Tower: Murky and Charming

Chapter 24: Heat

AN: So uh. It's minor here so dw.

---------------------------------------------------------

Athanasia is walking down the halls of the Emerald Palace to check on the princess after the incident until she turned around the corner and bumped into someone.

THUMP SPARK

The two bodies come into contact and a spark occurs between them. A clash particularly and nearly losing balance as they separated and stumbled backward. Athanasia felt a sudden force overwhelm her and the impact strangely too strong. Stumbling backward in dizziness as her brain focused on the current time. A headache, but a light and temporary one as she recovered quickly. It didn't affect her much and moreover, the person in front of her looked terrible!

"Are you ok?" Athanasia was shocked by his pale appearance as he grabbed onto his chest tightly and breathed hard. When she looked up at his face, she stiffened upon meeting his eyes.

Ah, it's him again.

"I'm fine, Princess. Don't mind me" He said with a grin, sweat dripping off his face and she shut her mouth as he walked away. Escaping from the situation and Athanasia watched him disappear from her sight.

Just his presence is suspicious enough to her but now he's back inside the Emerald Palace, coming from the direction of the princess's room. Athanasia wanted to know who that mysterious man was and only got information that he resides in the Alpheus Household. Yet she senses something wary from him but Athanasia cannot assume nor interrogate him just because of a hunch.

She shrugs it off and goes to see Jennette that is hole up inside her room. The brunette is still scared and the memory of his resentful glare haunts her. Jennette couldn't believe that Athanasia chose him as her lover. After hearing the stories of their open affection for each other in public, Jennette would expect him to be a kind person when he managed to win over a princess's heart. Keeping her hidden when the empire is searching for her. It just had to be a golden-hearted gentleman!

Unfortunately, not everything is a fairytale.

Two knocks are heard outside her door and Jennette lifts her head up.

"Jennette, it's me" Athanasia's voice muffled from outside, and the doors open. "How are you doing?"

Jennette took a deep breath and glimpsed at the blonde with a relieved expression. Not smiling but also not frowning. "I'm ok..." She says and bites her bottom lips. "Did you take care of it?"

Athanasia sighed and sat down next to the wistful princess that was in utter shock from the situation and gloomy as a result. "I did but next time, don't come to the Garnet Palace until it's allowed"

"... I'm sorry" Jennette apologized, sullen and an air of melancholy surrounds her. "I just wanted to see father"

"I understand, but I'm warning you this. If you want him to wake up, the best you can do is just wait and next time. Don't go to the room." Athanasia stated seriously, making Jennette flinched with chills. "Can I trust you this time?"

"Of course" Jennette promised and grabbed her hands. "I won't go there"

"Good." Athanasia nodded to herself in relief and her lips curved up into a small smile. Jennette fidgets and trembles anxiously, lowering her gaze as her mood goes down. She is still frightened and in shock from the event. "Are you sure you're fine?"

"Yes, I am" Jennette gazed at her straight in the eyes. It's not fear but instead uneasiness, a concern that Athanasia could not detail exactly and stare.
What's bothering her?