The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

Divinity Control class was later that day. This class was taught by Lady Elzibeth of Moonlight, who had all the typical characteristics of a netizen from that Region.

It was a quiet class, the teacher's voice was the main noise, followed by the scratching of quills and the occasional murmur of the students exchanging whispered thoughts.

Aeric was in the middle row, sitting on the last column, a position that allowed him to observe without being the center of attention.

Beside him, on his right as usual, was Celestia, elegant as ever. She had dressed more stylishly today, packing her hair in a style that resembled a ponytail, except it curled from the side.

On his left was Melina, stiff and awkward. She had her shoulders hunched and her head low, unable to think of anything else but the Crest of Obedience planted above her breasts.

She would never sit with Aeric on a usual basis. Of course. But for today, she had no choice as Aeric had commanded that she did. He said he wanted a close eye on her to avoid Aryanne trying anything that could remove the Crest or soften its effects.

Melina continuously avoided Aeric's gaze, instead staring down, or straight ahead, or on her hands that were clasped tightly in her lap. Anything except his intimidating crimson eyes.

Bending her head and looking over Aeric, Celestia glanced at Melina. She didn't know what to say or think about the whole Crest of Obedience thing, she had no idea why Aeric wanted to enslave the Moonlight Daughters.

What did he plan to have her do?

Biting her lip, her expression moved between a curiosity and veiled discomfort. It was clear she wanted to say something, but propriety — and the presence of Aeric — kept her silent.

For other Daughters present, they kept glancing at Aeric's direction. Some even staring. Seeing Melina sitting beside Aeric was so unfamiliar, but...

Faeryn, who watched, narrowed her eyes. It wasn't completely unnatural, there was something about they way they contrasted each other. Melina's silver and Aeric's obsidian.

However, when it came to the Son of Starlight, Aeric's mind was elsewhere. Lady Elzibeth's lecture on Divinity Control faded into the background. He barely registered her words about controlling Divinity in one's Divine Vessels to yield better results.

He had already mastered that, and so, he allowed his thoughts to be consumed by the same worry he'd had since last night.

'How difficult will convincing the Branching Families be?' This question gnawed at Aeric, consistently.

He sat there in class, absentminded to the stares sent his way, thoughts filled with the pictures of the Branching Families' patriarchs.

The patriarchs were men of wealth, influence, and unwavering pride. Like Delva had said, he knew they would not be easily swayed. He'd already started making moves to get them gathered for the meeting. Explore more adventures at empire

However, Aeric felt bad that he had not told his mother about this yet. He wondered if this counted as disrespect, meeting the Branching Families behind his mother's back, without her authorization.

Nonetheless, the situation required urgency. This had to be done, he told himself to offer some solace.

Lady Elzibeth continued with the teaching, droning on about balance and restraint. Then, Aeric suddenly recalled something, and his brow furrowed.

It was like spark igniting dry tinder.

He'd just found out someone else that could join their mission.

Aeric grinned. So far, he'd gathered himself and Delva. His hopes was still on Alzera, but he was almost certain she would join. With this new prospect, their chances of success just increased by a huge margin!

The bell rang, its sharp clang snapping Aeric out of his reverie.

Lady Elzibeth told everyone to study on Meridians (Divine Vessels) and to always make sure theirs are purified for free Divinity Flow.

The Daughters shuffled in their seats, gathering their belongings. Once Aeric got to his feet, the two girls followed.

Celestia turned to him, a question in her eyes, but before she could speak, Aeric turned straight. He seemed very cold today, as though he was too focused on one thing and ignored everything else.

Including her.

"Let's go," he said curtly, glancing at Melina, who hesitated before following.

Aryanne had made sure to seat a few rows close to them, and as they began to leave, she watched them intently.

Her eyes narrowed, watching her sister follow behind Aeric like a shadow. She squeezed her lips, unable to hide her anger and humiliation. All she wanted was for Aeric to suffer for doing this.

Yet, so far. Aeric had basically done nothing. He'd just asked Melina to stay close to him. And that itself, even frustrated Aryanne the more.

She lifted her chin to her elder sister, Luna, who watched from a few seats above. Both said nothing, but their eyes spoke plenty.

Everyone made their way to the dining hall, chatting was plenty here. Aeric took his seat at a table near the center, and Celestia sat by his side.

