Seraphina watched Aeren, smiling internally while maintaining a serious expression on her face. All her shadow operatives couldn't comprehend the situation—they didn't know what actions they should take under these circumstances.
Several shadows turned back toward Seraphina, trusting in her judgment. Watching Seraphina's composure made them relax about the situation.
Aeren observed the scene and noticed their relaxed demeanor. They trust her completely. That makes them predictable opponents. How interesting.
With this thought, he looked at Seraphina with a calm expression, revealing nothing to her.
"Introduce yourself." As Aeren walked toward the couches, he positioned himself so that Nil sat on his left and Seraphina on his right, asking Seraphina for a proper introduction.
Seraphina observed Aeren's actions, perceiving his calm demeanor as though she were nothing more than refuse in his eyes. She could read his attitude clearly—he never considered her more than trash.
As she assessed Aeren, her smile grew wider internally, and she rose from her couch.
As I suspected, all princes and princesses are full of themselves, believing they can rule without understanding their empire's true power. Seraphina turned toward Nil, her eyes conveying the message: You believe in this garbage? I'll show you what real strength looks like.
Without concern, Seraphina thought: If I eliminate him, then Nil will witness what she's opposing. She'll understand that she has no power against the force behind me. I'm sorry, child, but you must become my stepping stone to bring Nil to my side.
Planning to execute her strategy and complete her mission for this estate, she instantly sprang toward Aeren in attack.
Seraphina vanished from her position. Aeren saw her disappearing and watched with amazement as she appeared before him in an instant.
BOOM
Seraphina struck Aeren with tremendous force, sending him flying across the room. After dispatching Aeren, she turned toward Nil, but immediately saw a kick approaching her head.
Seraphina barely dodged the attack. When all the shadow operatives moved to assault Nil, her dark and light spirits created a barrier preventing anyone from reaching her.
Here's the corrected and more natural conversation flow:
"Why are you so angry, Nil?" Seraphina spoke while maintaining her gentle smile. "Don't tell me you actually have feelings for him." Her smile widened with this new realization—another tool to manipulate her.
"That's none of your business," Nil replied with icy coldness, her anger barely contained.
"Nil, there's no need to speak to me like this. I've always wanted what's best for you—I've always cared for you. You're misunderstanding my intentions."
"Don't feed me that garbage," Nil snapped, her voice cutting through the air. "Stop trying to manipulate me with your lies."
"My lies?" Seraphina's expression shifted, her mask of concern slipping slightly. "Everything I've done has been for your benefit, child. You're simply too naive to see it."
"Naive?" Nil's laugh was bitter and sharp. "I see exactly what you are—a murderer who killed my father and now wants to use me."
Seraphina's gentle facade finally cracked, and she began laughing with genuine amusement at the situation.
"HAHAHAHAHA! You still don't understand, do you, Nil?" Her voice took on a condescending tone. "We are fundamentally different from mortals like him. We were born to rule over this world, not serve it."
Nil stared at her with growing confusion, unable to grasp the meaning behind her words. "What do you mean by 'we'? What are you talking about?"
"Surely you must know what I'm referring to, Nil." Seeing her continued bewilderment, Seraphina's patience began wearing thin. "Must I truly explain everything to you like a child?" She sighed with exaggerated disappointment.
Nil continued staring with confusion, unable to understand her meaning. She wondered if Seraphina referred to reincarnation, but Aeren was also reincarnated here.
That theory made no sense, so she dismissed it and searched for other connections between them, but couldn't recall anything that would make them similar.
Seraphina could see her confusion and read her like a child. Giving up on Nil's understanding, she decided to elaborate.
"We have already transcended the limitations of normal existence, Nil. Few people have surpassed all boundaries like us." Seraphina began explaining details that might help her understand more quickly. "That's why we've already exceeded human perspective on aging—we'll live ten to twenty times longer than ordinary humans."
She paused briefly and glanced toward where Aeren had landed, but saw no one there. Ignoring this and thinking nothing of the situation, she continued her explanation.
"This makes us immortal. We can build our own empire, rule people without restrictions, create our own laws for this world, and do anything without opposition, Nil. That's why you should join me—together we can find ways to transcend this age and become truly immortal beings. If we unite, we can achieve complete immortality, Nil."
She spoke passionately about immortality, and Nil could see her excitement, the smile on her face, and her greed for eternal life along with her delusion of world domination.
After hearing this, Nil began envisioning similar possibilities, though her dream involved spending time with Aeren rather than ruling the world. Since Aeren could only live for a hundred years, she could ask him to return to his previous state, and they could live together forever.
As Nil contemplated these possibilities, the idea began taking root in her mind. If she could truly become immortal, then her time with Aeren wouldn't be limited to just a hundred years. Her voice became quieter, more thoughtful.
"Is it really possible? This immortality you speak of?" She looked at Seraphina with a mixture of hope and uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
Seraphina could see the longing in Nil's gaze and recognized a familiar hunger—one she knew intimately. Perfect. She's beginning to understand what we truly are. I knew from the moment I first saw her that we were cut from the same cloth. Neither of us was meant to kneel before others.
A satisfied smile spread across Seraphina's face as she nodded approvingly. "Of course it's possible, Nil. True immortality awaits those bold enough to seize it. Follow my guidance, and I'll reveal the world as it truly exists—not the illusion they've fed you your entire life."
She moved closer, her voice taking on an almost maternal tone. "But first, you must prove your commitment. Immortality demands sacrifice, Nil. You must sever all ties to mortality." Her gaze shifted meaningfully toward where Aeren had been thrown. "That prince represents everything that binds you to this mundane existence. Kill him, and you take your first step toward true freedom."
Seraphina's expression grew more intense. "Show the world that you've transcended their petty rules. A royal's death will announce your ascension perfectly."
Nil listened to every word, her expression thoughtful yet conflicted. When Seraphina finished, expecting eager agreement, Nil's response came quietly but firmly.
"I can't do that, Aunt."
The simple refusal hit Seraphina like a physical blow. Her confident smile faltered, and for a moment, she stared at Nil in complete disbelief, unable to comprehend how her perfect manipulation had failed.