Chapter 11

Lucas finished off all the monsters  heading that way and stared at  distance in daze..

" is Prince Mathew still there..?" he turned to see kiel standing there staring in the same direction

" I will go check on him.." lucas said walking ahead.

"why can't you teleport..?" kiel asked but lucas didn't responded..he rolled his eyes as he followed lucas.. They walked into the forest and their eyes widened

"  Prince Mathew...!! are you OK..?!! What's with this blood..?!! " kiel asked as he and lucas rushed and held his arms supporting  him..

Mathew is half conscious  with blood oozing out from his head.. Lucas teleported them back to the cave  and they laid him down.

" what's wrong with him..?!! "they heard athy's voice and turns to see her staring at him worried

" what are you doing here..?!! "they both asked in unison

" she insisted on staying.. What happen to the prince..? "felix asked getting inside the cave

" I think he hurt his head while fighting "lucas said.. He felt Mathew's mana seeping out..his body getting cold like  he is dying...

" hey whitey.. Do you think you can get some woods for fire..? "lucas asked and he nodded a yes.. Once he left the cave She kneeled beside him and stared at Mathew concerned as she placed her hand on his head

" sia.. Heal him past danger and nothing more "lucas mumbled and she nodded a Yes..

Felix saw the bright blue mana Coming out of her and gasped.. His wound Got better and bleeding stopped, lucas held her hand and she stopped..

" what's going on..?!! Athy dear when did you learnt this..?!! "felix asked suprised.. Athy explained everything  to him and he smiled bright

" wow..!! So much things  happened huh..?!! I am Proud of you athy dear.. Thanks for helping her lucas "he said patting her head and she smiled.. Kiel came back with woods and  lucas  lit it up with magic .

" huh.. He seems better now.?! What happened..? "keil  asked surprised.

" nothing.. Athy dressed his wounds.. "felix said as he got up and walked out looking around

" I will go and inform the emperor so that they can come to take him back .. " he said as lucas and keil went out

" lucas.. Take care of athy " felix said and keil glared  at him

" yeah I will.. Here.. Communicate with me if you need anything.." lucas said handing him a magic communicator

" sure.. I will be off then.. Take care guys.." he said

" be safe felix.. Come back quick " athy said with a concerned face. He smiled nodding a yes

" athy.. Get inside it's cold here "keil said smiling.. She nodded a yes as she went inside.

" lucas.. Do you have water..? "she asked as she saw Mathew blinking his eyes..

" I am running out of it.. "lucas mumbled looking around scratching his nape

" I saw a stream  in the distance.. I will go fetch it "keil mumbled and athy got up..

" can I come with you..? I have to wash my hands " she said staring at her blood stained hands... Matthew's blood got  her when she healed him

" then we will go, you take care..

Keil stopped when he saw lucas staring at his shirt which is red in  the front.. It spread on him as he grabbed Mathew when teleporting

"then who will take care of Mathew until we come back..?" Keil mumbled..

Lucas effortlessly rolled a huge rock and placed it in front of the cave..

"geez.. What the hell is this..? Let's go.." he said staring at the dirt in his hand from moving the rock

Three of them walked to the stream in silence and washed their stains... Kiel and lucas went to fill water from more cleaner place in stream  .

When both of them come back.. Athy was sitting on the rock dipping her legs in the running water staring at the moon.. She looked ethereal like a fairy was spotted on earth... Her skin glowed under the moonlight and both of them can't take their eyes off her..

"sia.. Let's go.." lucas said as he put  all the water they collected  in his portal bag  .. She stood up and put on her shoes holding  his hand.. Keil stared at them with a blank face

They went back and Keil moved the rock away and washed his hands... Athy gave Mathew water who is holded straight  by lucas

" cough... Cough..thank you.. For  saving me" he said in a low voice as Keil came inside

" it's ok.. Rest for a while.. Felix went to Inform the palace" athy said with a gentle smile... He smiled back as he slowly Sat up leaning  on the huge rock behind him.. Lucas and Keil went out to search for something to eat..

Athy was sitting there silently staring at the fire

"princess..thank  you so much... You are my life saviour" she said and athy stares at him confused

" I was not completely knocked out.. So I felt your mana when you healed me.. I don't know why you are hiding such an amazing thing... But I am so grateful that you saved me... I would never forget this help... I am ready to do anything for you in return.. It's a promise "he said and smiled gently..

She is silent for a while then smiled at him..

" thanks for keeping my secret.. And it's not a big deal.. I did that because I can "she said and he giggled

" you are too humble princess.. "he said and she  smiled

" can I ask you something...? "he asked and she looked up at him

" we are back... Haah."Keil said as he leaned on the wall..

" athy here.. Eat this.. " he said handing her some fruits..

" thanks sir  ijekeil "she said receiving them

" seriously stop using honorifics "he mumbled pouting. She looked out and lucas isn't there..

" sir ijekiel where is sir lucas..? "Mathew asked as kiel handed him some fruits

" he said he have something important to do and walked  inside  the forest.. He will come back in a while.. "he said staring at athy with a blank face

Mathew noticed the emotions in kiel s eyes .

She slowly  eat her fruits and walked out..

