Chapter 321 - Revision History Paradox

Nathalie listened to the side of such a narrative that she had no idea, and might be the clue what was missing the key to the cloud of doubt that bogged her ever since.

Most of the properties back then, including Starbrooke Mansion, were razed to ashes and the only way to salvage the scraps from total ruination was accepting Olivia's negotiation.

[Could there be any relation between the two worlds I am in?]

"Possibly, but not that I've known for so long I've done a study, not a fruitful one came…" Arnold sighed.

The harem was only a political stratagem, to control several kingdoms at her disposal.

But then, in the same manner, she got to learn about a profound curse that she had to deal with for the rest of her life.

Lawrence and Olivia became one of the pairs at the end, after him having to go through the harem, he rose to the top.

Throughout the whole time, he gathered his power not only for her but for everyone else before he took the chance to revolt.

But Olivia didn't grow weak each time, for she also had tricks up her sleeve. 

Nathalie had goosebumps after Arnold tried to hint at something else, a bloodline that continued to flow in her veins.

"Olivia was no longer a celibate— a curse she didn't know until then— that she had to accept ever since and the one who took that was none other than His Majesty…" Arnold clasped his hand, peering at Athan, who also stared blankly at the table. "How else did His Highness, who also found it by chance, know about what would hinder Mysti after all?"

"I… That's—"

Arnold then leered at him as he rubbed his stubble chin. "Is it not?"

"... I did…"

Once he averted his gaze at her, she pressed her lips because she also got the gist of it.

Nathalie knew that he took the opportunity, not only to hinder her growth potential but also to stop her from moving a nudge. For Athan planned to carry out the plans all for himself.

It was as though the history repeated itself, and Mystique's fate almost had a replication with it.

Because in the end, Lawrence had the upper hand. Massacred those who opposed him and the rest drove them away far south.

[Far south, wait! Don't you mean?!]

Athan blurted it out of the blue, as though he pondered aloud, "Thousand Isles… Like the manuscript, you've written over there. Those events happened as well..."

An infamous place and a perfect punishment for those who've committed capital offenses.

"Indeed, the legends of the place went on since time immemorial and everyone who ventured there never came back... We had no news what it was, either uncertainty or death. Except for one thing."

[The sirens, it is then…]

Arnold gave a curt nod.

[But how did you know?]

"Your mother…" With a forced smile beaming at her for a while, he then added, "Came of a siren descent, as she would say and what the rest believed."

[Is it perhaps they hid within the 'Thousand Isles' and didn't bother with the rest of the habitats here?]

"This only came from her; sadly, she was the last siren alive..."

On the exodus, everyone had their fate sealed through the torrential waters and violent gales; the sirens lost everything other than themselves and Olivia vowed revenge; through a dark sacrifice of their lives— she took another route— revision of the history through another incarnation.

But when he spoke of incarnation, her hair stood on its ends like she was close to the truth she expected the least.

"Sabrina, she is the reincarnation…"

[Father, you knew?!]

"Albeit too late I'd say…" He then sighed. "Your mother, one day, opened up to me about it; I didn't believe it at first. Especially after the truth she had with her, that everything she did was a scheme."

[H— How?]

Arnold clenched his teeth as he didn't want to face her daughter.

But he ended up croaking, "How she only wanted to get close to me as part of her revenge for His Majesty…"

Nathalie gasped, covering her mouth. She was surprised to hear any of it.

Through a subtle connection, Sabrina did what she ought to do under the guise of Arnold's wealth and reputation. He didn't know then as he wasn't that much skeptical, and even if she did always a reason she couldn't tell at the moment. 

He waited.

But everything piled up, complicating things further.

The moment he found out, his feelings had already grown deeper and he was torn.

Especially when Lawrence started to question his loyalty.

[Father, it must've been hard for you… I know your loyalty lies with the empire regardless…]

Athan also bore an intense gaze at him, rather unwavering, that he also knew how dedicated Arnold was to the empire.

Right from the start, it was suspicious; so many criticized them and Lawrence continued to put so much pressure on Arnolds' shoulders.

Not once did he complain. Everything the Emperor asked of him, he would— like a good brother that he was then.

But only until it didn't get any worse.

"Of course, to ease His Majesty's aggression, I had to do what he asked of me. Everything." He then stared at the pendant.

From there, Nathalie shut her eyes after hearing him open up to it. When Nathalie heard about a short argument between Ashtra and Arnold before the 'Frozen Gorge' her chest tightened from the confusion and one of the greatest blindsides she got of that time.

This time, Ashtra responded after listening to them the whole time. "So, you've decided to tell them about this now?"

"I have to…"

"Don't make it sound bad; at least she came clean to you before anything else and offered her life to keep you safe."

Sabrina was under Ashtra's care, and before the final days of her life, she was there to entertain him.

[You mean she regretted everything because she also feels the same way?]

"Of course; the past was in the past and now that she also had a family she treasure, those didn't matter anymore."

Arnold slowly nodded with shoulders trembling, his clasped hand still propped his forehead not wanting for them to see him.

Nathalie reached out her handkerchief as he took it, she patted his back.

"You've grown to a fine lady, Mysti. I could've never been prouder than ever." 

[Regardless, you're still my father. So, I'm thankful.]