Chapter 1
"See you tomorrow, Aether," the man said, waving his hand alongside his coworkers waving their hands as well. Aether waves his hand and starts walking towards the exit. His face hit the cold, refreshing air as he stepped outside. The cold breeze sent a shiver down his spine. He adjusted his scarf and headed home for the night. Walking down the street, many people were also heading home, eager to escape the winter chill. Some were bundled up in heavy coats; others hurried along with their heads down, all eager to reach the warmth of their homes. Aether stops by the coffee shop on his way home to grab a warm drink. He bought two hot chocolates for himself and his friend looking after his children back home. As he continued his walk while taking a sip of the hot chocolate, he couldn't help but smile at the thought of his cosy house and the joy that awaited him inside.
"Guess better get back soon before the hot chocolates get cold," he thought to himself. He walked faster, and as he arrived home, he took out his keys and unlocked the front door.
"Im home," he called out, taking off his coat and shoes, putting his shoes aside, and putting his coat on the coat rack. He walked into the living room, and a figure was sitting on the couch while she caressed both his children's hair. Their heads are on the woman's lap. While the two were sleeping peacefully, he couldn't help but smile at the scene before him. The woman noticed his presence and gave him a warm smile.
"Oh! Welcome home, Aether. I didn't hear you open the door ," she said softly as she continued to stroke two children's hairs tenderly.
He chuckled and sat down next to her. "Guess you were busy playing their hair and you didn't notice me come in," he said with a grin. "Here, I brought some hot chocolate for you " he said, placing the cup on the table.
She smiled at him and said, "You don't have to do that, but thank you." She placed her hand on the cup, still warm to the touch.
He shoked his head, smiling. "It's the least I can do to repay you for looking after my kids while I was away, Kafka," he smiled at her, grateful for her help.
She giggled and replied, "You know I'm not the only one babysitting your kids; Aether, your sister has been helping too." She smiled at him. "You can repay me by taking me out for dinner sometime."
"Sure thing, when you have time." He stood up and went to the kitchen.
"I already made you dinner. It's in the fridge; you just have to heat it up," she said to him with a wink. "Stelle Caelus and I already ate. So you don't have to worry about us, and I already took them a bath."
He nodded gratefully. "Thanks." He walked over to the fridge and took out his dinner , ready to heat it up in the microwave. He was grateful for the help and support from her and his sister , especially during such a difficult time. He heard the microwave beep, indicating that his dinner was ready. He enjoyed the food in silence; he heard Kafka humming a tune on the couch while she caressed two children sleeping peacefully.
He finished his dinner and washed his dishes. He then went to take a shower to wash off the stress of the day. After a few minutes, he emerged feeling refreshed and renewed. He then sat down next to Kafka.
He looked at the clock and realised it was already past midnight. He looked at Kafka and said, "It's getting late; we should tuck them into the bed." She nodded in agreement. He carried Caelus, and Kafka carried Stelle as they headed to their room. Aether opened the door and laid Caelus down on the bed. Kafka laid Stelle down on the bed next to him. Stelle snuggled up next to Caelus; both held hands and slept peacefully.
Kafka looked at them with a smile and giggles. "How adorable," she said. She took her phone out and snapped a photo of the sleeping twins.
Aether leans down and kisses them on the forehead before quietly leaving the room. Gently close the door. He did not want to wake them up.
"Guess it's time for me to head back home," she said with a smile. As both of them were walking to the living room, Kafka gathered her things and put them in her handbag. Aether was leaning against the wall, looking at her.
As she finished packing her things, she turned to Aether and said, "Good night, Aether. I'll see you tomorrow."
Aether nodded his head and snapped his finger. A portal opened in front of her house. She looked at him with a blank expression.
Aether raised an eyebrow and said, "What? I'm not letting you walk back home late at night by yourself, you know ."
She sighs. "I can defend myself. Thank you very much." She shokes her head.
"Look, I'm just worried about you, that's all," he said. "The twins are really attached to you ." He looked at her with gentle eyes and smiles. "You're like their second mother, Kafka , and I can see how much they like you. I don't want them to be hurt if anything happens to you."
