章 58: All I did.... just for you!

'Step, step...'

'Step, step...'

The rhythmic sound of their footsteps echoed through the silent forest as Stella and Aether walked cautiously, their senses on high alert. Yet, despite the tension in the air, an awkward silence hung between them, each lost in their own thoughts.

After several minutes of walking in silence, Aether finally broke the quietude. "Is it really that shocking that I belong to Frostblade House?" he asked, his expression awkward with uncertainty.

Startled out of her reverie, Stella's response came out in a stutter. "Yeah, n-no, that's not...!" she trailed off, her words faltering as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.

"Hmm?" Aether tilted his head, silently urging her to continue.

"You said Eternal Slave, right?" Stella pressed on, her expression now tinged with dread.