Aethernea

by Cloe D Frost

  “Fancy meeting you here, older brother.” Kiel smiled a bright, heart-stopping smile that instantly lit up the room. Rhur also responded with a smile. However, his was mysterious and seductive. The darkness hidden underneath the smile was as if designed to stir hidden fleshly desires of everyone who saw it.

  Although Kiel’s smile was as bright as the sun, internally he was incessantly cursing his bad luck. Out of all the times, Rhur could have come here… If either of them had arrived a few minutes later, they wouldn’t have crossed paths with each other.

  Out of all people he could have run into, Rhur was on the top of his “do not want to meet” list.

  Saying that the two brothers didn’t get along would be a major understatement. Kiel greatly disliked Rhur’s mother, which made him negatively biased towards Rhur even before the two met. However, Rhur’s prejudice of Kiel seemed to skip the bounds of prejudice and go straight for pure and simple “loathing”.

  Yet, where Kiel opted for avoiding Rhur, the latter greatly enjoyed picking a fight with Kiel and often did his utmost to make his life miserable.

  Which is why there was no doubt in Kiel’s mind of what was to follow. Rhur would certainly not let him go. Rroda family did their utmost to catch him and stop him from participating in Muni exams, going even as far as to hire a Shadow. If he simply avoided all Rroda family members, later on, he could pretend to have been ignorant of their search. That way he could avoid responsibility and say that he wasn’t intentionally going against the family.

  However, if Rhur Rroda insisted on bringing him back to the mainhouse, all his future plans would crumble into pieces. If he refused to go with him, a battle would surely erupt. Even if they managed to run away successfully, it would be disobeying the will of the Rroda family. It would be breaking all pretense of cordiality, an outright declaration of war. His grandfather would show him no mercy and even his father would be limited in what he could do to help out.

  However, if he obediently went to the Rroda mainhouse, he could salvage the situation. In worst case scenario, he wouldn’t be able to participate in the last two exams. However, he should already have enough points to pass them. And there was always a chance that his grandfather would allow him to participate when he explained that he was no longer a non-mage.

  Unfortunately, that explanation depended on the ring Elaru had designed for him.

  A ring that he didn’t yet know how to use. In fact, Elaru and Kiel had come to Black Pearl exactly with the intention of her explaining the usage of the ring.

  Rhur scanned Kiel and Elaru in a seemingly friendly way, his gaze lingering on Elaru longer than intended. Then he turned to face his date and spoke out in a deep, alluring voice: “Ayah, meet my little brother, Kiel.” Rhur chuckled softly and motioned towards Kiel.

  Without waiting for Kiel to respond, he placed his hand on the back of his date like a proper gentleman and said. “Little brother, this is lady Ayah Ufabel.”

  Kiel retained his bright smile and nodded politely. “It is a pleasure, Lady Ufabel.”

  The blonde female’s face reddened, and she giggled. “The pleasure is all mine.” She curtsied politely. “And please, call me Ayah.”

  Kiel nodded politely. “Ayah it is.”

  While Kiel and Ayah were conversing, Rhur’s eyes were glued on Elaru instead. Kiel didn’t even finish his sentence before Rhur interrupted him. He stared right into Elaru’s light teal eyes and purred: “And who might this fine lady be?”

  Most girls would shy away from his gaze, some would boldly look at him passionately. And then there were those who would display hostility because of his reputation of a playboy. Either way, the number of ladies who could stare into his penetrating yet incomparably beautiful light blue eyes and show no reaction could be counted on the fingers of one hand.

  This one gaze was often the preliminary means by which Rhur gauged the personality of the female and how to deal with her.

  Elaru Wayvin didn’t shy away from his gaze, nor show hostility. She held his gaze, refusing to look away first. Those teal orbs were like calm lakes, without displaying any particular emotion.

  That apathy made Rhur’s blood boil. What he loved the most was tearing away the calm façade and biting into the soft flesh underneath.

  “Elaru Wayvin.” She responded neither politely nor impolitely, neither haughtily nor humbly. And then she smiled.

