Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 255: Steal it!!

Tuck, Tuck

The rhythmic sound of the horse's hooves clattered against the cobblestone path, echoing through the quiet, lonely road as it pulled the carriage forward....

Inside the carriage, Aria sat comfortably on... Aether's lap, her slender fingers tracing words as she was teaching him a new language.

Though,

"~Aah~ it means light ~mm~ with the letter 'Eyoah' ~mmA~" Aria moaned softly, her face flushing with a deep crimson. She glared at Aether with a mixture of frustration and longing. "You keep teasing~" she pouted, her cheeks burning red with a combination of embarrassment and.... arousal.

Aether's smile widened mischievously. He couldn't resist pinching her protruding nipple under her bra, drawing another gasp from her lips.

"~aahhh~"

He kissed her cheek tenderly, "I rather want to hear you moan," he whispered.

Aria's face turned an even deeper shade of red, "B-but this is a carriage, and the coachman might hear," she protested, her voice tinged with embarrassment and concern.

The thought of another man hearing her intimate sounds was both disturbing and repulsive to her.

Aether nodded in understanding. He felt the same way. He had no interest in letting another man hear the sweet sounds that belonged only to him.

Her sounds only belonged to him!!!

"Then let's just hug until we reach our destination," Aether suggested, his arms wrapped possessively around her slender frame. Aria smiled, understanding that their time together in the academy would be limited, and they needed to cherish these moments now.

She nodded and moved to place the book back in her bag, but then,

Thud

The carriage suddenly shook violently, causing Aria to lose her balance. Aether caught her just in time, but then,

Thud

Another jolt shook the carriage, causing the contents of Aria's bag to spill out. Among the scattered items was.... a small wooden box.

Aria's eyes widened in panic as she quickly grabbed the wooden box and tried to hide it.

Aether noticed her actions and frowned, "What is it?" he asked calmly, his voice gentle but curious.

"T-That's..." Aria hesitated, her eyes darting nervously. Seeing her reluctance, Aether shook his head gently. "It's fine," he said reassuringly. He understood that everyone had their secrets, and he wasn't going to pry into hers.

Aria, however, mistook his understanding for displeasure. She felt a sudden wave of guilt and fear wash over her.

She knew she shouldn't reveal what was inside the box, as it was meant only for the chosen ones, but she couldn't bear the thought of Aether feeling betrayed by her secrecy.

"A-Aether, it is like... it is..." She struggled to find the right words, her fear of angering the mother and causing harm to Aether.

Aether, sensing her distress, tried to calm her, "It's fine. I know everyone has secrets—"

"NO!! I don't have secrets," she shouted, her voice trembling. She couldn't bear the thought of Aether misunderstanding her intentions.

What if she hid this now?

Would he get angry?

Of course not! She knew Aether better than anyone, but despite her certainty, doubt began to gnaw at her.

What if he started to suspect she was hiding something just because of this incident?

That's how most living beings work!!!

The mere thought of Aether doubting her terrified her. What if he decided to keep his own secrets just because she had hidden this one? What if he never shared his secrets with her again because of this?

So many What-ifs!!!

This incident might cause a ripple effect in their future!!!

Her mind spiralled into chaos, each thought more frantic than the last. She couldn't bear the idea of creating a misunderstanding between them.

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself,

"There was no need—" Aether began, his voice soothing when he saw her distress, but he was suddenly interrupted.

"The thing inside is what every chosen one wants," Aria blurted out, her voice earnest and tinged with anxiety. She held the wooden box tightly.

"Go on," Aether said, his interest piqued, his eyes locked onto hers.

"The thing inside is what might be able to buy you from your master," Aria explained, her expression grave. She handed the wooden box to Aether without opening it, her hands trembling slightly.

"I see..." Aether mumbled, his mind racing. Stay informed via m-vl-em,pyr

He thought about the thing The mother wanted.

