The Theodoran Traitors

Chapter Two ~Athena

"Your Highness, may I know why my room changed?" Princess Delilah looked from the book and gave me a warm smile. "Your last room was only meant to be temporary. It was the only one we kept clean and ready. Now that your proper room is prepared, you need to move. And if you're wondering why it's next to mine, it's because, technically, you're my guest." She said with a sweet voice and returned to her book.

Today didn't go according to plan.

Firstly, I didn't get my much-needed sleep.

Secondly, Princess Delilah came out of nowhere and almost gave me a heart attack.

Thirdly, the Emperor almost gave me two heart attacks, and lastly, when I returned to my room, no, my ex-room, all of my belongings were packed, and when I inquired the butler or better-said sir Sebastian why, he informed me that I would now be living in a new room and that I needed to move as quickly as possible. And to my horror, the bedroom was next to Princess Delilah's.

Now, please don't get me wrong. It wasn't like I hated being near Princess Delilah or anything, but there was no way that I could really concentrate with her around, asking me every question she came up with. Or with being showered with compliments every second. But I was already here for 20 minutes, and Princess didn't under one word expect to answer my question about room changes, which was weird and was low-key, creeping me out.

I sighed and sat down. My tea was already cold, but I didn't care. I was way, WAY too tired to ask the maid to bring me a fresh one. And it wasn't even 2 p.m., for God's sake! I just sat there and quietly drank tea and ate some delicious cookies, trying to devise a plan of what I should do today. I got lost in my thoughts and didn't hear or notice when Princess closed her book and came closer.

"A - t - h - e - n - a!" Until Princess, out of nowhere, threw herself on my back, causing me to spill my cold tea all over my, for God's sake, white dress.

"I'm so sorry, Athena! I didn't mean to ignore you! I swear I really didn't do it with any bad intentions! Can you pretty please forgive me?" She asked, but my brain still didn't process the part where she threw herself around me, let alone what she said. I just sat there - with Princess's hands around my neck - and stared into a wall, waiting for my tired, shocked, and confused brain to give others parts of my body - which were useless at the moment - orders to act.

But Princess mistook my silence and thought that I ignored her out of anger - which may I add was an absurdity, who in their right mind would be brave or foolish enough to ignore the Emperor's most beloved child - and started explaining why she talked to me that way.

"You see, soon I have this big test, and if I don't pass it with more than 90%, Daddy won't allow me to go into the city, the village, or anywhere slightly away from palace ground! And I promised the children that I would bring them toys and food. I also promised to teach adults to read and write so they can find good jobs and support their families. I also made plans with kids from orphanages to watch them and read fairy tales... But if I fail, I will need to break all of them, and once I make a promise, I hate to break it. So I take my studies seriously. So please don't be mad at me... I truly want to be your friend, Athena. I don't get many chances for making them."

Once my brain took everything that she said, I was stunned. Princess Delilah, who was the sixth most powerful person in the Empire, who was from the direct royal bloodline, who was showered with money, gifts, compliments, and everything she wanted, and who I thought was slightly spoiled, and ignored her surroundings, was actually very thoughtful, and one of the most generous people I know.

And that could tell you a lot since I know bunches of people. And half of them weren't even half as generous as she was. That said, if what she said was true. I grabbed my chin. She could be lying and tried to get me on her side so I wouldn't suspect her. Or this could be a play that she prepared in advance to show me that she was an innocent and lovely person who wouldn't even hurt a fly. Or sh- "Oh, no! Your dress is completely drenched. Emeline, come in here!"