Chapter 99: Aglaea: Ah? Being a couple?!
At 130 years old, late one night.
Though Ohema was always like daytime under the illumination of the dawn machine, Aglaea still maintained a normal sleep schedule. She was already asleep, and her Golden Thread network was temporarily dormant. Normally, two tailors, her Memory Spirits, would guard her residence while she rested. Lacking self-awareness, they were still sufficient to handle ordinary intruders. However, tonight, those two loyal tailors mysteriously disappeared.
Aglaea frowned slightly in her sleep, as if sensing something was amiss. The next second, she suddenly opened her eyes. Windows and doors were simultaneously broken as dozens of black-clad figures surged in at once!
"I've finally waited for this opportunity," the leading assassin sneered. "Aglaea—your tyranny ends now!"
Aglaea rolled over and rose. Even though she had just woken from sleep, her movements remained elegant and composed. Golden Threads instantly unfurled around her.
"Attack!"
Dozens of assassins launched their attacks simultaneously, with blades, swords, and crossbow bolts assailing her from all angles. Aglaea calmly manipulated the Golden Threads, each one precisely blocking or cutting the attacks. Even facing such a dense assault, she remained at ease.
But just as she was focused on dealing with the enemies in front, an assassin silently descended from the ceiling rafters. Just as the poisoned dagger was about to touch her—
"Swish!"
Golden Threads suddenly appeared, severing the assassin at the waist.
"Aya!"
Orion appeared at the doorway, the Golden Threads in his hand dancing wildly.
"Orion?" Aglaea was slightly startled.
"Watch out above!" He lunged, pulling her to dodge the hidden weapons shot from the rafters.
"How did they get in? Where are the tailors?" Aglaea asked while fighting.
"I don't know either… We'll talk later." He stood beside her. "These people are too well-prepared; there's probably more than just them right now."
Sure enough, more assassins emerged from the shadows. The two stood back to back, their Golden Threads weaving into a magnificent and deadly killing net. Even with numerous enemies, the two Chrysos Heirs forced a complete retreat. Soon, the assassins were completely annihilated.
"Phew…" He sighed in relief. "Good thing I couldn't sleep and came out for a walk, otherwise…" Before he finished speaking, he suddenly frowned.
"What's wrong?" Aglaea asked with concern.
He shook his head. "Nothing, maybe just too tired."
But when he turned around, she saw bloodstains on his back. "You're hurt!"
"Just a minor injury." He tried to act as if nothing had happened.
"What minor injury!" Aglaea immediately supported him. "Quick, I'll take you for treatment."
At her insistence, he was taken to her room.
"Take off your top." She took out the medical kit.
"No need for so much trouble…"
"Take it off!"
He had no choice but to comply. The wound on his back was more serious than expected, clearly sustained while protecting her earlier. Aglaea's hands trembled slightly. "Why did you…"
"Because I don't want to see you get hurt," he said softly.
A simple sentence, yet it made her eyes well up. She carefully cleaned his wound, applied medicine, and bandaged it. Throughout the entire process, neither of them spoke. But the air was filled with an indescribable emotion.
"Done," she said softly.
"Thank you."
He tried to get up, but she pressed on his shoulder. "Tonight… rest here," her voice was very soft. "Don't move, I'm afraid your wound will reopen."
"But…"
"No buts," she said firmly.
He had no choice but to lie down. She sat by the bed, quietly watching him.
"Aya…" he murmured.
"Hmm?"
Aglaea looked at him, but he was already asleep.
"Sleep," she smiled and stood up. "I'll be right here."
He closed his eyes, complex emotions welling up in his heart. Everything was going smoothly. Aglaea had completely fallen for him. But why did he feel a hint of… guilt? No, he couldn't be soft-hearted. To bring Cipher back, anything was acceptable.
At 140 years old, without warning, Aglaea received a summons from the Council.
"Here we go again," she frowned, looking at the letter.
Just then, Orion happened to pass by Aglaea's room. Seeing her troubled expression, he went over to ask with concern.
"Aya, what's wrong?"
"The Council says there are problems in Ohema under my rule and wants to hold a vote at the General Assembly… planning to dismiss me."
"The reason?"
"They say that as a demigod for too long, divinity has eroded my humanity, making me cold and ruthless," Aglaea gave a bitter smile. "Although it's a fabricated reason, to some extent, they're right."
"What do you mean?" He was a little confused.
"I do feel it," she looked at her hands. "Sometimes, I forget that I am human. I view everything from a detached perspective, including life. This is very dangerous. If it continues, I might truly become one of those Titans."
"No, Aya… You're clearly very human! They're spouting nonsense!" He suddenly said excitedly.
"But, my recent methods of governing Ohema have indeed been somewhat ruthless. If the people don't believe me… No, I need evidence to show them. Empty words won't suffice."
"This…" He found it baffling. "How do you prove you still retain your humanity? Are you going to cut open your brain and show it to them?"
"That's the problem," Aglaea rubbed her temples. "The Council has hit the nail on the head this time."
For a moment, the room fell silent, both of them pondering countermeasures. After a long while, he suddenly spoke, looking as if he had thought of something.
"Oh, right, I have a plan."
"What plan?" Aglaea looked at him with some anticipation.
He took a deep breath, then looked at her seriously. "Let's be a couple."
"Wh-what?!" Aglaea's eyes instantly widened, her cheeks rapidly flushing.
Is this… a confession? But why so sudden? Just a few days ago, he said his heart only held Cifera…
"Oh, Aya, don't misunderstand," he quickly explained. "It's pretending to be a couple."
"Pretending?" Aglaea was stunned for a moment, a wave of disappointment washing over her.
"Right," he analyzed seriously. "If you date like an ordinary person, showing an emotional side, who would still say you lack humanity?"
Aglaea blinked, gradually realizing. "This… it actually seems like a good idea! But, how do we pretend, what do we do? I've never…"
"Of course, you'll be with me…" He deliberately paused.
Aglaea nervously swallowed. "With you what?"
"Go on dates!" He laughed. "Like ordinary couples, shopping, eating, watching plays… We need to let everyone in Ohema know that even a romantic demigod can fall in love."
"This…" Aglaea hesitated.
"Let's do it tomorrow!" He didn't give her a chance to hesitate.
"Tomorrow?!"
"The sooner the better! The General Assembly is still half a month away; we need to let enough people see us. And this 'couple' act isn't just for a day or two; it needs to last at least until after the General Assembly."
Aglaea hesitated. "Is this… really okay…?"
"Don't hesitate," he urged. "There's no other way now, is there?"
She thought about it and finally nodded in agreement. "…Alright, then we'll do as you say."
Aglaea admonished herself that this was just a performance to quell the incident, nothing more. But when she thought about being able to walk openly with him through the streets of Ohema as "lovers" tomorrow, watching plays and dining together… Even if it was all fake, she still felt an unconscious thrill, like a girl in love.