Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 305

Chapter 305: Astral Maiden V

The air inside the room was calm, almost serene, but charged with a subtle energy—something that made Lirael feel both empowered and relaxed. She knew that joining the Astral Maidens would bring her new opportunities, but it also meant aligning herself with Aiden’s mysterious ambitions. And for that, she needed to be vigilant.

Her gaze drifted to the window where Aiden sat, his silhouette framed against the sky as the first rays of the morning sun began to touch the peaks of the mountains. He sat calmly, almost too calmly, as if the unfolding events were already part of a carefully orchestrated plan. His eyes, however, betrayed the calculation beneath his tranquil demeanor.

“Comfortable, I hope?” Aiden asked, his voice smooth, not turning away from the view.

Lirael approached him slowly, her royal poise intact, though her eyes scanned him carefully. She had agreed to join this organization, but she still didn’t fully trust him—not yet. “It’s… different,” she replied, her voice neutral, revealing neither approval nor discontent.

Aiden smiled faintly, finally turning his gaze to meet hers. “Different can be good, Princess. You will find that this place, the Astral Maidens, offers you far more freedom than the court ever could.”

Lirael remained silent for a moment, studying him, the way his words seemed both genuine and comforting. She knew his true motives went beyond forming alliances and creating an organization of powerful women. There was something more, something deeper he had yet to reveal.

“You’ve certainly put a lot of effort into this,” she remarked, gesturing slightly toward the room and the palace-like headquarters. “Why?” Her tone was pointed now, her eyes sharp. She wanted answers, not the charm he so often wielded.

Aiden stood up, his movements fluid, almost graceful as he faced her fully. “Because power, Princess, is rarely given freely. It must be cultivated, shaped, and claimed. I’ve seen the potential in you—and in this organization—and I believe that together, we can achieve something… extraordinary.”

He stepped closer, his expression serious now, his voice lowering. “You and I, Lirael, are not like the others. We understand the delicate balance between control and chaos. And while others might fear that balance, we can use it to reshape the very foundation of this kingdom.”

Lirael’s eyes narrowed slightly, feeling the weight of his words. She could sense the truth in them but also the danger. Aiden wasn’t someone who acted on mere whim; he was always planning, always maneuvering. And in this moment, she realized that aligning with him meant walking a very fine line between gaining power and losing herself in his web.

“Be careful, Aiden,” she said, her voice low but firm. “I have no intention of being a pawn in your game.”

Aiden chuckled softly, his gaze never wavering from hers. “A pawn? No, Princess. You’re no pawn. If anything, you’re the queen on the board.” He paused, his smile widening slightly. “And with a queen like you at my side, we can conquer the entire game.”

Lirael studied him for a moment longer before turning her gaze back to the vast mountains outside. She didn’t respond, but the silence between them was heavy with understanding.

This alliance—this partnership—was only beginning, and both knew that their fates were now intertwined in a way that would shape the future of the kingdom.

For better or for worse.

“By the way, can I now know your true name?” Aiden suddenly asked, his tone light yet laced with curiosity. The princess looked at him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she replied, “Don’t you already know?”

Aiden chuckled softly. “Do I?” he asked, amused. He tilted his head slightly, his gaze fixed on her. Slowly, he lifted his hand, reaching toward her face, but she instinctively backed away.

Aiden raised an eyebrow, his amusement deepening. He made a subtle gesture, and in an instant, an unseen force pulled the princess toward him. He held her in his grasp, his hand gently resting on her waist as he stared into her eyes.

“I know you’re not Lirael,” Aiden said calmly, his voice steady. “At least, not the real one. The soul occupying this body is not hers.”

Lirael’s face changed as she looked at him, her expression darkening with a mix of shock and anger. She tried to summon her powers, to strike at him, but to her horror, she realized she had none. She was now no more than an ordinary girl, unable to even access a fraction of her former strength.

“What have you done to me?” she asked, her voice trembling with a mixture of panic and rage, her face twisting in fury.

“What I need is the real Lirael, not an imposter planted by the ministers,” Aiden said coldly, his eyes never leaving hers.

From the moment she had entered, his Infinite Insight had revealed the truth to him. This woman was not the true princess Lirael, but an imposter. She possessed a unique Million Facade trait, a powerful ability that allowed her to not only change her appearance but also absorb the memories of the person she impersonated.

The changed appearance is so good that only those who noticed the shift in soul can see through this.

“This is quite the way to keep the Augustus family at bay,” Aiden mumbled to himself as he loosened his grip on Shona, the woman who had been pretending to be the princess.

“You thought you could deceive me,” Aiden said softly, almost mockingly, his tone calm, yet there was a dangerous edge to it. “Did you really believe I wouldn’t notice? You may have fooled everyone else in this kingdom, but me?” He chuckled darkly. “That was your mistake.”

Shona’s voice wavered, trying to regain composure. “You have no idea what forces you’re playing with. The ministers… they’ll crush you the moment they find out you’ve exposed this.”

Aiden tilted his head, unfazed by her threat. “Crush me? Oh, you misunderstand your position, Shona.” His voice turned cold. “You’re in no place to make threats.”