"Ijekiel, are you in here?" Jeanette opened the door with a happy smile on her face and was shocked to see Ijekiel with Princess Athanasia.
"Eh?"
"Come inside, Jeanette." Ijekiel said and she walked inside the room closing the door behind her.
"Um... Her Highness came for a visit." He said and Jeanette looked at Athanasia.
"Good to see you, Miss Magrita." Athanasia smiled at Jeanette.
"I-I'll take your leave now." Athanasia said as she looked at Ijekiel.
"A-Are you leaving already, Princess Athanasia?" Jeanette spoke and noticed as Athanasia smiled.
"Yes, there's something that I need to do. I'll see you later, Miss Magrita." She said before she looked back at Ijekiel.
"You can come by again, if you want to talk. I'll be waiting for you, Princess." Ijekiel said.
"Thanks for the advice," she said before she disappeared.
"What did you talk about?" Jeanette asked Ijekiel who had a smile on his face.
"Just some stuff." He said, "Ah, I'm going to change my clothes now. I'll see you later."
Jeanette stepped back as the door closed and she couldn't help but wonder just when did Athanasia and Ijekiel get so close.
Athanasia teleported to Ara's room and was surprised when she found herself in Ara's old room. She looked at the completely trashed room, it was considerably dark inside but through the little sunlight from the window she could see the burn marks and the cracks around the room. The splinters and the other broken furniture was removed from the room.
Athanasia saw the place on the ground where the ground was cracked, she frowned slightly as she touched the cracks. That part of the floor seemed like it had been scorched, the rock had melted at the edges. Did Ara fight a creature that carried such a weapon that was capable of melting the rocks?
Athanasia recalled the wounds on Ara's body and she couldn't help but shudder as she realized just what would have happened if Ara hadn't pushed her and Claude out of the room. But... how could she not be scared of fighting such a creature? A demon for crying out loud!
Did she really love them that much despite losing her memories?
Athanasia lifted her head and looked at two portraits that were the only things intact in the whole room.
Athanasia felt the tears starting to spill from her eyes, as she sat there and didn't even realize when the doors opened.
"Princess?!"
She lifted her head to see Felix and Lily standing there looking at her.
"Wh-Why are you here, Princess?"
Athanasia had no words, she simply stared once at the portraits before she stood up and walked out of the room.
Felix and Lily followed Athanasia till they reached at Ara's new room and she walked inside.
Felix and Lily stopped near the door as they saw Athanasia walking inside towards the bed where Ara was sleeping.
They looked at each other before they closed the door and walked away.
Athanasia stared at Ara's sleeping face as she sat near her.
"Stupid, Ara." She muttered.
"It's not only you who loves me, I love you too, and I want you in my life till the very end... If you keep doing stuff like this then how am I supposed to be quiet?"
Ara didn't move and Athanasia after a while lied down next to her and fell asleep.
Athanasia woke up feeling something brushing her hair, it felt good so she snuggled closer. After a while, Athanasia opened her eyes to see Ara sitting up with some papers in her hands.
"Are you working?" Athanasia asked and Ara looked down at her.
"You can sleep for some more time, I'll wake you before the dinner." She said and Athanasia kept staring at Ara.
"Are you... not mad at me for saying all those things?"
Ara rested the papers down as she looked at Athanasia.
"I don't have any right to be mad at you," she said, "it was my mistake to begin with... I might have forgotten that it's not only I who loves you, but you're the same. If I would be hurt to see you in danger then that would be the same case for you... for all this time I didn't take your side into consideration. So, please forgive me."
Athanasia felt her tears starting to spill again as she hugged Ara tightly.
"Stupid, Ara! It took you so long to understand that!"
Ara patted her back gently, "I'm sorry for that."
Athanasia pulled back and looked at Ara.
"From now on, you're not allowed to take any risks before you consult me, no, you're not allowed to take any risks at all, do you understand?!"
Ara smiled as she nodded, "I'll do as you say."
Athanasia grinned as she hugged her again and then realized something.
"Ara?"
"Hm?"
"Did you recall your memories?"
"No, but I guess staying around you is having its effect on me."
Athanasia looked at Ara and then recalled something else.
"During the time of festival, you went to look for Athernitas. Did you really not find him?"
Ara's expression changed and she shook her head.
"No, I tried to pinpoint his location but it seemed like his presence was flickering from time to time."
"Th-Then, does he know that you've regained your memories?"
"I don't think so," Ara said.
"If he had known then, he would have already done something to get rid of me but considering that we're still safe and Jeanette is still herself that means he's taking his time with his plan."
"So, you keep inviting Jeanette to make sure that she is safe?"
