Villain Transmigration: Author Transformation

After Nathalie asked Ashtra to take Keith with him and give them a moment to talk about in private, she then turned to Athan's direction with a profound gaze.

[A second chance?] 

Her fingers curled to a fist as she thought about all of the events that happened recently. 

[I don't think so…]

"No… No... " He staggered upon moving an inch closer to her. "You can't do this to me…"

[Oh, I will—]

"I don't understand…" He roamed his gaze randomly with hands held up as though he had no clue. "Haven't we already settled our differences before? What have I done so recently—"

[I was so lenient to you; for whatever our contract was, none of it benefitted me. All I wanted was to leave me and my family out of the mess—Look at this now…]

A sudden shift of guilt etched his crimson eyes the moment it got soft.

"Please, believe me, I never plotted any schemes or derision on you. It wasn't my intention."

Perhaps that she was Nathalie, she knew that Lawrence might get the word of how Athan had been up to; and possibly used it against her or of any form that would be a form of a benefit to him.

The Crown Prince's reaction said it all, after the attempt to discredit and a subtle disservice of her sacrifice, it did leave a bad taste in her mouth.

Although she thought in retrospect, she was a villainess. But even a person like her could only take so much for all she had to put up with their facade as well.

She couldn't risk her life further, especially when there are people important to her, and would even get into a crossfire that they shouldn't be there in the first place, which she had to control herself for as much as she could. 

Nathalie knew there was a kernel of truth to his word; albeit, at this point in her life, she wanted none of it.

The time and effort to put up with their truce or cooperation needed to accomplish the objective was successful. 

But perhaps because she was the author, she had a clue of what they were after, and what they thought of her. Notably about Mystique's desperation for him.

However, Athan might've been one to be horny for anyone attractive to his eyes, but he was the kind of man who would pour out all of his heart for one person only.

[Then, what do you think about this harem His Majesty declared for everyone to hear.]

He gaped at her and almost got choked from the words before him.

"There won't even be a harem involved, as you'll be my future empress." He reached for her delicate hand, pressing with care. "Didn't you have these feelings for me?"

She was about to let go of him when she then paused as the breeze blew past them, rustling every flora in the garden, and as well as the cascaded leaves on them. 

Athan was serious this time, and Nathalie didn't want to think about what could be his plans to salvage what he has built up until now. 

However, none of them let go of their stares; as statuesque they got, in her defense, he would almost be peering into the deepest nook and cranny of her heart. Yet at the same time, it made her chest flutter as she had a sudden onset of euphoria spreading throughout her body.

Upon pulling away, she wrote, [I thought my life was rather too late until I had the second wind…] 

It scared her, a little bit. But she knew she had to be strong, and while it wasn't her style, confronting him must be done.

Nathalie had a bitter smile for a little while. [Didn't you have it too? I'm sure you'd understand why am I like this...] 

Nothing was in it for her to come around the second time.

In case they both were given another chance in their lifetime, to make things right, at least he would've understood her part.

Though he got too stubborn.

"No, I was wrong, Violette. I can still make this right—the both of us can!"

Thus, ended up asking him the question of what seemed obvious to her.

[Do we have the same future?] 

Her words had her tilt her head to the side as if scanning his profile—his jaws clenched and locked.

"What made you change your mind? Is it the only case?" Her cracked voice came out and dropped to a whisper. "Tell me…"

Whatever the lingering feelings she had of Athan, must be stopped. Any relationship with him would do fine except for anything romantic. 

Gone were the days she had to be the same villainess, nor portrayed to be one.

This was the perfect opportunity to redeem herself or reintroduce to the new limelight. A little bit more, and it would've turned out worse.

Out of all the words she thought of, she wrote it on a whim.

[I'd like you to know… That a future with you would be the death of me.]

Numerous times she saw Athan's lips parted but got tongue-tied nevertheless, and before he replied, she looked him in the eyes as she wrote once more.

[If you think that you had the dawn of realization with those feelings of yours for the sake of what future you have, then you might need to reevaluate.]

Athan sucked in a cold breath from her words that got him taken aback as she wasn't holding back at all.

Second life existed to fulfill oneself, and to weigh better choices in life, and to prepare, come what may. 

Yet it could also come up as an excuse; to tick everything to his favor.

'Sometimes, Athan should move on with his life and take responsibility for his actions.'

In which the other part of her mind pondered, 'If that time Tyler and I were still a couple, and he realized then a second life I wasn't the one but his ex-girlfriend all along, then what does that make me?'

Nathalie bit her lip; as much as that didn't happen before, she thought right now. 

More likely, it might be in this life where crazy stuff happens.

Thereafter, she tip-toed, trying to meet his cheek as she leaned forward to give him a whisper in his ears.

"Because who knows, maybe the next time you had eureka I might not be the love of your life after all."