ATHANASIA POV
I was happy to see Ara and Dad dance once again, they were perfectly graceful and it also seemed like Ara was enjoying it. I could see her smiling and laughing as she danced with him.
Just as the dance ended and the two bowed before each other, the hall was filled with the lapliea flowers making everyone gasp and I looked at Ara who smiled.
She... She did that, did she remember? No, wait, even if she didn't she's still Ara and Ara loved doing this.
The dance ended and Ara looked at me, I grinned at her and she smiled.
"There's one more person I wish to dance with." She announced and Dad and the other nobles looked at each other whispering.
Who was she talking about? Was there a nobleman that caught her eye?
I wondered who it was as I looked through the crowd and only one person who seemed befitting stood out. Ijekiel Alpheus, the male lead.
Did Ara see him?
I didn't even notice but I heard people gasp and then saw Ara standing in front of me.
She bowed slightly with one hand at her back and another stretched to me.
"My lovely sister, may I have this dance with you?"
I blushed as she said that, was she serious? Two girls dancing? I mean, won't everyone laugh?
"If anyone laughs, I'll make them swallow their teeth." She spoke and I couldn't help but stare at her.
Did she really just said that out loud? The people who managed to listen to her gasped and she looked at me with a smile.
"Come on." She said and I smiled before placing my hand in hers.
She led me to the dance floor and I could see Dad sitting on his throne with a satisfied expression. He'd been carrying a sad expression even on his birthday but now he seemed happy.
Ara gently placed her arm around me, as she took the lead with the man's steps.
When did she learn how to dance like this?
"I was usually asked by women in my time to dance with them. Glad I had some experience." She spoke as if she read my mind and I giggled slightly as she gently twirled me around.
For some reason my body felt really light as if I was just a feather.
"Thank you for talking to me earlier." I heard her say.
Ara was able to easily twirl me around and spin me before pulling me close, her grip on me was gentle just as how she would hug me.
"What do you mean?" She shook her head lightly.
She smiled down at me as we whirled around before she lifted me making my eyes go wide slightly.
I was literally flying, no, even she was flying!
She was using magic for this dance!
She pulled me down again, and I couldn't help but keep smiling as she was being exactly like how my Ara would be.
Wait, what am I thinking? This is my Ara!
With a final spin Ara stopped and the song ended.
We parted and I curtsied while she bowed before me, just as I thought it had ended there were rose petals blowing around filling the hall with the scent of roses.
"I was told that roses were your favourite flowers." She spoke in my head and I smiled at her feeling like I was going to cry with happiness.
The other dances started and I and Ara went back to Dad, she seemed quite relaxed as everyone started coming and congratulating her. She didn't glare at them but she didn't let any hesitation or flaw being showed either.
That was until Roger Alpheus came and stood before us with Ijekiel beside him.
"Blessings and glory upon the Star of the Obelian Empire." He bowed along with Ijekiel.
"I'm so happy to see you finally getting your deserved title, Princess Amara." He said and I looked at Ara. I had forgotten to tell her about him.
She didn't reply but just gave him a nod with a small professional looking smile.
"I believe, you hadn't been formally introduced to my son, this is Ijekiel Alpheus." Ijekiel bowed with his hand over his heart and I saw Ara tilting her head slightly.
Was she observing him? Did she find him handsome?
"Good to see the future of the kingdom." She said and I looked at her.
"May I ask Her Highness for a dance?" He asked and I was almost taken aback as he did that.
"Hah?" Ara smirked.
"Seems like your son is quite bold." She said and I gulped as Ijekiel looked at me.
Just what was he doing?!
"If I can't be worthy of that honour then, may I dare to ask for Princess Athanasia-"
"Watch your mouth, boy." Ara spoke up her smile turned darker and cold.
"Please forgive my son, Your Highness." Sir Roger bowed.
"He seems to have quite a few delusions, I'd love to bring him back to reality." She said as she glared at Ijekiel making him keep his eyes down.
"The man who can't even meet my eyes dares to ask for my sister's hand for a dance? Funny." She said and Ijekiel looked up at her.
I could see the aura clash between Ara and Ijekiel. There was no way, Ara would lose.
He held the eye contact despite his fists clenched at his sides.
"Interesting," she said and then looked at me.
"Go ahead." She said and my eyes widened.
She agreed?!
Ijekiel smiled brightly at her before turning towards me.
He asked me to dance and I looked once at Ara who stared back at me, as if she was waiting to see how I react.
"S-Sure." I agreed and placed my hand in his walking towards the floor.
Ijekiel placed his arm around me and I could feel him shiver slightly as we started dancing.
"Every time I see Her Highness Amara I feel like I'm close to a tiger." He said and I gave him a nervous smile.
"We-Well, she's quite protective of me."
We whirled and he gave me a nervous smile.
"She's not the only one." He said and I noticed as how even Dad was glaring at Ijekiel.
I hope he survives after this dance.
"Still," I looked back up at his smile.
"I can see why they cherish you so much." He spun me gently and I smiled.
We danced a little and he talked a little more, mostly praised me.
"It's always quite a spectacle to see how Princess Amara uses magic to turn your dances into such beautiful sights." He said and I smiled.
"It's her way of making it a memorable thing."
"I wish I could put a smile on your face like she does."
"Eh?"
"I have a really tough competition considering how much you two love each other." He said and I looked at Ara who though was talking with someone else but her eyes were on us.
"I'd say she loves me more than I could ever love her." I admitted and he turned me.
"What Princess said about the assassination attempt... was that true?" He asked.
"Yes, after saving my life she barely survived herself."
