Athy's POV
I woke up to the sunlight hitting my face as Lily opened the curtains.
"Good morning, princess." Lily flashed her angelic smile at me.
"Mmm.. Good morning, Lily." I rubbed my eyes.
I glanced at Jeannette, who was peacefully sleeping next to me. I can hear her light breaths.
"Do I have anything for today, Lily?" I asked as I sat up.
Lily pours water into a glass, "Not really, although there are some paper works you have to finish today."
I nodded.
"Mmm.." Jeannette was starting to wake up.
I smiled, patting her head, "Good morning, sister."
"..Morning." She muttered, trying to adjust from the sunlight.
"Did you guys have fun last night?" Lily enthusiastically asked as she handed me the glass of water.
I took the water from her and took a sip.
"Yes, we definitely got closer." I replied.
Lily rubbed Jeannette's head, "Good morning my lady."
"Morning Lily." Jeannette sat up and took the glass of water that Lily offered her.
"Will you be busy today, Athy?" Jeannette turned to me.
I took one look at the pile of papers needed to be finished, "It seems so."
Jeannette's demeanor became down, "I see."
She wants to spend time with her sister. How cute.
I chuckled, "you can help me if you'd like?"
Jeannette perked up, "Really? I don't mind."
"Yes, it wouldn't be so bad to teach you a thing or two about managing the empire." I decided.
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"Unbelievable.." I was shocked as I looked over the paperwork.
"Did I... Did I really do that bad?" Jeannette couldn't meet my eyes, "I'm sorr-"
"Bad? No, it's not even close to that."
Jeannette looked depressed, "so it's absolutely revolti-"
"No! I meant that it's unbelievable how you can manage paperwork so neatly like this within a few hours of being taught." I shook my head in unbelief. She is the female lead after all.
Jeannette blushed, "I hope you're not lying..."
"I'm not!" I reassured her. It took me all of Lee Ji Hye's life to get used to managing business and paperworks, but she only needed a few hours. This is truly amazing. I would've loved for her to manage paperworks in my business as Lee Ji Hye.
"If you keep continuing at this rate, you'll be better than me in no time." I patted her head.
She smiled warmly, "If sister says so, then it must be."
Thanks to Jeannette, we were done with the entire pile of paperworks in no time.
"Next time, I'll bring you to the meetings." I told her.
Jeannette seemed to be scared of the thought, "Meetings?! No, no. I'm fine."
I shook my head, "You need to learn to face people and stand your ground. Just managing paperworks will make you a pushover."
"Pushover.." Jeanette muttered under her breath.
"Yes, you don't want to be one, right?"
"No, of course not!" She said, fired up.
I smiled, "yes, that's the spirit, Jeannette."
She nodded at my words.
"Now that we have the rest of the afternoon for ourselves, would you like to go on a walk with me?" I offered.
Jeannette was absolutely excited, "Yes! Let's go now!"
I chuckled, "Okay, let me just ask Lily to give us an umbrella (or parasol? whichever) to block the sun as we go outside."
Right on cue, Lily walked in the room. It seems I didn't need to call her after all.
"Lily, we'll be going for a walk. Could you give us a-"
"Princess, I'm afraid you'll have to cancel your walk for today. His Majesty has called for Princess Jeannette." Lily bowed as if to say sorry.
I felt a little stab in my heart, but I kept my composure.
"Is that so? Then it seems we'll have to go another day, Jeannette." I nodded.
Jeannette sensed there was something wrong.
"Can Athy go with me?" Jeannette turned to ask Lily.
"His Majesty only called for you, Princess.."
I didn't want anyone pitying me so before anyone could say anything, I spoke.
"You heard that, sister. Take care on your way," I flashed her a smile, "besides, I forgot that I had something to do as well."
"Ah, I see. Okay.." Jeannette surrendered, but she was still looking at me with wary eyes in case I wasn't okay. I held my ground.
Finally, she sighed. "I understand, Lily. Could you lead me the way?"
Lily nodded, and she turned to me, "I'll be back, princess."
I smiled and sent them on their way.
Once they were gone, I sat on my bed.
I ran my fingers through my hair and kept my breathing under control. I've really turned into an idiot once I was caught off guard by Claude.
Well, it's not like he has any reason to call for me.
But what about Jeanette? Why'd he call her over? I don't know.
I looked out the window. The flowers looked so beautiful today. Should I go for a walk on my own?
"What are you thinking so intensely about?"
I gasped so loud. It felt like my heart just jumped out of my chest.
"Lucas, don't do that!" I smacked him.
"What? I didn't do anything wrong."
"Don't you know how to knock? Are you dumb? Stupid?"
"Knock?" His face looked incredulous, "Why would I do that when I can just teleport?"
I was speechless. Is he serious?
"I'm done with you." I turned away from him with a 'hmph'.
"Anyway, why did you look so sad earlier? Is it because of that bastard again?"
"Sad? When?" I intended to lie to him.
"Earlier."
"I wasn't sad. I was thinking." I shrugged.
He sat next to me.
"Well, whatever. I was just checking on you." He crossed his arms.
"Thank you. How about you?" I asked.
"What?"
"Like, how are you?"
He didn't answer for a few seconds. He just looked at me like I was dumb.
"Really?" He asked, exhausted.
"What?" I asked defensively.
"Well, I'm okay." He spoke. It was short, as if he didn't wanna answer me.
I groaned, "C'mon, Lucas. Don't lie to me."
How could he be fine when he keeps acting like a child, sulking here in front of me?
"You're one to talk." He muttered.
"What?" What does that mean?
Finally, he turned to me. He looked serious and impatient.
"You can't tell me not to lie to you when you're lying to me."
So he could tell.
I turned away from him and sighed.
"Is it because you don't trust me?"
That question threw me off guard. I looked to see his expression, but he was looking away.
"I.."
I didn't know he thought like that.
"It's not that. You're my most trusted person in the world, Lucas." I smiled at him to reassure him.
He turned to me, and I could see him visibly relax when he saw I meant it.
"I.. I already knew that."
I laughed, "Sure you did? Of course you did."
Seriously, Lucas always puts a smile on my face whenever I'm done.
"What would I do without you." I muttered under my breath.
"What?"
"What?" I asked back.
Did..
Did I really just say that?!
I blushed, "Wait- I wasn't, I mean I was just- I was just zoning out and I don't really know what I said so-"
Lucas smirked.
I turned even redder. I gave up.
"Well, I have to go now." Lucas says like nothing happened.
I was glad he just let it go.
"Ah, is- is that so? Then you should go." I chuckled nervously.
"Yes."
Then, next thing I knew, I could feel his lips against my cheek. It was warm.
I felt like blowing up.
"Of course, I will always make time for you, princess. After all, what would you do without me, right?" He teases.
I wanted to disappear right now.
I really hate him..