Nathalie was no on cold feet, and it was even harder to process the words she blurted out a few seconds ago.


    Sudden onset of palpitations beats aloud, almost deafening her despite the sheer silence lurking between them.


    After that, Jackal stepped to the side as soon as Nathalie and Clarice were now facing each other about a few feet away.


    Foremost, she understood the first title that was bestowed upon her as it rose to popularity from the first book; although, the latter was in the sequel, and only during the last stages of the flames of war that Mystique got to shine her true roots and origins of her life.


    ''The Soulful Siren of the South… How did she even get to know that?''


    The Soulful Siren of the South came after Mystique had a sudden epiphany across the ''Thousand Isles'' after she got exiled by the Emperor through the impetus headed by Athan and Sylvester.


    It wasn''t making any sense, it was far from adding everything up to an equation that was logical enough to understand.


    Her mind revved up, thinking how she was able to know such confidential information right now, let alone when it was already far from numerous scenes after Pandora and Mystique got into a treaty from that timeline.


    But then, Athan crossed her mind thinking of such a possibility like him, causing her to make her legs weaken for a bit.


    ''Is she also… In this lifetime— The prophecy she talked about?''


    To Nathalie, she didn''t want to know the answer as it dreaded her. While Athan made it clear, she was still vigilant; more so to the person in front of her, whom she had to form an alliance henceforth.


    ''Damn, like everyone seemed to have some cheat codes or answer keys on today''s quiz— no more advantages!''


    Her facade was still stoic and poised despite the crumbling state from within, she needed to put upfront as she believed things are far from over, and it might still be the assumptions she made.


    ''Why don''t we take a ride on her claims?'' Nathalie gulped hard. ''If she knew the title, then more or less she knew the capability of the future Mystique.''


    The eerie silence, she thought, must never linger further as she decided to raise her hand, reverberating a subtle chime, at her.


    With a glance from her cyan eyes, she then beckoned at Jackal to remove not only her bindings but also to Keith, Jonathan, and the twins in a single snap of his fingers.


    Suddenly, the bind let loose, cascading to the floor with a series of clinking sounds to their ears, and then Clarice commenced again.


    "Alright, there you have it."


    Nathalie put up a smile, bearing several thoughts in mind, ''Here we go…''


    Soon as her finger raised midair, she then scribbled, [I did, and it would never change that I still need your help.]


    Everyone gasped, and the crowd looked at each other with a sea of murmurs adrift in the air. Jackal parted his lips with his astonished glance and then went wary at Clarice.


    Before the story progressed with Mystique, with her astute and peculiar connections paired with her keenness for talents, she had brought several people to her side and rallied them against Athan''s method.


    The villainess believed a different approach was needed, even if greater sacrifices were made.


    Athan was a hypocrite, and the group of wanderers led by Clarice Pandora happened to be victims of his self-righteous virtues.


    ''An enemy of an enemy is a friend after all.''


    That time, Mystique still had the upper hand with her cards still hidden from them before she got accused rightfully so and total exilement, she offered an olive branch, literally.


    With her as the beacon of hope, the ''Order of Pandora'' grew formidable like what they were now.


    However, things changed, perhaps it was a tinge of reversal.


    For she didn''t know who would be the one behind helping them now. While the foreign country, Ustreador what she had in mind, the idea of ''Prophecy'' bugged her for a while now.


    One thing she knew, Pandora was far from being a seer or oracle, in a sense.


    No precognition abilities, but a possibility of a second chance in life might''ve been like Athan.


    If that was the case, then she would''ve known the intentions of Mystique and Athan in the future. Like the first encounter, she had with the Crown Prince, such a change of heart.


    Albeit it didn''t hit the mark right now, or so she thought.


    "But why must I accept such help? Weren''t you in such reconcilement with Athan?"


    [I''d say such one wishful thinking, that is…]


    "Oh, really?" Clarice mused as she arched her neck, then overlooked at Jonathan''s direction. "Isn''t that the Grand Duke of Forsberg, with such a tight connection to the Imperial Crown Prince?"


    Then, rounds of murmur came amongst the crowd, now it was rather a slander of Mystique''s character and reputation as a pathological liar and a manipulative lady that she was coined from the majority.


    Keith wanted to roar, baring his fangs as he repositioned himself, and even before everyone could notice, Nathalie grazed his tensed arms then patted them several times.


    ''Don''t… I''m alright… Calm down, for me?'' Without words uttered, he got the gist of her, and sighed, jaws clenching out of frustration.


    However, this time, it was Jonathan, who beckoned to a respectful greeting, then said, "I believe we all had some sort of arrangements, and it''s not as simple as people think it is…"


    From that, Clarice covered her mouth with a hearty giggle. Suddenly, the atmosphere lit up with such vibrance, leaving everyone confused. She then called Jackal to her side with a whisper as soon as he leaned close to her.


    After which, she then announced words to her in front of them, "So, you seek a private audience with me?"


    [Most certainly.] Nathalie gave a curt bow, agreeing to her every word of query.


    "Well, there are a lot of nosy people here; I shall grant you one as I''m ever-so-graceful." Withal, she turned around, with her flared silky dress and sash waved as she took the strut. "Follow me."


    Nathalie and Jonathan glanced at one another; of what awaited them from the stunt she pulled this time around.