I and Lucas sat in our carriage and I couldn't help but sigh happily.
"After all these years... it feels amazing to see that everything has paid off." I said looking at Lucas.
"Today when I saw Athy all dressed up I couldn't help but feel like a proud mother who saw her child all grown up." I said.
"She's still a child though but... there's this feeling that everything will change now." I looked down at my hands.
"Nothing will change between you and your sister." Lucas said and I looked at him.
"Your sister loves you, it might not be as much as you are obsessed with her, but she does." I laughed as he said that.
"One more thing, Lucas."
"What?"
"I really like you," I said making his cheeks go as red as his eyes, "and I don't want to break your legs today, so, let's use magic while dancing."
He flicked my forehead making me hiss.
"I should really tell Dad you hit me like this."
"What about the time when you hit me?"
We almost got into an argument before the carriage stopped and the coachman announced that we'd arrived.
Lucas stepped out and I held the hem of my dress before I stepped out taking Lucas' hand.
"Thank you."
"Heh? You can be polite too." He commented and I gave him an icy smile making him look away.
"I take that back." He said as he looked away.
"Now, where's Dad and Athy?" I wondered as I looked for them and spotted them quickly thanks to my blinding Dad.
"There they are." I said as I pointed at them and took a step ahead but stopped as Lucas didn't move.
"Your father has prepared a gift for you today."
"Eh? Me?"
"Well, it's from both your father and your sister, they asked me to give you a heads-up."
"What is it?" I asked.
"You'll know."
"What's with this suspense?"
But still I shrugged my shoulders before we made our way to my Father and Athy.
We walked up to the entrance of the ballroom and Athy looked at me. I smiled at her encouragingly.
"I and Dad are right beside you, Athy. Nobody will dare say anything. Be happy and enjoy yourself tonight." I said and she smiled back.
"Make way for His Majesty Emperor Claude de Alger Obelia! And Her Highness Princess Athanasia de Alger Obelia!" The announcement was made and my Dad and Athy stepped forth into the light.
I and Lucas waited while I was starting to feel slightly nervous myself, Lucas seemed to have noticed my nervousness as he looked at me.
"Why are you nervous? You just gave your sister encouragement."
"After all these years, I'm going before people, it feels strange." I admitted.
"Silly, Ara. You're called the Emperor's Shadow, act like your father if anyone tries to look down on you. I don't think anyone would dare to even try to do that in the first place though." He said and I chuckled feeling the growing tension dissipate.
"I seriously want to know who goes around giving me these silly nicknames."
"Come on, it's time." He said with a smile and I looked at him.
"Oh, I'd have liked it if your hair were a little longer and messy." I muttered before the announcement started.
"Make way for Royal Wizard Sir Lucas!"
"And, Her Highness, Crown Princess Amara de Alger Obelia!"
"What?!"
Lucas smiled as I looked at him with shock, his hair fell over his eyes, he grew his hair in an instant.
He gestured me to move and we stepped into the blinding light. The people inside whispered amongst themselves as if even they that heard of the announcement of Crown Princess for the first time.
"Why am I being announced as the Crown Princess?" I asked.
"That's the gift prepared by your father and your sister." Lucas answered and I ran my eyes through sea of peering gazes.
"Are they judging me?" I frowned.
"Show them, Ara." Lucas said and I used my father's glare making all of them bow respectfully.
I spotted Dad and Athy who smiled up at me as if telling me that they were proud of me.
"I'd like to have a talk with you after we're done." I used telepathy on both of them.
Athy looked away while Dad's smile turned to smirk.
I and Lucas walked down the stairs and walked straight towards Dad and Athy.
"Ara..." Athy tried but I simply smiled at her.
"We'll talk later." I said and she looked nervous.
"Relax, child." I sighed and she looked at me with a smile.
"Just don't break Dad's toes." She gasped while Lucas coughed to hide his laughter.
It was a custom that the Imperial family would have the first dance at occassions so, it was obvious that Athy and Dad would be having their dance first.
After a few minutes Dad and Athy stepped in the center of the room before bowing and curtsying to each other.
I sighed happily as they looked so bright and happy.
"Don't start crying please." Lucas muttered.
"I've worked my ass off for this day to come, Lucas. If I had to cry I'd cry a river of tears." I said and Lucas squeezed my hand but I didn't take my eyes off Dad and Athy.
Just then Athy stepped on Dad's foot making me almost smack my forehead while Lucas coughed to hide his laughter. I could also hear some more coughs which made me run my eyes over everyone around including Lucas.
"You wish to die!" I all but growled making everyone behind Lucas flinch.
