Within the room, Nathalie crouched and went for the cabinets installed from the marble countertops, grabbing more of the glass vials she needed for the concoction.

    Keith, meanwhile, had been stirring at the glistening blue concoction for a while now; as per her instructions, slowly while she poured over the ingredients now and then.

    Though he couldn''t help but peer at her, scrambling through the corner and not even afraid to get her hands either dirty or messy from the work.

    "My Lady, do you need help over there?"

    [Oh, no, no. I''m alright. Please focus on it; it needs to be consistent after all.] She then arched her neck and looked at him. [I shall ask you when I do need some help, alright?]

    With that, Keith pressed his lips thin, he knew it wasn''t his place to convince her, which then he nodded and said nothing further; Arnold chimed in on his behalf.

    "Mysti, you don''t have to do that.."

    [What is?]

    "Crawling there."

    [I''m not really crawling…] With a subtle moan, she then picked up the racks, pulling them to the side, and lined them up after grabbing an array of glasswares displayed beneath. [I can do as much.]

    "Alas, that stubbornness of yours…"

    A smile was only she had shown, both her lips and eyes beaming with such warmth, before going back to do what she ought to do for today.

    Only a deep sigh escaped Arnold''s lips and went back to leer at the parchments sprawled on the working table; sitting with arms crossed, he started to immerse on the diagrams found in it.

    "I don''t get it. You could''ve asked that foolish man over there," He spat, and even without him pointing in the direction, she knew who he referred to as the foolish man.

    [Father, he''s already sulking. You can''t do that—]

    "Well, I''ve been sulking and dying from such worry when my Mysti returns without me even knowing." A sharp huff came from him, leering at Ashtra. "His arrogance knows no bounds; should he have never suggested crazy stuff…"

    Arnold had been prattling, which she let slide to the other side of her ears.

    After Nathalie got everything she needed from the lower cabinets, she slowly transferred them to the open space on the countertop. Dusting off her hands, she then glanced at Ashtra, who leaned close to the windows, overlooking the large expanse of lush forest.

    Despite the darkness of the nightfall that loomed over it, the floating spheres brimming with colorful brilliance were found on it.

    With billowing clouds imitating the forest shade, and the twinkling luminescence, one might think that the starry skies reflected pretty much on what was on the ground.

    However, Ashtra rather spaced blankly, not even giving a damn on what Arnold sermoned for the night.

    Although she was well aware of his position as well.

    For all she knew, before then, Marianne proved her worth to be the master of the ''Frost Wyrn'' after paying the tribute.

    Yet she realized rather too late about the alternative plans that Athan might''ve thought back then if ever things don''t work out in his favor.

    Inwardly, she sighed how Athan could''ve been worse than a control freak; with everything must come his way or he had to deal with the problems rather than relying on the others.

    While he changed for the better over the past years, more so with another chance in life, he still had the tendency.

    Although a part of her believed that the artifact served for a different purpose in this lifetime, especially she had an inkling of the news with the sudden anomaly in the magical forest she ventured a couple of hours ago.

    Perhaps it must''ve been one of the reasons why she didn''t detect much wildlife, that''s ferocious enough to trample within the forest.

    Foremost, Arnold became too livid to the truth and to learn that such an artifact would be enough to seal a familiar, regardless of its status and strength, and it solely compromised the absolute safety of Nathalie.

    She wasn''t an exemption, getting to taste with his fury; he almost slapped her but stopped halfway with a realization unbeknownst to her. With a click of his tongue, he then busied himself, pushing horrendous thoughts away.

    But she was there to reassure him; even if he knew better now; much to his bitterness, he wouldn''t forgive Charles, for treating her in such a way.

    After Nathalie grabbed a few vials, she drew close to Arnold; he seemed too engrossed with the diagrams in front of him— eyes went left to right several times and now tapped on the table.

    [You really remind me of him.]

    Arnold broke out of his focus when she asked, turning to his direction, musing, "Whom are you referring to?"

    [Father…]

    When he blinked his eyes, mouth parted as he gave a curt nod with the realization. "Oh, really?"

    Soon as Nathalie smiled, his gaze softened.

    She grabbed her phone, scrolling through the galleries, she opened one of the family portraits that struck her memory the most.

    [Look at this.]

    After which, she zoomed in on the photo.

    The portrait was of high definition, vibrant colors, and a great contrast with the edited background. While the faces had some filters it wasn''t as far as the genuine features of the Quinn.

    "I really do look like him; I give you that." Arnold was rather impressed, and while his face remained astute, his gaze begged otherwise.

    From her mother to her siblings, and her, he bore the same reaction.

    [Not that I''m talking about physicalities; I''ve heard you''ve known it since entering the world I''ve been.]

    "Indeed."

    [Father was always strict when it came down to me. I always had to act accordingly, and he would always reprimand and scold everyone, including me when it''s inadequate.]

    Arnold looked at her solemn visage, then back at the picture. "... Do you hate it?"

    [No, I don''t. I understand why and how they acted as I grew up. No complaints about me as I always wanted their attention and validation. If that meant it would make them proud, then I would do it at all cost.]

    "It must''ve been painful for your part."

    [Sure does…] Nathalie concurred, dropping the phone. [There were times it was too much for me; I could neither change nor force them the way they were, and so do I… So I''ve lived a double life.]

    Nathalie then strutted towards Keith when the aroma intensified, grabbing a few root stalks to the side.

    "On that note, you remind me of her as well..."