For the whole time, Nathalie got caught up with the dilemma she was in— with the storyline that shifted to a timeline that shortened her preparation, and a catalyst for early war.


    When it continued to be out of her favor, chances were her life on the line was next for the chopping block.


    After all, she didn''t have this much determination and will to survive despite the mundane lifestyle she had once before.


    Death scared and scarred her for life.


    Although she had a second chance, the path she needed to tread was not easy at all.


    With the tragic fate that got to her and the future that awaited her, she cherished every single moment she had.


    While her main goal was to survive, she also needed to find clues to return where she came from.


    Nathalie, as stubborn as she was, believed something would lead her to another, and hopefully, it was the answer all she needed this whole time despite Jonathan convincing her otherwise.


    All this time, with the sudden changes in the manuscript, she pondered whether there was a possibility that might''ve removed her out of it or possibly a way to get her out of the magical mess she was in...


    If there was a beginning, then definitely there was an end to it.


    Mystique''s words back at the Little Root Town haunted her every single night and got stronger than it was then.


    From her sudden appearance and to the eternal curse she invoked beforehand, leaving her without knowing a thing left her hanging and shrouded with mystery.


    Her thoughts recalled the brief conversation she had with Clarice. Out of curiosity, she wanted to know more of her new yet profound power hers but that would be the end of her— compromising her in the end.


    Fortunately enough, Jonathan was there to ask but then, never did she think that Clarice would''ve confirmed it right away that it only came down to her, and out of all the characters in the story with such an interaction, it would turn out to be her.


    A repetitive glimpse of a future that became neverending— a loop or a replay— from scene to scene. Started on a crucial event, but only turned erratic when it came to her.


    Either the story glitches or ends up into a blank space and a casual blur from time to time.


    Like Athan uttering her name, Violette.


    No one talked to her the way he would''ve done it.


    Thereon, Nathalie''s mind that was already filled with thoughts in severe trainwreck flushed to more boggles that she acted as a filler got pulled out of the story; and while Jonathan had a similar case, it was nowhere near as hers.


    Nathalie had no clue about it but still kept her face held up high and with confidence, uttering the level of her abilities had yet to refine.


    Moreover, she dismissed the romantic feelings he had for her; in no way that would''ve happened.


    In abrupt, it was the decision she made: to downplay her.


    Earning a foul and sour mood from Clarice and Jackal, but they couldn''t move so rashly for they knew the two mighty beings that lingered around Jonathan and Nathalie.


    With that, it didn''t let her get away as she took on the gamble upon Athan''s arrival.


    Getting all caught up with the fiasco was tiring, and she almost forgot even the slightest detail that would end up causing ripples. By then, long before she knew to patch the holes up, it already ripped apart and turned into shreds.


    The secrets she kept for a long time.


    How scary it was to think indeed no secrets that shouldn''t be known and came to light.


    Which she never intended, and never would happen, at least not in her watch.


    ''I might even die earlier than I expected if this went out in public…'' Inwardly, she irked with the thought of it, as crazy as it sounded from the possibility of death.


    Though a part of her wavered. When so many seeds of doubts started to germinate and sprawled throughout, and turned out harder to calm down whenever it bore to her mind.


    The last thing that possibly happened had to be her courage to do so, and not bad enough to put herself in a sticky situation.


    Keith popped to her mind, and when she thought everything would''ve gone her way, Ashtra posed an even bigger problem.


    The deities favored Nathalie might''ve got the upper hand, with the contract she had with Ashtra; but with him knowing a speck of it scared for her dear life.


    Even sitting across the stone table, she needed to clear the air with him as her attention went back to him. Through telepathy, she beckoned at him.


    ''Ashtra, we''re not done yet.''


    A scoff resounded inside her head as he shrugged in nonchalance.


    ''How much have you peered inside Keith''s mind.''


    "A lot…"


    ''Tell me something.''


    "I said, a lot—"


    ''I''d give you a reward.''


    With that, it piqued his interest, his rich blue eyes glinted as it now contested hers alongside with the smug smirk. After which, he leaned forward as he propped his hand on his chin.


    "Aside from giving me an enthusiastic performance, that is?"


    Nathalie gulped hard; ever since she was his rightful owner, he had several conditions he demanded, and one of them was that only if she asked a huge favor from him.


    While dancing was her hobby ever since she was in her early teens back then, singing wasn''t; only when Mystique''s gifted talent bestowed her so, but not an easy feat to accomplish.


    But then, whenever she used her voice, it cost her an amount of life force; talking took a toll on her body, let alone singing.


    This was crucial, and she would do anything to get the information; after all, Ashtra wouldn''t lie to her face as she would know right off the bat.


    ''Well, of course. I don''t mind giving you a soulful ballad performance in addition to something you''d enjoy."


    When Ashtra''s eyes and mouth went agape, she knew he took the bait.


    ''Oh, dear…''


    She couldn''t afford to fuck this up.