" athy.. Come inside.. "Keil said trying to stand up but sit back when she did.. Soon lucas also entered and sit beside athy..

" did you eat sir lucas..? " Mathew asked before athy and he nodded a yes with a  smile to him

" where did you go..? "she asked

" just..had something to deal with.. "he said

" why aren't you sleeping yet it's past your sleeping time? "he mumbled and she shrugged

" don't know.. "she mumbled back  as she leaned her head on his shoulder with a bored face... Keil's hand  crumbled his coat staring at them.. Mathew silently stared at lucas and athy with a blank  face then slowly smiled looking down...

A sad smile . . .

When  all the boys woke  up.. Athy is  talking  to someone outside.. Lucas and Keil went outside to see felix standing there waving them  a hii...

Soon a huge carriage and several  soldiers came and they helped Mathew get on the carriage.. They also took all of them to the palace

They all got fresh up.. The emperor and empress thanked them  wholeheartedly..Mathew came out of his room to sent them off.. Felix and the emperor were talking in  front of the carraige

Athy was about to walk down but Mathew reached her..

"  have a safe trip princess..once again thanks for all your help.." he said smiling and she nodded a yes

" actually I wanted to  ask you something.." he said

" yeah.. You was about to in the cave right..? What is it.?". Athy asked tilting her head

"I wanted to ask you for your hand in marraige.. " he said and athy's smile faded.. They were silent.. Not only them but also lucas who is standing behind the huge curtain on the side

"pfft..don't worry princess..relax.. I was about to ask you... Then I understood.. That I don't have a chance.. So it's ok" he said and she smiled.. A small sad smile

" sorry... And thanks for understanding.." she said and he nodded a yes.

" tch..its a sad thing that I don't have a chance still.. I may find someone like you in the future right..?" he asked and she nodded a yes smiling

" you can find someone better than me.. I wish you the best for future, then..i will get going..."

she said greeting him..he nodded a yes smiling... She Walked down to the carriage

" better than you..? Hmm.. I doubt that.." he mumbled as lucas walked past him..

" and sir lucas.. "he called and lucas turned  back..

" I am envious of you.. Still..you deserve it.. You are amazing.. " he said and smiled..

" what are you talking about..? Anyways take care.. Valeris have a best future King.. "

lucas said with a smirk.. And turned back walking down. Mathew smiled brightly at him..

When they get on the carraige athy fell asleep after a while leaning on felix.. Who is sitting beside her.. Felix gently patted her head smiling..

When they reached obelia.. Keil get off in the middle as he was about to go to his mansion..

Lucas took sleeping athy to her room.. And felix went to report to claude.. . . .

"athy dear.." lily called opening the door with a bang.. Athy turned back from the balcony where is sitting and painting

" what is it. Lily..?"she asked getting up..

" athy..the emperor.. The emperor asked you to join him for dinner.. "she said shooking her arms.. But the excitement lily expected wasn't in her face..

Instead she look at her with a expressionless face.

" is that so..? Can I reject it.? "she asked and lily stared at her confused

" why athy..? Don't you always want to join them for dinner and eat like a family..? "she asked worried

" I don't.. I told you..I give up on stuffs  like that and they feel annoying to me now.. I like it when it only us "she said and lily stared at her worried

" still.. It's not good to reject his offer. He is the emperor "she said..

'yeah.. He is the emperor.. So. He may do something to you if I piss him off..' athy thought and nodded a yes..

" let's get you ready for dinner "lily said dragging her to the dressing room.

(her outfit)

" hii. Athy... How is your trip back..? "jennete asked with a right smile as she is sitting beside claude almost clinging to him until he give her a stare and she moved away a little

"  it's good "athy said in a monotone as she cutted the steak

Claude stared at her eating from time to time.. She sat  steady and silently eating looking gracious as the Princess she is...

He sighed frustrated  staring at jennete Who kept talking to him amidst eating.. Once jennete was done he told her to go back.. She stared at how athy is still there and hesitated but did once he glared at her

"Athanasia" he called and she looked up at him

It's her first time Hearing him call her name... It's always that thing wench etc..Still she didn't get wavered.. She stared at him with a blank face

"don't you think you have to explain your behaviour back then..?  If I want I can punish you for disrespecting me" he said in a stern  voice glaring at her

"  I don't think I have to..I am well aware of  What I said back then.." she said and he smirked

"looks like you got nerves huh.. Did you give up on coaxing me and  rebelling now.?" he asked in a mocking tone

" I am not rebelling your majesty.. I am tired" she said looking at him with a  stoic face

" what.?"

"I am tired so I decided to stop approaching you.. I realised all these days I was just wasting my time trying to get your attention.. I am sick and  tired of it all.. Everything  feels unfair.. It's not like I asked to be born so I don't think I have to face your wrath for something I am not at fault for.. So I give up.. On everything .. I just want to live a peaceful life with people Who love   me  for who I am.. I know, I have to  stay here until coronation.. After that I will quietly leave the palace and won't be a bother to you ever.. I will get going then.. Thanks for the dinner your majesty " she said and left..

Claude Sat there silently watching her leaving... Her every words keep rewinding in  his mind.. He suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head.. He slowly got up and left to his room..