I turned back to Dad and Athy, Dad lifted her up and twirled her in air making me smile as they looked enchanting.
Dad placed her down gently before continuing the dance and flicked my wrist keeping my eyes firmly set on Athy's movements.
The moment I felt that her foot would step on Dad's I used my magic to control her movements to move her. I made sure my magic was concealed and Athy looked equally graceful.
Lucas sighed beside me as he saw me focus on them moving my hand whenever Athy was going to step on Dad's foot. Just before the dance ended I made the magic fireflies around Dad and Athy making everyone gasp and stare in awe.
The dance came to an end and I sighed with relief as I saw them ending it. The ballroom echoed the claps and I smiled before shaking my head slightly.
"This girl, just how nervous was she? She was going to step on Dad's foot thirteen times." I muttered as I clapped.
"You did well." Dad said making everyone get shocked.
"I'll do even better next time." Athy said.
"Yeah, right. Just pray I will be around to save your ass." I spoke in her head.
Dad looked once at me with a smile and I smiled back. He knew.
"Next is us. Have mercy on my legs, please." Lucas said and I looked at him with a smirk.
"Save them yourself." I said and he sighed keeping a smile on his face as we walked over to the center.
I and Lucas greeted each other before we started dancing, Lucas was pretty gentle while holding me to him.
We both were using magic to keep us graceful and as light as we could.
"You're surprisingly good." Lucas said as he lifted me up as if I weighed nothing and twirled me in the air.
I landed on the tip of my toes before we fluidly moved swirling and using our air magic whenever needed.
"Talk about yourself. Are we even dancing in the floor?" I asked as I smiled and he smiled back as he twirled me and pulled me close to his arms.
"Hey... Why do I feel like I might end up losing my head tonight?" Lucas said and I noticed Dad glaring at Lucas.
"Eh? Even the greatest Mage is scared of a protective father." I said making him sigh.
"Don't worry, pretty boy. I like seeing your head attached to your body." I said and his cheeks went slightly pink.
"I should be the one to tell your father that you're the one that keeps flirting with me."
"I'd love to see you try that." I smirked and he sighed before he almost sent me flying before he tapped his foot gently rising in the air and we whirled in the air making everyone gasp and stare at us in awe.
"Show off." I said before we whirled together slowly coming down to the floor.
We slowly came to a stop and I saw the glowing butterflies fluttering around us. I looked at Lucas with a smile as he was the one who did that.
The people around cheered and clapped as I and Lucas bowed and curtsied before we walked towards Dad and Athy.
After me the other girls who had their Debutante took up the ballroom with their partners.
"Y-You were flying!" Athy grinned and I shrugged my shoulders.
"We're mages, if we don't use magic would it be fun?" I said and she grinned brightly.
"Besides," Athy leaned close to my ear.
"Thank you for helping me out during dancing. I was so nervous after I stepped on Daddy's foot for the first time that I couldn't focus properly."
"Yeah, only 13 times." I said and she gave me a sheepish smile.
"But still, I hoped if I could also get a chance to dance with Dad." I said.
"Really?" I looked at Dad who came up behind me and I smiled up at him.
"It's okay, though. I'll have more chances." I said and he presented his hand to me making me look at it.
"You're serious?"
"Just go." Athy gave me a light push and I placed my hand in Dad's large and warm one. It was unlike when he touched me for the first time.
I and Dad walked over to the dance floor as the third song was starting and everyone gasped as the Emperor arrived on the dance floor for the second time.
"I hope you don't step on my foot." He said and I smiled as I curtsied.
"I'll try not to." I said.
I placed my hand in Dad's large one, he gently pulled me into his arms, it was quite strange as I had only imagined how it would be to dance with my father.
The people slowly stepped away from the center as Dad and I twirled around, he was quite gentle and graceful as he literally made me fly each time he whirled me in air.
I laughed as I would get close to him, Dad was smiling as well, which warmed my heart.
"You know, when we met for the first time?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Your hand was really cold when you touched my cheek." I said.
"But now, it's really warm." I smiled as he twirled me.
"But I still wonder why was I announced as a Crown Princess? I said I would rather stand beside Athy as the Captain of Knights or even as her Aide. Then why?"
"It's a decision that I and Athanasia made." He said and I shook my head lightly as there seemed no way out.
The dance finally came to an end and the glowing flowers blowing around us made me look at Lucas who stood beside Athy with his arms crossed and a smile on his face.
"I trust you'll do a good job since you've worked hard since childhood." Dad said and I smiled.
"I did it all for you and Athy." I spoke honestly and he took my hand again before we walked away from the dance floor.
