SEVEN

CONTENTS:

-- 019A Mistake...?

-- 020Stay

-- 021Love is Something Beautiful

+------------------------------ +

0 1 9A Mistake...?

"Princess, wait!" Lucas called as Athanasia continued to run away from the magician. She did not even take a glance towards him and completely ignored him and his voice, calling her in a plea. "Won't you please stop, princess! I just wanted to talk!" He begged.

There were staff in the hall, watching the two running around. They thought that it was just their normal banter, but little do they know that their princess was having a heartbreak from the magician who is still following and calling her. There was nothing to stop the two, unless one would listen; unless someone would stop; unless someone would give up.

But neither of them did not want that.

The two arrived in Athanasia's room. She immediately locked the door behind her before Lucas could even catch her. She felt Lucas knocking gently on her door, still calling for her, begging for her to listen. That's when Athanasia started to cry, dropping down the floor as she clutched her chest. It hurts down there. She cannot help but cry, with nothing to do, she only cried in silence with her other hand covering her mouth to stop her voice from escaping.

He promised her. That he would not leave her no matter what. Just when she decided to think that she could only rely on him, that she only needs him, that he's the only reason why she chose to live in a world that keeps on breaking her heart because she thought that he was the only one who could mend her bruises. Why. Why would he just break it?

She knew that trying to love again would cause her pain.

She knew that...

"Athanasia..."

Athanasia paused. Her eyes went wide. She lifted her head to listen again. Lucas' voice echoed silently from the other side of the door.

"Athanasia..." He called again.

Somehow, Athanasia felt her heart beating furiously. His voice, the feeling laced in his voice as he called her name as if it was something to gently take care of when said. She never knew that just by saying her name would make her feel, feel crazy. Her mind was all over the place, her heart wasn't functioning well, her face was red. What is happening?!

"Please, Athanasia..." How could she ignore this man when he keeps on calling her like that? It's unfair!

Without even knowing, Athanasia put her hands down on her lap, taking a deep breath, tears were still there.

She was angry at him, but why was all that emotion gone just by pleading and calling her name.

She doesn't know what to do. What should she do?

Before Lucas could call her again, she spoke up. "You promised..."

A pause.

"Do you think that I'm just some dumb girl who you would just make promises with and end up breaking it, not only you broke the promise but you... I..." Athanasia stammered, breathing heavily. "I thought that I could have you... I... Call me selfish, because that's what I am! Call me anything you want, but please..." Athanasia clutched onto the door, knocking back. "... Just don't leave me like that..."

Lucas cannot utter a word. He just listened.

But Athanasia did not wait, instead she stood up and opened the door to see Lucas looking a bit red while his face held regret. He did not meet her eyes. That made Athanasia annoyed but she did not say a word.

Her hand made their way to touch his cheek, pulling him to face her. As soon as their eyes met, Lucas wasn't given a time to react just when their lips touched.

This time, Lucas was the one who was surprised. He almost took a step back when Athanasia pushed her way to jump on him to give him a loving kiss. It was lucky for him that he had good reflexes to catch her on time by the waist, only to pull her closer. It was out of reflex that he immediately kissed back. It was as if he felt out of control when he pushed Athanasia backwards, taking her back to her room. He used magic to close the door behind them, their lips were still intact. Neither of the two would want to let go.

As Athanasia felt like kissing Lucas more, she was out of breath, forcing her to let go of the kiss, gasping. "B-Break...!" She exclaimed, her face flushed red. "Just for a moment..."

"You started this..." Lucas whispered in her ears, pulling her closer than ever. His hands never left Athanasia's waist. As he heard Athanasia taking a deep breath, he took the chance to kiss her again. With her mouth slightly open from breathing heavily, he slid his tongue in, taking Athanasia off guard.

He pushed Athanasia more until he decided to carry her when she was stumbling backwards. He took a peek or two as they kissed to see her flushed face, looking so helpless in his arms, whimpering for air, but Lucas still continued playing her mouth with his, fighting her tongue. Her sweet scent caught his nose making him grip onto Athanasia's waist tightly as if this wasn't enough.

Just as Athanasia's back hit the bed, Lucas was on top of her, looking down with those lustful eyes, staring from top to bottom. Look how helpless the princess of Obelia under the Magician of the Black Tower, she was under of his control and no one would dare break it. One could tell in their eyes that they both want each other, on that smooth bed under the broad daylight. The thought of their voices echoing in this room as they hold onto each other was enough for their thoughts to go cloudy.

Lucas can't help it.

But...

With a blink and two, Lucas was freed from the spell, realizing what he has done. His eyes widened and immediately shuffled off of Athanasia. Patting his clothes with a red face. "What is wrong with me...?!" He hissed to himself. "... I... This isn't right..."

Athanasia slowly sat up, confused. She frowned at the magician who continued to mumble. "Lucas...?" She called, still panting from the session earlier. She began to tidy her hair and stood up to face Lucas, putting his arms together and forced him to face her. "... Look at me..." She said in a whisper. The magician was obliged to follow, meeting her eyes.

