Soon as Nathalie calmed down to a soft hiccup, she pulled away from the sheets without looking at them for she was beyond embarrassed and overwhelmed by the situation.

    Even so, Arnold reached for his handkerchief, giving it to her which she accepted regardless, and wiped off her tears instead of swatting off with her fingertips.

    Subconsciously, she ended up giving him a tight hug, snuggling, and it didn''t take long for him to reciprocate.

    In his embrace, she found the time and space to calm down, and even a lot better with his coos of her that she would be fine henceforth.

    ''I''m so so thankful…''

    For most of her time, she lived a double life ever since she wanted to pursue what she wanted. So coming into another world turned out several steps ahead of what she should do onwards.

    Despite the similarities, a few were bound to have stark differences.

    Her mind got stuck with the idea of surviving and not giving up how she would return safe and sound turned out an added stress.

    All Nathalie needed was peace of mind, even if it was for a moment.

    Pulling away from him, she gazed at him then to the both of them before scribbling midair, [Father, may I have time to be alone?]

    "That won''t be a problem. Don''t forget to call me when you need something else, am I clear?." He then showed the smartphone that she gave to him. When she gave a curt nod, he continued, "If I''m busy, then I don''t mind calling either Keith or His Highness. So you won''t be alone."

    [I''ll bear that in mind.]

    "Very good. I think it''s time for us to leave. There are so many things to do as it will be busy from now on." Arnold stood from the edge of the bed.

    Nathalie remembered how Athan planned to deliberate the task of handling the prisoners, in which he already had it under control.

    Right now, he spoke of the emperor having sent ambassadors for a special banquet, though she knew what was the underlying meaning of it.

    For her part still needed some preparations but it was still far from the worst situation that might happen around it.

    Things turned out easy after knowing how the supposed story should develop, as well as Athan''s testament, which only strengthened their belief that they should elude from the crisis that awaited them.

    Everything became too much and more than anything she was beyond grateful that they didn''t hold it against her.

    Keith respected her decision and gestured that he would be Arnold''s aid as manpower was required.

    The security strengthened from the Western borders after the main issue blew up, and Sylvester needed help that he could get.

    Before leaving the room, Nathalie hugged Arnold one last time and then he gave her the supplements that she needed. Other matters likely discussed for some time, perhaps when she was already recovered and lived her life from now on with a better and pristine mindset.

    She was now alone.

    Immersing the zen around her, she closed her eyes for a while and took a deep breath of arboreal air.

    For a while, she thought of summoning the grimoire in her head but for numerous tries she had, none of which came to her bidding.

    ''Throw away the stress; throw away the worries…''

    If she needed to shake off the disturbances, then she would''ve done it long ago, but nothing changed.

    Whatever ritual she thought of, her grimoire turned out nowhere to be found.

    Beads of sweat trickled down as she gasped for air, but it was long gone.

    ''....Is this the price for what I did back then?''

    The realization dawned upon her that there was a great connection between her, and while it was one of the biggest decisions she ever made, she still went for it to stop her from abusing her powers.

    But never did she think that it would also affect her, it only grazed over her mind about the possibility and wished the consequences would''ve been something else.

    Right now, a part of her was taken away; a hollow formed within her but she had no choice but to live with it from now on, which she sighed deeply.

    "Things would turn out harder for me…''

    She donned a white loose cotton tunic. Scrutinizing it, she grimaced. ''I feel like I''m in a hospital or something…''

    Nathalie then looked at the windows, the dapple lights that were mesmerizing, she rustled on the sheets and moved out towards it.

    She found herself that she was several yards higher, and there were trees rising in the profusion with mounds of land, of varying heights, greeted her eyes.

    The lush verdant meadows found beneath the jungle canopy sparkled and enticing.

    ''This is the counterpart of the Western Territory…''

    While she ended up in a daze, the voice of Ashtra resounded like a voice echoing in her head.

    "I suppose you''re feeling better now."

    When she blinked her eyes, then peered downwards— the necklace was still on her, glimmering the whole time.

    But most of all, she got caught off guard that he entered her mind without her permission for the first time.

    ''A little…''

    "Anyhow, do you want to leave here and go to a place that''s brimmed with fresh air?"

    ''Well, you''re not even a resident in here; I doubt you have—''

    "Oh, I certainly do." Ashtra threw a peal of laughter for a couple of seconds. "It''s been the talk of most citizens here, or so I''ve heard."

    Nathalie narrowed her gaze as she set her sights from far afield. ''Hmm, father might find me…''

    "Curious?"

    ''Tell me about it.''

    "Rest assured; you have my word."

    She then strutted towards the mirror, looking at her appearance, she needed a transformation.

    ''Let me get up at this gig first.'' Nathalie smiled as she tried to rummage in her pouch, and pulled out a purple cotton dress with lace accents on its cuffed sleeves, fitted waist, and the hem of it that draped past her knees.

    "Fine; I''ll give you about 30 minutes—"

    She protested, ''So short!''

    "We don''t have the time in the world— Starts now!"