ONE

CONTENTS:

-- 001Unfortunate Princess

-- 002Humiliation

-- 003Her Choice

+------------------------------ +0 0 1Unfortunate Princess

"Make way! For the Emperor of Obelia, His Majesty, Claude de Alger Obelia!!" They introduced from the high tower of the gates of the kingdom along with the loud trumpets, signaling everyone in the town. "And his beloved daughter! The crowned princess, Athanasia de Alger Obelia!!"

The town cheered, gathering around but making sure they make way for the carriage that would arrive. They all forgot all that they were doing and ran to see their beloved royal family coming back home after a week of staying in Arlanta for political reasons.

"The princess is coming home!"

"Our emperor!!"

"Welcome home!!"

The was a quiet and peaceful town celebrated, throwing confetti all over the place as if it were a festival.

The royal family arrived, riding a golden carriage that's almost the size of a normal house with beautiful white geldings leading the ride towards the palace. Through the window, they can see two silhouettes from the inside, the emperor and the princess were there.

From the inside, the princess shrugged on her seat, wanting to see her people cheering for her, welcoming her happily and warmly as if they are family. Her jeweled eyes brighten at the sight.

As she was about to touch the curtain to open and let her show herself to her beloved people, she heard her father mutter, "Don't open the curtains, it's too bright..." He said with a cold voice that almost sent shivers up to her spine.

The princess sulks and lets go of the curtain, despite the pain in her back, she remained sitting elegantly, like how a princess should be. She forced a smile and nodded. "My apologies, father."

Her father didn't answer, his eyes closed, going back to his sleep. The princess was alone again in boredom, afraid that if she move an inch or even let out a sigh, she would wake her father up.

Her father is pretty sensitive when he is sleeping as if there's someone's trying to murder him which won't happen because he has a protective seal around him that if there's someone who has a killing intent close to him it would immediately react and attack the person. She still doesn't know why her father is still acting cautiously around his surroundings.

Why is the carriage so slow...? She thought, feeling herself getting drowsy from the sound of the horse's hooves clapping on the pebbled ground, erasing the loud cheers of the townspeople.

Her drowsy eyes moved back to the curtain-covered window, almost sighing as she is still conscious about her father sleeping across her. She could see their silhouettes from the outside, still cheering for them on the top of their lungs.

They were happy to see me... But why do I feel so empty?

"Princess?"

Athanasia blinked out from her wave of thoughts, finding herself sitting on a desk holding a pen. She looked up, seeing a brunette maid staring down at her with worry with a tray of fresh Lippe tea in hand.

"Ah, Lily, you're here..." She muttered, arranging herself. "Thank you for the tea, you can put it on the table over there, I have to finish answering this, the royal tutor will be back for it tomorrow."

"Yes, princess," Her maid, Lilian followed, bowing before putting the tray on the table where the princess told her to put it. "You seemed like you're thinking over something, princess. Is something bothering you?" She asked, the worry on her face never wavered.

Athanasia showed her best smile to reassure the maid. "It's nothing. You can go now, Lily. Thank you again."

"The pleasure is mine, princess." Lilian bowed. "Please be honest with what you're feeling princess, I will be willing to help you or at least listen to your problems."

"I will," Athanasia replied, smiling again.

"Then, I will be taking my leave, princess."

Lilian left the study room, leaving Athanasia alone again. The princess let out a sigh, slouching her body to finally relax.

She took off her hairpiece, letting her hair fall to her shoulders like a waterfall of gold. Her eyes then moved to the mirror to her left, reflecting herself.

Now, everyone would expect to see her reflection looking like a beauty in the darkness but to Athanasia's eyes, she only looked so... Pathetic. What's staring back at her was not a princess, nor a lovely lady, it was a petal that has longed gone from the flower she was on.

A lonely petal.

The light in her eyes disappeared, turning back to the papers in front of her, so unorganized. Just the sight of it makes her sigh in resignation, telling herself that she could not finish this tonight.

She stood up, closing her eyes to avoid the papers standing in front of her, so displeasing to the eye.

She walked back to her room, with a candle in hand. There's not even a maid to help her since it's midnight. She could only pray to go to her room safely without trouble.

But the universe is not on her side.

"What are you doing?"

Athanasia flinched as she heard a cold and familiar voice in front of her. Her eyes widened to see her father, looking down on her with those cold, crystalline eyes. She could only stare at him in horror.

"Don't make me repeat my question, answer," He coldly said.

Athanasia almost let out a whimper. Closing her eyes. "I-I'm so sorry, father...." She said with a shaky voice. "I was... In my study room... I-I promise! I didn't try to es-!"

