Chapter 769 Behind The Scenes [Pt 2]
Frey'ja, the White Dragon Lord, was an epitome of beauty.
Among the Dragon Lords, there was none who rivaled her in beauty and sheer prestige—at least, that was what she liked to think.
Of all her features, there was one that she was most proud of, though.
—Her eyes.
They were beautiful, like the depths of a crystal sea, or a boundless sky. The immaculate mix of blue, with white sparkles, made them glorious to look at.
They weren't only for decoration as well.
Her Skills involved her eyes a good deal, so they were her greatest assets in every sense of the word.
… Until the Great Old Dragon Lord plucked one out.
Frey'ja had sunk into despair after that. She thought her beauty had been forever tainted, and that she would forever be denied the full power that used to be hers. Her ambition would be forced into a standstill, and she would lose all the respect of her peers.
Even though she was grateful for being spared, her life was never going to be the same.
Then… Ater came along.
He changed everything upon his arrival, starting with her new eyes. That single act was more than enough to make her enamored by him.
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"How are you enjoying your new eye?"
The moment he asked this question, the pink hues on the cheeks of the White Dragon Lord intensified, almost turning bright red.
'He's close…' Not only did he get closer to her, his chest nearly rubbing against hers, but she could feel his chill drawing close to her steaming body.
She did her best to be composed, but Ater wasn't making it easy.
"I-It's amazing! I can see much better than before, and my abilities are also much stronger. Then, there's also that new Skill that I have." She honestly spewed these words, despite being tensed.
Her syrupy smile made it clear how giddy and clumsy she was being. Still, she didn't stop.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you." She would have bowed her head, but Ater was too close to her, so she couldn't.
In an attempt to give him her utmost respect, Frey'ja tried to take a step back and properly show reverence, but Ater wrapped an arm behind her and drew her closer to him.
"Eeeep!"
Her face instantly turned beet red.
She could feel the rate at which her heart was beating, and it was dangerous. She was trembling again, feeling all sorts of emotions, and yet couldn't remove her gaze from the predator that had caught her in his webs.
Her chest pressed on his, and she felt an electric sensation flow through her body.
'Rough. Too rough…' No man had ever been this way with her.
Frey'ja had always been a goddess since she was born, so most Dragons sucked up to her. She was talented in everything she did, and her physical qualities matched her overwhelming combat abilities.
Ultimately, there were only very few who could be considered her equal or superior.
But none of them had any interest in women.
None of them looked at her, or touched her, or spoke to her… the way Ater currently did. The White Dragon Lord felt bliss at that moment.
"Surely, you have some form of dissatisfaction. Tell me…"
Once again, Ater could see right through her. She couldn't fight the almighty effects that his words had on her.
In the end, she gave in.
"S-sometimes, I just think it's a shame that I can't show off my newfound strength to the other Lords. Maybe… maybe if I show them how great you are, you could even have more allies among our ranks."
"Ahh…" Ater smiled, pulling his face close enough that his lips grazed hers.
'Oohh…!!!'
Her knees went weak, and her legs nearly gave out.
She remained firm, though.
"That is unnecessary. I do not require anyone else but you, Frey'ja." The way he spoke, especially how he said her name, made her heart leap many bounds.
Frey'ja loved it.
"Besides, isn't it good that only you have access to this power? You'll be able to serve the Emperor well, surpassing those who were once your equals."
"Yes… you're right."
Serving the Emperor was ultimately the goal of every Dragon, and Frey'ja was no exception to that. She told herself that the only reason she was allied with Ater was because he would aid in her efforts to do so.
Yes… that was the only reason.
"I am grateful for your overwhelming assistance." She smiled warmly, though a hint of sadness still flickered in her eyes.
"...."
For a moment, silence existed between the two.
Then, without any notice or warning, Frey'ja felt herself sink into the entirety of Ater's body.
He had embraced her, branding himself on her entire body, as she became tainted with his unending darkness.
Strangely, it brought her comfort.
"What troubles you? Talk to me, Frey'ja." He whispered to her ears.
"I… I guess I'm just worried about a lot of things right now. There's a lot on my plate…"
"Like what?"
"W-well, for one… I'm concerned about the performance of my girls in the coming Exhibition."
The Squads and Lords undertook an Exhibition before the Emperor every year, and she could feel the growing pressure as the days drew nearer.
Even though she had grown considerably stronger than before, she couldn't say the same about her two subordinates who made up a Squad.
"Then there's the fact that I am very much behind on a lot of academic decisions due to the time I had to take to acclimate to the eye. There are so many things I need to do, like finding a place for the field trip of the students, as well as preparation for the upcoming events."
The only reason The Great Old Dragon Lord spared her was due to her importance in the Academy.
She couldn't screw that up now.
"Don't worry about all of that." Ater said with a smile, pulling away from their embrace so she could see his confident face.
"Ater…"
"I know the best way to resolve the weakness of your Squad, and while I know you are more than capable enough to handle the Academy events, I have a mild suggestion regarding the upcoming Excursion."
The glint of mischief in his eyes told Frey'ja that he had many interesting things in his mind.
She wanted to know so badly.
"Tell me!"