Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Archpriestess blinked in surprise as the golden-haired figure suddenly ran away, leaving her all alone in an instant. She quickly turned back, only to see… Aether emerged from the temple with an annoyed expression carved across his face.

His brows furrowed, sensing something was off, and he called out, “Is someone here?”

Archpriestess let out a tired sigh, her lips forming a slight pout as she shook her head. “No… there’s no one here,” she replied, her voice a touch strained with lingering annoyance.

“Anyway… what happened in there?” she asked, this time more gently, a hint of concern lacing her curiosity. Part of her felt a wave of quiet relief wash over her, knowing he returned unharmed.

Aether rubbed the back of his neck, exhaling slowly, “To be honest? Nothing happened. I did all the talking. She didn’t say a single word.” he muttered, his voice tinged with both frustration and confusion.

Archpriestess frowned deeply, her brows pulling together. “That’s not like her. Mother wouldn’t call you unless she had something important to say. She never wastes effort without meaning.”

Aether shrugged with a helpless expression. “Maybe she just wanted to mess with me… get under my skin or something.”

Noticing the irritation and flicker of restrained fury in his eyes, the Archpriestess gently placed a hand on his shoulder and led him back into her private chamber behind the Main Temple.

Aether dropped himself into the same chair he had used that morning, his body slumping slightly. The Archpriestess, calm and composed, moved gracefully to the side table and began brewing tea once more—the same calming blend she had prepared before.

The room filled with a gentle aroma as he brought the cup to his lips and took a slow, deliberate sip. A deep sigh escaped him, shoulders easing down, his mood gradually softening as the warmth spread through his chest and mind.

Archpriestess smiled faintly as she watched the tension leave his body. “Tomorrow,” she began softly, her voice like a gentle breeze, “I’ll take you around the Empire. Let you see it… through your own eyes, how our life is here”

Aether nodded slowly, his gaze distant… As he took another sip, he murmured, “I’d like that.”

He was honestly taken aback by the tea’s effect—how soothing it was, how it quieted the noise inside his head. ‘Selene and Aqualina are going to love this… I should definitely pack some for them,’ he thought with a faint smile tugging at his lips.

Then, a question rose in his mind, “Come to think of it… where’s Helena? And Finnian? I haven’t seen either of them since I arrived.”

Archpriestess leaned back in her chair, exhaling a weary sigh. “Finnian’s… he seemed to lost and He’s been training—intensely.”

“Training? And he got lost?” Aether raised a brow, curious now.

She hesitated, chewing on her words before deciding to speak plainly. “Something happened back at the Academy. Finnian didn’t say much, but… he was shaken. All I gathered was that he’s out for blood—wants to kill someone, to reclaim his dignity or whatever it is he thinks he lost.”

Aether’s grip tightened slightly around the cup as he took a louder gulp. ‘Reclaim his dignity?’ Of course, Aether knew what that meant…It had to be Victor. That bastard had beaten the crap out of Finnian, snapped a humiliating picture of him naked, and even threatened to leak it everywhere.

‘Looks like he really took it to heart…’ Aether smirked inwardly. He could already imagine Finnian throwing himself into harsh training, driven by pure rage and humiliation.

With a quiet sigh, he shook his head and asked, “What about Helena?”

Archpriestess’s lips twitched as if holding back a groan, her eyes narrowing. “You’re bonded with her, right? Then ask her directly! Why do you have to make me say it?” she snapped, clearly irritated… and maybe, just maybe, a little jealous.

Aether blinked at her reaction, “How much did she tell you?”

Archpriestess smirked, leaning forward with a playful glint in her gaze. “Everything… including how you made her feel… ecstasy.”

“….” Aether closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting out a controlled exhale. ‘That girl… she really needs to stop blabbering,’ he thought, his brows twitching with frustration. But the moment her innocent, wide-eyed face popped into his memory, all the irritation melted away like snow in spring.

The air turned heavier, charged with an awkward tension. Aether could clearly read the storm brewing in the Archpriestess’s gaze—the unmistakable flicker of Yandere lurking there.

Both of them sat in silence, feeling the weight of the mood. Aether decided to steer the conversation back to something more grounded. He cleared his throat. “Right… where were we before all th–“

“You were talking about something else we could give you, instead of money, right?” Archpriestess interrupted, her eyes sharp, knowing exactly where he was going.

Aether gave a small nod and smiled faintly. “Yeah… instead of currency, how about a piece of land?”

“Deal!” she said instantly, without even blinking.

“…That’s it?” Aether blinked in surprise, rubbing his forehead. “No negotiation? You don’t even want to discuss the size of the plot or where it’s located?”

