Chapter 218 - Déjà Vu Moment

The words Clarice uttered left Nathalie speechless, with all of her hair standing on its ends every inch of her skin.

"Let's say a golden light glimmered, showing me the way."

Jonathan peered sideways, looking all shocked and worried at the same time, as her skin got drenched with sweat and had never been so paler than it was with the news she brought up.

"My Lady, you're alright?" Keith went close as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket for her to wipe it off her face. 

[I—I'm fine— Thank you…] Nathalie then swiftly grabbed it, wiping it off as she hung her head low, unable to look at them for a while.

While at it, she contemplated about the bad news she had to deliver from Jonathan, the same case happened during the tribute to Ashtra.

Like someone was pulling the strings that were far from her reach, almost messing up every chance she had in the bag.

Even if Clarice's case was rather subtle, there was still such a connection.

For the whole time, the leader of 'Order of Pandora' now had layers of mystery shrouded upon her. 

The prophecy alone was insane, and the situation reminded her of Athan.

Like a déjà vu…

'Could she really be?'

Meanwhile, Nathalie inwardly shook off her mind from the troubles as she became more than determined to clear it one by one.

Sudden onset of vertigo came to her mind after she went on full-throttle and on analyzing different possibilities.

If not with the couch she was on, then she might've collapsed.

Even with her head dropped, her eyes met Jonathan's gaze— like telepathy, he knew what she had in mind.

"In fact, while it would take a while; also, I know Athan would be coming here with a thousand battalions, enough to cover the sea of desert," Clarice claimed. 

Nathalie gasped aloud as she glanced back at her. 'What did she mean? That many—'

"Don't tell me you didn't see him coming as well?"

[I sure do. Though, I know he would be coming here with a few people with this many.] 

Nathalie had palms open, flicking all of her fingernails as soon as clapped back with confidence in her voice. No stammers at all despite the wavers and nervousness pouring within her.

In this scene, she didn't know if Athan came alone or whoever he'd brought this time. To her surprise, he changed, and this lady in front of her was similar.

But then, Clarice squinted at her as she hummed. "Is that what you think it is?"

[Certainly, I also think he would make a proposition of you—]

"I bet he would get rid of me."

"He won't!" Nathalie shrieked as she flinched out of her seat, garnering their attention to a full stop and shock. Even Jackal, who was on his way with several trays on his hands, almost threw everything as he halted for a while.

The silence loomed amongst them, only breaking out when Jackal regained his composure and went on. Clanks resounded as he placed the tray and the burbling when pouring them the hot piping tea.

The two were shocked by her sultry voice, hearing it personally took their breath away but she still managed to calm down and mused her way.

"... Why'd you think so?"

This time, it was Jonathan who answered, "Since we've come all the way here, I think that Athan would never want you to become his enemy."

Nathalie gaped at him, but she didn't remain quiet, even as her arms trembled. [I could vouch for that…]

"Oh? You're telling me that?" A smirk came from her lips, this time brimming with sinister as she started to mock him, "Alright, let me hear it then, someone as close to Athan... Or should I say, a one-sided friendship like the Prince claimed."

'Even she got that right. Athan said so to me he didn't know as I was the same while everyone else believed the opposite… So how much did she know about the truth she believed in?'

However, Jonathan seethed at the sight of her jeers but it didn't let it get to his head. "I got to be a part of his lifelong agenda, and that would be the inclusion of all the minorities in the Dysnomia Empire."

He went on that he would personally take a visit, even to the groups he'd done wrong— forming a reconciliation was all he needed.

"Are you telling me, 'Your Grace,' that he would do such a thing despite his arrogance?"

"Most certainly—"

Withal, Jackal scoffed from the sideline, not giving respect for the Grand Duke before him... "A joke of the century! Even if he did, there would be no way I would forgive him, isn't that right, my Goddess?"

"You're right. Nothing will be brought back what was then with a measly apology and compensation."

The group led by Pandora suffered the crossfire from Athan's goals, having to lose so many lives in front of her eyes was a pain Nathalie resonated with as she became Mystique like it was a first-hand experience.

Though she hated to admit that she'd done mistakes as much as every vile person did.

She knew….

She understood.

She sympathized.

[Then, what must he do to gain your trust?] Nathalie queried as she gazed at Clarice.

"I haven't got to that point yet. I don't want to think about it for now," she replied playfully with a shrug. "What about you? I'm sure you came for the same reason, right?"

[That's true.]

"I thought I'd feel much better when it's you."

[Then ever since we've arrived, what's with the treatment and the aggression earlier—]

"Like Athan will be coming here in the future, it's a precautionary measure." Clarice grabbed the teacup. "You know, you acted weird as well. Never thought you'd be on the same page as him."

[I do think there were times when  things connected, but it happens so rarely.] 

"Oh… So not more than that?"

Nathalie bobbed her head several times. [Since you so claimed you've got the glimpse of the future... Haven't you really thought that he might've changed…]

"He might've changed as you claimed as well. But I'm different from you... Isn't that because he still has romantic feelings for you?"