  She smiled, and the whole world stood still.

  Even Rhur, who was used to beautiful ladies, was startled for a moment before he recovered and chuckled huskily. Gently he extended his hand towards her. Elaru didn’t hesitate and offered her own hand in response, intending to shake Rhur’s hand.

  However, a handshake wasn’t what Rhur had in mind.

  As soon as her palm touched his, he grabbed her hand and brought it up to his lips.

  Rhur looked at her sensually, as if there was no one else present and planted a butterfly kiss on the back of her hand.

  The kiss was soft and tender, yet incomparably alluring. It wasn’t just a kiss, but rather, a promise of what would come if she gave in to the temptation.

  “Rhur, Rhur Rroda.” He murmured, his voice vibrated deeply, the hot breath tickling the skin of Elaru’s hand.

  As Kiel noticed the familiar heat hiding behind Rhur’s eyes, his heart sank, and his smile stiffened.

  He recognized that look.

  And as soon as he saw it, Kiel understood that the situation had just gone from bad to worse.

  Rhur had found his next female target.

  Typical Rhur. Only you can flirt with another female in front of your own date.

  Kiel’s eyes unconsciously flashed with a deep chill, and he grabbed Elaru by her other hand, pulling her back gently, out of Rhur’s grasp.

  Kiel glanced at Elaru from the corner of his eyes, gauging her reaction to Rhur’s obvious advances. He was surprised to find that Elaru, who was usually quite expressive, wearing her emotions on her sleeve, was currently completely unreadable.

  It wasn’t just her face, even her aura was completely calm, without ripples. It was as though she had switched personalities, from a happy-go-lucky troublemaker to a calm and confident noble.

  Even he, who could feel some of her emotions through the bond, was unable to see through what she was really feeling.

  Her calmness also had a calming effect on his agitated mental state. His trepidation and anger calmed down. Being around this redhead caused him to feel a mysterious sense of security.

  Rhur finally looked away from Elaru, seemingly with much difficulty, and met Kiel’s gaze instead. “Little brother, long time no see. I’ve missed you dearly.” His voice and expression contained an incomparable warmth and love. If Kiel didn’t know better, he would think him to truly be a perfect image of a caring older brother.

  Long time? Not nearly long enough! Kiel growled internally, yet outwardly he still kept a polite smile and looked at Rhur with just as much fake affection. “Indeed, it has been too long, older brother. I kept hoping that grandfather would let you visit me, but alas, he is too strict in managing your time.” Kiel’s gaze that had been on Rhur moved to his blonde date.

  Rhur, of course, caught the sarcasm in his words. How could he be able to go on a date if grandfather was strictly managing his time?

  However, the sarcasm didn’t seem to bother Rhur, on the contrary, his eyes displayed pleasure and triumph. “Indeed. It’s so lucky that we managed to stumble into each other like this. Little brother, come, we must catch up! Let us dine together.”

  Typically, even though Rhur highly enjoyed messing with Kiel, there would be a single situation in which he would choose not to associate with him – when he intended to engage in certain activities with a female companion.

  This was undoubtedly such a situation, which is why Rhur’s current behavior filled Kiel with dread. Since Rhur suggested such an idea, preferring to associate with him instead of spending quality time with his female friend, it meant tha
t what he wanted from Kiel took precedence.

  He either wanted to bring Kiel to see Venric or he had lost interest in his own date upon seeing Kiel’s “date”.

  Neither of the possibilities sounded pleasant.

  Kiel’s guess was indeed correct. As soon as Rhur saw the “date” of his little brother, he lost all interest in his own date. How could he enjoy Ayah Ufabel, while knowing that at that right moment, his little brother might be enjoying a woman far superior to his? It would be like eating bread while his brother ate a full course dinner!

  Rhur Rroda would be damned if he let that happen. He would be damned if he let Kiel Rroda beat him in any way.

  Therefore, Rhur decided to thwart Kiel’s plans for a romantic evening and use catching up as a pretext of getting to familiarize himself with Kiel’s “date”.

