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n“Falling in love? That half-breed. Don’t joke about that. Beasts like you and her do not know what love is. All you know is the feeling of obsession.” Everyone held their breath as the long-haired God blinked.

nAnd then he smiled the most vicious smile before separating the other god’s head from his body.

n“Now, now. Be careful about what you say to me, old man Zenith. You might just lose your head for real.” The elder God gulped as his head was handed back to his body.

nKaran had left the elder god with no face to save. And even the mortal people in the room could see that.

n“So what they say is true.”, ” All gods are not born equal.”, “I heard that gods can die as well. Maybe Karan will finally get fed up enough to end the old master for us.”

nThe more gossip they reached Zenith’s ears, the more he raged about it.

n“Stop speaking nonsense. Go back to your work if you have nothing else to do.” Zenith’s harsh words caused people to disperse.

nBut the stiffened laughter did not go away. His humiliation had been burned in the people’s memories.

n“Don’t be too harsh on them. They are mere mortals and don’t know what they are doing.” Karen learned to whisper his next words in Zenith’s ears.

n“But they are right. Gods can be killed. And they are not born equal. Don’t forget your place again.” Karen walked away.

nThe God he had left behind seethed at his retreating back.

n“Fuck that bastard. Who does he think he is? He’s just a young God fortunate enough to not be overshadowed by anyone else. He’s not any more special than me.” But no one consoles the beaten God.

nEven Karan did not dignify him with a back glance.

n………

nAurora collapsed as soon as she reached her room.

n“Are you alright? Are the anti-magic wards causing you trouble?” Aurora’s collapse caused Astoria’s facade to fall along with it.

nThe confidence in the elder’s face melted into an expression of worry and guilt.

n“No. I didn’t even notice the anti-magic wards so they’re not the problem. The day just took its toll on me.” Aurora calmed the goddess down.

n“I-Is that so? Then what is wrong? Is it about my actions? Should I not have declared my relationship with you?” Astoria panicked.

nAnd since Astoria panicked, Aurora felt panic rise inside ever as well.

n“Nico. That’s not the problem. I don’t care about that stuff. Besides, we have an even more serious problem. Someone might have found out the truth about me.” Aurora explained calmly.

nHer voice might be shaking and breaking, but Aurora was as calm as she could be.

n“Someone did what? But it should not be possible. My glamour should have protected you. Oh no! Did it fail? Is it my fault? D-Don’t worry. We can still fix this. All we need to do is to find that person and kill them.” Astoria looked determined.

nBut Aurora was not sure if it was even possible to do that. She had not spotted the maid while traveling through the garden.

nAnd she had left the maid in an open spot as well.

n“So, who was it? Who is the one we have to silence?” Was it Aurora’s imagination, or did Astoria look a little trigger happy at the prospect of offing someone?

n“I don’t know. All I know is that she was a pretty bold maid. Walked right up to me and harassed me. I knocked her out and left her in the garden.” Aurora recalled as much detail as she could.

nBut now that she thought back at it, there was nothing to distinguish the maid. No way to tell which fraction she belonged to.

n“A maid? Don’t you mean a guard? No one except the guards and a guest’s companions was allowed in this wing. For a maid to be able to enter here is impossible.” Austria sounded conflicted when she spoke.

n“I think she was a maid. She did say she was there to ‘serve’ me. But I could be mistaken. There was just something about her face I cannot pinpoint right now.” Astoria looked deep in thought.

nAurora’s words might have given her room to think over this topic.

n“If you’re confident about it then I will believe you. Besides, if a maid managed to slip into this section then it is not secure. I will bring it up, Minerva when I meet up with her. We should try to sleep for now.” Austria did not sound like she had given up.

n“I guess it is the best thing to do for now. Creating a fuzz would alert the maid that we are on to her. Besides, if she hasn’t told anyone about it yet means that she is biding her time.” Aurora concluded.

nTalking this topic over did not solve it for her. But it did make sleeping easier for her.

nThe thought of being found out didn’t even invade her mind again until Astoria brought it up again.

n“Be careful today. Most gods won’t interfere in the tower’s problem, but we can not make enemies with them. Keep a low profile and try sniffing that made out.” Austria advised.

nAurora felt like she was being jabbed at when Astoria spoke to her.

n“I got it. You should leave now before they send guards to collect you.” Aurora escorted Astoria to the hallway exit. The lair walked hand-in-hand.

nThe guards stationed around the hallway pretended not to see them. No one wanted to incur the wrath of gentle Lady Astoria.

nAurora stopped before she left the hallway and Astoria turned around to face her.

nThe embrace was surprising and expected at the same time. Aurora forced her yelp down as soon as she felt arms around her frame.

n“Be careful. Don’t try to contact me until I give you the go. And check out the left wing of the third floor. Minerva hinted that we should not go there.” Astoria felt her head swim as she was let go.

nBut the curious auras around her and the feeling of eyes on her back helped her straighten her act out.

n“Of course. I’ll be careful. I’ll miss you as well so come back soon.” Aurora waved her hand with fake regret.

nAstoria followed along with a sad smile. Things could not be going more perfect.

n“Master Aura, I shall escort you back. Although you have permission to roam around, it would be for the best if you stayed in your room for now.” The guard warned.

nThe guard looked pale as he glanced around.

nAurora’s curiosity peaked and she also glanced in the direction the guard was looking. And she instantly felt regret swell inside her heart.

nA female guard was eying Aurora. And from the uniform, she looked to be of a high rank as well.

nHer aura did nothing to hide her intention from Aurora.

n“I understand.” Aurora agreed. The guard was a good man and wanted to help Aurora out.

nUnfortunately for him, the female guard decided she had enough of his disobedience.

n“Why don’t you allow me to accompany the young Master to his room? He’s Lady Astoria’s previous lover and extremely important. I cannot leave his security to a lowly guard such as you.” The female guard spoke.

nAurora could see the struggle in that guard’s eyes. He wanted to help Aurora out but he could not go against his senior officer.

nHis expression told Aurora that he knew his senior officer’s harmful intentions. But his hands were bound.

nAurora never claimed to be a good person. Heck, she was not even. a decent person by any means.

nBut she decided to cut this guard some slack for his predicament. He had done a good job in alerting Aurora.

n“I understand. I would take you up on your offer then.” That distributing smile on the female guard’s face widened.

nAurora was sure she was going to break her face if she did not stop her creepy actions.

n“Then, this way please.” The guard gestured toward the opposite corridor Aurora needed to go.

nShe was sure her intentions were less than pure. But she could not reject the female guard right after agreeing to go with her.

nThere was no other choice but to solve this problem in private. Maybe even use magic this time to ensure her secret.

nBut Aurora did not get to a single step before she felt an arm being drafted around her shoulder.

nThe hallway fell silent and everyone looked pale.

n“I’m afraid this young man has a previous appointment with me. You all should leave us alone now.” The owner of that arm spoke.

nThe voice sounded soft and pleasant to Aurora’s ear. It also sounded familiar but that was not what made everyone tense.

nNo.

nThe real reason everyone tensed was because of the high amount of magical presence being emitted by that arm owner. It is heavy and choking.

nAnd it belonged to a powerful God.

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