Kafka was touched by his words and felt grateful for the bond she had formed with the twins. She already thought of them as her own children. She made a promise to Stella that she would be there for them no matter what. Especially her husband, to help him get through his grief and loss. After Stella passed away, Aether held Stella, leaning down to give her a final kiss on the forehead. Tears streamed down his face. I and his sister watched in silence. Lumine was crying while watching her brother say his final goodbye to his wife, and I was holding the twins in my arms . who were too young to understand what was happening. Tears fell onto their innocent faces. as they looked up at me with confusion. Tears are running down my cheeks.
And I held them close, knowing that they would never fully understand the pain of losing their mother at such a young age. But I promised to always be there for them, no matter what.
A few days after her funeral, I immediately started looking after them, along with his sister when she had time from work. Helping Aether with his grief and taking care of all their needs as best I could manage. I made sure to keep my promise and be there for them, just like she would have wanted.
She sighed in her memories and smiled softly, looking at him before her expression changed. She smiled mischievously and said, "Oh, is that proposal for me?" she said teasingly as she cupped her face with a paint blush on her cheeks.
Aether blinked, and his face turned bright red as he stammered, "Huh? Wait! That's no.. I.. Err." He covered his blushing face with his hand. And he sighed. "Stop teasing me, Kafka!"
Kafka just laughed and said, "You're so cute when you're flustered." She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Fufufu, but I won't mind accepting your proposal and becoming your wife." as she kissed his cheeks and stepped back to the portal that was slowly closing behind her. She waved her hand with a paint blush on her cheeks as the portal closed with a final shimmer, leaving him standing alone in the empty room. He blinks his eyes a couple of times and sighs, scratching his head.
"Guess time to sleep ," he muttered to himself, heading towards his room. He collapses on his bed, thinking about what Kafka said. "I won't mind accepting your proposal and becoming your wife," he thought to himself. He took a picture frame from his bedside table and gazed at the photo of his late wife. "What should I do, Stella ?" he asked softly, looking at the picture of his wife, hoping for an answer. His eyes closed as he drifted off to sleep. In his dreams, he heard her voice whispering, "Follow your heart, my love."
And when he woke up, staring at the familiar ceiling, he looked around his bed and found Paimon sleeping beside him, drooling and sleeptalking about food, and giggled. He rose from the bed, blankly staring in front of him.
"A dream from my past, huh?" he thought to himself. He sighed and smiled. " I still didn't give her an answer," he said to himself. It's been a few years since he still didn't give her a response about the proposal that night.
He scratched his head. "I'm sure she already forgot those few years and moved on " he thought to himself. He regretted not giving her an answer sooner. "She still keeps in touch with Stelle and Caelus; it's been awhile since I last spoke to her," he said. He stopped talking to her when he heard from Welt and Himeko that she was part of the Stellaron Hunters. He knew how dangerous the Stellaron Hunters were; he couldn't get his children involved with them. He didn't want to risk their safety. And in the end, Stelle and Caelus were already involved with the Stellaron Hunters.
He sighed. He got angry with her for involving his children in a dangerous group, especially when she told him Stelle and Caelus were part of the Stellaron Hunters before they joined the Astral Express. That was the last conversation he had with her before he stopped messaging her. Before he arrived in Teyvat, he had never heard from her again.
"Time to get up and make breakfast ," he thought to himself as he reluctantly climbed out of bed. He washed his face and went to the kitchen to start cooking. He cleared his thoughts and focused on cooking a breakfast for him and Paimon.
Before a buzzing sound interrupted his thoughts. He snapped his finger, and his phone appeared in his hand. He saw that it was a message from his daughter, saying good morning.
He read the message with a smile on his face.
Stelle: Good morning, Dad. Are you busy today?
I finished cooking the last pancake and placed it on the table. Picking up his phone , he quickly typed a response to his daughter.
Aether: Not too busy today; I have a commission in the late afternoon. So, why are you asking?
Stelle: Well, it's really hard to explain, but Mama Kafka wants to talk to you.
I froze, looking at the screen, unsure of how to respond. It's been so long since I last spoke to her before I arrived in Teyvat.
Stelle noticed her dad was not replying.
Stelle: Dad?
He snapped out of his daze and replied.
Aether: Sorry, Stelle; I was just caught off guard when you mentioned Kafka. It's been awhile since I last talked to her. But why does she want to talk to me?
