Nine was watching the young woman being lost in her own thoughts. With her scrunched-up expression, she could tell that she was bothered by something. Estelle was also muttering words under her breath, too low to even comprehend. Thus, before she could further immerse herself in her bubble, Nine chose to break the silence.

"What's your plan now?"

Estelle jolted and looked at Nine. The words were still being processed inside her head so she didn't get to reply instantly. After a while though, her demeanor turned somber, as if she got splashed on with cold water.

"I... I don't honestly know. I want to take my chances but I'm too scared to approach any of them..." She mumbled.

She knows what Nine was asking her but judging from the stuff that happened on the night of the ball, Estelle could foresee the blurry future she has ahead. She's really too naive to think that she could easily remediate her situation. How naive of her...

Nine tapped her fingers on the wooden counter, still watching Estelle like she would with a specimen.

"Hmm... That's a problem," she commented.

Estelle's mood dampened even more.

"And I really have nothing to offer. If I did ask their help..."

She originally thought of striking a deal with the person she had chosen that night. There were four people, each holds power and can help her with her current predicament. During the ball, she was going to choose one among those four and proceed with her plan but she got cold feet upon seeing them in person.

One of them was the Crown Prince. She heard that the prince is a kind person, benevolent and dutiful. If she told him about her knowledge, either the prince will miraculously believe her or see her as a senile woman. The rest were the magician, the captain of the knights (mainly because he's close with the prince), and some other person that she's being reluctant about.

Right? Why did she even think that she could just come up to any one of them and say her piece? She had the opportunity that night but she couldn't even muster her courage to approach a person, much more with those influential figures? Nor did she defend herself when she was being bullied. Not until someone came up to her rescue.

Also, there's no telling what would happen if she did tell them the things she knows. After getting there, she then realized how foolish she was.

She really has to rethink her plans...

"Are you giving up now?" Nine remarked with a strange glint in her eyes.

Estelle blinked at the question.

"... I..."

She went silent, pondering things inside her head.

Would she give up? If he did, then the future he saw in her dreams will happen. She would live a miserable life and die miserably as well. Not just her, but a lot more people would suffer. Her friends... Her family... And the majority...

The future will be filled with gloomy days and she's not feeling enthusiastic about that.

If she didn't do something, then the future is truly doomed.

She then remembered her dream. Estelle felt like she was being transported directly in it and that she's experiencing the scene in her head. It was so vivid that she thought it was real.

She could still hear the wails and screams all around her... The devastation... The helplessness that is plastered in the people's faces... And the heavy stench of death hovering over the air...

Estelle shivered.

"I won't! I still can do this!" She uttered with so much conviction that one could visibly see the fire in her eyes.

That's right. She's not just doing this for herself... She's doing this so she and the rest will live peacefully and happily.

She won't let her grim dream happen.

Nine smiled and her eyes narrowed like two crescent moons. It just made her look more enchanting than she already is. She expected her answer but it still made her feel light when Estelle confirmed it herself.

The black cat swishes its tail and peeked at the young woman who was brimming with eagerness, then to its beaming master. It purred lowly in its throat as it closed its eyes.

The cat appeared to understand what's happening and what their conversation was all about. Still, it didn't react and stayed silent.

"But you know, there is something that's been bothering me these days," Estelle suddenly muttered.

Her brows were furrowed and she looked so gravely serious. It makes one feel apprehensive and be plagued with curiosity.

Ever since that night of the Founding Ball, Estelle had been mulling over something that she just discovered. The knowledge left her very confused and skeptical at the same time. After that night, she even asked a couple of people about it and their answers made her more shocked.

"What is it?" Nine cocked her head to the side, regarding her.

She bit her lip, her eyes narrowing in seriousness. She then looked at the shop owner and unblinkingly voiced out her concern.

"Sir Nathaniel of the Herman family has a sister..."

Nine wasn't fazed by that and only stared at her in question.

"Mmm? And?"

What if he has a sister? What of it? Was that a big deal at all?

Estelle frowned as if it was really bothering her.

"In my dream... He doesn't have a sister," she said so.

Nine braced her chin on her palm, "Oh? But wasn't his sister a famous person...?"

In the Capital of Rosenthal, much so in the social circle, the Hermans, whether it's the father, the young master, or the young miss, they were all a frequent topic. More especially Nadia who's revered as a role model for young women and the most favorite topic of almost everyone.

Who wouldn't know about Nadia Eleanor Herman in the nobility? A fool, maybe.

"I know..." Estelle started playing with the paper bag with her fingers– "I was really shocked when I learned that Lady Nadia is a Herman as well. I asked around and found out that she's Sir Nathaniel's younger sister. But in my dream..." She threw a glance at Nine's face and was looking hesitant to continue.

"In my dream, his sister was already dead by now. She died 9 years ago or that's what it was supposed to be..." She muttered in a low voice so only Nine could hear her, even though they were alone in that book shop.

Her eyes were wide and glassy as she gazed at Nine.

"The future changed?"