She stopped talking as she felt her cheeks getting squished tight in just one hand. Her eyes widened, almost tearing up. "Too loud, go back to your room..." Her father muttered and pushed her aside, bumping her on the wall.

Athanasia immediately covered her mouth to prevent her from yelping in pain. Her father didn't even spare a glance at her and just left. Athanasia could only look down on the floor where suddenly the fire of the candle touched her making her jump, hissing in pain.

She unconsciously turns the candle off with her bare hand, making her feel pain more. Tears finally came out of her eyes. She just sat there in the dark, too afraid to move.

"Father... I'm hurt..."

As for how lovely is she in front of others, Athanasia was just only a petal that was about to fall.

And here starts the story of the unfortunate princess.

+------------------------------ +0 0 2Humiliation

It's time.

Athanasia stared at herself in the mirror, wearing a beautiful pink gown with a small tiara on her head. It's like she's surrounded by pink roses, like a fairy.

So why is she wearing like there's a party going on today? Because there is a party.

Today marks Athanasia's debut as a fourteen-year-old. A special day for her and to every young lady who would also turn fourteen with her.

"Princess, sir Felix is here to get you," One of the maids said, peeking in her room.

"My! It's time, princess!" Lilian proudly said, smiling so excitedly. She gave Athanasia one last touch and a proud look on her face before letting her go. "Have fun, tonight princess. It's your day."

Athanasia softly smiled and took a deep breath. "... I will." I guess.

And there she goes, Athanasia left her room and went to the lobby to see Felix, her father's right-hand man waiting for her. He looked up and brightens to see Athanasia walking down the stairs with a nervous look on her face.

"Princess! You look so... So beautiful!" Felix complimented, his eyes looked like stars as he watched Athanasia walk towards him.

Athanasia laughed. "You're exaggerating, Felix," she said.

"I'm not, princess!" Felix huffed. "And I'm sure that His Majesty would also react the same way, but more!"

Athanasia almost flinched at the mention of her father, she smiled weakly. "I hope so." Uncomfortable, Athanasia decided to change the topic. "Anyway, Felix, shall we go?" She held her hand up for Felix to accept.

"We shall, Your Highness," Felix happily replied and held her hand, leading her out of the palace.

On the way to the carriage, Athanasia noticed someone missing. She frowned sadly as she turned to Felix who seemed worried when he also noticed. "Where's father?" Athanasia asked.

Felix bit his bottom lip and sighed. Even though I told him before going to the princess... He thought in disappointment. He took a deep breath and turned to Athanasia and gave her a reassuring smile. "His Majesty is currently handling something from his office, he told me that he would come later."

"...." Athanasia pursed her lips and nodded. "It's okay, I'm used to it anyway," she replied. He's never been on my birthday, no surprise... She sadly thought, trying to erase the pain and the disappointment in her heart. Why am I expecting anyway?

Felix immediately noticed the change in her face, the light was gone from her eyes, like a candle getting blown. He held the princess by the shoulders. "Princess, he will surely come. Remember the promise."

Athanasia faced Felix with her sad eyes and smiled, nodding. "... I know." Even though that's a lie.

"Let's get you inside the carriage, princess. It's cold," Felix said, leading her inside. He gave Athanasia one last worried look. "It's going to be okay, princess, he will come."

Athanasia watched Felix walk away and told the man in front to go. Felix rode his horse and followed from behind.

Athanasia lets out a sigh, leaning her back on the seat as she stared at the window.

Guess I have to celebrate my debut alone.

---

Athanasia stood there, frozen. Waiting for the host to announce her in the ballroom. She doesn't know what to do. She was nervous and Felix wasn't there to calm her, she was sweating like crazy. She could clearly hear her heartbeat getting faster and louder.

She was used to being in the spotlight like this. What's making her nervous now?

"—His Majesty Claude de Alger Obelia and his beloved daughter, Her Highness, Athanasia De Alger Obelia." Athanasia heard from the other side of the door.

She took a deep breath, watching the door open, and the light illuminating from the inside. Her eyes widened, seeing the stares of her father's people on her. Her breathing hitched at the sight, almost making a yelp.

She froze for a while until the host told her to come inside. Athanasia nervously followed, making a smile to hide the worry but soon immediately disappeared when she heard the whispers as she walked down the stairs.

"Where's His Majesty?"

"Aren't they going to come in together?"

"Is the emperor busy?"

Athanasia felt her body turn cold, her smile froze. She's like a doll, a broken one, not knowing what to do but just showing that smile. That princess smile that everyone loves.