Stelle: She merely asked me to forward her message; she didn't provide me with any more information. Even though, given what transpired during your last conversation, this is not a good idea,.
Stelle: But, dad, I want the both of you to reconcile. It's been on my mind ever since you and Mama Kafka argued when I and Caelus joined the Stellaron Hunters group. I think it's time for you both to make amends, and I want to see you both again in group chat. Me and Caelus, we missed both of you joking each other and having fun together in group chat.
Stelle: It's just not the same without you two bantering back and forth.
Stelle: And so me and Caelus can continue our planned operation to get our dad and Mama Kafka to get Mar-.
Stelle deleted the message.
Aether blinked , confused by Stelle's deletion of the message.
Stelle: A-haha, sorry, please forget what you just read.
Stelle immediately changed the subject.
Stelle: A-anyway, please, dad, reconcile with Mama Kafka. For me and Caelus. Please, for our sake!
He sighed and thought for a moment before finally responding.
Aether: Alright, I will try to talk to her and see if we can work things out. But don't expect to work everything out right away. These things take time.
Stelle immediately responded.
Stelle: Thanks, dad! I'll contact Mama Kafka, and I'll add you to our group chat in a few minutes! His daughter didn't respond for a few minutes. He set down his phone and waited patiently for her message.
Paimon floated down the stairs to greet him while rubbing her face with her hand. After waking up with a big yawn,.
"Morning, Aether, did you make breakfast ?" she said.
"Yeah , I made some pancakes," Aether replied with a smile. "Alongside some scrambled eggs and bacon," he said, pointing towards the table where the food was already laid out.
Paimon excitedly floated towards the table and eagerly grabbed a pancake. And she stuffed it into her mouth, savouring the delicious taste of Aether's cooking.
"Hey now! Paimon, you better save some for me!" Aether exclaimed, laughing at Paimon's enthusiasm.
Paimon, look at him. Her cheeks are stuffed with pancakes, which she swallows. "Are you not going to eat yet, Aether ?" she asks. As she stuffed a pancake again into her mouth, the syrup dripped down her chin.
He chuckled and shook his head. "Not yet. I'm waiting for my daughter's message," he said, gesturing towards his phone on the table.
Paimon looked at the phone on the table. "Isn't that weird device you were playing back at the Good Hunter?"
He nodded. "Yes, but that's a communication device. You can send a message pretty far away, Paimon. You can even make a call to someone across the world."
Paimon scratched her head. "Paimon brains are hurting from you explaining that weird device."
He sheepishly grins at her. "Yeah, I'm really not good at explaining it," he chuckles. He scratches his head , embarrassed by his lack of ability to explain the device.
Paimon shrugs and says, "Well, Paimon doesn't matter," as she is stuffed full of pancakes in her mouth again.
He sighed and waited for his daughter's message to pop up on his phone. Before a ding sounded from his phone, he looked at it, and his daughter added him to the group chat. The group chat was filled with messages from Stelle Caelus and Kafka. Their previous conversation.
"Hmm, so they have been in contact with her this entire time," he thought to himself. "But what's with the group name?" he thought to himself. "Galactic Trashcan Hunters!" he muttered under his breath.
Group chat name: Galactic Trashcan Hunters!
Stelle: Welcome to our second group chat, dad!
Aether: You and Caelus have been in contact with her for awhile now, huh, Stelle?
Stelle: Um, yeah, sorry for not telling you, dad.
He sighed and typed in the chat.
Aether: It's fine; I'm not mad at you. Even if I told you and Caelus to stop contacting her, both of you would be angry at me.
Stelle: We would never get angry at you, dad!
Stelle: Me and Caelus loved you, dad. You are the best dad in the whole universe!
He smiled warmly at his daughter's words.
Aether: Alright, alright, you're making me blush, Stelle.
Stelle: Hehehe…
Aether: Changing the subject, where's Caelus?
Stelle: I don't know; maybe he's still at Xianzhou Luofu.
Aether: Xianzhou? It's been a while since I last visited that place.
Stelle: Oh yeah, you visited Xianzhou Loufu before, right, dad?
Aether: Hmph, that was a century ago.
Stelle didn't reply for a moment.
Stelle: I forgot you're really old, dad.
Aether: Oi, watch your mouth! Young lady
Stelle: Sorry, sorry, hehehe.
