Ace looked at Eva, and he could feel her unease and doubts, and he had to admit, she had successfully drawn his attention as well.
'She has a point…even though the system appeared omniscient and omnipresent, in the end, it's not. After all, many Heaven's Stealers before me had died despite having the system.
'That's why I shouldn't completely depend on it…and if the enemy really has a way to turn the Thief House members against me and the system couldn't detect it, I won't see it coming.
'Yet…for some reason, I don't want to believe it, and it didn't bother me much…'
Ace sighed as he said, "You should've talked with me sooner. I know you are worried, and you do have a point that I can't deny. Even I don't know what the enemy is capable of.
"But I think you are overreacting. Maybe the House Members might feel wronged or unfair, but I have never treated them like tools, and I'm not planning on doing so in the future."
Ace suddenly smiled with a hint of confidence, "Furthermore, I don't think they'll switch sides so easily, especially if they're as cunning and intelligent as Freya and Winter. After all, I might be holding their lives in my hands; they know I would never threaten them with it, and they have all the freedom they want except for main missions.
"But if they switch sides, there's no guarantee that the other side will give them any freedom at all, or they might be just tricking them. Still, to ensure your 'imagination' never turned to reality, we'll just have to show them the difference between me, who cares about their lives, and my enemy, who might use them like tools before discarding them."
Eva was slightly surprised before she couldn't help but laugh, "Hehe, why I'm not surprised? You've always been a dummy, and you still are despite everything I told you.
"But I had to admit, you are right. Although today's event was within my expectations, one thing I wasn't expecting was everyone agreeing to enter the Abyss.
"Even though their intentions are more cynical than credulous, they still respect you, and that's why you should put more effort into spending more time with them!" Eva smiled meaningfully.
Ace knew what Eva was implying and couldn't help but laugh dryly. He was about to retort when his expression changed ever so slightly.
Eva noticed his expression and narrowed her eyes, "Who's back?"
"Heh, she certainly seemed desperate today. Should I tease her?" A mischievous glint flashed past Eva's eyes.
Ace started to sweat as he remembered the promise he made to Alina to 'stay away' from Eva, yet he gave in to the Devil's temptation. If Alina discovered him , he knew an unstoppable war would ensue.
"Don't you dare! Can you be slightly nicer to her? Furthermore, I felt something was weighing down on her mind at that time." Ace frowned as he got up, and his robes appeared around his body.
Eva didn't retort this time and replied softly, "Just marry her. I know you've been holding back because of your promise to me. However, let's admit it and be realistic: we are already 'married,' and the grand wedding isn't possible unless you want to invite every possible victim of Sky Stealer. I'm more than content with what I have today; just don't be unfair to others just to keep me happy."
Ace was surprised as he looked at her, and he could feel her sincerity. he then suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into a hug, and Eva, after a moment of surprise, tightly hugged him back.
"I'll make it happen, no matter what. You will marry Ace." Ace's voice was filled with tender love and conviction.
He kissed her passionately before seriously saying, "I'll be back."
"Mmhn~" Eva nodded as her eyes were filled with unwillingness, but she didn't stop him.
The next moment, Ace vanished, leaving Eva alone, and her gentle expression instantly crumbled before coldness crept into the depths of her devilish eyes, 'I won't let anything happen to you. Even if you hate me for it!'
Ace appeared in Alina's cultivation chamber; he had already received her call, which was a signal to summon her back.
The moment he appeared, he instantly issued a house meeting summons, and the next moment, Alina appeared again; she was still looking the same.
However, Ace could tell Alina was not in a good mood, and before he could inquire any further, Alina looked at him, and her eyes widened with disbelief as she quickly approached him with coldness creeping into her eyes like a hidden disaster.
"Why is that she-devil's aura all over you?!" Alina glared at Ace as her eyes were filled with cold fury.
Ace instantly started to sweat as he wasn't expecting to be caught , and he clearly didn't find any kind of aura on him. In fact, he was confident that there was no trace of Eva left on him, but for some reason, Alina could tell, and now he doesn't know how to explain.
Alina's eyes widened even more when she saw Ace's somewhat guilty expression, and she gritted her teeth as if she was about to explode.
But unexpectedly, she took a deep breath and said while biting her lip, "Sorry, I shouldn't have put you in this difficult position; she's your wife, after all."
Ace was astounded as he wasn't expecting the calamity to pass on its own, but he still felt guilty about it.
He grabbed Alina's hands and looked into her bewitching eyes, "You don't have to feel this way. Eva is Eva, and you are you. No matter what, my love for you will never wane.
"As for the marriage, I need to tell you about something I should've had long ago. I guess I was still hesitant about us, but not anymore. I want you to be my woman and give you everything you deserve!"
Alina trembled slightly when she heard Ace's heartfelt words, and she could feel his love for her, as he didn't hide his genuine feelings anymore.
The next moment, Alina was suddenly caught by surprise when her lips suddenly blocked Ace, and she trembled in shock.
However, the next moment, all her resistance melted away as she started to reciprocate while she hugged his neck, and all her negative thoughts vanished at that moment.
But it didn't last long because of an unexpected and fierce interference, "Stop you fool!"