Mark couldn’t tell what was wrong with him. It hadn’t been a while since he realized that he might like this girl under his care but he kept asking himself, why did he like her like that?

It turned out, Devon was right. His feelings far surpassed that of a guardian.

He pressed his hands on his face as he shut the door of his room behind him. If that guy, Leo hadn’t hit him, just what kind of thoughts would’ve played in his mind from there?

He was... Lusting after Alice, wasn’t he? He was lusting after a 17-year-old girl just because she looked more mature for her age, looked alluring, and... He saw her breasts.

Just why was this happening? He felt so bad about it but he couldn’t think of anything to do to make up for it.

He went straight to the bathroom and washed his face, getting rid of the nosebleed and trying to see clearly but it was no use. His eyes were not clouded by a mist that water could cleanse.

He stared at himself in the mirror. His heart was racing and there was practically a devil sitting at the left side of his shoulder and whispering,

’I want her.’

Just what was this madness? Someone should make it stop. Anyone at all.

*Hey,* he heard Leo’s voice and turned around but he couldn’t see anyone. Was he hallucinating about that guy?

Because of how he glared at him, Mark could tell Leo knew what was going on in his mind. And he was very protective of Alice too. Thank goodness for that. If not...

*You’re not hallucinating.* Leo said.

"Wait, where are you?"

*Ah, I’m at the dining table, watching Alice eat. But it bothers me that you’re feeling the way you feel, so I decided to have a little chat with you.* Leo said.

Mark walked out of the bathroom, went out of his room, and looked down from the top of the stairs towards the dining table. There, he found Alice happily eating her meal while Leo watched her with delight on his face.

’He is down there.’ Mark thought.

*Yes,* Leo said and his gaze instantly shifted to his, causing him to flinch. *And I am right next to you as well. So, listen closely. Whatever you’re feeling right now, whether genuine feelings or the feelings of lust, I need you to keep it away from Alice as far as possible. If she knows how you feel, you’ll only make your living conditions awkward for the rest of your lives.*

"What are you talking about?"

*You like Alice, it’s understandable. But keep your feelings to yourself. I mean it. The last thing I want for Alice is for her to feel that the people around her fucking perverts who want to get in her pants.*

"You..." Mark angrily gripped the railings of the stairs, gritting his teeth. "I have no such thoughts." He denied.

*Ah, don’t think you can fool me. I can practically read your mind, mortal. So, your secrets... I know them all.*

Mark flinched. Wait, what was he talking about? He could read his mind?

So, at that time, he really did know what he was thinking.

"You... What are you?" He took steps back.

*You don’t need to know that. Just know that I’ll be by Alice’s side every step of the way and I’ll be taking care of her. So, whatever concerns you have about her are no longer needed. She’s in better hands when I’m around in physical form,*

"You’re that voice that’s always been in her head, isn’t it?"

*I’m glad you recognize my efforts.* Leo said proudly, but Mark vented out.

"I... I can’t accept that." He said and Leo frowned. "I can’t allow you to be around her that much when you’re also a man."

*On what basis? You drooled just from seeing her topless just one time.* Leo said and Mark gulped. That was true but... He never wanted that to happen. He never wanted to feel any of that. *I need to make this clear. Alice doesn’t belong to anyone but herself and if she says she wants to kiss you to do any of that weird stuff you’ve got playing on your mind then it’s fine by me but when she’s deeply against it and you dare cast your eyes on her, know that you’re gonna get on my radar and that won’t be good for you. So maintain yourself and be the caring and sensible guardian you’ve been this whole time. That’s for the best of both of you. I hope you understand.*

Mark could not understand. He felt his entire body stiffen at the deadly gaze of that which was not human and wondered where this ’thing’ came from. It was even more frightening than Alice when she was angry.

It was far superior to Alice and yet it was giving its services to Alice like a servant. He couldn’t help but wonder if it was a demon, just like Micheal had mentioned.

Then, did it brainwash Alice?

No, that was the same thing that had been in her mind for the longest time, giving her orders and making her do all sorts of dangerous things. With this kind of voice, there was no way Alice would’ve ever been able to refuse, even if it meant putting her life on the line.

Yet, now that it had a physical body, it was acting so freely with Alice. Just as they argued when he was still a voice, they still argued and fought when he had a physical body.

And he was taking such great care of her.

He wasn’t allowed to think that this thing had ulterior motives. He wasn’t... Supposed to cross the line.

Yet... This strong sense of jealousy that this guy was way closer to Alice than he would ever be... Made him feel helpless and sad.

He lost this time, was that it?

*Ah, don’t get me wrong.* Leo suddenly said. *I’m not a love interest or anything of that sort. I’m just here to guide her carefully so she doesn’t lose her way with the powers she possesses.*

Leo glanced upstairs and his lips curled up in a grin.

*And as I said before, I won’t stop you if Alice wants to do all that shit with you. So, go ahead and try. If you’re able to win her over, I won’t say anything. I will never interfere with the choices she has for a partner. And as far as I’m concerned, I think you’ve shown your worth so far. Just... Don’t mess it up and let lust cloud your judgment, even if she is an alluring butterfly. Do we understand each other?*

Mark slowly nodded and Leo smiled.

*I look forward to seeing you for much longer in the future.*

"What are you smiling about?" Alice asked, seeing him smile so randomly and he said,

"The way you eat is just so cute." He said, and she grew pissed, feeling goosebumps crawl up her skin.

"Cringe, much. Just shut up and stop smiling like an idiot." She said and he laughed while she continued her meal.

He took one more glance at the top of the stairs and closed his eyes. With this, he was sure to have settled a bit of his worries.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com