Chapter 8
Ethan became the new heir of the Bravon family.
The King bestowed upon him many divine treasures, and our wedding was set for three days later.
That morning, I was having breakfast when I heard a commotion outside.
A fairy went to check, then returned looking indignant.
“Goddess, it’s Aether. He came to see you… and he brought Shael with him!”
“How dare he show his face after everything he’s done? Back when you still loved him, he used you relentlessly. He knew Shael hated you, and yet he still chose her….
1 sculled faintly. “A man’s affection isn’t always genuine.”
“I was stronger than him, and he always felt like he was living in my shadow. Over time, that twisted things. Shael, on the other hand, is weak and pitiful. Like a clinging vine, she depends on him. Of course he preferred such a delicate, pleasing little bird.”
But in this life, he had lost the King’s favor, and his powers were crippled
Faced with the harsh reality, I wondered if he still loved Shael at all.
I stepped outside with a graceful ar
Aether stood there in a black cloak, while a pas, visibly aged Sharl followed nervously behind him.
When he saw me frown, Aether hurriedly removed his cloak in a show of goodwill.
My eyes narrowed slightly. There were still faint wounds on his neck and cheek.
He was a divine being who had lived for a thousand years, yet now he couldn’t even heal properly.
With a calm tone, I said, “I should congratulate you two lovebirds for finally being together.”
Aether’s face twisted. He glared at Shael,
“I am not in love with her!”
“Serin, she tricked me! She drugged me with an aphrodisiac”
I raised an eyebrow, so there was more to the story.
Seeing the amused look on my face, he seemed relieved.
“I’ve always loved you. If it weren’t for that wretched woman’s tricks, I never would’ve hurt you. Serin, you have to believe me!”
I replied slowly, “Aether, do you really think I don’t know about aphrodisiacs?”
“If she truly wanted to control you, she’d need to be stronger. But you’re a god. Even if you didn’t complete the Sacred Flame trials and failed to awaken your divine power, you are still a god.”
“She’s just a lowly Feathergale. How could she possibly overpower you?”
Aether quickly added, “Yes, her powers are weaker. But she secretly cut your hair and used it to redirect my feelings for you onto herself.”
He was desperate to explain, shifting all the blame onto Shael
He thought I still had feelings for him–that if he coaxed me enough, I’d fall for it again.
But he was wrong
1 raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.
His head snapped to the side, eyes wide with disbelief.
Tapered. “So what if it’s true? Do you think y
k your betrayal can just be wiped clean?”
7
“Aother, let me tell you this–whether you were deceived or willing, it makes no difference to me now. You and Shael are tied together for Life. Go rot in the gutter where you belong.”
His whole body trembled. Just as he reached for me, a crushing divine pressure pinned him in place.