After a moment of silence, Lucas sighed, his hand tried to reach for her cheek but hesitated. "What have I done...?" He whined, looking away. "You're just so... How could I do this...?!"

"Lucas...!" Athanasia called again, holding his arms tightly. "You did nothing wrong..." She instead was the one who held his face, cupping his cheeks with both hands. "... You're... You're too precious to me... You have done nothing wrong..."

Lucas stared at Athanasia for a moment. He felt his heart shatter into a million pieces. "I..." He slowly let's go of her hold, taking a step back. He felt his hands tremble when he felt her warmth fading away. He looks down then back to Athanasia who was still showing a face of worry with a hint of regret.

Don't show me that face...

Before Athanasia could say something and take a step closer, Lucas backed away.

"This... This is wrong..." He muttered. He hoped for his voice to not reach Athanasia but it did. And look what he had done to that princess's heart.

Lucas didn't dare to stare at her face and instead, he walked out of the room, leaving Athanasia standing alone.

+------------------------------ +0 2 0Stay

Athanasia heard noises from the outside of her bedroom, making her wake up from her sleep.

She stumbled to where the noise was, which she assumed was from the balcony to see. But there was no one there but her doors open, making the wind barge into her room, giving her a soft breeze of air hitting her face. Athanasia sighed in content. The air was nice to the touch for tonight. Somehow it doesn't feel cold but it also doesn't feel warm. Just right.

She stood there for a good moment before she headed back to her bed, closing the doors behind her. She had completely forgotten what she was looking for when she woke up.

But as her body hit her bed, she was remembered by the incident with Lucas. Her eyes went wide, making her sit up from her bed. She was gasping uncontrollably.

Athanasia could still feel her heart beating but why does she feel suffocated from the feeling?

Ever since Lucas might have rejected her, this pain in her chest wouldn't leave her alone.

She has been suffering all of her life ever since her father treated her like nothing as if she wasn't his daughter. She endured every single moment whenever her father would try and raise his hand to her. All of her life, she had thought to be the nuisance to her father and never once hoped that someday he would accept her, love her, and be her father. She never hoped. As it would only cause her more pain.

Meeting Lucas was the greatest part of her life. It was the first time someone had begged for her to stay. A complete stranger crying for her, holding onto her for dear life because he wanted her to live. He was unlike any other people who cherish her. It was a new feeling that brought her back from being miserable.

She had thought that Lucas was only there as someone to push her, a person who would only pass by and never stay.

"It's alright... I'm right here..."

But why?

"Now, you're even more beautiful..."

As time passes, why does he keep on tugging her heart like this?

"It's warm... Don't stop."

He was so lovable, Athanasia can't help but want to be someone that he could lean on, just like he always does for her. She wanted to cradle him in her arms, whispering all the nicest things that he deserves to hear, she wanted for him to smile under the bright sun, she wanted nothing more than just to be by his side. Because no matter how broken she was, Lucas still managed to pick up the missing pieces she lost and brought them back to her.

Athanasia looked down on her hands, her mind drifted off to a memory when she held Lucas' face with such tenderness. She could still remember how he leaned onto her touch for more. She could remember how Lucas was slowly putting his walls down for her—how he relies on her.

She knows that there will be an obstacle between them if she ends up falling for him. But what can she do now when she is already falling, head over-heels for this man who only does nothing but gives her all of his time just for her. She knows how he would react if she ends up showing her true feelings for him. She knows. She knows. She knows.

But when her walls broke down.

"I thought that I could have you... I... Call me selfish, because that's what I am! Call me anything you want, but please... Just don't leave me like that..."

Everything spilled out like a waterfall. And Athanasia could not prevent it from flowing out. She showed everything, she told him everything. And yet, she could not bear the look on his face when he pushed her away, leaving her all alone. His warmth was gone, and so did her hope.

Athanasia wrapped her arms around her knees, her head buried between them.

"Just remember that I'm here to listen all of your worries."

Even while standing outside of the princess' room, you could hear her silent cries in the night.

And for the first time after meeting Lucas, she cried alone without anyone to lean on.

...

"I thought you'd stay..."

+------------------------------ +0 2 1Love Is Something Beautiful

Morning came, and Athanasia woke up with swollen eyes, surprising Lilian.

It brought panic to the other maids to see that their beautiful princess was in a devastated state. They did everything they could to heal Athanasia's eyes before heading her to the dining hall where her father was waiting for her.

It didn't take long for Claude to notice what was wrong as soon as Athanasia sat down. He hummed, tilting his head as he tried to think what to ask or to say to her. What would a parent do in a situation like this where their child looked like they have a problem that they can't spill out. What does he do?

Claude clears his throat, starting his breakfast right after Athanasia said her greetings for the morning.

Wait.

Did her talk with Lucas yesterday related to this?

"... Did..."

Claude was beaten by his daughter when she started a conversation, he felt his heart crumble to hear Athanasia's low voice. She does seem a bit down today. He wanted to ask but instead, he gave the chance to Athanasia and listened to her. He hummed again, telling her that he is listening while eating. Athanasia only showed a small smile, noticing it.

