"What do you think about this place?" Sylvester mused as he reached for the wooden knob and opened the door for Nathalie and the rest to see what was inside.

    The creaking against the floor was light and not brazen enough like it wasn''t much of a distraction. Although it wasn''t the main focus as what greeted before her eyes even forgot to take a moment to breathe.

    Her mouth went agape, and so did the rest of them.

    With regards to the ceiling, which was about thrice her height, with nothing but wooden beams and cabinets hung on both corners of it. Roaming her gaze, she noticed several shelves with books, empty vials, and tools found needed for a witch to do what she needed for her preparation.

    On the side found several cutleries lined up, either hanged or leaned to a stand, with piles of pots and cauldrons adjacent to it.

    In the middle was a large refectory table, with a few wooden stools around it. On the table had a pile of scrolls and several utilities she might find handy soon enough.

    The room was already ambient enough to work on, a cozy place and conducive to working without any further distractions, and the conveniences with the ingredients from the wide array of mullions from the cabinet made it even better.

    [I must say it''s more than what I needed.]

    Sylvester, much to his delight from her response, pressed his lips thin while smiling, nodding in agreement as well a subtle clear on his throat. "Perhaps you''re the one who''d concoct such a potent tonic that I''d do whatever I can to assist you."

    ''Oh…'' Nathalie blinked her eyes.

    "Best believe that it won''t matter how many you''ve foraged for as long as you could make as many as you can, even giving more than half of it for me— Your words, not mine."

    [That''s true.]

    "It''s perfect. I''ve also received and even got to taste it. Dare I say it''s better than the ones Del had—" Sylvester jolted a little when the cold gaze of Athan darted his back. "By a far notch, yours would be worth more than a thousand value sold in the auction for a single potion."

    Athan gave up as he heaved off his chest. "You''re neither making me any better nor lightening the situation."

    "Not that it was my intention to do so."

    "Why you—"

    This time, it was Athan that grappled around his neck, meanwhile, Sylvester gritted his teeth, scowling at him while tapping so hard on his arms to let go of him.

    They had a brief banter, and definitely so, they lightened up the situation, with the line of maids and footmen behind them, in a trail, letting out a hearty chuckle.

    Infectious enough, they all did the same, and it brought her a smile at least.

    Which shocked them the most.

    ''Uhh…'' Nathalie ended up blinking her eyes while looking back at the room. [Don''t mind me. Anyway, I''d like to have a private meeting with my father first and then Keith comes next.]

    "Don''t forget to pull this rope over here if you have any inquiries, alright?" Sylvester cleared his throat and remained astute in front of them.

    Soon after, they all dispersed, but Athan had a watchful gaze seen from the last moments before he turned around and walked beside Sylvester.

    [Father, Keith, come in.]

    Nathalie stepped in, gesturing her hands for them to enter, which they gratefully accepted. Passing it for several steps, she closed the door. Her back leaned against the door and sighed.

    "I hope you don''t mean to hide what''s underneath, Mysti…"

    His voice might''ve been too grave and deep, with his back facing her and looking sideways, but none of which scared her one bit.

    In fact, she beamed a tad smile from him.

    [I must say, you''re much more meticulous and clever than the rest had credit you for, father.]

    Keith was at the sidelines, and he never looked at Arnold in the eye, as he tucked his legs a tad bit.

    "You flatter me." He then turned around, and right now, he tried his best not to wear such emotions up his sleeves; although when it came to her, it was but a problem. "Causing so many blemishes with some remedies, tapping to it."

    [Right...]

    "Don''t you have spare tonics left?"

    [I''ve used all of them since...]

    "Shall I help you with it?"

    [I don''t mind...]

    Nathalie then strutted towards the table, grazing over the wooden, polished sheen on its surface and towards the parchment.

    [Anyway, it''s a huge misunderstanding, father.]

    Arnold rubbed his temples. "I hear that all the time. So, who''s this person after you?"

    [I''d hope you won''t jump so much to conclusions about it.]

    "You know I''m not that petty. But I need to know who''s this rascal that would dare to torment you regardless?"

    [Perhaps, you''d see tomorrow.] Nathalie put up a smile.

    A different one and he caught the gist as he was rather amused and used to this kind of vibe she gave off— the ones with schemes and took everything under control.

    "I believe in you, and that won''t ever change. But do take care of yourself; what possibly could go wrong that Ashtra couldn''t even protect you?"

    [An artifact.]

    He raised his eyebrows to intriguing heights. "Oh, is there such a thing?"

    [When conditions are met, yes, and fairly coincidental. Let''s say the preparations were thorough and well-putted, and everything paid off. Don''t you think I''d return the favor?]

    A glimmer came from Keith''s eyes, panting a little, while Arnold became impressed by her actions.

    "What drives you to do so?"

    [While I don''t mind if the problem lies on me, but it''s a different aspect when somebody else is involved. So, father, if you don''t mind, tell me if you have some recipes that would''ve been appropriate for the stage tomorrow.]

    Arnold had a smug smirk, his hands may be clasped together on his back yet his arms became too giddy for what was to come.

    It was rather unfortunate that Nathalie had also lost her grimoire, but all hope isn''t lost for she believed in herself that she was rather creative enough.

    For this night, she didn''t plan to slack for a second.

    "Oh, I certainly do." A deep chuckle came from him. "I know that might be helpful."

    In the meantime, Keith was on the sidelines, silent, but his face paled with his eyes went at the back and forth several times from the schemes they were up to...