32 Keith Alexander Dewlake

Nathalie back tracked for a while, thinking about the course of events.

Arnold was on bended knees, kowtowed on some occasions while he made a mantra and asked forgiveness on behalf and help for her beloved daughter.

The sole sovereign of the empire digressed even after all his attempts. After all, he was only a grand duke compared to his valuable wealth.

From Nathalie's prospects and thought process, Arnold would return after a few days without any good news he ought to carry back home. But he chose to let it slide as anger and vengeance blinded him.

By the end of the first book, Nathalie hinted at the passage of Grand Duke Blackwell's last resort.

Arnold was willing to throw away the pledge, the code, and the life-long earned years of prosperity as one of the founding families that had come down since the beginning of the Dysnomia Empire.

'He sought help and grace from a worthy opponent of the Dysnomia Empire that could potentially cause flames of war.'

Readers began to trash talk and ridicule the one and only Arnold Heinrich Blackwell as though his family deserved all of the bad jujus; some went as it was the love and duty as a father. There deemed a lot of opinionated and unpopular opinions erupted among the forums as well.

The Emperor's impartiality caused a stalemate and allowed the dynamics of the royalties and higher aristocrats to change as though nature takes its course, meaning he was out of it.

Many readers caught wind of this, perhaps of maximizing the second life he had. They got so keen, but she never addressed them, letting them dry midair. Convinced about it, they thought it was an easter egg for the sequel.

Some of it bore facts; some were a deception. But as an author, she had this thought in mind. The mystery of how and why the Emperor dared to make a move.

'Crown Prince Athan made a deal that would entice even the Imperial ruler…' She pondered her fingertips on the polished surface of the vanity. 'Right now, the happenings of the sequel are yet to unfurl. This is good.'

Arnold would come to the Grand Ducal Castle empty-handed, but a grand surprise would come his way when her daughter Mystique Blackwell was awake.

Another objective to nip in the bud before it spiraled out of control.

It was just the start, but she had many things to do; the repercussions from her writing and the actions that turned out to be a reality made her think she tasted her own medicine.

'I only wanted to flesh out the story of other characters, villains especially! Who knew this would happen to me?'

Nathalie had the manuscript for the sequel, and when she thought about Mystique that day, trying to plead her life.

She took a stop, making Iris and Keith wonder what she was up to.

'Could this be the curse she talked about?!' No! I want to live too! I'm not going to be a villainess for long! I knew how this would end—It can't happen!'

Right now, she got a taste of her own medicine.

Definitely hard to swallow at that.

'I have read stories; if I'm not careful, I will suffer from dire consequences that would slowly deviate from the storyline… No, let's be positive. Time to take advantage. I'm sure that Prince would be out of wit's end as he won't expect me.'

...Or at least what she hoped.

Her ceaseless snickers caused Iris and Keith to shudder. Little before she knew, they reached downstairs. She wore glass shoes, but it never clinked on a thick woolly carpet that cascaded, platform by platform, to the lowest flight.

Every detail she found was the same, which increased her sense of familiarity, raising the confidence within her that now went ablaze.

Her sashays picked up the pace until it went to a brazen strut; without even thinking, it was like she knew where to go without any aid from the two of them.

No matter how it doubled or tripled its space, things were bound to be the same as what she remembered.

Just like the mansion she owned.

Nathalie didn't feel tired; it was the opposite; she then made her way to the dining hall, and her eyes flashed from the bountiful array of dishes presented to her.

This was the kind of bliss she needed.

At the table, she picked up the fork and knife and went for chicken breast so tender in a creamy parmesan pool. Steam worked its way up as soon as she took a slice, blending its deep aroma to the leafy greens of the basil.

Her indulgence took over her as she savored the myriad of tastes that melted inside her mouth.

'So good…' Nathalie cupped her cheeks as she continued to chew it to her heart's content.

But she jagged her movements a little when Keith and Iris were still beside her, tending to her needs.

With her thoughts in mind, she raised her hand. [You're allowed to leave. I'm sure I kept the two of you busy and distracted from your duties.]

"Yes," the two of them responded, gesturing a bow, then left. Nathalie noticed the meek visage of Keith before he left the dining area.

'Is he being serious? Did I do something wrong? Am I missing something?'

'Have I elaborated this side of Keith? I don't think I have done it for the Commander of the Second Division of Knights that belonged to the Grand Ducal Household of Blackwell.'

As usual, she went on and admired the setting and the characters in vivid details; she wasn't fond of describing them so much and let the readers beheld their imagination.

[Keith.]

"Your Grace?"

[Come closer.]

Soon as she stared at him, she noticed how his arms tensed, walking close. Keith tried to contest her gaze, but it didn't take long as he averted his gaze right away. Even though his face's profile, in that visage of his chiseled cheekbone and jawline, she noticed a slight flush of red across his cheeks.

[I'm not sure why you're acting like that, perhaps you could tell me?]

Keith was somehow taken aback with lips parted for a while. After giving much thought, he sighed..

"Don't you really remember at all? I'm now your personal bodyguard."

As if on cue, something happened when the vistas of intimate pleasure seemed to unfold ahead of her.

A night that was filled with carnal desires with him...