He sighed and shook his head in amusement.
Stelle: Oh yeah, when we first arrived in Xianzhou, Luofu, someone knew you, dad.
Aether: Oh? Who was it?
Stelle: Madam Yukong, the head of the Sky-Faring Commission. Of the Xianzhou Luofu.
Aether stared at the name and realised why it sounded familiar. He racked his brain, trying to remember where he had heard the name before. Then he remembered that she was his escort during his visit to Xianzhou Luofu. That time, one of the starskiffs got stranded in the middle of nowhere in space; their engine suddenly died, and the crew waited anxiously for help to arrive. I was passing by when I saw the starskiff there, so I floated over to see if they needed any help. Well, they were surprised to see me outside with my wings, and I can breathe in space. So I dragged their starskiff back to the Xianzhou Luofu flagship. I reached the flagship, and the crew was escorted back with healers to check on them. The shogun thanked me and offered me a reward for bringing them back safely. I politely declined the reward, but he at least told me to stay here for a few days as their guest. So I agreed that I was planning to find a planet to stay on and take a break for a few days before continuing my journey. So he called someone to become my guide and escort me around the flagship during my stay. He introduced me to Yukong as my guide for the duration of my stay. Looking at her, she's a fox, not to mention she's a beauty. As she showed me around Xianzhou Luofu, she led me to the various stores and many places of interest in the area. And she introduced me to many locals, who were all very friendly and welcoming. And her best friend too; her name is Caiyi, alongside her husband Guangyuan. The three of them are Starskiff fighter ace pilots. A few days later, it was time for me to leave and continue my journey. So the shogun hosted a farewell banquet in my honour. Even though I told him that it was unnecessary, he insisted on showing his gratitude. So I delayed my departure by one more day to attend the banquet. It was a night filled with laughter, music, and delicious food. Guangyuan invited me to drink with him. And Caiyi dragged Yukong with her to us, the four of us drinking and celebrating until the early hours of the morning. Yukong had a low tolerance for alcohol, so she passed out on the table. Caiyi was laughing at her for being such a lightweight. I ended up carrying Yukong to bed while Caiyi carried her husband back to their home. We said our goodbyes and promised to hang out again when I plan to visit here again. While I was walking back, carrying Yukong, I stopped. There is a problem; I don't know where she lives. I should have asked Caiyi for her address before they left. I don't know what to do now. There is only one option. I carry her back to my place. I arrived at the hotel, opened my room with my keycard, and gently laid her down on the bed. I took off my shoe and my scarf. I went to her and took her shoe off. Then, I covered her with a blanket. I stand up and head to the couch to go to sleep for the night. But I felt a hand on my arm and yanked me on the bed, and Yukong straddled me, her face inches away from mine gigling and her eyes sparkling mischievously. I tried to push her off, but she was too strong. Her face leaned in closer to mine, her breath warm on my skin. And she kissed me, still tasting the alcohol on her lips. That night was one I would never forget. So when we woke up the next morning, you know she screamed and summoned her bow, aiming at me with a look of pure rage in her eyes. So I gathered my clothes and ran out of the room as fast as I could. After a few hours of what happened, Caiyi and Guangyuan were able to calm her down, and the shogun was laughing when I explained what had happened. So it's time for me to leave the shogun and others I befriended during my time here. Caiyi and Guangyuan gave me a heartfelt goodbye and promised to visit here again. As for Yukong, yeah, she's glaring at me with anger in her eyes. As I finished my farewell, I summoned my wings and flowed off.
Stelle: Dad? Are you still there?
His phone buzzed, and he snapped back to reality.
Aether: Sorry, I zoned out for a minute there. Yeah, Yukong and I were acquaintances from a long time ago.
Stelle: Oh? Why was she glaring at Caelus when we first arrived there?
He blinked and typed.
Aether: Really?
Stelle: Yes , she seemed really angry for some reason.
He scratched his head, and of course she's still holding a grudge from that incident.
Stelle: So? Dad, what did you do to make her so upset?
Aether: That I don't want to tell you yet. So let's just drop it for now.
Stelle: Fine.
Aether: So what's taking her so long? We have been waiting for hours.
Stelle: Oh yeah, maybe I should call her.
Kafka is online.
Stelle: Oh! She's online!