"That's part of the reason," Ara said making Athanasia frown.
"What do you mean?"
"When that child is around my headache disappears and I can think straight." Ara sighed, "it must be something related to the black magic."
"How?"
"That child... her black magic must be acting as some sort of stabilizer for me. These headaches have grown worse since I'd defeated that demon, but when she's around my head feels blank."
Athanasia didn't understand what Ara meant, but she was happy that Ara was feeling good thanks to Jeanette.
"So, you've invited her again?"
"Yes,"
"Then, let's meet her together when she comes." Athanasia smiled and Ara placed her hand over her head.
"Sure."
With that Athanasia made up with Ara, making up with their father wasn't quite difficult too since Ara was present and Athanasia said sorry.
After she was done reconciling with her father and her sister, Athanasia went to see Ijekiel to tell him about it, she had decided to keep it as a surprise for Jeanette since she would visit them soon.
"So, you managed to make up to them." Ijekiel smiled and Athanasia nodded.
"Ara wasn't even mad at me, well, father wasn't too so, yes, we pretty much are good now."
"That's good to hear."
Currently, they were taking a walk in the garden, when Ijekiel stopped at a spot and looked at Athanasia.
"Do you remember this place?"
Athanasia looked around and she did very well remember the place.
"... Yes."
It was the same spot where she'd first met or rather fallen on Ijekiel years ago. Courtesy of Lucas.
"I was really surprised because you suddenly fell from the sky." He said and Athanasia could vividly remember the day when that had happened.
Athanasia smiled with him and then looked at the flowers that were blooming around the garden. Without her knowing Ijekiel was looking at Athanasia while she seemed to be glowing in the golden sunlight.
"Do you like flowers?" She asked making him flinch.
"Ah, yes. I like them. I used to put them in Jeanette's hair when we were younger." He said making Athanasia chuckle as she lifted a flower from the ground.
"Even I and Ara used to do that." She said, "one time I had just got some Lapliea flowers and put it on her ear, then she just put one on my and Dad's hair too saying, 'Why would I be the only flower person? We're family after all.'"
Athanasia giggled as she recalled that day and Ijekiel who was almost mesmerized by her beauty reached out to touch her hair making her look at him.
"Is there something on my face?" She asked and Ijekiel flinched as he realized what he was doing.
"N-No." He spoke feeling his heart thumping madly in his chest.
"I'll have to leave now, I didn't tell anyone that I was coming here."
"Uh... Will you come to visit me again?" Ijekiel asked and Athanasia smiled.
"Sure." She said before she disappeared and Ijekiel sighed as he placed his hand on his chest.
Athanasia returned to Ara's room, it was time that Jeanette would come for a visit. After a few minutes Claude arrived followed by Jeannette.
"Hello, Miss Magrita. I hope you're well." Athanasia greeted her with a bright smile making Jeanette smile as well.
"I'm fine, Your Highness. How have you been?"
"I'm great, have a seat." Athanasia said and then turned to look at Ara and her father who sat side by side looking like two statues.
"Did they greet her like this always?" She wondered before she walked over and sat beside Jeanette.
"I heard you were visiting Ara for some time. What did you talk about?" Athanasia asked.
"Ah, nothing much just the random topics."
"Ah, well, my sister isn't quite much of a talker so, I hope she didn't bore you in your previous visits."
"No, not at all."
Jeanette smiled, she was happy to see everything going good, she was surprised when Athanasia had greeted her and then after finding them all together she felt good.
"It's quite warm today. Aren't you feeling hot?" Athanasia asked.
"Well, it is a bit hot." Jeanette said and noticed the sound of someone snapping their fingers and suddenly the room started cooling up.
"Ah, it's not too hot anymore." Jeanette said and Athanasia looked at Ara who was watching the two.
Their father simply sat there sipping his tea looking disinterested.
"Tell me if it's too cold." Ara said and Athanasia sighed.
"You don't need to do this, Ara."
"Besides, do you think the next time Jeanette comes we could go for a boat ride?" Athanasia asked smiling and Ara and Claude exchanged a look.
"Only if you don't create some trouble." Ara replied making Athanasia laugh nervously.
"No, of course not."
Athanasia and Jeanette continued talking while they didn't even notice that Ara and Claude had fallen asleep. Ara's head rested over Claude's shoulder while his head rested over her head.
"Oh, they look so cute like this." Athanasia smiled.
"Have they not been sleeping well?" Jeanette asked.
"Yes, well, Daddy is busy with a lot of work since Ara is sick, when she was fine she used to look after most of it so both of them used to rest well. But now..."
Jeanette could notice the sad tone of Athanasia and wondered just how much work Ara and Claude did from behind the scenes.
