The Revolution (WMMAP reader insert/OC)

Part 19

The luxurious greenhouse was bathed in soft sunlight filtering down from the sky, illuminating the enormous, vibrant plants nestled in expensive pots. A warm atmosphere filled the vast glass structure, where blooming flowers painted the scenery with life and elegance.

It was the kind of place Anastasia and Athanasia could've easily spent hours in—just sitting down, staring, maybe holding a tea party like they often imagined. Sure, their palace had places like this too. But still, admiring beautiful things was a pastime they both shared. And honestly, who could blame them?

If it weren't for their real reason for being here, they would've just spent the whole time marveling at the glassy walls and the vivid garden inside, not at the person currently admiring the newly bloomed roses.

Jennette.

A part of the Obelian family.
A chimera—according to Lucas.

A young, beautiful child with long brown locks and perfectly trimmed bangs hanging over her jewel-blue eyes. If anyone else in the empire ever learned of her existence, the entire place would likely erupt in chaos. After all, another hidden member of the royal family, concealed from the world and harboring a secret like that? Scandalous wouldn't even begin to cover it.

She was, after all, the protagonist of that messed-up novel: Lovely Princess.

The very same girl Athanasia feared most.

Not because of who Jennette was, but because of what she might become: the one who could melt their father's icy heart before she or Ana ever had the chance. The idea haunted Athy—being shunned, forgotten, falsely accused, and then...

"Who is that girl anyway? Do you two have another sister?"

Lucas broke the silence, casually staring at the two princesses while remaining invisible with them. They all stood in quiet observation, watching the scene unfold from a distance.

I'd literally adopt those two if I were born older than them, Lucas mused internally.

But something tugged at his attention. He narrowed his eyes, as if focusing on something no one else could see.

"Her mana waves are not that of pure imperial bloodline, no matter how I look at it." He rubbed his chin in thought. "Something is mixed in."

Ana chose to tune him out—if only to avoid being questioned later on why she wasn't more curious about another person having those rare, jewel-like eyes. Instead, her thoughts wandered.

Of course, she'd be a mix. A screwed-up-by-a-magician child-man... who possessed our dad's brother, and experimented on her while she was still forming inside that bitch's womb.
Her mana would be tainted by some kind of dark, black magic... used to—

"Why? Why must you go? You've always said yes to whatever I wanted before," Jennette wailed, eyes glistening with tears.

Ana deadpanned, crossing her fingers in silent hope that Jennette wouldn't grow up to be spoiled.

The older child tried to reassure her, "I'm not leaving forever. I'll come back to see you even during the semester."

Ijekiel really was trying to comfort her—his voice calm, soothing, sincere.

"Those kids are so melodramatic," Lucas commented, clearly unimpressed.

Ana rolled her eyes but said nothing. Beside her, Athy began to whine and lean into her twin's shoulder, prompting Ana to suggest to Lucas that it was time to go back.

He clicked his tongue but obliged, snapping his fingers.

They instantly returned to the palace. Unfortunately for Athy, she landed right on her bum, while Lucas and Ana landed neatly on their feet.