Phoebe suddenly joined them, a smile on her face. "Hello Master Aeric!"

Celestia almost gasped, looking at her. 'Ehhh? Ngh! Master?'

Aeric looked at Phoebe, and gave her a small smile. "Hey, Pheebs."

Celestia saw this too and frowned. 'Where's my smile?'

Melina was the last to sit. She did so with her down, taking her place at Aeric's left. Aeric looked at her apathetically.

'She's acting like this is the most humiliating thing that has ever happened to her. I've barely even done anything. But just sitting here with us seems like a punishment to her. Nonsense.'

All around them, the Daughters watched, their gazes sharp as daggers.

Luna appeared again, standing by the door this time, jaw clenched. She looked over at Melina, just managing to keep her anger in check.

It was an insult, seeing one of her sister, a Daughter of Moonlight, reduced to a bondservant under Aeric's control.

If she wanted, she could obliterate that Starlight scum right this moment. She did not care what her mother thought.

Luna facepalmed. Ugh! Of course she did. With a tentative breath, she turned around and walked away.

After a few bites of his food, Aeric told the girls to stay, that he had something he needed to do.

Celestia's face fell, disappointment flickering in her eyes. She had hoped to speak with him, to confront the events of the previous day.

But now, it was clear Aeric was avoiding the conversation. Her shoulders slumped as he rose from his seat and began to leave, but then he stopped when he saw that Melina was still sitting and eating.

"What are you doing?" he said coldly, looking at her.

Melina stopped, and her scared gaze lifted up at him. "You... you said we should stay."

"Not you," he replied, hands in pocket. "You're coming with me."

~ ~ ~

Aeric strolled through the school grounds, his hands still in his pockets.

His gait was casual, almost leisurely, but there was a sharpness to his eyes, and it was clear that today wasn't one of the days where one could mess around with him.

Beside him, Melina followed, her footsteps hesitant, her head bowed. The quiet of the school's rear gardens enveloped them as they approached a secluded spot.

It was an open field, lined with rows of flowering trees. Two iron benches, weathered by time, faced each other beneath the shade of a sprawling oak.

Once they arrived, Aeric gestured for Melina to sit. She looked at the chair, and knew not to disobey. So she sat, her movements stiff and wary.

Taking his place on the opposite bench, Aeric leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. His intense gaze bore into her, making her squirm.

Melina wasn't a bad looking girl. In fact, she was actually very beautiful. She had silver eyes like her mother and a delicate face. Most of the time, there was a pinkness in her cheeks and she had full lips, although small and heart shaped.

However, all this didn't matter to Aeric. Not at that moment. Because none of those facial features, even her beautiful slender body. None of it made up for her shit character.

Melina gulped. "Are… are you going to order me to do something perverted now?"

Aeric furrowed his brows, feeling offended. "What?"

"That's what this is about isn't it?" Melina said. "You won't to do what you want with me without me fighting back and that's why you tattooed a Crest of Obedience on me."

Hearing that made Aeric frown with discomfort. "If I had sex with you now, it would be rape. Sex has to be consenting, not induced."

Melina looked up at him. "But if the Crest of Obedience demands that I consent..."

"That's still inducement," Aeric interrupted her abjectly. Then he studied her nervous face, raising his brow. "Melina, you don't like have a fetish of being...?"

Melina's eyes suddenly widened. "What? No! No! No! I don't. How dare you say such a thing?"

Aeric sat back, sighing nonchalantly. "Calm your horns, I never said it was bad thing. I'm not going to shame you for it or anything."n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Melina's eyes softened, then she lowered her gaze. "It's not that. It's just that, I like when... I'm..."

Aeric guessed what the next words could be in his mind. 'Dominated? Manhandled? Used?' Those were the common ones.

However, he would never know the true answer, because Melina clenched her eyes and pushed the thought away. "Well, if you didn't call me here to force me to do things, then why am I here?"

Aeric leaned towards her. "Listen. I'm going to ask you some questions, and you're going to tell me the truth. Lying…" He paused, his gaze dropping briefly to the faint glow of the Crest above her cleavage. "Lying counts as disobedience. And we both know what happens then."

Melina's breath hitched. "What kind of questions do you want to ask?"

Aeric sat back and sighed. "Not the kind you'll be excited to answer."