It was already past midnight, and the serene sea of stars in the sky slowly faded as the blue patches of the sky welcomed his eyes.


    Crickets went for a chorale amidst the rustles of the leaves within the forest, pleasant to his ears together with the flowing water in front of him.


    Athan sat on one of the boulders near the riverbank, propping his elbows on his knees, and stared from above with a ponder.


    Hours ago, Mystique''s sudden message somehow halted his plans to take over the emergence of the suspicious location that he thought for a long time.


    While he didn''t expect that ''Order of Pandora'' would''ve developed too fast, and now branded as no different from an enemy to him, he still tried to weigh her suggestions.


    What she accomplished was beyond capital offense, and there was no way he could let it slide. Either her or the ones secretly working with her better suffer through his hands.


    Athan sighed deeply, dropping his head in defeat, as soon as he thought more of the news that Mystique brought up.


    ''Violette mentioned Clarice had a new ability called precognition or the alike then? So, it''s more likely the same as hers...''


    He couldn''t help but click his tongue, hearing her words that also had them gasped in horror.


    The moment Mystique mentioned a sudden epiphany alongside the golden glow around the leader of ''Order of Pandora,'' a great weight dragged his gut and thought about it more than he ever could.


    This time, he couldn''t afford to be so complacent.


    Fortunately for Mystique, she was on his side; albeit it wasn''t the same for Clarice.


    The difference had to be the sudden change of heart for the villainess, and after several scrutinies, she changed for the better; however, that also affected the way she viewed the people around her.


    Even to him…


    Never did he think it would''ve cut so deep in his heart, and ripped into pieces everytime he got reminded of her words that she was over him.


    A part of him continued to hold on with the truth as her body never lied to him: the great need of his presence; but it didn''t stop her. Knowing it was only but the curse afflicted her, she went on through with her life.


    ''I''m going insane…'' He scratched his head, loud enough to hear the rustles as how upset he got. ''I thought the curse would''ve been a better excuse for her to come back to me. But I can''t even make her stay!''


    Myriad thoughts came through his mind, especially when Keith and Nathan were with her, mostly a great ounce of envy loomed in his heart. Especially with the latter, something must''ve happened between them.


    But he won''t let it get to his head; he''s still the Crown Prince, and in no way he couldn''t win her heart when he did it once.


    He would be happy to oblige and do it all over again.


    Thinking about the good times, a little flutter within him made him giddy, with a glimmer of hope lit up that things were far from over.


    Thus his feelings for her grew stronger.


    ''She acts like she doesn''t want to do anything with me or this mess, but here she goes trying to solve the problems herself in the most sneaky way…'' A dry scoff, grinning a tad bit on his lips came. ''Still like the Violette I know.''


    Quite funny for him to wonder how mysterious she got, but perhaps she had grown so much more than she was then— more so with a second wind. But then, she always had this motivation and principles in her that reminded him.


    ''I couldn''t be more thankful enough to have her by my side, nevertheless. Her abilities seemed to outmatch Clarice''s... But then, where should I start?''


    Nothing much going on within the Western Territory that turned out such a big deal like how she perceived so much threat of Mystique going all the way with the same objective as his: Ashtra ever since he got another chance for a lifetime.


    If not for her crazy information, then he might''ve been in a bad position.


    "Here you are.... A penny for your thoughts?"


    Athan turned to the direction of Arnold''s voice the moment his ears perked up. The Grand Duke stood several feet away from the boulder, still doned the cloak he had, showing a glimpse of his high-quality silk and fur on its tunic and trousers.


    "Your Grace—" Then he took a slow nod, then overlooked the glistening river, gushing the water with a burbling sound.


    "You seem to be lost in thought. Do you mind if I sit beside you?"


    The Crown Prince got taken aback with his words, for they were never close to begin with, but the amicable air that was around the Grand Duke had him blurted out in agreement.


    After which, Arnold jumped and took a squat as he gotten a good position beside him.


    ''Not only Violette changed… But also her father…'' He peered sideways, taking a glance at his beaming countenance, like he looked forward to see another day.


    To his surprise, not a tinge of awkwardness happened between them, and it was so rare to think about it.


    ''I''ve never seen him so happy and free...''


    "Young man, I know you''re observant, but you don''t have to cut me so bad with your stares."


    "I apologize."


    "That''s fine. Go on…"


    "You seem not to be worried about Violette, knowing the dire situation she''s in..."


    Arnold then scrunched his face as he scoffed aloud, "Who said I wasn''t? I know she plans a lot, but I''ve never seen her get her hands dirty— I''d say too reckless of her… But I could only support her decision as a father."


    Somehow, Athan''s perception of him entered another light in his mind— a father that changed what Mystique wanted him to be…


    "Right… So, you''re planning to save her yourself?"


    "Apparently, no." Arnold shook his head. "The only thing she told me was to stay up the north after I''ve delivered the message to you— Mysti would never tell me further, but probably because it would change the future, as you can see..."


    "Fair enough."


    But then, Athan coughed hard as he didn''t expect the words to come out of Arnold''s mouth.


    "Are you giving up on her?"