As soon as Athanasia come down, Felix rushed immediately to her side and whispered, "Wait for a moment, princess. His Majesty will come soon..."

And with a blank mind, Athanasia followed and just stood in the middle of the dancefloor, waiting for her partner, which is her father to come and dance with her. The smile was still there.

And also the tears.

He's not going to come.

Minutes later, the whispers became louder and louder, asking for the emperor and taking pity for the princess for standing for a while. Some also snickered at the sight, making fun of the princess, finding her stupid to wait for her father.

And Athanasia?

She was crying inside. From the embarrassment and for stupidly waiting for her father who would less likely to come for her debut. Her once-in-a-lifetime debut as a fourteen-year-old.

She couldn't take it. The pain on her ankle, the whispers and then laughs, their stares. Athanasia is slowly tearing apart.

And with a drop of her tear. Everything stopped.

Athanasia left the room.

+------------------------------ +0 0 3Her Choice

I hate this.

Athanasia began to hiccup as she ran and ran, ignoring the ruckus inside and the calls. Athanasia shook her head to stop hearing the yells. She doesn't want to hear a thing.

I hate this.

"I hate this... I hate this... I hate this! I hate this!! I HATE THIS!!!" Athanasia cried, the makeup on her face began to melt from her tears, the accessories on her were falling off, blood is starting to roll out from her ankle. But Athanasia doesn't care. She had enough pain so why not worsen it? She knows that no one cares.

Especially her cold-hearted father.

Is he even her father?

This was too much of her. She was trying to act like the perfect princess that everyone wants and hopefully, her father would notice her and love her like how a father should love their child.

But only she got is neglect and pain. Physically and mentally.

What did she do to deserve this kind of treatment? She has sacrificed everything, her freedom, her happiness, just to find a fatherly love from her father. For fourteen years just for this?!

Athanasia stopped, remembering all the treatment she got from her father. There was not a time that she is loved by him genuinely.

And maybe he never will.

She heard footsteps coming towards her, she slowly looked up to see her father with a coat in hand. Her eyes widened.

"Athanasia, what did you do?" He coldly muttered.

Athanasia frowned, laughing dryly. "That's the only thing that you're going to say to me? After what you did to me back there? The humiliation that I have to endure just to stupidly wait for you."

"...." Claude didn't answer. "Well, this is only an act to keep the kingdom in peace. I will just find a way to solve this. Come here, let's go back."

"No!" Athanasia slapped his hand, surprising her father.

Claude stared at Athanasia in shock. "What did you just say?"

Athanasia looked up, she took a breath as she faced her father. "Am I really that hard to love, father...?" She asked. Again. With her voice breaking and her body trembling.

She knows that the answer will remain the same but she just wanted to be sure. She will accept any answer she will hear, even if it's painful.

".... Why do I need to love a child that I didn't even want in the first place...."

And just like that, Athanasia's heart broke into a thousand pieces. She already knew it but it still hurt. Everything she have done for fourteen years was just a waste. All thrown in the trash as if it was nothing.

But she didn't cry. Instead, she smiled, wiping off the ruined makeup and her tears away. "I see..." She nodded, slowly looking down. "I see..."

"Athanasia, what is wrong with you, go back to the ballroom," Claude ordered, getting impatient. "The guests are gonna spread rumors about this."

Athanasia ignored her father and walk across him. "What's wrong with me? Good question, dear father." She scoffed as she kicked off her heels that is drenched in her blood. "The answers obvious. I'm broken."

"....."

"I'm broken!!" Athanasia laughed, destroying her hairstyle, pulling everything off from her head, not giving a care for also pulling her hair. "Are you happy, father?! Because I am!!!! For fourteen years, I've never been this happy!!!"

"Athanasia, you-"

"Ah, I have never felt like this..." Athanasia ignored him again. She kept smiling but her eyes were crying. She was right. She is broken. And once broken, you can't unbreak it. "Father, I have something for you... I know it's my birthday, my debut to be exact! but I have something for you..."

"Athanasia, I swear if you don't listen to me, I-"

Blood suddenly splashed on Claude's face. His eyes widened at what he saw. Athanasia had her hairpin stabbed on her wrist, still smiling as more blood come out from her wrist.

"Atha..." He couldn't even utter a word nor do something, Claude froze.

But as soon as he was about to take a step close, his daughter suddenly disappeared. Claude is still in his stance, unable to do or say a thing with the blood of Athanasia in front of him.

"...."

Only silence.

------A/N:

Sorry, this took so long T~TThis took me almost 3000 words and days of writer's block *le faints*

Hope you enjoyed the angst-

and see you all next yea-

—AJ