  “I am afraid we’ll have to catch up some other time.” Kiel politely declined, appearing quite apologetic. Although he declined, Kiel didn’t expect Rhur to let him go. Rhur was many things, unfortunately, persistent was one of them.

  Rhur gave Kiel a knowing look and sighed. “I know what you are thinking, little brother…”

  Kiel’s heart skipped a beat. What does he think I am thinking? That I am trying to ditch him as to avoid him apprehending me and bringing me to the mainhouse? Or that I am worried he would actually steal my perceived “date”?

  Rhur continued: “…but you are worrying too much. The meal is on me. I know that those low-level delivery quests you’ve been doing would be hard pressed to cover the bill. But how could I possibly let my little brother pay?”

  The silence descended on the lobby.

  …

  …

  What? Kiel had blinked several times before he realized what just happened. That buttcracker!! Kiel’s smile froze. Truly a noble down to the bone. Spouting venom with each word and passing it off as concern.

  You think I don’t know what you are doing? Trying to embarrass me and show how much better you are so as to steal my “date”?! You think I’ll just let you do as you please?! Dream on! I can do the “embarrassing” part just as well as you!

  “My financial situation is fine, older brother. Thank you for your concern, but with how often you dine here with your female companions, I don’t think you can afford to pay for my own meals too.”

  * * *

  Author Note:

  Just wanted to point out that while you are flipping your table, wondering what kind of face smacking shall happen in the following several episodes, Aethernea patrons are already reading it for as little as 2$ per month. ;)

  Coming up in the next episode:

  Kiel’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Rhur’s flashed with brief contempt. One could almost see sparks flying in the air.

  And the ball was back at Rhur’s court, charging him for pinning his own indecent actions on others. Oooooo, smackdown! Elaru couldn’t help but let out a slight giggle.

  “Of course we wouldn’t mind. But what about lady Ufabel? You two came here on a date. It wouldn’t be fair towards her if we dined together, don’t you think?”

  Kiel stood there with a stiff smile, searching desperately for an escape route, however, he could no longer refuse.

  Episode 84 – Lileron Passion

  Episode 84 – Lileron Passion

  Previously:

  Elaru picks up Kiel’s ring and the two of them go to Black Pearl restaurant where she intends to give him the ring and explain its usage. Unfortunately, as they enter the lobby of the restaurant, they run into Rhur Rroda – Kiel’s older brother, and his date.

  * * *

  Rhur gave Kiel a knowing look and sighed. “I know what you are thinking, little brother…”

  Kiel’s heart skipped a beat. What does he think I am thinking? That I am trying to ditch him as to avoid him apprehending me and bringing me to the mainhouse? Or that I am worried he would actually steal my perceived “date”?

  Rhur continued: “…but you are worrying too much. The meal is on me. I know that those low-level delivery quests you’ve been doing would be hard pressed to cover the bill. But how could I possibly let my little brother pay?”

  The silence descended on the lobby.

  …

  …

  What? Kiel had blinked several times before he realized what just happened. That buttcracker!! Kiel’s smile froze. Truly a noble down to the bone. Spouting venom with each word and passing it off as concern.

  You think I don’t know what you are doing? Trying to embarrass me and show how much better you are so as to steal my “date”?! You think I’ll just let you do as you please?! Dream on! I can do the “embarrassing” part just as well as you!

  “My financial situation is fine, older brother. Thank you for your concern, but with how often you dine here with your female companions, I don’t think you can afford to pay for my own meals too.”

  This time, it was Rhur’s smile that stiffened. Wasn’t Kiel implying that he brought females here all the time to feast on them instead of the food?

  Rhur paid attention to Elaru’s reaction from the corner of his eyes. Her eyebrows rose slightly, and the corner of her mouth twitched. Underneath her calm hid amusement.

  Unfortunately, since he was paying attention to Elaru, he missed the reaction of his own date, which was ugly to behold. Apparently, she wasn’t aware of Rhur’s reputation as a playboy. Which was amazing in itself, considering how infamous Rhur was in the noble circle.

