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    *****

    ''Will that impulsion be enough to put distance between us? I don''t want to be swayed by my flesh again,'' she continued to question his actions in the back of her mind.

    Because of their last encounter, she decided to just go on with her plan alone. After some time of thinking, she concluded that she didn''t want to deviate from her course. She didn''t want to be physically intimate with him again. Or it might ruin her plans.

    "Are you listening, my lady?" Lord Lycano said, waking up Marina from her internal struggle.

    "Yes. But don''t ruin the King''s image with your schemes. It wasn''t his fault, but the female human''s anyway," she rolled her eyes.

    As she did so, she felt the carriage slowly halting down. She glanced outside and saw the grand Manor which housed the Valeros household.

    They were indeed a family of noble wealth, as their residence looked like a mini version of the King''s Castle.

    "I will find a way. But I don''t want Lady Aisha''s name to be dragged down, either," Lord Lycano''s jaw clenched as he said that.

    But he extended his hand to offer her assistance as she went down the carriage.

    Marina just tilted her nose and went down herself. "So you are still smitten with that female human?" she thought out loud.

    "As you are with the King," Lord Lycano rebutted back. "After you, my lady," he gallantly pointed the way to the entrance to the Manor.

    Marina''s eyebrows knitted together as she stomped her feet inside their desired location.

    ''How can we work together if we''re opposite poles apart?'' she gritted her teeth. But as she recalled his ideas, she realized that two heads are better than one. She might have to bear with their differences. And her physical attraction towards him?

    She shook her head as she realized how complicated her situation is.

    Fortunately, the Valeros warmly welcomed them. To her surprise, they even prepared a sumptuous meal for them, taking her mind off from thinking too much.

    "We are fortunate to be blessed with the presence of two members of the Royal Council here in our humble home. Please make yourself at home," Lord Varo said as he led them to the dining table.

    Lord Varo was the head of the Valero Household. They came from the Faunus Clan. They can stand up like humans, but they have extremities and horns like goats.

    They usually live apart from the other Clans. But they are well-loved by the Gaeans not just for their helpful nature. But their persuasive words that could make anyone with a fixed belief trust what they were saying.

    "It is good to see you up and well, Lord Varo. I heard you became ill. We came here to bring you some Psidium. It might help with your fast recovery," Lord Lycano said with his lips curved up into a kind smile, making his devilish face appear gentler.

    Marina''s eyebrows both shot up. She was not expecting that he was ready for this visitation.

    She cleared her throat as she pulled up the basket that she brought with her during the trip. "I also baked some bread made with viciam. Cordelia told me that they are good for those with stomach ailments," she smiled sweetly to Lord Varo, making him laugh uncomfortably.

    "You are most kind, my lord, my lady. You should not have even thought about these. Your presence is already enough," he humbly bowed down to them.

    "It is our pleasure to serve one of the most notable citizens of Gaea. The King could have been here too if he wasn''t entertained with his new wife," Lord Lycano chuckled, hoping he would make things lighter.

    Marina immediately threw a death stare at Lord Lycano as if reminding him about what they talked about a while ago concerning the reputation of the King.

    Fortunately, Lord Varo seemed to be on her side as he stated, "I understand the King. He has a lot of duties to even make time for a simple citizen such as me. What I am bothered about was his new relationship with his wife. This kind of disease has never happened to us before. I don''t know if it indeed was a coincidence or if the female human has brought bad luck with her."

    He was thinking out loud, making Marina smirk as she gave a winning glare at Lord Lycano, who was pressing his lips to control himself.

    Marina thought that Lord Lycano would counterattack what Lord Varo said. But to her surprise, he uttered, "Maybe, you''re right. I also wonder why the Great Theos allowed her to stay in Gaea. I thought he knew everything. He must have known that this would happen."

    Marina almost got choked with the juice that she was drinking at that moment. He was absolutely committed to moving on with their plan. Her apprehension against him somehow ebbed away.

    "That was a good start," Marina praised him as they went back to the carriage after their visit.

    She finally accepted his hand as he assisted her to her seat.

    "Do I have a prize for that?" His lips curved up in a seductive smile, as he climbed up the carriage, purposely sitting beside her.

    Marina''s heart pumps erratically as she feels his warmth beside her.

    But seeing his actions a while ago and the positive outcome from it, her resolve was strengthened to not be swayed by his charm.

    Lord Varo started to question the Great Theos'' decision as well. It wouldn''t take long before that skepticism in him and their relationship would circulate the noble society in Gaea.

    "Your prize is gaining the noble''s side.. And my support for your other agendas, too," Marina said with a confident smile as she glanced outside the window, overseeing the picturesque land of Gaea, being a little unaffected of his nearness to her anymore.