'Huh... she might actually have decent taste in clothes,' he thought, impressed. He picked out a cosy, well-fitted set and slipped it on.

As usual, he cast an illusion—disguising his true form under a weaker one. But deep inside, he knew... tonight might be the last time he'd use it.

After this night, there would be no need to hide anymore.

Well... except Victo form. That tiny hooded figure was still lurking out there. Aether couldn't afford to lose his edge now... Timing had to be perfect.

He opened the door.

Selene stood outside, her radiant smile greeting him. Snowflake was curled and buried comfortably between her soft, warm boobs—as usual. Aether let out a small sigh. 'Just one day... tomorrow she's going to love me,' he thought with a hopeful smile.

"Shall we?" Selene asked, offering her elbow with graceful charm.

Aether linked arms with her, walking beside her with composed, elegant steps.

Wait...

Aether blinked.

"...Why are we doing this again?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. Something felt off. The mood. The clothes. The way they were walking. This... this felt like—

A wedding procession.

Selene gave him a teasing smirk, her eyes glinting. "What do you think it is?"

Aether stared at her for a moment before grinning, "You know what? I really don't mind it too..." he said, leaning in, lips just about to brush hers—

"Look at you two..." Xara's voice rang from the hallway like an unexpected storm.

Both Aether and Selene flinched.

But Aether didn't panic...

Smoothly, Aether instantly redirected his face—his lips landing near her eye instead, and with the quickest thinking possible, he blew a soft puff of air.

"Puuuufff... There! The dust's here, right? Puffff!"

"Y-Yes!" Selene immediately nodded in agreement, trying to play along.

Xara tilted her head as she walked closer, her eyes narrowing. "What's going on?" she asked, concern lining her voice as she noticed Selene blinking repeatedly, eyes slightly red.

"Dust got stuck in her eyelids," Aether replied smoothly, blowing gently a few more times before nodding confidently. "It's gone now."

"Oh?" Xara glanced at Selene, who rubbed her right eye and nodded quickly. "Yes, it's fine now... It's gone."

Xara frowned for just a brief moment. She felt something odd... but she shook it off.

After all... it was just dust.

"Anyway... look at you two. You both look like a couple~" Xara said with a lovely smile as she wrapped her arms around them—hugging her children... well, Selene was her actual child.

Unlike before, Aether didn't feel awkward or shy. He leaned into the embrace and hugged her even tighter, inhaling her soft, feminine scent as if savouring it. Then, with playful boldness, he pressed a sneaky kiss on her cheek.

Xara's face turned red instantly. "Y-Yo—" Her voice caught in her throat as she noticed Selene looking at her with a curious tilt of her head. "N-Nothing..." she muttered quickly, averting her gaze and guiding them forward.

Aether grinned quietly, clearly pleased with himself, and followed her without a word.

Selene, catching all of it, glanced at Aether with a slightly pouty look. Without warning, she pinched his hip sharply.

"Ack—!" Aether flinched, nearly tripping.

Soon, they arrived at a large, empty hall. The space was vast and echoing, but almost entirely bare—except for a strange diagram drawn across the floor in glowing ink. Around it, various odd-shaped objects had been carefully placed in specific positions.

Kai and Leon were already there, standing off to the side. Velc was with them too, his expression sour and annoyed the moment his eyes landed on Aether.

"Everything is ready…" Xara muttered softly. She wasn't wearing anything ceremonial—just her usual baggy clothes, comfortable but unassuming.

Aether gave a smirk and casually walked over to Kai. "Hello, little brother."

Veins popped visibly on Kai's forehead. "Little brother? You fucking—"

"Kai," Xara said with cold voice, cutting him off instantly.

Kai grunted and turned his face away, clearly fuming.

Aether's grin widened. That reaction—perfect.

He was pleased. Satisfied. This wasn't just about teasing Kai—it was calculated. He wanted everyone to witness Kai's hatred toward him... especially Xara. If, by some cruel twist of fate, Aether was forced to kill Kai one day, he couldn't afford to spring that truth on Xara out of nowhere.

She was still his mother. Losing Kai would devastate her... unless she already knew—deep inside—that Kai's hatred ran deep.

That he wanted Aether gone.

That's why Aether kept provoking him. That's why he played the annoying role so convincingly.

It was a slow, careful setup for a potential future he hoped wouldn't come.

Everything needed to be stepped on carefully, right?

"Good… everything is ready," Xara said as she double-checked the symbols and items, her voice low. She looked over the group—and for a lingering second, her eyes settled on Kai. Vesperine wasn't here.

'Looks like she ran away after all…' Xara thought with a small breath of relief. It meant she didn't need to explain anything to anyone—yet.

Then, slowly, she unfolded an ancient, faded parchment. The paper shimmered faintly with magical runes.

She began to recite.

"Ee thay-mar ven-ahl ish-kar, en zay-el thay-ron veer en…"

The ground beneath them began to glow faintly, the symbols pulsing with soft light. The strange objects trembled gently as energy gathered between them. The air grew tense.

Xara glanced toward Kai and gave him a subtle nod to step forward into the ritual circle.

Just as Kai was about to take that step—

"Hold on!"

A voice cut through the room like a knife.

Everyone turned.

Standing at the entrance was Vesperine—her clothes dirty, her hair messy, and her chest rising and falling with tired breaths. But her lips curled into a confident, mischievous smirk as she met Xara's eyes.

Xara's lips twitched.

She slowly lowered her hand.

The glowing symbols faded… and the entire ritual was halted in an instant.