Hazel's happy face immediately changed to concern. After Aile explained everything to her, she was not too worried about the problem but worried about Aile. She inquired about the issue and in the end, sighed, as she did not know of a solution for him. Aile told her to keep his company to prevent him from going into such a state again.

After a while, Hazel said, "What should we do with her?"

Aile did not know what to do and did not trust his mind thoroughly either. He did not want to harm Violet right now and was, in fact, still infatuated with her. But he was not sure whether it was himself or the seeds just exaggeratedly amplifying his emotions.

While being honest with Hazel, he told her how he felt. Hazel had a complicated emotion. She was here to prevent him from finding more girls and also help him.

But the very second she left, he was charmed by someone else. This made her doubt his feelings a little for her. But nonetheless, she loved him, so she came up with a solution reluctantly. It was to bring back Violet to Port Kiar and then once she left Hunter's side after knowing her safe return, to deal with her. But that was easier said than done.

As an influential key player in Port Kiar Hunter could not be made into an enemy just now. So moves against Violet here was impossible as the fact that she was with them made Aile responsible for her safety. Anything that happens to her would inevitably be his liability. With the tense atmosphere in Port Kiar, Violet would not be left alone easily, making it harder to do something to her then. So the solution to the problem was hard, and Hazel asked to hear everything between them to find a resolution with Aile.

Only by monitoring her personally, can they maintain their peace an prevent a problem from rising up. Aile wanted to use her to get more information, but the risk of her exposing him was too much now.

After a while, Hazel said, "Leave this to me, I will solve it. I will go talk with her."

Aile nodded at her, knowing full well that she was more reliable than him at the moment. Anything she does, he will stand behind her decision.

A few minutes later Violet and Hazel were back, Violet having a darker complexion and in contemplation. Hazel nodded, telling him that she was successful in her plan.

Soon the people of Merchant Union happily ate the wolf meat, and the journeyed ahead. Aile, on the other hand, kept on observing his soul every so often to make sure everything is under his control. Aile had a blank look and Hazel by his side, he did not even remember how the rest of the journey passed. Hazel too had a lot to think about, so there was barely a few words spoken. It was soon night time and tomorrow was the trade.

Just sitting outside his tent Aile had his eyes closed, evaluating each part of his soul, trying to find the issue. With a sigh, he opened his eyes again only to see Hazel's worried face.

"Were you successful?"

Aile shook his head with disappointment.

Hazel sighed and said, "Someone is looking for you."

Aile gestured Hazel to keep an eye on him so that he does not do anything uncharacteristic. This behaviour made Hazel even more perplexed, and her concern about him increased.

Standing in front of him was Xue.

"Hello Xue, what brings you here?"

"Are you Shadow?" Aile did not expect another problem to pop up right now. But it seems it did, he did not reply.

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Xue continued, "When I looked at you for the first time I found you familiar, that along with how you threw those stones made it quite easy to guess."

Aile sighed, and in a defeated tone said, "What do you want?"

Xue then talked for a while with Aile, mostly venting about Phantom's (Fiona's) treatment of her and how she was unable to meet him. At times she also mentioned that she was considering to leave. This was because her influence in the union was limited, and Xue was prevented from growing. Her efforts were not awarded, with that, she felt betrayed, even Danny someone she mentored had much more influence now.

Aile sighed it seems another problem of how he treated people had popped up. Aile consoled her and told her that he will talk with her in detail once he returns. He also promised her more influence. She was happy and requested to report to him directly 50 percent of the time. She claimed that it was so that nothing like this suppression happens again. Aile agreed, after all, he was at fault for not allowing her to grow all this time after he gained a solid footing. In fact, he felt lucky that she had not left yet, his treatment of her so far was terrible, and many people would want to hire such a competent person. Although Xue was reluctant to part with Aile, after he promised to meet her again soon, she agreed to depart.

A single step in the right direction gave Aile a push to look forward and find a solution to the rest of his problems. As he was leaving from the corner of his eyes, he saw Ellie and Violet keeping tabs on him. He went to them and gave them both a kiss on the cheek as a goodbye. As he will only be keeping an eye on the trade from afar tomorrow, this will be goodbye to the both of them.

While he was still confused and questioning a lot of things about himself, he did not want to sour his relationship with Violet and Ellie. Perhaps hoping that no harm would come to Violet due to Hazel's solution and as an apology to Ellie for possibly breaking her friendship. Seeing him again brought a happy smile on both of their faces. But this action did not go unnoticed by Hazel, making her bitter.

Next morning Aile and Hazel departed first and kept an eye on the trade from a hill close by.

As the trade was conducted successfully, and there were no underhanded methods, both sides departed happily. With One and Two acting as supports for Xue, Aile was sure that they will get back safely. He looked at Hazel as they headed towards the direction of the tomb.

The tomb was discovered a day from this location if travelled by common mounts. However, with their superior mounts, they could get their quicker. But that was not something that Hazel and Aile wanted. This is because every little bit of an advantage would count while in the enemy's territory. Riding the mounts below what they are capable will give them a slight edge if they are ever in a situation where they have to force them to their limits. There was also another reason, which needed them to reach there in roughly three days.

Hazel turned to Aile who still seemed to question himself and his emotions. She said, "Do you think your plan worked?"

Aile got some of his bearing back replied, "It should work, without it, we would fail. It is not like we can enter the tomb under the noses of strong cultivators of the White Clan. Not to mention we will be trapped in a confined space with enemies all around. If the plan doesn't work, it means our trip was for nought."

Hazel nodded and was happy to see Aile return to his previous persona. Aile was still perplexed and was wondering how was he influenced and what was its cause. At the same time, he was trying to come up with countermeasures for possible worst-case scenarios, he felt at ease travelling with Hazel. As being intimate with her in the worst case was something that would not cause a problem to both of them. Even if there is a desire of possessiveness, Hazel would be happy about it. However, in fear that the consequences would intensify if they continue in this path made him reconsider.

The new pet wolf that seemed to get along with her was resting on her body. The pet wolf, with its cute charm, brought a smile to Aile and Hazel's face initially. However, now with its bright eyes, the wolf seemed to challenge Aile in Hazel's lap. The pup became the reminder of Aile's abstinence that they had taken to avoid too much of an expressive reaction from Aile's soul.

Aile too wanted to hold on to her, he was tempted by her body, fragrance and the comfortable sensation that they developed while travelling on one mount in this journey. Now the only comfortable person was the pup and every one its move was challenging him because of something he could not do. Aile had to stop himself in fear of his soul's reaction when he came in contact with her.

Seeing the annoyed look, Aile was giving the pup, made Hazel giggle, as she said, "How many people do you think will be there now."

Aile came back to it and said, "3 days would be enough time for most influential and strong people to gather."

***