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n“M-My lord? Ah, I mean, Lord Karan. Shouldn’t you be in the meeting? Lady Astoria just left for it. I can take her guest to his room.” The female guard tried to reason.

nHer words sounded reasonable. But unfortunately for her, she was barking up the wrong tree.

nHer body refused to cooperate once the good locked his terrifying stare on her face. It was a gentle smile that was aimed at her but she still felt like an animal being caught by a predator.

n“The meeting? You’re right. There is still that meeting but I don’t want to go. Why don’t you go and deliver my message to that old hag Minerva? Tell that old hag word for word – I am not coming and that old hag cannot make me.” The God behind Aurora spoke calmly.

nBut the female guard went from pale to ashes.

n“I can’t do that. I-I’ll be killed. P-Please my lord, have mercy on me.” As much as the female guard has irritated Aurora, her fear felt genuine.

nFeeling her fear was going to make Aurora sick.

n“Hmmm. I don’t want to. But I’m in a forgiving mood now. You are free to go.” The long-haired god waved his hand as he dragged Aurora after him.

nThere was going to be gossip for sure. Aurora could already hear the words ‘cheat’ and ‘two-timer’ flowing around.

nBut as much as those words irked her, she could not ask to stop. They were still in front of prying eyes.

nThankfully, the god decided to look for a secure place to talk. Aurora breathed a sigh of relief once she felt the door close behind her.

n“So, we meet once again.” Her relief vanished at the god’s voice.

nAurora had been too relieved to be out of the public eye that she had forgotten the real source of danger.

n“What do you want? I assure you that I cannot help you with anything regarding Astoria. We might look close but are not. Taking me hostage will also not help you in any way. It would be best for you to let me go.” Aurora reasoned.

nThis was the moment of truth. Now she would know what the god needed from her.

n“Huh? Who cares about her? I just wanted to talk to you again. But I have to say that I never took for a cross-dressing type of girl. And also, aren’t you looking to be too old for your age? Shouldn’t you be 13-14 for now? What do those resist” the guy never finished his words?

nAurora moved on instinct and slapped her hand in the god’s face.

n“Hey, what’s the big deal? No one is going to eavesdrop on us here. You can say what you want to.” The god must be playing with Aurora.

nEven though his aura did not give off a being of deception, Aurora refused to let her guard down.

n“Don’t look at me like that? Don’t you recognize me from before? And we were so close to each other as well.” The god fake-cried.

nSomething about his face and his hair reminded Aurora of the maid she had seen the day before.

nBut surely that was not possible? Aurora had to be mistaken!

n“Y-You were the one in front of my door yesterday? The one who offered to ‘service’ me? What do you want with me?” Aurora questioned.

nBut more than that, she panicked.

n“Hey, calm down girl. I swear you used to be more level-headed. This has to be Rex’s influence. I told you that dumb ** would corrupt you one day. Hey, watch the hair. Don’t pull at them.” The god cried.

nAnd Aurora instantly let him go with a shocked face.

nShe must be resembling a goldfish but Aurora had no way to confirm that.

n“How are you doing that? Can you read my memories? Or did someone already tip you off about me?” Aurora felt her heart skip a beat.

nThis was bad. This was really really bad.

nEven if the god did not look like he had a melodious purpose, his existence alone made Aurora’s life difficult.

nAnd the worst thing was, Aurora was not even sure if she could kill that god at her current power. She was more likely to be killed in this scenario.

n“Read memories? Who wants that ass power. But maybe you need it because of your poor memory? Am I really that forgetful to you? You used to call me sister along with Rex a long time ago. And by that, I meant 10-11 years ago. Our grandparents were friends. Do you remember now?” The god continued.

nAurora was not sure if the god was mistaken or had simply lost his mind.

nBut his tone sounded fond and his aura shined brighter when he brought up Rex’s name. There had only been one person who shined this brightly when talking to her sworn brother.

nBut that person was currently lying in a deep coma. Aurora had personally seen the body suspended inside a crystal. And Rex had sworn to bring that person back to life.

n“Still nothing? It Lucy. L.U.C.Y. And to think we used to be such great friends.” The male made a dramatic fainting pose.

nDisbelief filled Aurora’s mind as she tried to connect the sweet but strong female from her childhood with this femboy in front of her.

nHer brain could just not compute the outcome.

n“H-Hey! Don’t faint on me now. I’m not joking around with you. Ask me anything and I can answer you.” Aurora almost collapsed. But thankfully her sister (brother?) caught Aurora.

nWhat were the chances of this happening?

n“Let me sit around for a while. This is a little too much to take in for me. To think I came here to get the Elixir of life for you.” Feelings of hope and disbelief clashed inside Aurora’s heart.

nShe was sure she had been over this feeling in her previous life. Lucy was someone she had let go of, even if Rex had not.

n“Really? So you wanted to wake me up? But I kind of like my new body, even if it happens to be a male one. It is strong and had tons of magic. The only downside is the irritating voice in my head that makes me act unlike myself sometimes. I’m sure that old lady Minerva called them as instincts of a god or something.” The god, no, Lucy complained.

nHer carefree attitude chased the doubts from Aurora’s mind.

n“Lucy-“, “Call me Karan for now.”, “-Alright, Karan. So, what are you planning to do next? Why did you chase me? And how did you recognize me in the first place?” Aurora questioned.

nShe had so much she wanted to ask. But Aurora could not gather her thoughts to sort them out.

n“Of course I recognized you. You are a part of my horde. Both you and Rex are mine. But not in a romantic sense, you know? Anyway, it is hard to explain but I want to help you out?” was that a question or an answer to Aurora?

nThe god looked back at Aurora with a hopeful expression.

n“Alright. I believe you and understand you as well. Do you say you want to help me out? Then help me out just this once.” This was a bargain.

nEven though Aurora had said that she believed in Karan, she was not going to be foolish enough to not take precautions.

n“Sure I will help you out.” The god agreed.

nAurora had only one shot. The next few seconds would decide her future for her.

n“If you really are Lucy, you would have no complaints in making a vow with me-” the male made a repulsed face at her words which offended Aurora, but she continues, “-and submit your power under my control for some time.”

nAurora knew her limit. And there was no way for her to be able to suppress the god’s magic for a long time.

nIt might have been possible in the abyss. But not outside of it.

n“How long does this ‘some time’ last? I am not staying defenseless for a week.” The god replied.

n“Not that long. Just until this cabinet meeting is over should do. And you won’t be defenseless against others, just against me. Your magic will become unable to harm me for the duration of the agreement.” Aurora clarified.

nShe could tell that the god believed her. Her aura gave Aurora’s truth away.

n“Alright. But how do we make this contract? Just so you know, I am not doing any ‘lovey-dovey stuff with you. Don’t even think about kissing me.” Karan sounded serious.

n“Of course not. You are a male and I am not attracted to your species (hey, we’re the same species). Hold my hand and I’ll start taking care of the rest.” Karan shrugged but did as Aurora had asked.

nHis hand in Aurora’s hand felt heavier than Aurora remembered ever holding. But his body received her magic and the seal formed.

n(Temporary contract formed. Creator Aurora will remain unaffected by target Karan Lovis’s magic)

nAurora felt exhaustion creep up over her but also satisfaction. Finally, something went right for once.

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