"You guys are really careful, huh," Li Yifei finally commented on the two esteemed Demons' change of disguise as they drove out the dark forest and back on the road.

"Naturally. We can't afford to be careless in covering our tracks, lest we're asking for enemies to come knocking at our door." Lillie clarified.

​​

"Must be extra hard for the Underworld Leaders, people constantly trying to pry into your privacy to take you down." Gabriel leaned back and relaxed on the backrest. "I think I'm reevaluating my plan on climbing the ranks.

"It's not necessary to think deep into it," Ethan interjected, eyes not leaving the road. "Your group has already earned the eyes of high ranking criminals. And once we blow the lid off about your affiliation with us, expect that you'll be targeted even more."

"Regardless, you'll be protected by us. I'll be stationing my men into your base soon, so don't worry. And if you desire, I'll even allow your subordinates to train directly under us." Lillie's tone was coated in icy seriousness as she added, "I'd like to see them dare attack one of our own."

Yes, Lillie would like to see who dares attack her precious little brother and sister-in-law.

White Bird will inflict a whole world of pain, torment, and bloodshed on whoever touches a single strand of hair from their heads.

Gabriel can't help but feel touched by White Bird's awe-inspiring and commendable declaration. He's really having mixed feelings about her now.

Before they formed an alliance, she was like a demon incarnate who promised to skin them alive if they made a wrong move. Now, she's acting like a ruthless mother-hen who will flip the world upside down and tear apart anyone who dare touches her chicks.

Everyone in the Underworld knows that if you attempt to attack her people, best be prepared for the majestic bird of myth to roast the hell out of you.

"I'm a bit confused," Li Yifei frowned," do you guys trust us this quickly for you two to show us that hideout where you change?"

It wasn't even a day that passed after officially signing their alliance contract, and they're already showing them this much.

"If you're planning on divulging the location of that place, I'll have you know that the only way to get inside is by inputting a series of intricate codes that only I know."

Ethan didn't mention that the intricate codes he meant were in the form of his cheeky, mommy's-girl-engineered daughter, Ai. As soon the sensors attached to the trees recognize him, Lillie, or the Commanders, Ai will open the underground base's entrance.

"If the system sensed an intruder, the defense system will automatically act accordingly."

Ethan didn't need to explain what he meant by 'act accordingly'. Gabriel and Li Yifei already have a clear guess on what it could be.

Just seeing that the base was still there in good shape, they deduce that either no one has yet to discover it, or someone did and they're all annihilated.

Fighting off a shiver, the two younger siblings didn't delve further.

"You two seem really close, huh." Li Yifei blurted. She can no longer help it, curiosity is eating her alive.

"We are."

She...she didn't deny it?!

Li Yifei and Gabriel were taken aback.

And it was that straightforward too? They can't be seriously humoring them just because allies now, right?

There are certain boundaries on how trusting a normal person can be.

So what that says about a Demon? Trusting nature is practically non-existent!

"Uh...uhm..." Li Yifei was so astonished that she couldn't construct a word.

"The rumors are true, then?" Fortunately, Gabriel managed to gather his wits.

"Be more specific. There are a lot of rumors circulating us." Lillie knows what he was talking about but asked nevertheless.

"About you and Silver Dragon being lovers."

"Oh, that was a rumor?" Ethan mused loudly. "I thought people already knew we're together."

"Seems like we thought wrong," Lillie tipped her to the side to look at Ethan. "We made it pretty obvious too, didn't we?"

"En, we did," Ethan affirmed with a nod.

Obvious? Yeah, it was quite obvious. But you made them doubt it after they were harshly proven wrong about you and White Crow before! So you can't blame them if they question your relationship with Silver Dragon!

"Huh? Then you really made him an Elder because he's your boyfriend?" Li Yifei finally woke up from her stupor.

"Don't be silly, I'm not biased." Lillie faintly rebuke. "Whether if they are my own family, I will not assign them on a lofty seat if they're lacking. The reason why I promoted him to be an Elder is simply because his capabilities are equal to one."

"I see. Now it makes sense." Li Yifei nodded understandingly. "As your boyfriend, he should be just exceptionally capable, or else he'll be an easy target to use as a bargaining chip."

"Good comprehension," Lillie compliments.

This made Li Yifei flustered. What is this fluttering feeling in her chest? White Bird just complimented her, and it made her...giddy?

Li Yifei doesn't get flustered easily. But if she did, it was usually because someone important to her said things that made her happy.

Like her idol, sister-in-law Lillie, and big bro—and secretly her overbearingly snarky, tsundere boyfriend—for example.

After that, silence has once again prevailed. The two younger siblings didn't let their guards down but allowed themselves to relax and soak in the warmth of the car's heater and each other's presence.

Li Yifei scooted closer to her boyfriend. In return, Gabriel planted his palm over her dainty hand.

Unfortunately, tranquility didn't last long when they noticed that the road Silver Dragon was taking was distinctly familiar.

That's right, they realize it just now...they didn't tell them where they'll be dropped off.

Due to their bewildered state earlier, Gabriel and Li Yifei forgot to mention the location of their base—though, they doubt that White Bird doesn't know where it was.

But why would they bring them here? And how did they know this place in a short period?

"White Bird, what are we doing here? This isn't our base." Gabriel tested the water. It could be a coincidence, for all he knows.

An impossible, absurd coincidence.

"We're taking you two home." Lillie said, busy clicking something on the infotainment.

"But this is nowhere near our houses," Li Yifei retorted, internally panicking at the unpleasant possibilities of why they're heading towards the direction she's assuming.

Oh no, it wasn't an assumption or a terrible coincidence.

Silver Dragon entered Peach Town with no trouble. The guards by the gates saw his car, and just saluted upon recognizing it.

He didn't even need to roll his tinted window down.

"I know." She replied.

"Then what's the meaning of this—" Gabriel's eyes widen, appalled as they approached the familiar villa.

The car halted in front of the gates.

His shoulders hunched, alarm bells ringing even louder in his ears and his heart was practically pounding out of his chest.

Tranquil Villa's gates opened with a resounding creak.

The car stopped by the villa's grand main doors.

Then, they heard two simultaneous clicks that indicated that seatbelts had been unbuckled.

"Remove your masks before you get off."

Gabriel snapped his head towards White Bird's direction so fast that he nearly had a whiplash. "What are we doing here, White Bird?" He snarled. His heated glare practically boring holes in the back of her seat.

"What are we doing here?" Lillie echoed as she unhurriedly peeled off her mask. "That's a silly question, plus jeune frère [1]."

Gabriel's breath hitched, his throat suddenly felt dry.

White Bird's voice...changed. It sounded like...like...

His eyes then drifted down when he saw the two esteemed Demons place something down on the armrest's compartment.

It was their masks.

"It's already late, we'll scold you two later in the morning." Ethan turned the car off.

On the rear-view mirror, the younger siblings met their elder siblings' unsettling eyes.

"Big sis?!"

"Elder bro?!"