-𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆.

EPILOGUE

"Jettie? Can I come in?" Athanasia's voice sounded softly from outside of her door.

Jennette frowned when she heard the light sadness in her tone of voice so she hurriedly walked towards the door opened it.

"Athy, is there something wrong? Are you alright?" Jennette asked, taking Athanasia by her arm and leading her gently towards her king-sized bed.

"I really shouldn't be bothering you tonight you know. Given that you're going to be wedded to Lumiere tomorrow." Athanasia said softly, laying down on the soft mattress.

Yes. It's been 7 months since Lumiere proposed and ever since that day, her Dad had already asked the royal wedding planners to plan for her wedding.

Jennette also learned that her Dad thoroughly beat Lumiere up the moment he asked for Jennette's hand in marriage, the Lithian Empress shook her head at her thoughts before laying beside Athanasia.

"Athy, whether it's my birthday night, or pre-wedding night, or whatever night it is. I am always here for you, and you will never be a bother to me. Now tell your big sister what's bothering you, hm?" Jennette said, leaning back on her headboard and combing through Athanasia's platinum blonde locks as she lay her head on Jennette's lap.

Athanasia breathes out a sigh before mumbling, "Kiel confessed last week. Lucas did too when I was 18, but I wasn't sure of my feelings yet so I said no."

Jennette hummed as a response so Athanasia took this as a cue to continue, "But I don't know Jettie, I like Kiel, like so much, but I also like Lucas too! Ugh, is it selfish for me to like both?"

'Ah. So this is her main problem.' Jennette thinks.

"Well Athy, if you like them both, then why not go for both?" Jennette asked, fingers still threading through Athanasia's hair.

"What? Jettie, are you serious? I can't possibly go for both!" Athanasia exclaimed, sitting up abruptly.

"Why not?" Jennette asked, brows raising in confusion, Athanasia huffed before face-planting onto the mattress and letting out a frustrated muffled shout.

"It's not that easy, Jettie. I'm an Empress, you know."

"Athy listen to me, it's very clear that Kiel and Lucas weighs equally in your heart and you can't possibly choose either one of them. The easiest solution is for you to be with both of them, of course, with boundaries drawn and negotiations placed." Jennette said, Athanasia was about to reply when Jennette shot her a look that clearly says to let her finish.

"People might talk about it at first, the nobles too, but let them talk, it'll eventually pass. And if an Emperor can have a harem that is big enough to fill a palace, then who's to say that an Empress can't have two husbands? We've already had enough of this world downplaying us women, and it's sometimes alright for us to fight for our own desires, Athy. And you're right, you're the Empress, so what can they possibly do from stopping you in loving both of them?" Jennette explained softly, hands gently squeezing Athanasia's arms.

Athanasia looked at Jennette with wide eyes before her eyes and watered and she hugged her sister.

"You're right... If an Emperor can have multiple wives and concubines then why can't I have two husbands? I'm an Empress after all." Athanasia said, voice muffled by Jennette's nightgown, as the blonde-haired woman cries in her sister's arms softly.

Jennette chuckled at Athanasia's reply before hugging her back, "Athy, stop crying. I can't have my maid of honor sporting puffy red eyes at the day of my wedding."

"You're the one who made me cry." Athanasia replied, hug tightening.

Jennette just snorted at her sister before pulling away and laying down on the mattress, Athanasia quickly followed suit and snuggled close to Jennette.