"When would Lucas leave...?" She asked.

Claude looked up, confused. "He didn't tell you?" A pause, then, "Lucas left earlier by sunrise..."

There was a heavy silence between them until Athanasia broke it with a sad chuckle, she began to play with her food. "... I see..." She muttered. She felt even more down after hearing about Lucas from her father. She didn't even have the strength to eat her breakfast, she wanted to lock herself up in her room and cry again. Cry and cry and cry until this pain in her heart would be gone. "I mean... I guess he didn't have the time to tell me that..."

"Didn't you talk with him yesterday?" Claude asked. He began to wonder what had happened between Lucas and Athanasia when he let Lucas chase her.

As much as Athanasia wanted to be surprised at how her father was so invested in knowing what happened to her, she couldn't think of that. Her feelings were a bit shattered because of the rejection she received from her first love. Just like what the novels have taught her, first love does hurt. Especially when that person was your pillar and has supported you in everything and did not even leave by your side even for a day. But now...

Athanasia looked up to her father with tears in her eyes. She was contemplating whether she would ask Claude this since their relationship was still in the process of developing. She was afraid Claude would lash her out again.

"Have you ever been rejected by someone, father?"

Suddenly there was thunder that appeared behind Claude, surprising Athanasia. He raised a brow, tilting his head as he said, "what do you mean?" He asked coldly.

What? Did Athanasia have feelings for Lucas?! That sly fox who is nothing but a nuisance to his life?! Claude had his walls down for a while, trusting this man to save him and bring him back to his daughter but. BUT. What is this?! He never asked for him to make Athanasia fall for him. This isn't part of the deal. And what, he rejected her?! That is unacceptable! His daughter deserves all the love in the world and how dare Lucas could just reject her feelings just like that?!

Claude's mind was full of thoughts of how to torture the magician as soon as he comes home. He's a hundred percent sure that he will not make his life easy.

And it only took him like months to gain her love and he didn't love her back.

"Father?" Athanasia's calm voice pulled Claude out from his murderous thoughts. "Are you alright?"

"Ah, yes..." Claude immediately replied, looking away innocently. He might have scared his daughter with his glare. He knows how much Athanasia had feared him before, he will not allow himself that even though it was a different person that he wants to torture. He cleared his throat again to set aside those thoughts about Lucas and focused on his daughter. "Based on your question... You..." Claude hesitated. "You have... feelings for that... magician..."

Claude wanted to punch himself when he saw a tint of blush coming out of Athanasia's cheeks. Oh, how he knows Diana would have loved this, listening to her daughter's dilemma about her love life. The image of it made him smile a bit. He immediately wiped off his smile when Athanasia noticed it.

"Father, you're chuckling..." She pointed out, confused.

"Pardon me..." Claude muttered, covering his smile. "I couldn't help but reminisce..." He stared at Athanasia for a good second and smiled again. "... You really are my daughter..." He uttered out. He didn't even dare to hide it.

Athanasia was surprised and shyly smiled. It was the first time Claude told her that, no one knows how much this made her happy just by hearing it. She wanted to scream, she wanted to brag, but she held her feelings close by gripping the utensils tightly. "What does that mean?" She asked with a scoff.

Claude hummed and leaned his back on the chair, recalling the memory. "I was also the one who first confessed before I started to date your mother..." He said with a small smile on his face. He could remember the memory as if it was just yesterday.

"Really?" Athanasia couldn't help but gasp.

"And it was an accident, I might add," Claude said with a chuckle. "I was working and your mother would always sneak into my office to give me some refreshments—I won't get into details but we started talking and accidentally blurted out my feelings for her. What I said was subtle, I didn't think that she would find out what I meant but the moment I saw her red face, I knew that I got caught."

"And that's how the two of you started dating...?" Athanasia questioned. But Claude shook his head. "I was actually rejected. Your mother ran away and left me alone for days until I tried to chase her, sneaking out of the palace to find her... I did everything so that I could see her again, talk about my confession. I wanted to reassure her..."

Athanasia pursed her lips.

Claude noticed her reaction and sighed. He slowly reached to pat her head gently. "What I want for you to know. Is that no matter how you know you are rejected by the person you don't want to cut your ties with, try to converse with them..." He showed a worried smile as he saw Athanasia sadly looked down on her lap. "Your mother rejected me because she was anxious, she thinks that she was nothing compared to me. She feels that being loved by me is wrong..."

"This... This is wrong..."

"But I showed her. That you could love a person and be wrong. Loving someone is something beautiful, and there is nothing wrong with that..."

...

"But if that person did not really love you, think of it as a stepping stone to learn. That everyone would just come and go to take you to the place where you belong..." Claude ruffled Athanasia's hair. "So it's okay to cry. But don't ever lose hope."

Athanasia smiled softly and looked up to her father. She did not hesitate to pull Claude into a hug. "Thank you..." She whispered.

Claude's eyes widened, he was surprised that he was being hugged by his daughter. He felt tears coming out but he held on and slowly hugged back, leaning onto her. He showed a gentle smile.

I'm doing it Diana.