His eyes turned warm, filled with unspoken love.

Aria, connected to Aether in an almost magical way, could feel the depth of his affection pouring into her. Her face turned bright red as she realized the extent of his love for her, more profound than she had ever imagined. She felt his emotions wash over her, a tidal wave of love and tenderness that left her breathless.

"So, you're going to give something this special... just for me?" Aether's voice trembled, his hands shaking slightly as he held the small wooden box.

"Yes," Aria affirmed, her eyes shining with unwavering determination.

"Haaa," Aether sighed deeply, pulling her into a tight embrace. "You are giving too much for a slave like me," he whispered, his heart heavy with doubt and unworthiness.

He sometimes even wondered whether he was worthy of her love...

"What are you saying? You are not a slave! You are MY HUSBAND!!" Aria's voice was firm, her embrace fierce. She pulled back to look into his eyes, her gaze filled with conviction. In her mind, she thought, 'I made the right choice.'

Aether's eyes returned to the wooden box. 'How am I supposed to steal that now?' he wondered.

When he was drawn into the mysterious underground world, he knew he was entangled in something beyond his understanding. But to take something from the woman who was giving him everything? 'I'm sorry, Log, but I cannot take it from her. I would rather want her to win,' he thought internally, just as he was about to voice his thoughts when,

"COME OUT!!!"

A loud voice interrupted their moment. Both Aria and Aether frowned. Aria moved the curtain and saw a group of armed men standing outside.

"Aether, stay inside," she said firmly. She grabbed her bow and stepped out of the carriage, surveying the scene. The coachman lay slumped, his head a bloody mess.

"Damn, she's hot!" one of the armed men leered at Aria, licking his lips.

Their leader stepped forward. "I'm sorry, young lady, but you—chckkk." His sentence was cut short as an arrow lodged in his forehead.

He dropped dead instantly.

That's all!

Everyone froze, eyes wide with shock.

"You have some nerve coming after me!" Aria's voice was filled with fury as she drew her bowstring back, ready to unleash her wrath without mercy.

Meanwhile, Aether watched from inside the carriage.

Seeing that Aria had things under control, his curiosity got the better of him. He glanced at the wooden box again. Even though he didn't want to steal it, he couldn't help but wonder what was inside. He opened the box cautiously.

He just wondered about his worth!

A bright silver light momentarily blinded him. Just as he was about to see clearly,

Ssssshhh

His Arcane card appeared and sucked the object inside before disappearing into his body.

It all happened in a split second and Aether could only blink in confusion...

"What the Fuck!!!" he shouted in frustration. "You bitchy card! Give it back!!" He summoned his Arcane card, but it was empty, only a blank card.

"Where is it?" he yelled at the card, but it remained unresponsive.

"Fuck, Fuck, Fuck, Fuck...." he rambled, his mind racing. "How am I supposed to explain this to her now?" He gritted his teeth in frustration.

"I didn't even see what was inside!" His anger was palpable. After a few more seconds of frantic thought, he decided.... "I didn't see anything...aha," with a fake smile plastered on his face. He closed the wooden box and placed it back in the bag.

He hadn't seen anything, he hadn't touched anything.

Nothing!!

He decided to play dumb. Even though it made him feel stupid, he had no other idea.

Nothing!!

'Sigh,' he sighed again, looking outside to see Aria already finishing off the last of their attackers.... A light bulb appeared no, not literally!!

With a sly smile, he scattered the contents of her bag, making it look like someone had rummaged through it.

Of course, it had to be the people from the group, right?

RIGHT?

He then exited the carriage. As he stepped down and looked around, he was surprised to see they were in a desolate area..... as if the coachman had brought them here intentionally.

Aria who was walking toward him suddenly, "AETHER, MOVE AWAY!!" Aria shouted urgently, leaping towards him.

"Hmm?" Aether frowned, confused, and then,

SSSSSSssssssssssshhhhh