We walked towards Athy and Lucas, Athy took my hands in hers looking excited.
"That was so beautiful!" Athy said as she looked at me and Dad.
"She never stepped on my foot once." Dad said and I chuckled as Athy gave him a sheepish smile.
I looked around hoping to see the one whom I had thought I'd see around and I found him.
Roger was easier to notice and the man who stood beside him, the black haired man. He turned and I looked straight at him.
"I see you." I smirked and the people suddenly came into view and I turned away.
The next dance was danced together by the girls who were having their Debutante.
I looked at the gathering girls before looking at Athy who stared up at Dad with a sad look on her face.
"Why do you look so sad?" I asked Athy through telepathy.
"Do you think they're going to introduce Jeanette as Dad's daughter again?"
"I'll burn them alive right here." I muttered loudly making Lucas and Athy both look at me.
"But... isn't it fine now? We did everything we could, now, even if Jeanette appeared I might not feel so sad. Because she could take everything away from me but not you, Ara." Athy smiled at me brightly and I looked at her, I placed my hand on her head careful about not messing her hair as I smiled.
Suddenly I felt someone's hand on my back and even Athy gasped lightly.
We both turned to look up at Dad who stood behind us.
"Go ahead." He said making Athy and I exchange a glance.
"Daddy." Athy started, "Thank you for being with me today. Thanks to you and Ara I will always remember today as a very happy day."
"I've always wanted to say this too." I spoke up and he looked at me. The story was bound to change because I had made a big change in it, there were chances that some unprecedented situations may arise. In manwha, Roger didn't introduce Jeanette as Claude's daughter but I had no idea of what to expect from here.
"You... always put up with all of our whims and acts and I'm grateful for that. Thanks for everything, Thank you for bringing us into light. I just wanted to see you happy and healthy."
I and Athy held hands as we stepped away from him and I looked back at him feeling the tears in my eyes. I was ready for the change, I'd protect Athy and try my best to not let anything go out of hands.
"With us, without us."
I felt Dad's eyes widening as I and Athy walked away before the people covered Dad and I turned to Athy who smiled at me sadly.
"Should we dance?" She asked and I sighed as she squeezed my hand.
"Guess I don't have a choice."
She giggled as she pulled me towards the group of girls.
"That white lilly suits you very well. May we join this dance?" Athy said and the girls turned and looked at us gasping as they saw me behind Athy.
I put on a smile as well and they curtsied.
"Y-Your Highness and Crown Princess, thank you for gracing us with your presence."
"The pleasure is all ours." I spoke and the girls smiled.
I and Athy joined in dancing, she smiled brightly and I was happy to see that she was enjoying herself.
"The ribbon on your waist is coming undone." I stiffened as I heard a soft feminine voice. Athy stopped and looked once at me before turning to look at the girl who had spoken up.
I turned my gaze to look at the girl who had long brown hair and blue eyes, it was obvious that she was wearing contacts to hide her jeweled eyes. It was unmistakably Jeanette.
"Should I tie it for you again?" She asked with a smile and I did all I could to not lose my cool. I didn't know why I hated her so much, but there was this dark feeling within me which made me grow hostile towards her.
Athy accidentally lost her balance and was going to bump into Jeanette but I quickly used telekinesis to pull Athy towards me. Athy gasped lightly as I held her beside me looking at Jeanette.
"Ara... You look scary." Athy whispered and I looked down at her my gaze softening instantly.
I took a deep breath and then looked at Jeanette as she was still smiling at both of us
"I wanted to tie your ribbon if it's not too much of a bother." Jeanette said not meeting my eyes and just looking at Athy.
"It's fine, I'll ask someone else." Athy said keeping the smile on her face.
I touched Athy's back, "We should step out of the way. We've lost the tempo."
Athy looked at me and nodded.
"Have a good time." I said to the ladies whose fun we interrupted.
I walked away with Athy, she looked a little troubled I once looked at Jeanette who stood back there looking at us before turning my attention on Athy. She was my priority.
***
Must read announcement!
Hello again readers!
Finally, Jeanette made an appearance, what do you guys think this chapter by the way?
Now, regarding the announcement, since it is my first time announcing a Q&A session so, I don't know if I'll be able to do it well or not.
Anyways, readers, whoever would love to have their questions answered please drop your questions in the comment boxes in the upcoming chapters, at the end of the season 1 which is really close by.
So, start pouring the questions in the comment box and make sure to mention who the question is for, with the hashtag and the character's name.
For example: Why are you so obsessive? #Ara.
End of announcement.
Have a great day!