  “Don’t be silly, little brother. If the Rroda family successor couldn’t afford a few meals, then wouldn’t the whole Rroda family be a joke?” Rhur responded warmly, as if he truly cared for his younger brother. Yet, obviously, he was declaring how high his status was.

  Kiel spoke with just as much fake warmth. “Older brother, of course Rroda family can afford it, but if you spend too much of our funds, grandfather will get angry. And considering how often he threatens to take away your position as a future successor, if you are not careful, he might actually do it.”

  Elaru did her best to not burst out laughing at the changing expressions of both Kiel and Rhur as they interacted with each other. Her previously calm eyes now glittered with hints of laughter. Her expression mirrored the expression of a spectator watching a good show.

  Rhur laughed warmly, as if what Kiel said was only a joke. “That’s grandfather’s way of venting his temper. Everyone knows they are just empty threats. Even if he wanted to replace me, there is no one to replace me with.”

  Rhur was obviously implying that Kiel couldn’t even contend for the position. Kiel’s eyes narrowed slightly, and Rhur’s flashed with brief contempt. One could almost see sparks flying in the air.

  Rhur didn’t let Kiel find an appropriate retort and took control of the conversation. “Little brother, could it be that you don’t want to dine together because you didn’t come here for the food?”

  He looked between Kiel and Elaru several times, clearly implying that the two of them came here to do some indecent business.

  Kiel mirrored Rhur’s earlier laugh. “What kind of strange thoughts are you thinking, older brother? Why would we come here if not for the food? Don’t tell me that you come here for other reasons?”

  And the ball was back at Rhur’s court, charging him for pinning his own indecent actions on others.

  Smackdown! Elaru couldn’t help but let out a slight giggle.

  That melodious giggle attracted Rhur’s gaze onto Elaru. The warmth he faked turned into real warmth as he responded. “What are you implying little brother? All I meant was that nobles often come here to engage in secret business deals.”

  Not good. Elaru’s mirth instantly disappeared. We can’t have him questioning our motives. If he shares his suspicions with the wrong crowd later, someone might connect the puzzle pieces and deduce the real reason behind our visit.

  Rhur continued. “But since that is not the case, there is no reason for us to not dine together, little brother. After all, food ta
stes even better when in good company.”

  Kiel was thinking about how to get out of this and refuse once again when Elaru interrupted. “Of course we wouldn’t mind. But what about Lady Ufabel? You two came here on a date. It wouldn’t be fair towards her if we dined together, don’t you think?”

  Kiel felt like giving Elaru a high five. He couldn’t have said it better himself! Looking at the lady’s sour face, she had definitely hoped for some romantic time with Rhur.

  Unfortunately, his delight didn’t last for long.

  “I’m sure Ayah wouldn’t mind. Isn’t that right, dear?”

  Rhur turned towards his date and softly propped her chin upwards to face him. The soft touch of his long fingers coupled by the seductive smile he gave her, made Ayah’s mental faculties shut down. She stared at Rhur in a daze and subconsciously nodded her head.

  Rhur smirked in satisfaction and declared. “Then it is settled. Waiter, bring us to a cozy little room.”

  “This way, my lords and ladies.” The nearby waiter motioned for them to follow him.

  Kiel stood there with a stiff smile, searching desperately for an escape route, however, he could no longer refuse.

  He only recovered when Elaru pulled him by the arm. “It’s fine. If we insist, he might get suspicious. We don’t want anyone to suspect that we are doing something secretive in here.

  Only then did they move to follow the waiter.

  The waiter led them to a luxurious booth and gave them the menus. He then left the room to stand outside and await their order.

  However, the only one actually contemplating what to order was the blonde lady. Kiel and Rhur were too busy thinking about how to embarrass each other to think about food. While Elaru was too busy enjoying the spectacle.

  Therefore, they casually, almost randomly, picked something from the menu. Rhur then called the waiter back in and relayed their orders.

  Lastly, he smiled mysteriously: “Also, bring us a bottle of Kelford Ridge.”

  Kelford Ridge was one of the expensive and classy wines that nobles usually drank with their important guests.