Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Chapter 1400: She wasn’t just betrayed... She... She was utterly and completely broken.

Third Person’s POV

Delphine sat back after his soft words, words that struck her nerves so sharply her legs weakened and trembled beneath the table. She clenched her fists under the edge of the wood, forcing her gaze to stay locked on him while trying to keep her expression calm.

”What do you want to talk about?” she asked, her voice steady even as she fought to hide the slight quiver on her lips.

She knew this moment would come... but was she truly ready to face it?

After all this time... yet she still didn’t have a single answer prepared?

Aether took a slow, controlled breath and lifted his eyes toward hers, holding her gaze with all the steadiness he could gather.

”About our relationship. I... know my actions hurt you and... caused you pain, I’m certain I can’t fully comprehend. For that, I am deeply sorry,” he said, bowing his head slightly, the apology sounding heavier than before.

Still, Delphine’s face held its calm, distant expression.

Aether sighed inwardly, noticing her indifference, yet he pressed on as if afraid silence would swallow the rest of his courage.

”I wish we could move on together... I wish we could be together again! I... I need you, Delphine Frostblade. More than I have ever admitted.”

Delphine stared at him for a few more seconds, unblinking, before parting her lips.

”Need me? Hmm... that’s rich coming from a man who lied to me, manipulated me, and... cheated on me,” she said, her glare sharp enough to cut him. ”How dare you say that... Don’t make me laugh!!”

Aether stared at her... he could see she was furious... he could feel her anger tearing through their connection. But beneath it, pulsing faintly, he sensed more—disappointment, fear, a deep hurt she was still trying to hide.

He really did lose her trust, didn’t he?

Even after their first fight... he tried so desperately to be open with her. Even when she refused to respond, he told her everything, every plan, every danger... he included her with everyone, hoping she would see that he truly loved her and never wanted her to feel alone.

Yet...

’Once the trust is broken, it’s hard to build back.’

Aether lowered his eyes. ”What should we do then? Just forget and go our way...?” His voice dropped, the question trembling between despair and resignation.

Delphine shrugged. ”If that’s what you want...” she replied with a calm face, a calmness so empty it felt like she had already detached herself from everything that once mattered.

Aether bit his lip. ”Del.”

Her name sounded like a plea this time, a last attempt to reach the part of her that once smiled at him.

Delphine still stared at him blankly as she watched him tremble and lose composure. She spoke in a cold tone.

”Oh? I forgot to mention... Congratulations on your engagement.”

Her fist tightened so hard her nails dug into her palm, and her legs trembled under the table as if she were trying to control herself from losing.

Aether weakly smiled as he lowered his eyes, muttering, ”... I didn’t have a choice—”

”Yes, you do and... please don’t make me say it.” Delphine clenched her fists again as the trembling spread through her body, her emotions finally slipping past the calm mask she fought so hard to hold.

Her strong expression slowly cracked before him.

As if... if he said anything more, she might lash out and say something she could never take back.

Aether stared at her, watching her breaking emotions, emotions she could barely hold back, trembling right beneath the surface.

For a second, he didn’t say anything.

Then he finally exhaled, voice cracking with frustration and helplessness.

”Say it then... I wanted to hear it! Just say it out loud to make me realise what the fuck I had as a choice back then?!”

”A-Aether!” Delphine’s jaw clenched as she tried to force her lips shut, the anger and fear surging through their connection so strongly she felt it ripple through her spine, threatening to drag out every buried emotion she had tried to bury.

”We are not doing this-”

Aether said with a cold tone, colder than before,

”Even now... you’re trying to avoid talking to me. It was me who initiated this... I’m the one who wanted us to solve this matter.

I wanted us to talk this through... I gave you all the time you needed.

For what?

To avoid this again?

Oh?

Are you scared to face me?

Why? Shouldn’t I be the one scared?

Is that why you’re trying to keep running? How long do you think you can avoid it?