Chapter 96 - Begin The Acts

So much Keith tried to cover her from slanders and malicious intent that was overheard just a distance away from them, Nathalie snuggled her way out of his tight embrace and popped out of it as she gave him a lopsided smile.

"I'll be alright," her lips formed words without making a sound, then left with a wink.

Ever since she got thrown into this crazy world, Keith was there for her—his great support and neverending offer of help and protection always made her heart flutter. She couldn't help but fell in love with this gentleman, despite being a fiction of her own creation.

Aside from his handsome face and a muscular physique, he was, literally, the man she wanted to be with that kind of temperament as his main asset. 

However, the conversation suddenly died out, which prompted her to push him with gentleness as he assured her that it was alright for her, then turned around with the beet-red blush that spread across her cheek. There on, a tug on her hood lower, covering her face, she beckoned him to move on and follow closely.

'I didn't think we get caught that easily.' All so suddenly, more and more people became present in the pathway they about to take, which had Nathalie cling unto Keith and get right into the action.

Her face beamed at him, which he got the signal.

Act as lovers.

Soon enough, they strutted to one of the special seats in the auction hall, one of the inner balconies was a distance that overviews the stage and the people beneath.

There were still nobles of higher ranks and positions of the empire, coming in like droplets of water trickling and slowly filling the stage to the brim.

From time to time, she peered around, looking out for Athan and his other confidants, but perhaps she was too lucky to have them out of their sight.

This event was special for her; if things go in her favor, her chances of saving herself and her family would be much higher.

The chatters grew stronger, but not enough to rake her ears out of annoyance. She took a seat on one of those, and her white-gloved hand tapped on the spare seat next to her for Keith.

On the other hand, he threw a glance with a slight shake on his head, trying to decline, but she just as stubborn as she could be that she let out a cold gaze. It made him flinch in his stead, and he had no choice but to do so with a sigh.

But speaking of the devil, the man he didn't want to meet came off strong and refreshing. He was already generous to smile through different people sparingly and acted all lovey-dovey with Veronica, having her slender arms slinked against his.

In her mind geared with snarky comments, 'Ugh, he'll be done with her—she'll be done with him soon, no—whatever…' But she fell short with the sudden pang.

Nathalie hated this part of her; something crawled to the surface of her heart, aching so bad that she would pounce on everyone, a lot worse to the ladies who fawn over him. 

Veronica wasn't an exception.

But she wasn't Mystique, at least as what she identified herself as…

'Girl, get your shit together—we need to act and convince them I've changed—' Her heart almost skipped a beat when his face suddenly turned in her direction.

Out of instinct, she pulled out a frilly fan inside her pouch and began to fan herself, despite the frigid breeze that brushed her skin every now and then. At the same time, she tugged the chair of Keith while sending a signal through her grimoire.

[Come closer, cover me from him.]

With a cue, Keith nudged closer. His built larger than her made it possible to calm her nerves and focus without getting all conscious with a certain gaze from afar.

"Pardon me, My Lady, for speaking out of line, but," he whispered, leaning closer to her. "I'm not sure why we have to do all this when we could confront them and make them pay for their discourtesy."

This made Nathalie pursed her lips and ended up writing in her grimoire once more for him to read.

[Nothing good will come out of it; I'm, if not always, the one to blame, and it will give me—you know worse than a bad name, per se.]

"Not when I would do it out of volition." Keith went all grumpy from her words. Clearly, he disliked every word written and retorted again, "For I saw how you changed…. To me, somehow…"

He then began to scratch his head with a muffled sound from the satin cloak. 

'Because I really am a different person, truly…' 

A ponder came through her mind; as much as she wanted to say, it might not be the best decision and just go with the flow. For that, she gave off a light shrug.

[You have a bright future, Keith. I shall not ruin it further than you already had gone through. After all, you deserve better.]

It pained her to write it, with every letter scribbled had jagged and crooked as somehow she poured her emotions to it right off the bat.

Just as the sudden manifestation of Mystique's memories from Keith. She couldn't help but be brought to tears. She was alone in her room, crestfallen to sleep. For one, even with the cruel past, he became the great person he was today; the other had been the romantic future that awaited him.t

… A certain lady in the future would fill his heart.

'Would it be bad, either as an author or reader, to fantasize or even self-insert to the man of their dreams?'

But before he could scrutinize her eyes becoming too glossy, she looked away with her hair raked between her fingertips, clearing her throat. In which, at the same time, the auction had started.

The hall boomed with a round of applause and took a minute for it died out to silence. 

To her, she leaned on the armrest, clearly bored from what was luxurious items presented for everyone to see. 

It went on and on, making her eyelids drooped halfway.

Just a glimpse before the darkness flashed before her; sudden bling graced her, enough to catch her attention.

There she never knew that another item would present itself to her, like some divine providence.

A suitcase, in which she thought immediately.

'That's mine!'