After Nathalie grabbed her belongings, she freshened up for this evening and got a white, thin peignoir on top of her cream, oversized silk robe she put on earlier.


    With lace in her hand, she went to the vanity. After, she pinned it between her lips as she went on raking through her hair several times.


    ''The heck is with my hair on tonight?'' Then, she clicked her tongue as she rummaged through her clutch.


    After grabbing different products of what she needed, she took a good look at it first before she then nodded in silence.


    In her hand was the special scented serum for her beauty night routine.


    ''I don''t know what I smell… But I hope this works….''


    She might''ve done it so casually from the view outside, but her mind got thrown into a chaotic storm. With her thoughts jamming in and out, recalling the words Jonathan mentioned not too long ago.


    But then, her body moved on its own, doing what she had to do despite the ounce of hesitation in her head. She noticed that she was still allowing herself to prepare for the inevitable.


    Paying in mind Jonathan''s words, a couple of preparations: by giving an allure to her outfit; working on her routine, and even thinking what she had to do this time around.


    ''What the hell; I''m really putting so much effort in this— and that crazy guy speaks like it''s fine!''


    Crazy enough to think about, she acted as though she was still a virgin.


    Even for all those times, she had done it with him ever since, it made her awkward.


    Now that she got this far, she couldn''t fuck it up.


    To the side, her eyes caught up to the subtle thuds of Keith, marching his way close to her but then stopped halfway. Turning in his direction, she raised her eyebrows while glancing at him.


    Keith, beneath the same robe that he had on him, wore a high-quality tunic with embroidered patterns by the neckline and the sleeve that went well with his trousers. It looked fit and comfortable enough on his body, defining his muscles even when seen from a certain distance.


    ''Oh my gosh, he''s here; we''re in the same room. I forgot.''


    "I''ve reheated this tea, My Lady."


    Yet she went with it, and it got him conscious.


    His face was rather flushed, but still kept upright with the tray on both of his hands.


    Nathalie gave him a curt nod, then grabbed the lace to tie her hair to a ponytail.


    ''Do I look good? Is she ready? Is she pretty? Do I have blemishes? My hair got tight?''


    All of a sudden, she became too conscious as she put more effort into applying the product to her face.


    Meanwhile, he went close to her and placed the tray on a spare table. He poured her tea for her to indulge for the night.


    [Thank you for the tea—]


    A round of sniff came from him, which had her flinching on her seat.


    Upon turning around, she mused, [Was it too strong?]


    "Please rest assured, it''s not that." He held his palms up and close to his chest, enough to give her an assurance when his face went too wary of the chance he offended her. After which, he scratched his nape as he let out a tight chuckle. "The scent— it smells phenomenal."


    Inside, she became all giddy, hearing the genuine compliment and the shy countenance he had.


    Her eyes darted at the serum she had; for now, she wanted to rejuvenate her hair from the arid excursion they had to take.


    She didn''t want to overdone everything as Keith was rather sensitive with smelling as much as his hearing.


    However, it seemed like the awkwardness grew between them. He cleared his throat, looking away, and she shifted back to the mirror once more.


    For that, she ought to get herself diverted with the thoughts of taking her time to drink the piping tea. While it scalded a tad bit on her lips, she toned it down quickly to a lukewarm before the sudden taste.


    Truly so, it was both of them alone. Jonathan and the twins occupied the spare chamber next to them.


    Nathalie observed for a long time, when it was the two of them alone, this side of him would often show. While he wasn''t always the one to draw the boundaries, he knew his place.


    Words uttered by Jonathan had always been on her mind rent-free with words of the deep-seated feelings he had of her.


    Though, it might not be long enough with the tension rising; he was no fool, and it also got her nervous— all the more she had gotten this far, acknowledging and contemplating her thoughts for the longest time.


    After coming this far, prepared and all, she placed the tea with a light chime then turned in his direction.


    [Keith, I''d like to have a word with you.]


    "But of course, My Lady."


    With that, Nathalie stood from her seat and strutted towards the edge of the large spare bed. Noticing Keith stood from where he was, she gulped hard while patting the bed beside her.


    Hesitation found from his long stares with his body became rigid; but still followed her whims. After beckoning him, he only sat upright with his face forward, gripping tight to his thighs.


    [Do you mind if I ask you a question?]


    He gazed sideways from what she wrote, then cleared his throat. "My Lady, please do."


    Nathalie swore in her heart, how she thought so stupid right now; but she needed to clear the air and the weariness loomed in her heart the whole time.


    [How do you feel about seeing that lady, Pandora?]


    Keith turned in her direction, unsure how he should respond, which left him scratching his nape.


    She assured him, [You can tell me anything...]


    "I can''t say much for sure, though we need to be careful with the plans and what she would do that would affect the Empire—"


    Nathalie covered his mouth, shaking her head. [That''s not what I''m asking.]


    He blinked several times.


    [I mean… Do you have this vibe? The crazy emotion? The?] By and by, her penmanship started to crook from haste. [Do you feel attached to her right away? Do you sense immediate closeness?]


    However, she let go of him knowing he couldn''t say a word.


    "Feeling?"


    Alas, Nathalie groaned. [Yes, like falling in love with that Goddess, so to speak—]


    "No, My Lady. Not at all." Keith''s eye smiled the same way his lips quirked up.


    Which then she braced while gawking at him, dreading for her dear life.


    [... Why... not?]


    "I swear by my title and honor. That I have set my eyes on someone else already." He kept up his gleaming face, with his gaze glued to her for some time now.