Deviant: No Longer Human

Wang Xiao turned his gaze from the window to Josephine. "I\'m interested in learning more about this attack," he said, his voice steady. "Your mother\'s involvement suggests she already knew about it."

Her expression flickered, revealing a brief moment of suprise.

Josephine seemed taken aback, perhaps even feeling a twinge of guilt for her initial decision to flee.

She nearly killed herself, a realization that weighed heavily on her. Yet, she couldn\'t help but wonder, \'Why didn\'t mom just tell me directly?\'

Pushing these thoughts aside, she spent the remainder of the flight attempting to engage Wang Xiao in conversation.

Her motives remained unclear, perhaps even to herself, but there was an evident desire to connect, to understand.

________

As the helicopter hummed steadily through the sky, Josephine found herself glancing more frequently at Wang Xiao.

The silence felt like a vast ocean between them, and she yearned to build a bridge, however fragile.

About an hour into the flight, she ventured her first attempt. "Is Icevale your home?" she asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Wang Xiao, who had been gazing pensively out of the window, turned towards her. A small, almost imperceptible smile graced his lips as he shook his head. "No, not my home," he replied, the smile unexpectedly softening his usually stern demeanor.

Josephine was taken aback by the smile, a rare glimpse of warmth from the mysterious man.

It encouraged her, and as the hours ticked by, she found herself gradually opening up more, sharing tidbits about Sylvergard, its culture, and even her favorite childhood memories.

Wang Xiao listened, offering the occasional nod or brief comment, his demeanor attentive yet guarded.

As the sun began to set, casting a golden glow inside the cabin, Josephine found herself talking about her love for Sylvergard\'s traditional music, her eyes lighting up with passion.

Then, breaking through his stoic shell, Wang Xiao asked, "What about you? Do you play any instruments?" It was a small gesture, but it felt significant, a sign of his engagement.

Josephine, surprised and pleased by his interest, was about to respond when an unexpected voice echoed in Wang Xiao\'s mind.

[Why are you provoking her when she\'s obviously interested in you?] Yin Yue\'s voice, the hell spirit only he could hear, questioned, her tone both teasing and probing.

Wang Xiao glanced at Josephine, who was waiting for his response. Instead of replying to Yin Yue, he chose to focus on Josephine, his expression unreadable, but his eyes held a hint of something deeper, something unspoken.

It was a silent acknowledgment of Yin Yue\'s insight, yet he remained outwardly composed, attentive to Josephine\'s next words.

As the helicopter continued its journey, a subtle shift occurred between them.

The distance began to close, not fully bridged, but no longer as vast as it had once seemed.

Marcus, observing Josephine\'s uncharacteristic behavior, couldn\'t help but feel perplexed. \'What happened to the Princess?\' he thought, his expression hardening. His military bearing was evident, even in the confines of the helicopter.

With his short black hair neatly combed, his face bore the marks of a seasoned soldier in his late forties, lines etched by years of service and responsibility. He was dressed in his Colonel uniform, the insignia of the Special Operations Group prominently displayed. His hand rested casually near his Ak-5, a constant reminder of his readiness for any threat.

His gaze shifted suspiciously towards Wang Xiao. \'Did she eat something wrong? Or is it because of this man—\'

*Gasp!*

His train of thought abruptly halted as Wang Xiao turned to meet his gaze. Their eyes locked, and Marcus felt the weight of Wang Xiao\'s intense, probing stare. It was a look that seemed accustomed to assessing threats and reading situations, a look not unlike his own, yet it unnerved him.

"Hm?" Wang Xiao regarded Marcus with mild curiosity. \'Does he disapprove of Josephine being close to me?\' Wang Xiao wondered, his thoughts unaffected by Marcus\'s imposing demeanor.

Only when Wang Xiao looked away did Marcus manage to breathe a sigh of relief. \'Why does this young man have such a terrifying stare?\' he pondered, still trying to shake off the unease.

"Wang Xiao! Are you listening?" Josephine\'s voice, tinged with both frustration and concern, drew Marcus\'s attention. She leaned forward, her hands landing on Wang Xiao\'s shoulders in a surprising display of familiarity.

!!

"Cough, cough!" Marcus discreetly coughed, a subtle reminder of protocol and decorum. Josephine, misinterpreting the cough, turned towards him with a frown. "Marcus, do you have a cold?"

Caught off guard, Marcus could only shake his head, the stern military façade momentarily softening. "It\'s nothing, Princess, just the seasonal change," he replied.

Josephine\'s response was quick and playful yet serious. "Good, don\'t let us catch it, or you might as well jump down the helicopter. Just don\'t let it spread to us." Her tone was light, but her eyes held a glint of seriousness, as if contemplating really throwing him outside.

Marcus nodded, the corners of his mouth twitching into a slight smile despite the gravity of their situation. His hand, still near his Ak-5, relaxed slightly.

the helicopter continued its journey through the scenic landscape, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the cabin. The atmosphere had changed since the beginning of their flight. Josephine\'s initial anxiety had given way to a sense of camaraderie with Wang Xiao, and even Marcus couldn\'t help but ease up a bit.

Five hours later, they finally reached their destination, a magnificent palace nestled in the heart of Sylvergard.

The helicopter\'s descent was smooth as they approached the magnificent palace of Sylvergard royalty.

The golden domes and intricate architecture glistened in the fading sunlight, creating a breathtaking spectacle.