𝐖𝐇𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐃𝐄 𝐌𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒' 𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑

05

THE TWO ROYALTIES were waiting for the youngest princess on the throne with Felix beside them. "Lilian York, long time no see." a deep voice resonated in the throne room. the owner is none other than Claude de Alger Obelia, the emperor of the Obelian Empire. Claude sitting on his throne, staring at two figures intensely while Antanasia is sitting in his lap.

a maid with brown hair and blue eyes pinched her long dress and curtseyed. "blessing upon the sun and first star of the obelian empire." beside her stood Athanasia, who stared at the floor as if she was interested. she trembled in fear when she felt Claude's gaze on her. Antanasia frowned and glanced at her in concern.

"I haven't been able to pay enough attention to my other daughter due to my duties at court. but still, Athanasia has grown into such a healthy child. all credit to you." spoke Claude.

Lily lowered her head. "Thank you, Your majesty." Nas looked at Athanasia's face which showed anger and doubt for a split second. she sighed. 

"however, from now on I will be looking into the princess' well-being. there will be no need to worry." Claude said. Athanasia raised her head and froze when she saw his smile. Nas chuckled under her breath, amused by her reaction. "starting today, princess Athanasia will be treated as a proper princess." he stated. 

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"I think you got a bit chubbier since I last saw you," Claude said as he looked down at the little blonde girl with his hand on his chin.

Athanasia giggled. "You look pretty too, Papa!" Nas snickered at Lily's paled face and Felix's worried eyes looking down at Athanasia. she just realised something… Athanasia never tried to start a conversation with her unless she talked with her first. to think she would rather talk to their cold and ruthless father than her, made her jealous. "What about me Athy?" she turns her gaze at Nas and blushes. she looked at the ground and clenched her dress nervously. "s—sister is also pretty...too.." her voice got softer with each word she spoke.

Claude stared at them in silence. finally, he spoke, "follow me we were on our way to the lake. get ready to join me." leaving Nas, Athy, Lily and Felix. 

she glanced at Athy who looked pale. she frowned in worry. judging from the look in her eyes she doesn't look alright. she stretched her hand out to Athanasia as Athy stared at it and looked at her confused. Nas smiled warmly at her. "Do you want to hold hands with me?" Nas asked her as Athy's eyes became teary, this caught Nas on guard as she watched her nod. 

Nas' eyes were wide as they sparkled like the gems that they were. Nas and Athanasia sat beside each other, the sight of clear blue water was breathtaking, the boat moved, and Athanasia was amazed by this, she looked around curiously. her blue eyes watched her older sister. she wanted to admit that she was somewhat jealous of Nas.

Nas was like none other children she had ever seen, in this life and her previous.

Antanasia is so innocent

loved and well taken care of, not saying she wasn't, but in Nas circumstances, it was different.

"what are you thinking about?" Claude asked.

Athanasia froze and panicked for a second before looking up at him and grinning. "your hair is sparkly and pretty, Papa!" she brought her hands to her mouth and giggled. "I like sparkly things!" Claude smirked, causing Athy to flinch. "that reminds me, you had a jewelled pouch with you that day. I kept your treasure safe and sound, why don't you come and retrieve them yourself next time." the two girls tipped towards the side of the boat, there happens to be a blue lotus floating nearby, it sparkled with its beauty,  but there was something else about its beauty that hypnotized Athanasia.

'I want it' was what bounced back and forth within her mind, she wasn't exactly thinking as she reached her hand out but Nas stopped her from getting it. Antanasia's hand grabbed hers, and she blinked, looking towards her sister. "don't worry Athy I will get it!" Antanasia playfully puffed her chest, Athanasia watched her as she leaned over the edge.

Athy gripped the back of Antanasia's shirt as she grunted, the tips of her fingers brushing against the blue plant. she just about had it until she felt a sinking sensation and she was sent overboard scaring Athanasia and the other servants on the land, who became distressed and panicking.

Everything had happened in a blur

Athanasia panicked as well, her eyes watering as he looked towards Claude. he seemed surprised as well, hopping from his seat on the boat quickly and he ran towards the edge, looking into the water, searching for Antanasia.

Athanasia had never seen so much worry fill the emperor's eyes before, the look of horror was something new.

Nas couldn't swim, not in this life.

the sinking sensation proceeded as she twisted and twirled within the water, bubbler escaping her throat, and panic feeling her senses. Nas understood how Athanasia felt in the original storyline now, why water seemed terrifying, especially to current children drowning. from the darkness, tentacles reached out for you, they were green and varied in multiple sizes. Antanasia screamed beneath the surface of the water. just as her head came into view, Claude grabbed her. she had no idea when the boat reached the shore, she didn't exactly care either. experiencing that horrible creature at the bottom of the lake, was horrifying.

her arms hugged Claude's neck, and her wide eyes watered as she sobbed quietly, remembering the horrible sight. Claude appeared to be cradling Nas tightly, he had his back turned towards Lily, Felix and a worried Athanasia.

"leave now" was the only thing Claude said. his tone was dark and just as cold as his expression as he walked away, leaving towards the imperial palace.

as they finally arrived at the palace as the emperor went to his room and laid his daughter in his bed while he used his magic to dry her. he then sat on the edge of the bed as he saw her daughter start crying again.  "Antanasia, stop crying." was all he said as wiped her tears gently with his hand and hugged her tightly.

Nas started coughing as she snuggled in the blanket while looking at her father. "daddy can go... I don't want you to get sick because of me." she said as she started coughing again.

Claude sighed and shook his head. "you say that but you're coughing like crazy. don't mind me and go to sleep so that you can recover faster." he said as he again use his magic to make the princess sleep.

and just like that, the princess was asleep in no time all thanks to her father Claude. but this time he still has his hand on her forehead while still using magic to make sure that his daughter will be alright, Nas unconsciously wrapped her hand around one of Claude's fingers making him flinch. he smiled softly before finishing using his magic and patting her head gently.

❲ EDITED ❳