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Chapter One
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❝ Fourteenth Birthday ❞
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Athanasia was running through the halls. Not because she's late for class because she's not going to class, but to go to her father's palace. She remembered him promising that'll he'll prepare a tea party for her with the two of them only before her birthday celebration.
Fourteenth, to be exact. She's fourteen today and her debutanté would be in months time. Athanasia was excited, but at the same time, nervous. Because clearly, Jeanette would be introduced to Claude. Athanasia's sure that Claude dears her, but what would happen if he were to meet his first love's child? Would he accept Jennette with open arms again and abandon her? Or would he loathe her? That, Athanasia doesn't know and never wanted to know.
'But gosh, i can't believe i woke up late!' Athanasia thought as her cheeks reddened. Last night, when Claude told Athanasia that'll they would have a tea party first before her birthday celebration made her happy. And she can't sleep that night, thinking about it. 'Remembering how i turned alot in my bed makes me embarassed.'
Athanasia shook her head as she then, saw her personal knight, Felix Robane. 'Felix still looked like in his twenties, but i'm pretty sure he's out of the calendar.' "Felix!" Athanasia yelled as she waved at Felix. "Where's Papa?"
"Oh, Your Highness." Felix bowed as he smiled. As expected, Felix's smile is refreshing. And she still can't believe Felix's still not married. "His Majesty are in the garden. He was starting to wonder where you were, and told me to fetch you. But it seemed that you got here already."
"Yes.. I woke up late, that's why." Athanasia retorted which made the older men laugh. 'Felix was a nice person back then too.. But due to being father's knight, he was unable to help me. He also told me some things about Mama.' Athanasia thought, as smiled when she saw her father, sitting. And yes, he is still wearing his usual clothes. 'It's also amusing to see father wearing clothes from mother's hometown. Now i wanted to go visit Siodonna.'
"Athanasia." Claude said, the moment he saw her. "You're late."
"Hehe, sorry Papa. I woke up late." Athanasia reasoned as she sat down at her chair with Felix's help. 'He's still the same though.' "I'm not that late though.. But anyway, Papa. Thank you for having tea with me." She thanked as her smiled brighten the whole garden, that maids had to close their eyes.
"It's normal for me to do this though.. It is your birthday." Claude replied as he sipped his tea. 'Even though it's the day she died..' Claude looked at Athanasia, who are sipping her own tea now, and Claude can't help it but to smile. It was only for a brief moment, but to everyone who saw it squealed in silence.
"It tastes great, Papa! As if flowers are blooming inside my mouth."
He can't help but remembered his late lover when his daughter, Athanasia, told him that. Claude was constantly reminded by Diana, and he doesn't mind it. Because he knew himself, that if he were to go to his old ways, express no emotions and pushing people away, Diana would be mad at him. So much, that he doesn't blame Athanasia for her death.
"Time passes really quickly." Claude said as he looked at Athanasia with soft gaze, exchanged with Athanasia's happy smile towards him. "Happy birthday, Athanasia."
"Thank you, Papa!" Athanasia exclaimed as she giggled. She was happy that Claude greeted her first. Afterall, it had been her dream to have him always greet her first on her birthday. 'I'm worried about what he'll give me as a gift though... Last time, it were keys to a bunch of treasuries..' "Uhmm.. Papa."
"Yes? Is something the matter?" Claude immediately asked his daughter when he heared her calling for him.
Athanasia chuckled as she placed her teacup at the table. "Can i choose my gift this year?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Well.." Athanasia trailed off as she looked at the skies. It was blue, not too sunny but not too cloudy. Just the perfect day to go out and have tea. 'Is it preposterous of me to ask this..?' "Can you be my partner for my debuntanté?"
"Lucas.. My debutanté is nearing and i don't know who to ask." The young princess told her friend, Lucas, as she sighed and sat down at her room's sofa. "It is still early.. But really, i don't know who to ask."
