Chapter 281
His voice was heard again, calmer and more serious now, expressing what truly lay in his heart.
He admitted that Aldraya's involvement in the surveillance mission was not, in itself, a problem for him.
It was not about her ability to disguise herself or the risk of being discovered, but something far more fundamental and troubling.
His greatest concern lay in the unstable state of Aldraya's emotions, a direct consequence of her complex and still not fully understood integration with the RWIA system.
Aldraya was no longer merely a Human Change who stood on her own.
She had become an extension, a living manifestation of an artificial consciousness network that had permeated her being.
This symbiotic bond carried terrifying consequences.
If, in an emotionally unstable state—especially if hostility or hatred toward Erietta were to ignite—then it was not impossible for RWIA to respond.
The system might interpret Aldraya's emotional turmoil as a command or a necessity and, with its unseen resources, actively assist her in carrying out actions against Erietta.
That assistance could take many forms, ranging from data manipulation and environmental interference to more direct and dangerous interventions.
For Theo, this was a nightmare scenario that had to be avoided at all costs.
"I will keep my heart under control. I will not let anger and hatred win."
Hiiih!
"I will restrain this RWIA. Control will remain in my hands."
Upon hearing that explanation, a subtle transformation began to take place within Aldraya.
The rigidity that bound her entire body slowly melted away, like ice touched by warm morning dew.
The silence she had guarded so tightly, even to the point of holding her breath, began to crack.
Slowly, very slowly, the arm that had long hung limp at her side began to move.
The movement was neither impulsive nor passionate, but deliberate and heavy, as if resisting the gravity of pride and wounds that still gaped open.
That arm crept forward, circling Theo's body as he continued to lie there, and finally settled into a loose yet certain embrace.
Aldraya allowed herself to lean in, pressing the silver-haired side of her head against Theo's chest, listening to the heartbeat that now perhaps throbbed more calmly.
The position held, a silent ceasefire, for several minutes that felt both eternal and fleeting.
Within that quiet embrace, the world beyond the room seemed to blur.
There was only the shared warmth of their bodies, the rhythm of their breaths gradually aligning, and the burden of words that had finally been spoken.
Aldraya did not rush.
She savored, or perhaps merely absorbed, the fragile peace of the moment, a rare pause amid the storm of emotions and the mission pressing down on them.
The air in the room felt lighter, even though the shadow of Theo's expressed worries still lingered faintly.
Then, after a stretch of time that felt sufficient to gather courage and resolve, her voice was heard again.
This time, the flat tone remained, but it was wrapped in a different sincerity, a low yet unmistakable resolve.
A promise was spoken into the fabric of Theo's shirt, an oath meant more for herself than for him.
She vowed not to be ruled by emotion, to keep her demeanor calm and controlled throughout the surveillance mission.
"If I allow you to be involved, does that mean you will submit to all of my orders during tomorrow's observation?"
Fhooooh!
"If I tell you to stay silent, you restrain yourself. If I tell you to step away, you do so.
No matter what Erietta says or does to provoke your emotions, you will obey completely—without hesitation and without defiance?"
In the silence that now felt more peaceful, with the weight of Aldraya's body still marking her tangible presence atop his chest, Theo's voice finally emerged.
It was gentle and questioning, no longer carrying the tremor or doubt it had before.
The question was a logical confirmation, a refinement of the promise that had just been spoken.
He was asking about the consequences of Aldraya's vow, whether it meant that every instruction, every order, and every decision he made during the surveillance mission would be obeyed without condition.
The question was not delivered in an authoritarian tone, but with a need for clarity, an effort to map the boundaries of their cooperation in the uncertain field that awaited them tomorrow.
"I am willing to obey you with one condition. Explain your reasons in a rational way."
Hiiiiih!
"Prohibitions require causes. Orders require purposes.
I am not a tool that moves without thought.
I am Aldraya Kansh Que, with reason and understanding. I will comply, but only if that obedience is accompanied by an explanation I can comprehend.
Do not order silence without reason. Do not tell me to step away without context."
Aldraya's response did not come immediately, but when it finally did, her voice was clear and fully conscious, vibrating the air just above Theo's chest.
She stated her willingness to comply, but not with the blind passivity that might have been expected—or feared.
Aldraya proposed a condition, a principle that reflected her analytical intelligence and intact sense of dignity.
She was willing to follow instructions, as long as Theo was willing to take the time to explain the logic behind each command.
She asked for reasons, for context that made each prohibition or requirement make sense.
For Aldraya, whose life had often been governed by the desires and designs of others without explanation, this request was a form of self-empowerment, a way to ensure that her obedience was not a surrender, but an informed consent.
Her request was specific.
She wanted to know why she was forbidden to do certain things or required to act in particular ways.
This was not an attitude of defiance or distrust, but a need to understand the game board, to see the larger picture behind every tactical move.
By understanding the "why," she could internalize the order, make it part of her own decision, and perhaps even anticipate needs or adapt more flexibly if the situation changed.
"You may come along tomorrow. But remember your commitment—keep your emotions in check and remain the perfect shadow."
Sooooohh!
"I will always explain the reasons behind my orders, as well as the risks of every prohibition.
In return, I demand your obedience.
No debate in critical moments. No hesitation when I speak firmly."
Hhhh!
"This is our compromise: my trust in you, and your obedience born of understanding."
A long, deep sigh of relief finally escaped from Theo's chest, vibrating the air between them and slightly stirring Aldraya's silver strands of hair.
All the tension, subtle negotiation, and fear of further rejection seemed to dissipate with that breath.
A small, sincere, and weary smile returned to his face, an expression far removed from the strategic smiles or masks he often wore.
Within that relief, there was also acceptance, a final decision made with a lighter heart even as his mind remained vigilant.
With a voice that now sounded steadier and full of conviction, he stated his decision.
An official permission, words that Aldraya might have been waiting to hear since the bitter end of their conversation in the teachers' cafeteria.
Theo declared that Aldraya was allowed to take part in the surveillance mission.
Those three words, simple yet vast in meaning, hung in the air like a blessing after a trial.
However, the permission did not come without binding ties.
Theo immediately reiterated the two pillars of their agreement.
Absolute obedience to his instructions, and more importantly, Aldraya's promise to maintain emotional stability and composure throughout the mission.
To be continued…