"Jeanette told me what happened there, I tried to visit you multiple times and even sent you letters but they couldn't go through."
"Everything has been really complicated since Ara..." I looked down and Ijekiel suddenly changed the pace making me get a little disoriented and step on his foot.
"Don't make that face, your sister might think I'm misbehaving." He said and I smiled.
"I shouldn't ask but... I feel like there's something different with Her Highness Amara."
I flinched slightly as he said that and then he smiled.
"Usually she would call me Mr. White's son, and would a bit less intimidating and more teasing but today... it felt as if I was talking to His Majesty."
I smiled nervously as I looked at Ara who was meeting a foreign ambassador, she would smile and talk but her eyes would immediately find home on me.
The dance was almost ending, "I hope Princess Amara finds me worthy enough to let me ask for your hand in future as well."
I couldn't help but blush as he said that and the dance ended. Ijekiel smiled as he placed a gentle kiss on my knuckles before we parted.
I walked over to Ara and Dad.
"Ara," she turned her head at Dad.
"That boy..."
"Ah, Daddy, I'm starting to feel tired. Come Ara even you must be feeling quite hot wearing that heavy outfit let's go for some air." I said as I took Ara's hand and after excusing us I dragged her away from Dad.
We walked over to the balcony and I breathed a sigh of relief as we were outside.
"You like that boy, don't you?" She asked and I looked at her.
"Eh?"
"Your body language, the way you looked at him and even the way you let him lead you was enough to tell me that." She said in a calm voice and I looked at my hands.
"And as for him, anyone with two braincells would know that he's head over heels for you."
"Hah? No, that's not."
"You don't underestimate the one who's seen such parties and people closely, child. I have seen more couples than you could and I am a fairly good judge of character... at least for the strangers." She said, though the tone for the last bit was low.
I reached out and held her hand.
"Then you must also know that Dad and I genuinely love you."
She nodded, "I do... I can tell that you especially must be close to me. And with today being Cl- Dad's birthday it was my duty to at least come and wish him. I wonder what gift he'd prefer from me."
"You've already given him the best gift you could, Ara." I said as I saw her worrying over that fact.
"Hm?"
"Dad was really gloomy before you arrived, you should have seen the difference in his expression. He seemed really happy to see you come. So, that became his best gift."
"I don't think it would be enough for me, even if I'm Athelinda or Ara. I think I should try to get close to him a little "
I smiled as she said that, she was starting to accept herself both as Ara and Athelinda.
"Then... I'll help you too." I said with a smile and she looked at me for a moment.
I could see the softness in her eyes as she reached out to touch my hair but then winced as she gripped her head.
"Ara? What's wrong?" I gasped as she almost doubled over.
I held her shoulders and she leaned her head over my shoulder.
"I'll need to head back now." She muttered and I couldn't help but brush her back gently.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"It's bearable." She whispered at my shoulder.
"You don't need to lie, Ara. You always try to hide your pain by putting up a strong show." I said and she sighed deeply before she stepped back holding my shoulders to steady herself.
"Ah, there you are, Princesses." We both turned to look at Padma Baek who had appeared with Sir Roger.
"Your Highness Amara, you're one of the stars for tonight, your presence is needed during the banquet." Sir Roger said and I looked at Ara.
"Ara- Princess Amara is feeling a bit unwell so, she's heading back."
"Is that so?" Sir Roger looked at Ara.
"Ah, that's sad. Then, please have some rest, Your Highness." Padma Baek said warmly.
"But, it's His Majesty's birthday, will it be okay that Your Highness leaves him like that?" Sir Roger said and I frowned.
"Her health is more important than any event." Everyone stiffened, Roger went pale and I looked at Dad who had appeared behind them.
"Daddy?" I called and Dad looked at me and Ara, Ara was keeping herself up by her own strength yet, I could see that she was barely holding still.
"It's enough for today." Dad announced and stepped ahead making Padma Baek and Roger step back.
Dad stood in front of Ara who looked up at him. He reached out and presented his hand to her.
"Let's go." He said and she placed her hand in his.
He held her to his side as we walked inside the hall, the people parted and we stood before everyone.
"The banquet ends here." Dad announced before he turned without giving a glance to the people as he wrapped his arm around Ara who was barely keeping up.
I trailed behind them and once outside, Ara stopped, she looked as if she was having a hard time breathing.
She clutched her chest and I looked at Dad. He frowned deeply as he scooped Ara up in his arms before we walked towards the carriage.
He helped her inside and she gripped her jacket and coat pulling them off as she breathed heavily. The carriage started with all of us inside, I tried my best to help her but her condition just kept getting worse. Her face had became paler and she was gripping her chest as if she was experiencing great pain there.
"Ara, Ara, listen to me!" I tried to call but it just felt as if she was barely able to keep herself conscious.
"Hurry!" Dad thundered and the carriage rattled making Ara's head bump into Dad's chest before her eyes closed and she went still.
"She passed out again." Dad muttered as he held her to his chest.
"She's pushing hard without letting anyone know." I spoke.
"I shouldn't have asked her to come, she's already barely keeping up with her memories." I said as I clenched my fists and felt a hand over mine.
I looked up at Dad who was looking at me, "Don't say that, Ara is strong she could fight anything, she's defeated death multiple times. She will do that this time as well."
"It would be better if Lucas arrives soon. At this point it seems like it's only him who could deal with this." I said and Dad looked at Ara.
Lucas, just where are you? Your best friend is suffering so much!
***
Hello, everyone!
How are you guys?
And who else is missing Lucas?
I miss him but he won't be back for a while... 😭
Ahem... Anyways, please tell me what you feel about this chapter?
And have a great day guys!