Aether stared at the screen, his heart pounding nervously.
Kafka's typing.
Kafka: Thanks, Stelle, for convincing your dad to talk to me.
Stelle: No problem, Mama Kafka; I'll leave you two alone to chat.
Stelle: Dad, remember what I told you for our sake?!
He sighed and typed.
Aether: Yeah, I remembered. Don't worry.
Stelle: Ok! Bye, Dad, bye, Mama Kafka! I hope this all works out!
Stelle went offline.
Kafka: What is she talking about, Aether?
Aether: Scroll up, Kafka.
And so she read the messages Stelle and I had exchanged.
After a few minutes,.
Kafka: I see...
Aether: Yeah…
Kafka:…
Aether:…
Both of them fell silent, unsure of what to say next. They both knew what happened when they stopped talking to each other. After a few minutes, I typed.
Aehter: I'm sorry, Kafka.
Kafka: Eh?
Aether: You know what happened last time we stopped communicating? When Stelle and Caelus were part of the Stellaron Hunters
Aether: I was really angry. I don't want them both to get hurt, and I don't want them to join the dangerous organisation.
Aether: I don't know why you joined the Stellaron Hunters in the first place. But I respect your decision.
Aether: Hearing that my two children join you is unacceptable.
Aether: I want them a safe and happy life, away from all the danger and violence. I want them to choose their own path and not be forced into a life of constant conflict.
Aehter: But if they want to become like me, a star traveller , I will support their decision and guide them on their journey.
Aether: I guess I'll just have to trust that I raised them well enough to make the right choice for themselves.
Aether: I'm really, really sorry, Kafka. I fear them following you down a path of uncertainty and danger.
Aether: It's fine; you don't have to forgive me . I just hope you can understand my concern for their well-being.
He finished his sentence with a heavy sigh, hoping that Kafka would see that his intentions were good.
Kafka: You don't have to be sorry, Aether. I should be the one apologising.
Kafka: I know that you only want what's best for them.
Kafka: I didn't even want them to join me as the Stellaron Hunters. But they insisted, we kept arguing about it, and finally I gave up and let them join.
Kafka: But deep down, I knew it was a mistake.
Kafka: Don't worry; I didn't let them send dangerous missions on their own. So I asked Elio not to let them go on any dangerous missions.
Kafka: So he agreed to send them an easy mission like gathering information or tailing someone from a safe distance.
Kafka: And I didn't let them go alone, so I always go with them to ensure their safety. Alongside my companion Wolfie Bladie, don't worry; he's not a bad person; he always accompanies them on their missions, and lastly, Sam always watches them from afar to make sure they are safe. Well, especially Caelus; she's obsessed with him . She never lets him out of her sight.
He raised his eyebrows in amusement. Her last companion is obsessed with his son.
Kafka: Fufufu, she seems to enjoy Caelus's company, and she is attached to him more than anyone else.
Kafka: It seems like our son has inherited your charming personality, Aether. Fufufu.
Aether scratched his head and laughed nervously. Paimon noticed him laughing to himself as she continued stuffing her mouth with pancakes while watching him.
Kafka: changing the subject, let's continue our conversation.
Kafka: Like I said, I didn't let them go on a dangerous mission. I don't want them to get hurt. Because I cared for them, I won't let anyone lay a finger on them; if they do, I'll make sure they regret it.
He sweated about her overprotectiveness and the lengths she would go to in order to keep them safe.
Kafka: Anyway, I'm really sorry, Aether, for letting them join the Stellaron Hunters despite knowing the risks involved.
Kafka: You don't have to forgive me if you want to never speak to me again. I respect your decision. And I will ask them to stop contacting me.
I immediately typed out a response.
Aether: Nonono! You don't have to do that. You can keep in contact with them.
Kafka: Really?
Aether: Yes.
Kafka: Ok, I will continue to keep in touch with them.
Aether: But promise me, don't put them in danger or get hurt. So look after them, ok?
Kafka: Okay, I promise I won't put them in danger or get hurt. I'll protect them.
He sighed.
Aether: Good. I trust you, Kafka.
Kafka: Hmm, don't worry; Wolfie has drones watching over them too. Whenever they are in danger, the drones will protect them and alert me immediately.
Kafka: As for Sam, well, she put a tracking device at them so we'll always know where they are. And Sam is really fast, so she can run to them in no time if needed.
