The brightness in the room with shrouded curtains had Nathalie forget that it was past midnight, and a lot had happened today, but she wasn''t tired, not one bit.

    Though she had not much time left, there was a lot of stuff she had to do at this point. Hoping for the best, Jonathan would cooperate with her.

    Jonathan and Nathalie were both seated right across from the couches within the large fur carpet—with Dusk and Dawn stood behind the former, while Keith stood behind the latter.

    As much as she paid no mind about the twins, their hostile gazes were enough to prick her skin, which the Grand Duke had to remind them time and time again. Meanwhile, a maid and a footman with a food trolley came and served tea for them to drink.

    When the situation was now in his control, he cleared his throat, commencing, "Before we continue, I sincerely apologize for the mishaps befell for your knight over there."

    His words earned them an immense shock in their faces, more than just jaws dropped, and the maid almost spilled the tea served for the guest.

    Although, Nathalie wasn''t really surprised as she was quick to freeze, spilling tea before it could even touch the plate, and then back to the cup with a steam hissing.

    The twins looked at each other with a cast of doubt in their gaze, then towards her. However, she remained calm, grabbing the teacup for her to sip, and stole a glimpse at Keith, who also eyed her.

    She beckoned him to lean closer, whispering, "What can you say about it?"

    Keith was wary when he met Jonathan, but he still held his own and acted professionally. For at least he mustn''t be too selfish to set aside his interest from not sullying her already wrecked reputation any further. So he gulped hard with his pupils dilating. Then, after giving it much of a thought, he nodded.

    [I suppose we shan''t hold against it; let bygones be bygones.]

    "Great," Jonathan replied, clasping his hand, and continued, "What are your plans from now on."

    [I had a deal with His Highness.]

    "Does it have something to do with ''The Frost Wyrm'' I suppose?"

    Everyone, including the servants, widened their vigilant gazes further.

    Because of the lore, all citizens in the Dysnomia Empire knew the mythical creature, undoubtedly one of the strongest, that dwelled within the territory.

    At this point, the news of Athan taking on it had already spread, though it still shocked them nonetheless.

    Nathalie hummed in affirmation and then placed the tea with a light clink on the saucer.

    "So, he really knows…"

    [So are you. That''s why you have been working ahead of him, right?]

    "That''s true."

    [Maybe you overdid it.]

    On the other hand, Jonathan squinted his eyes; two of them knew what they meant even with the vagueness of the conversation.

    [Well, I didn''t expect you to—] She paused, taking a good look at the twins that were healthy and well for their physique, yet got covered in the high-quality fabric of long ruffled sleeves. [To nurture them at an earlier note. So, I might need some adjustments.]

    "Is there something I could help with?"

    [None for the meantime. But you might need these.] Nathalie held onto her pouch, and after jamming her hands for several seconds, her lips pressed thin as she somehow pulled out a box—a quarter of her size—before she let it slide on the table.

    Soon as their eyes bore into it with amusement, Keith sucked in a cold breath before he reprimanded her, "My Lady, You can''t possibly give that as a tribute—?!"

    Only but she raised her hand, halting him while smiling at him. "That''s alright. I can make some more of these."

    "Dusk," Jonathan called.

    "Your Grace."

    "Bring that to me."

    Dusk shuffled close to Nathalie, taking her time sipping the tea. So soon as he moved closer, her eyes peered at his calm demeanor aside from how tall he got. Since his lean arm hadn''t tensed from carrying it, he lifted it with ease like it was a service plate, to begin with, and presented it in front of the Grand Duke of Forsberg.

    With Dawn and Dusk opening it, there were about so many potions enough to last a month.

    But with Dawn''s visage beaming, he couldn''t help but praise from it like it was another prized treasure obtained, "That—from His Highness—?!"

    "I was going to say this came from His Highness, but with this kind of…" Jonathan trailed off his voice. Then, from his white-gloved hand, he pulled out and from his lime eyes reflected off the gleaming color of the tonic, swirling slowly. "This is quite different, with the aroma and color it had."

    [You catch on pretty quickly.] Nathalie then pulled out her frilly fan after puckering her lips, hunching her shoulders, and served a suggestive gaze.

    "I see." Jonathan''s chin propped on his hand, humming. His gaze went to her as well, back and forth, for what she wanted to give. "Perhaps this is the latest creation and not the primitive version that we both knew?"

    [Indeed, the latest.]

    "Nothing I expected less of the genius Lady of Blackwell." Jonathan had a hearty laugh, which also colored them surprised from his reaction.

    All of them were confused by him, and the sudden treatment he displayed at the guests was supposedly unwelcomed within the Grand Duchy of Forsberg. Though seeing how pleased he was, with genuine remarks and a gleeful note at that, they didn''t dare question him.

    Nathalie observed them, and she understood without the need for them to react, but this was an excellent way to establish rapport.

    The mysterious tonic that even Athan knew as one of her greatest assets stole the idea, but even then, she was better than him.

    [For you and the twins. I hope that helps.]

    "Indeed, they truly are a boon. These are already expensive. Many thanks to Lady Blackwell."

    [The pleasure is all yours.] She slowly stood from her seat, noticing how their gaze turned soft and amicable; even the twins had reverence in their eyes, it swelled joy in her heart.

    Now, she must leave with a smile. [I shall take my leave—]

    "It would be rude of me for you to leave without me giving something in return." This time, it was his turn, and he placed the unknown under his palm. The moment he let go, her eyes widened.

    ''This is!''