𝐖𝐌𝐌𝐀𝐏: 𝐒𝐞𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐞

6: the Knight, 'I'm here now.'

Be decisive and strike down your enemies.

If Roger hadn't had those thick eyebrows of his, Athanasia might have continued to mistake him for Ijekiel, but at least there was that difference in physical characteristic that divided the two. 

Although, she had to admit that they both shared the same cunning that lined their blood.

Athanasia cooly glances at Roger's blank face, but she could still see glimpses of the eager-to-burrow into the imperial family etched into his forehead and the twitch of his lips at her gaze.

She didn't want to trade courtesies with him but she holds in a deep sigh as she responds with an emotionless, "I see. I greet the son of Alpheus."

She's just about to pretend that she was tired and turn in for the day but she sees red hair turn the corner and she freezes in place, pupils shaking as she watches a much younger Felix meet her gaze before lowering his head too.

"I greet her highness, first princess Athanasia."

Ah.

Felix.

It was Felix.

Athanasia felt something wet prick at the corners of her eyes and she presses her nails into her palms before she smoothly responds with a, "Red hair...a Robain, I presume?" 

He doesn't raise his head as he replies, "Yes, your highness."

She should have told him to raise his head, she flounders like a fish out of water and is about to smile because Felix was here, so at least that meant she had someone next to her and Claude-

Felix raises his head and shoots a venomous glare at her father. Athanasia's thoughts pause and buffer in place. Annoyance? Anger?

"Felix Robain greets his..." Felix seems to frown in the middle of his sentence as he looks down at Claude. "...his highness, prince Claude."

...Felix?

Athanasia's brows raise slightly, opening her mouth to ask why he was so rude but pinches herself to keep her questions in check.

Weren't the two of them the best of friends and bosom brothers too? What happened then? Was it not yet time for them to become friends and allies all the same?

What was-

Athanasia stops cold.

Back in the present time she had never met nor heard of Duchess Robain. Neither Duchess Alpheus but she wasn't that interested with anyone Roger had chosen as his person.

So what had happened to Duchess Robain in the span of that time? And why was Felix so angry at Claude?

She's still curious but asks him to stay for tea, dismissing Roger with a courteous flick of her wrist, pretending not to see him gnash his teeth as he bows before leaving in a huff.

"Let's go, Claude." 

Taking his hand, Athanasia follows a familiar path and goes out into the gardens, still bare of roses and anything reminding her of her present day self, but notices Felix had trailed behind them.

"Anne, do you know where Fe-I mean, the son of Robain is? I thought he would be following us." 

Her maids exchange glances and Anne picks up her skirts to go to her side, leaning down with a hand to whisper into her ear.

"Forgive my closeness, your highness. To answer, the young Robain asked to be guided to the washrooms before being escorted back. He didn't wish to make your highness wait for him, so he told us not to tell you of where he's gone. He should be coming shortly, but do you wish for one of us to go and check?"