Aether: Are you sure about Sam? I don't know, but you said she's obsessed with Caelus, and I don't know if I trust her.
Kafka: Yes, don't worry. Well, if she did something indecent to him, I'm sure I'd turn her into scrap metal. Fufufu.
He chuckled nervously. Feeling bad for Sam
Aether: Ok, I trust you.
Kafka: Fufufu. So what now? I'm sure you're not 100% ready to forgive me yet.
Aether: Yeah, sorry. It will take time for me to fully forgive you.
Kafka: I understand. I'll give you all the time you need. At least we can talk. again.
He smiled warmly.
Aether: Hmm, yeah.
Kafka: So how about we catch up from the last time we spoke to each other?
Aether: That would be great.
So the both of them messaged each other for an hour and caught up on everything that had happened since they last spoke.
And Paimon, well, she ate all the food and was sleeping on the table, her belly full, so Aether ate a loaf of bread with jelly and a glass of juice. A few hours later, and almost late afternoon, he needs to head to the adventure guild to meet up with the knight of Favonius to escort merchants to Liyue Harbour.
Aether: It's time for my commission, Kafka. I need to go.
Kafka: Aw, do you have to go now?
Aether: Yes, duty calls. I'm sure you have a mission of your own to attend to as well.
Kafka: As a matter of fact, I do.
Aether: Hmm, I guess I'm going to go offline; see you later, Kafka.
I was about to turn off my phone.
Kafka: Wait!
He stopped and replied.
Aether: What's wrong?
Kafka: About your response...
He blinks his eyes.
Aether: What response?
Kafka: About that night when I told you I wouldn't mind accepting your proposal and becoming your wife...
He paused and remembered that night.
Aether: Oh, of course . I remember that night. I thought you were only teasing me before you stepped into the portal.
Kafka: But I was being serious. I truly meant what I said. I really want to become your wife, and I want to become their real mother.
Kafka: So... What's your answer?
He thought for a moment before typing "I-..." but he got interrupted by his daughter, who suddenly went online and bombarded messages into group chat.
Stelle: Dad! Mama Kafka! There is trouble.
Stelle: Caelus! Needs help!
Stelle: Caelus! Needs help!
Stelle: Caelus! Needs help! He needs help!
Me and Kafka were calming Stelle down from her panic and trying to figure out what was going on with Caelus.
Kafka: Ok, Stelle, calm down.
Aether: Kafka's right, Stelle. Calm down and tell us what happened.
Stelle: Ok , I'll try to explain.
Stelle: Caelus was being chased by Madam Yukong, and she's going to kill him.
Aether stared at the screen in disbelief.
Kafka: Oh? that foxian head of the Sky-Faring Commission? Why was she trying to kill him?
Aether: Yeah, why is Yukong trying to kill Caelus? Stelle, what did he do?
Stelle: Um, it's hard to explain, and you would be surprised.
Kafka: Tell us, dear, we need to know what he did to upset her, just like your father did to upset her a long time ago.
Aether: Hey now, this isn't the time to bring up my old past, and how did you even know?
Kafka: Elio showed me your old past during your visit to the Xianzhou Luofu. You and that fox woman slept together. Fufufu, you playboy Aether.
Stelle: Eh! Dad, you slept, Madam Yukong.!?
Aether: Ugh, for my defence, she straddled me and held me tight so I couldn't escape.
Kafka: Oh, hush, Aether, that's no excuse! I'm sure you enjoyed it.
Stelle: Dad, are you cheating on Mom with Madam Yukong?
Aether: Ugh, ahhhh! That was a century ago, Stelle, before I met Stella! I'm not cheating on her; I'm sure she was still not born yet. at that time!
Stelle: Dad, I didn't know you liked young girls at that time.
His eyes twitch, his body shakes, and the cup in his hand is starting to crack.
Aether: Stelle, when I have time, I will visit Astrall Express and take your phone and your ground for a month.
His daughter is immediately typing.
Stelle: Dad! I was just joking. Please don't take my phone and ground me for a month!
Kafka: Hahaha, now, Aether , you know Stelle was only kidding. Let's not go overboard with punishment.
Aether: And you, Kafka, I'm not letting you off the hook that easily! You are a bad influence on Stelle with your jokes.