Archpriestess just smiled, calm and collected. “As long as it’s not money, we’re more than fine. Don’t worry—we’ll give you a piece of land that matches the value of your amount.”

Aether tilted his head, slightly stunned by her quick agreement, but nodded. “Alright then… good.” He sipped his tea again, still wrapping his head around how smoothly that went. Honestly, he didn’t expect her to accept so fast and without conditions.

‘Was this also… Mother’s plan?’ Aether wondered silently, unsettled. This was exactly why the Archpriestess always felt so unpredictable to him.

She gazed at him, eyes glimmering with something unreadable. “Don’t overthink it, Aether. Whatever happens… it just happens,” she whispered, her voice soft and cryptic.

Aether stared at her for a moment, his eyes subtly scanning her expression, before he gave a small shrug and lifted the teacup again to his lips. He took a slow sip, his gaze wandering casually around the room.

It wasn’t grand or decorated with opulence. In fact, it was… surprisingly modest. The space was cozy, more like a typical household than the private chamber of a high-ranking Archpriestess. A few pieces of simple furniture, some personal items neatly arranged, and warm lighting gave it a quiet, lived-in feel.

“Even though you’re the Archpriestess… you still live like a regular person?” Aether asked, his tone mixed with genuine curiosity and mild surprise.

After all, someone in her position could have easily surrounded herself with gold, silks, and rare luxuries if she wanted to. But instead, she chose this—simple and grounded.

Archpriestess gave a casual shrug, her voice softening. “I love… being simple, Aether,” she said gently, her eyes fixed on him with a tender smile.

The way he drank his tea—his posture, his quiet focus—was unexpectedly elegant. His movements held a kind of calm maturity that clashed adorably with his usual chaotic, unpredictable aura.

So cute~

Her heart fluttered. She had to fight the growing urge to leap over the table and smother him in kisses—on his cheeks, his nose, his forehead. All of him. But she held back… Barely!

Then Aether tilted his head, his tone curious as he asked, “Hmm… I haven’t seen your little sister yet.”

The Archpriestess blinked rapidly, “Little sister…? I don’t hav—Ahhh!” she suddenly froze, as if she realised something. She nodded rapidly, her voice flustered, “Y-Yes, my sister! Right… S-Stella, was it?”

Aether frowned slightly, his gaze narrowing. “Was she not?”

The Archpriestess gulped hard, her composure visibly cracking. “Y-Yeah, yeah! Stella… of course, that’s her name!” Her voice wobbled as her usually serene expression broke into something closer to a terrified smile. Her previously calm eyes now trembled like a trapped insect.

Aether gave a slow smile, watching her reaction with interest. “Where is she, then? I haven’t seen her anywhere since I arrived,” he asked casually, though he was very much enjoying her unravelling.

“W-Well, she’s kind of… um, well… she lives somewhere else!” the Archpriestess blurted out, grasping at anything that might sound reasonable. “She couldn’t make it because, you know, no one told her you were coming. So yeah—she didn’t know you were here!”

Aether nodded slowly, then leaned forward as if preparing to stand. “Alright then. Just tell me the way to her place, I’ll go visit her myself.”

He nearly placed the teacup back on the table and looked ready to get up.

“W-Wait!” The Archpriestess’s voice jumped in pitch, her face contorting in panic.

“What?” Aether asked innocently, barely containing the laughter bubbling behind his eyes.

“There’s no need for you to go!” she insisted, her expression suddenly serious, as if a national secret was at stake. She was visibly flustered now, her mind scrambling for a way out of the hole she’d dug herself into. Honestly, she had completely forgotten about the whole “Stella” bit—and now it was biting her back hard.

Aether frowned slightly. “What do you mean there’s no need?”

She tried to smile, but it came off more like a nervous twitch. “It means… she’s coming here!” she said, raising her eyebrows in an attempt to act casual. Then, without thinking, she muttered to herself, “Oh yeah… You arrived?”

Aether blinked. That last part wasn’t even directed at him. He tilted his head, watching her curiously.

Just what was she planning?

“She came!” the Archpriestess declared suddenly, her voice just a little too loud, “I’ll bring her in…”

“That fast?” Aether’s expression was sceptical, a brow lifting ever so slightly.

“W-Well, she loves you way too much, after all!” she said hastily, trying to pass it off with a smile. Then she quickly gestured toward the seat. “Sit! Relax! I’ll go bring her to you!”

Aether sat back down, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. ‘She’s really putting her whole soul into this performance,’ he thought, watching her dash toward the door.

She shut it behind her in a flurry of robes and panic.

Not even a full minute had passed before the door creaked open again… and “Stella” entered.

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