Chapter 275 - All In Vain

"Wait! What do you mean to say?!" When it was dead silent, he gnashed his teeth and recalled the words what information he had in him. "Another Mystique?!"

Pain emerged from his thighs when his hands dug deeper, trembling, but he had to control and not freak out, lest he would only make the situation worse.

So many crazy things happened in his life, not like this was never different at all.

Out of all of them, Arnold asked like even though he had an idea in mind, "Since when?"

Arnold's visage was hard to read, though had a tinge of glimmer in his eyes screamed else as he glanced at Nathalie as well. Meanwhile, Ashtra knew but kept to himself and never spoke on her behalf.

Jonathan and Nathalie looked at each other, before the latter replied, "Around the new year."

'Isn't that what I overheard from Arnold the news of the golden light—' He noticed Arnold shut his eyes slowly, like it all made sense to him.

A myriad of emotions swelled within him, perhaps greater than he was ever known as a father to her sole daughter.

Though Athan took the chance once more, "T— Then… What about him?" He pointed at Jonathan. "What about we talked before? Did you lie then?"

"I didn't know him as well until he kidnapped me. It got to the point where we compromised."

'Damn it, she isn't lying about it too.' Even with her vital signs not reacting to what he expected.

Athan pondered that the Grand Duke of Forsberg was a stranger in this world, and she had the opportunity to put him on a leash, with the contract she had.

Learning it then, there was already deeper meaning he couldn't break through.

"Miss Quinn and I had a different situation."

"Miss— Quinn?" Athan asked groggily with eyes shook in subtlety.

This time, Nathalie nodded, "Indeed. Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Nathalie Jean Quinn. Also what you know is the new Mystique Violette Blackwell. He is Jonathan Kyle Lewis, a multi-talented bodyguard of mine and also my chauffeur."

'What…' 

A part of Athan almost on the verge of breakdown: head in chaos, heart in palpitations, and alongside his gut went into overdrive.

Nathalie started to fidget her nails despite Daisy and Jonathan were there to console her, patting her back.

Athan let out a dry scoff, "I can't believe it… I suppose fever dreams took a toll on me—"

"Everything is real. I'm me— both Nathalie and Mystique."

His jaws went rigid, but he still made an effort to look her in the eyes and muttered, "Then, how can you explain those genuine, romantic?"

"She spoke of an eternal curse, and traversed into the world where I got to live like her— about a handful of memories and the rest about her remained as is..."

Somehow, he got dumbfounded. 

Upon realizing that she couldn't break the shackles of such emotional attachment of him was because of the said curse while living her life as peaceful as possible. 

'I thought I had it in the bag... It was all in vain...'

He stared blankly on the floor. 

The woman in front of him, Nathalie, didn't lie first and foremost. More likely she had adapted Mystique since.

More importantly, he wondered about something else, especially looking at Jonathan, who also bore the same resemblance as Keith. Which had a possibility it could be the same case like her. 

Though he was still surprised hearing this chunk of truth, delivered to him.

For the longest time, he had a gut feeling that Mystique changed but whatever it was, at least it was for the better. 

Admittedly so, he had done worse to her and as much as she did to everyone else; when his sincerest apologies weren't enough, he pondered that giving her the time and space she needed would be more appropriate.

People change; he grew from it and it took so much time— to believe and rely on others as much as for himself— so he was no stranger if she acted the same way as she did.

After all, she asked to leave her alone like she wanted none of any empire's affairs.

But then, she kept on coming back, somehow matching his agenda in life. 

While it was confusing what she wanted to do, he ought to do everything he could to wrap her around his fingers— what a perfect excuse other than signing a contract and being her major lifeline with the curse she had.

Though she became resolute, he knew that she wouldn't be able to live without him.

Athan only bided his time; for that sweet day would come back to his embrace whether she liked it or not.

Now, everything he had worked for her went into disarray.

Though, the Violette he assumed that had a change of heart was true but not what he had in mind.

This time, Arnold cleared his throat and still braced himself while he asked politely Nathalie, "May I know about what happened before that?"

"Sure."

From there, Nathalie shared for as much as she could remember: how Mystique magically appeared that day, how she begged to change her life, then resorted to a threat, then Jonathan came to save her and went on a pursuit until the two of them met their demise.

Arnold forced a pitiful smile before kneading his forehead with his shoulders dropped in defeat. 

"... She never changed at all then..." Athan was floored by what he heard. Goosebumps crept to him, every inch of his skin before shuddering. But within her truth, he couldn't help but pique his interest. "What… Did you mean begging for her life?"

He gulped hard, dreading what awaited him.

But then she was there, dropping another bomb at him.

"She wanted to change the narrative of her story. Mystique always had a special place in my heart. But then, there's nothing I could do even if she insisted on doing it..."

The room went dead silent, and never did he think such a cozy, spacious private room became so hard to breathe.

Arnold, the least he expected, broke the silence when he quipped, "I suppose It makes sense now. You are the Goddess of our World, is that it?"