A hidden rage coated her tone.

    Like she made a mistake, blowing things up and out of the accord.

    Though Athan kept a straight face yet his insides churned from wanting to jump in fright.

    ''Can''t believe she''s back already.''

    He sighed, turning around and noticed Mystique, hands on her waist, looking at him up and down like he was some filth in her exquisite room.

    "Maybe if you hadn''t let Nero stay in this…" Athan trailed off his voice and started to look around, pretending to be dubious about the room he was in that was filled with bad energy, "room, then I wouldn''t panic, isn''t it so?"

    [Doesn''t matter.] She then pointed the small dent and a slight sizzle near the knob and lock of the door. [You have crude manners.]

    "I doubt you''d still let me in," he scoffed. "I assure you that''s the case, with Lady Marriane Isabelle Salvatore in here." He began to point at her with a smug grin.

    [Didn''t I tell you Nero has yet to recover? Just wait in your chamber and entertain few ladies—]

    "You really think I''m that type of person?" Athan furrowed his eyebrows, striding close to her. After reaching so close to her—about an inch between them—a mockery in his face showed as he scanned her alabaster skin. "Entertain a few ladies? Perhaps you don''t know me well at all, ''my Lady.''"

    "Stop with your flirtatious acts." Mystique averted her gaze downward; he tried to tease her once more by reaching a lock of her hair, smelling the fresh, floral fragrance that became a breath of fresh air when she smacked his hand away. "Perhaps that night made you lose a part of your brain."

    He stared at her in disbelief and let out a hearty guffaw.

    "Of course! Of course! I lost my insanity that night we spent together; it was such a pleasure." He peered at Marriane, who became flustered from his implications.

    Though none of which were lies, making her deal with further interpretations.

    When he found out she wasn''t as apprehensive as she was earlier, it was a good indication that she could learn his intentions. It was a perfect time to strike while the iron was hot.

    "I can take Nero out of here, I presume?"

    However, his question caught a glimpse of hesitation in her eyes.

    [Just a little more—]

    "Mystique, do I need to remind you that I can sense how healthy and well Nero had become, or is there something else that stuck inside of him that I knew nothing about?"

    Athan was able to get the momentum, seeing how Mystique stumped and only let out a glare meant that there was something she couldn''t share—at most would be so crucial to her agenda.

    "What about our deal then?"

    [Of what?]

    "You know, you can take your time whatever business you had with Nero as I shall be the one to take care of Lady Marianne."

    The place was already cold, to begin with, no chill breeze lingered, but the grave chill started to dig deep into his bones.

    Clearly, Mystique was upset from him overstepping several boundaries and even lying through his teeth. Though, at least, Athan had the upper hand when it came to this ordeal.

    Marianne interjected with a plea, "Please stop, Your Highness—"

    [Fine]

    It was just a mere word, but it echoed with such crispness in the air, perking their ears up.

    Except for Nero in a deep sleep again.

    "Your Grace—?"

    [Do as His Highness says, we''ve come this far.] Mystique thinned her lips but still let out a tad bit of its corners quirk up. [I believe he has the confidence to do so.]

    Even Athan knew the deep meaning behind her tone and voice dripped with satire.

    ''Too bad she underestimated me that I also know what awaited us in the future.'' Inwardly, he laughed dryly; he now understood her actions, which he decided to let her snide comments slide.

    "I assure you of that. You''d be very proud of me."

    [You wish I was…] Mystique rolled her eyes. [Marianne, it''s time to pack up your things, don''t forget what I taught you, alright?]

    The lady nodded and went to one of the doors that led to her quarters.

    ''That was it? Why is it so easy? Something is suspicious…''

    Athan took a glance at her; somehow, he thought how lucky he got when all he had to depend on was the time and place things took place. This included Marianne, that would arrive in the castle more or less than a month from now.

    He already set the preparations, and there were only a few left that lacked his main objective, one of which was her.

    ''Had I not sensed Nero, then I would''ve not wrapped it up quickly.'' he sighed.

    "Do you still have matters to take care of here?"

    "Now that I think about it, I just got so curious of you, Mystique. It seemed like..." Athan whispered and drew his face close to hers, almost the tip of their noses meet at a hair''s breadth. "You''ve changed."

    Although she remained a straight face with a nonchalant response.

    [I could say the same to you, Your Highness.]

    "Have I?" he pulled away with a glance. "Perhaps I''m just an erratic kind of a person. Like some whispers in my head telling me what to do, sounds like a curse to me, isn''t it?" he said implicatively.

    But Mystique arched her eyebrows to intriguing heights, clearly not trying to entertain him—like he knew who she was…

    It somehow bugged him how enigmatic and inconsistent she could be, driving him insane.

    "Cat''s out of the bag, huh?" Athan smirked. "Had you retaliated after such a blatant revelation, then I must say, I''m sorry to say I''d threaten you nonetheless."

    Mystique closed her eyes, hummed in subtlety like she got what he meant.

    ''She''s calculative, and that''s a good thing she knew further consequences if she did—''

    [How dare you intrude here and interrupt my work.]

    He fired back, "So, how long have you been eavesdropping?"

    She raised her hand to write but just gave up and groaned.

    ''Look at her—'' he was about to laugh in victorious when she suddenly wrote would leave him hanging midair.

    [But sorry, you won''t be able to take her that easily.]

    "Curses! She really didn''t plan to let this slide all along!" he muttered under his breath; it was like he got jinxed all of a sudden.