Upon entering her VIP room, Livia sat down on a sofa in the living area of her room, where up to six people could be comfortably accommodated in a cozy, old-looking, but very nice room.

Some snacks and drinks were lying around, but she ignored them as she smiled and caught Nicolas' eye.

"What's up with you?" He smiled as he sat across from her and picked up some grapes.

"Shelby and I went to the same Royal Academy. We have a history." Livia said as she remembered her days at the academy, remembering things from more than five years ago.

"Oh? What kind of history? Were you friends by any chance?"

Livia laughed. "Friends? No, we've never been friends. We're more like rivals."

"That's..." He stopped eating while Livia's advisor closed his eyes and shook his head negatively.

Livia hated Shelby!

"That little woman thinks she's so beautiful, so intelligent. She was always annoying, saying she didn't need a man and would make her own way... Tsk! I hate her attitude." Livia said as her green eyes sparkled.

"I'm going to do everything in my power to get in her way tonight." She muttered as she looked at her father's envoy. "Robert, pay attention to the offers she makes. I'll buy all the items she wants!"

The old man had already noticed this problem approaching him and asked. "Is that really something interesting, lady? We're here for Blister Avens. If we spend more than we should, won't His Grace see a problem?"

Nicolas saw the look on Livia's face and smiled. "Sir Marshall, don't worry, we'll do as Livia says. I'll speak to His Grace myself if necessary. I also have coins with me if necessary."

"That..." The old knight of the kingdom hesitated, not knowing what to do.

'Young master Grant... Why are you like this? Why are you supporting the lady's exaggerations?' The old man found himself in a terrible situation, unable to stop Livia from making a fool of herself.

Unfortunately for him, Livia and Nicolas were one of the rare cases of aristocrats engaged by their parents, who had fallen in love as they got to know each other better.

Nicolas loved Livia and would do anything to please her. Even things that would get him into trouble later!

Livia smiled as she listened to her fianc, biting her lip as she stood up and sat on his lap.

"Nicolas..."

...

Meanwhile, in the Mazzanti family's VIP room...

Vicente's men had mostly stayed by his carriage, while only three people had accompanied him and Layla.

But only he and Layla were in the VIP room they had been given, a room on the third floor of the theater.

When she got there, she looked at him and saw him going up to the balcony area of that room, where there was a good view of the stage where the auction would take place.

She took off her mask and asked. "Why don't you show me your face? We already have an agreement. I could never hurt you just by knowing your true identity."

"Why do you want to see my face, Layla? Do you want to know if I'm handsome?" Vicente teased as he watched the theater's lower level grow more crowded, still with his back to her.

"I want to talk to you and look into your eyes. I want to know if you're the real deal. I want to see if you have what it takes to do the things you promise." She said as she approached him.

Vicente turned to look at the gray-haired woman. "The real deal, huh?" He asked in an amused tone. "All right, Layla. I want to see if you have the same courage to say that looking into my eyes."

Removing his mask, Vicente showed his face to the woman, causing her eyes to narrow as she realized not only how young this guy was but also felt something familiar about him.

'This Magic Gem I've seen before...' She moved closer to Vicente, concentrating on this unique and wonderful thing.

"Layla, are you going to kiss me or something?" Vicente smiled as he held her arms, making her realize her situation, seeing herself so close to Cesar that it really looked like they were going to kiss.

She tried to take a step back, but Vicente took a step forward until he pinned her against one of the walls of the room.

"What are you doing?" She asked, feeling a bit nervous.

Vicente laughed as Layla's breathing rate increased, and this woman felt nervous.

"I did what you wanted, didn't I?" He asked, placing one of his hands on the wall as he looked into the woman's gray eyes.

Layla had a super-speed power, which affected her to a lesser extent even when she wasn't using her pentagrams. But she wasn't able to do something as simple as dodge Cesar now that he surrounded her.

"Are you... Are you really going to save Jasmine? Why haven't I heard from you in the last few days?" She asked after she had worked up the courage to do so.

Vicente answered her, still in this position. "Because I don't owe you anything, Layla. You told me to take care of my part and call you when everything was ready, didn't you? I'm doing what we agreed. I'll go in search of Jasmine once the situation is stable and our intelligence on the enemy is properly analyzed.

But we still have problems in the city, and my group is still dealing with information from The Faceless Ones faction."

"I... I'll trust you for now." She choked as she tried to move away from Vicente.

But just as she was about to move, he moved his other arm, blocking her way.

"What are you doing?" She asked him, her heart pounding loudly in her chest.

"I don't like being attacked like this, Layla." Vicente moved his face closer to hers, coming closer to her ear as he spoke more quietly. "You're either with me, or you're not. If you don't trust me, you'd better go now."

She clenched her fists and looked into his eyes as she moved her head to get a better look at him. "I understand. I won't question you like that anymore. Now, please leave me alone. Or are you one of those who force themselves on women?"

Vicente smiled at her as he moved closer, causing her to close her eyes. "I don't need this."

When she opened her eyes, Layla saw Vicente return to the balcony of their VIP room and breathed more deeply, feeling relieved when she noticed her sweaty body.

'That bastard knows how to scare. I thought he was going to attack me.' She stopped for a moment, remembering his scent and the rate of his breathing from moments ago.

But amid her thoughts, Layla saw the lights in the theater change before a female voice announced the start of the auction!