"I hope Her Highness gets better soon."
"Me too."
"But they really do look adorable like this, right?" Athanasia said and Jeanette smiled.
"Yes, they do."
"I wish I could keep this scene with me forever." Athanasia sighed as she looked at her sister and her father and Jeanette shared her wish.
"Do you think they're comfortable around me now?" Jeanette asked and Athanasia smiled.
"Ara is always comfortable around you, and since Daddy is here with us so he's fine too."
"Th-Then, I could keep visiting, right?" Jeanette asked and Athanasia could see the longing in her eyes.
"Sure, you can." Jeanette's eyes brightened up after hearing that.
"Ah, you're wearing the hair pin that Ara gifted us." Athanasia said as she saw the pink butterfly hairpin in Jeanette's hair.
"I'm wearing it too." Athanasia showed her blue butterfly hairpin.
"I-I'm wearing the bracelet that you gave me too." Jeanette showed her the bracelet and the two girls smiled at each other.
"I'm so glad that I got to be close to you, Princess Amara and His Majesty." Jeanette said and Athanasia smiled.
She knew Jeanette wanted to be a part of this family, she believed that she was Claude's daughter and the older sister of Amara and Athanasia. But as of now, only Ara and Athanasia knew the truth.
There was just a hope that everything will be fine in the future.
***
The light breeze played with her golden bangs as she lied down still on the lush green grass. The younger female watched with awe as the older one looked more like an ethereal dream than a fragment of reality.
"No wonder he fell in love at first sight." She muttered making the older female open her eyes revealing the orbs that seemed to have taken their color from the freshly bloomed roses.
A small smile appeared on her face as she reached out and brushed her hand over the younger one's cheek.
"You usually sing a lullaby for your father, don't you?"
The younger one watched with a blank look and then reached up holding the hand over her cheek. She placed her another hand over the older female's head and inhaled deeply before she started singing softly.
"Little butterfly... don't fly so close to me...
You'll lose your beautiful wings,
You don't want to be in pain...
Little butterfly, I am not a good person,
I will end up hurting you...
I see you... from far, far away,
I'll admire your colours, and your dance,
I see you... from far, far away
As you flutter over the sweet roses...
Time will pass by,
And I will keep watching you,
I will smile unknowingly,
I will always admire you from far...
Even if I can't touch you,
I'll love you from far,
I see you... from far, far away,
As you slowly come close to me...
Little butterfly... don't fly so close to me...
You'll lose your beautiful wings,
You don't want to be in pain...
Little butterfly, I am not a good person,
I will end up hurting you...
I see you... from far, far away,
I'll admire your colours, and your dance,
I see you... from far, far away..."
The younger one could only admire the beauty before her, the one woman who would have made a great difference in her life if only she were alive.
The matters of souls were complicated, currently both of them were mere fragments of energy in the folds of the time and space, the major parts of their energies were supplimenting the lives in another realms.
"I hope you trust your butterflies a little more." The older female said with her eyes closed.
"They're not as fragile as you think of them to be."
The younger one sighed, "... I know."
"My child knows everything." An enchanting smile spread over her lips and the younger one lied down.
"It's okay to cry and tell others when you're having a tough time." She felt a warm arm curling around her.
The younger one closed her eyes letting the older embrace her.
"And most of all, you should voice your thoughts honestly." She said and the younger one smiled.
"You always hide what you're thinking and only tell others what would ease them. When you go back tell your father and sister as well."
"Yes, My Lady, ah!" She felt a light tug on her ear which made her look up at her mother.
"I mean it, if you go around doing reckless stuff again, I'll tell His Majesty to beat you up well."
The younger one chuckled, "I'm not joking."
The tone make the chuckle stop, "Fine..."
"Good girl."
Quick question, does a ghost feel pain? Yes, if their mother pinches their ear they do feel pain!
The small smile made its way on the younger one's face and she let her head rest on her mother's shoulder feeling her long fingers brush over her hair.
"You've done a great job until now. I'll be able to move on peacefully when you return."
The sadness was evident on the younger one's face but she knew that was to be done. Staying back because of lingering attachments was a common thing for the souls but staying back for a long time wasn't good. The souls were supposed to continue their journey and keep the order of life.
***
Hello everyone!
How is everyone? I'm on a boat that goes high and low because of the emotional waves. Haizzz...
Anyways a cute and small chapter filled with the family love here, tell me how you find it.
Thank you everyone, I didn't think my book will be this well received and I'm really happy to see that you're liking my work. We've crossed 400 votes! Hahsghdksbhdksb!!!!!
Please keep voting and commenting, guys, you guys are awesome!!!
Have a great day everyone!