Kafka: Ohh,~ are you going to punish me? ~ ahhh, Aether, my body is shaking.~ What kind of punishment are you going to give me? ~ Are you going to tie me to the bed? ~How naugthy of you, Aether~ but I wont mind.~ Just be gentle with me.
Aether:…
Stelle:…
Me and Stelle were speechless, staring at the screen.
Stelle: Um, Mama Kafka, that's a bit too much information for me, and gross.
Aether: Kafka, can you not say those things in front of the kids?
Kafka: Sorry, I got carried away. Ehe~
"Ehe te nandayo!" Paimon shouted awake before going back to sleep.
Aether looked at her, looking confused, for a second before going back to his phone.
Aether: Can we go back to the topic at hand?
Kafka: Of course, Stelle, can you explain about Caelus now?
Stelle: Oh! Ah! Yes , I can explain about Caelus now.
Stelle: The reason Madam Yukong is trying to kill Caelus is because...
Kafka: Because?
Stelle: Caelus got her daughter pregnant.
He blinked his eyes, shocked by what his daughter said, and tried to process the information.
Aether: What…
Kafka: Oh my...
Stelle: Yeah…
Kafka: I told that boy to use protection when he found himself with a girl he liked.
Stelle: Oh, Firefly is not going to be happy when she finds out.
Kafka: Don't worry, I handle her, but first I'm going to talk to Caelus and scold him for not using a protection. Fufufu . That boy is going to be in big trouble. Fufufu
Stelle: Uwaaaa Mama Kafka, your scaring me.
Stelle: Dad, say something!
Aether: I agree with her, Stelle; I like to scold your brother too, but let me process what just happened first. What you said shocked me to my core.
Aether: Ugh, I need a drink!
Stelle: Dad, now is not the time to drink alcohol!
Aether: But first, I didn't know Yukong had a child.
Aether: Stelle, do you have a picture of Yukong's daughter?
Stelle: Yeah, I have a group photo of me, March 7, and Caelus with her. Wait a sec; let me send it here.
Stelle sent a photo to the group chat.
Aether zoomed in on the photo closely and noticed Yukong's daughter next to Caelus hugging his arm and smiling, while Caelus smiled awkwardly with a paint blush on his cheeks. He zoomed the girl out of the picture and examined her features carefully. A black-haired foxian with green eyes.
"Huh? She looked like Yukong's best friend, Caiyi " he thought. But why is Yukong her mother? he wondered.
Kafka: You thought you got Yukong pregnant; before you left, did you Aether?
Aether: Well, I did think that I might have, but that was a relief to know it wasn't.
Aether: And it would be weird if Caelus suddenly fell in love with his half-sister and got her pregnant. I would have had a heart attack if that were the case , but thankfully it's not.
Stelle: Ugh, Dad! That's gross; I just imagine it! Ew, ew, ew!
Aether: Anyway, I didn't know Yukong adopted a child.
Stelle: Dad. Madam Yukong told us about her biological parents, who died during the war.
Aether: I see...
"If that girl is the daughter of Caiyi and Guangyuan, then I'll visit Xianzhou and pay my respects at their graves," he thought.
Aether: For now, Stelle, go save your brother, bring him back to the express, and hide him for the time being. I need to finish my commission first before I visit you both.
Kafka: As for me, I'll need to finish my mission first before I join you. I can't show my face, Xianzhou Luofu, but I will send a drone with a hologram to communicate with you.
Stelle: Alright, I ask Mr. Welt and Miss Himeko March Dan Heng to help me.
Aether: Hmp, good luck. And be careful.
Aether: Kafka…
Kafka: Yes?
Aether: I'm sorry, but I'll have to delay my response to your proposal.
Kafka: No worries; I understand. But I expect an answer soon. So don't keep me waiting.~ Aether: Understand; I will give you an answer as soon as possible.
Kafka: Hmm, bye bye for now.
Kafka went offline.
Stelle: Eh? What proposal are you both talking about?
Aether: scroll up, Stelle; I'll see you later.
Aether went offline.
Stelle: Eh! Wait, jeez, Dad, Mama Kafka left me hanging with this mysterious proposal!
Stelle: I'll read it later; for now, I'm going to go save Caelus first .
Stelle went offline.
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End