"How about your dad?" Lucas suggested as he looked at Athanasia. Nothing has changed about their relationship one bit. If Lucas were to narrate it, he would describe it as a complicated best of friends that always fights but gets along too well that people mistake them as lovers. "Clearly, your dad wants to be your partner."
"Are you serious?" Athanasia's eyebrow arched as she looked back at Lucas. 'It's not common.. But they did say that some women go with their father.' "Well, that's not a bad idea.. But are you sure Papa want that?"
"It's my turn now to say ‘Are you serious?’ because clearly, you're blind." Lucas looked at her flatly as he dismissively waved his hand. "You've been talking alot about your debutanté these days, and wonder who you'll go with. Your dad clearly will say yes. And i'm gonna bet my share of brownies for that."
"If you want, i don't mind." Claude replied as he sipped his tea. With a shining blinding light behind him. And Felix just silently laughed and thought 'His Majesty are happy'.
"Really, Papa?! Yay!" Athanasia clapped as she widely smile, making the blinding light even more brighter. And everyone just looked away at the scene. Because clearly, the daddy-daughter duo will blind anyone who looked at them. "This is the best gift ever, Papa! Thank you."
"You're welcome.. Again, happy birthday."
"Hmm!" Athanasia just hummed as she smiled back at Claude, making her see Claude's smile for a brief moment. Thus, the day went on with a nice roll. Everyone at the Emerald Palace and her former maids in the Ruby Palace celebrated her birthday with lots of chocolates and golden designs. And also alot of gifts from her maids. They might be maids, but most of them are from a lower noble family. Like Lily.
It was finally nighttime and Athanasia felt tired. It was a great day, but surely tiring. 'I did ate alot of chocolate dessert..' Athanasia lied down as she looked at the ceiling. "I'm still not sleepy though..."
"Then how about receiving my gift?" Lucas' voice suddenly whispered through her room as a man in his teens shadowed her. Athanasia looked at it was Lucas in his magician clothes. "What?"
"Nothing.." Athanasia muttered as she get a cloak at her huge closet and walked to Lucas. 'Surely.. I do miss hanging out with him.' she thought as she held Lucas' hands as they teleported. It had been a while since the two hung out. Ever since Lucas became the magician of the tower, he got busy. Well, he is a genius, Athanasia can't deny that. "It really fascinates me how magic works."
"You've always been like that. And i told you, you'll be great at it like me.. Well, maybe a little less greater than me." Lucas stated as he smiled at Athanasia. The clouds that were covering the blue moonlight suddenly faded as it shone throughout the garden. There, Athanasia's jewel-like blue eyes shine as she smiled back at the red-eyed magician. Lucas looked away for a moment as he said, "Happy Birthday."
"Thank you, Lucas." Athanasia replied as she heard the familiar bark of a creature. There, a large black creature ran to her that made the her fall to the cold grassy ground. "Ahh, Blackie! My nightgown will be dirtied! You silly..!"
"Woof!" Blackie barked as the creature continued licking the princess.
"Ahh! It's cold!" Athanasia yelled as she continued giggling at her pet that are licking her friends. Lucas casted a spell that'll heat them and continued watching Athanasia. 'This girl.. She doesn't mind the temperature, just to play with that mutt..' Lucas thought as he sighed.
After a few minutes, he noticed Athanasia snoring beside Blackie. He smiled at the scene as he immediately carried Athanasia at his arms and teleported back to her chambers. He gently dropped her to her bed and caressed her soft blonde curly hair.
"Happy Birthday, my princess.."
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an update about author grace !!
so i've decided to post the first chapter of act two because.. boy, you guys will have to wait even more time for the another chap.
may sound immature, but i'm in the process of moving on. and i can't really focus, but i do write bit by bit. so, i might really post the next chap at like, mid july? i don't know.
that being said, very sorry for the delay :) my progress on moving on has been really good lately. but then again, can i really move on? now i'm just rambling.
follow me on twitter for spoilers and suchs (your choice though, not mine. don't force yourself) it's in my bio. love you guys! i appreciate you all and the reads— just last month, it's on 70+ reads and now it's on 1k+ 😭 love you all!