𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝔹𝕖𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕊𝕒𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕤𝕤 | 𝙸𝚓𝚎𝚔𝚒𝚎𝚕 𝙰𝚕𝚙𝚑𝚎𝚞𝚜

06

"And turn, now finish!"

Athanasia's dance teacher clapped happily as she watched the mentioned name dance gracefully. I was knitting Ijekiel's favorite flower on a handkerchief until I averted my eyes to her and watched.

"I guess the fact that your mother was a dancer helps in times like this, princess." The teacher exclaimed as she looked away.

"...I just did as you taught me, ma'am." Athanasia replied with her professional smile.

"It seems like you really didn't want to learn your lesson." I spoke as I stood up from my seat and made my way towards her.

"Oh? I'm just stating the fact that her mother's genes are quite helpful at times like this." She smiled as if she was innocent.

I smiled at her which made her eyes twitch. I made my way towards the princess and stood in front of her. I sharpened my gaze as I widened my smile at the imbecile in front of us.

"Who gave you the right to mention the origins of the princess' mother? Are you perhaps hoping to get your head cut off and hanged in front of the palace walls?" I reached out my hand to her as I squinted my eyes.

"H-How dare you..! You're just a maid!" I chuckled at her response before lowering my hand.

"E-Eli.." I heard Athanasia call out to me from behind. I just hummed in response.

"Maybe you can set an example to the other teachers of what might and will happen if you keep on doing such malicious acts." My smile faded as I stared intensely at her eyes.

"Eli, I'm okay! Please stop this." I shook my head.

"No, princess. They need to learn their lesson. If I knew about this, I would've had them fired." I spoke which made the teacher sweat drop before furiously looking at me.

"You're just a-" I cut her off.

"Maid. Yes, I'm just a maid. However, be grateful that I, just a maid, am the one dealing with this. What do you think will happen to you and the other teachers if his majesty heard about this?" Her breath hitched as she stared at me in horror.

She stayed silent and glared at me before she stormed out of the room. I let out a deep sigh and turned around to Athanasia who was already looking away from my eyes. I huffed my cheeks as I placed my hand on the sides of my waist.

"Princess." I called out which made her gulp before looking at me.

"Y-Yes, Eli?" She tried to sway me with her bright and cheery smile.

"You shouldn't cower away and stay silent about how they torment you. Remember, you are a princess. You are soon to be the crown princess of the Obelian empire." I grabbed her shoulders and stared right at her eyes.

"I-I'm sorry.." I sighed as I retreated a hand and raised the other to her head and pat it.

"You are soon to be the crown princess of the Obelian empire. You hold so much more power than you think, princess. Stand your ground and show them who they're dealing with." I showed her a smile.

She stared at me with admiration before nodding her head cutely. I chuckled at her adorable behavior before pinching her cheeks gently.

"Come on. His majesty must be waiting for you already."

She nodded as she made her way to the door elegantly. I grabbed the handkerchief that I had yet to finish and followed her from behind.

The princess' birthday is nearing and I've already decided what I will give to her. Her debut in society is also near. I looked out the window as we walked down the long hallways.

Ijekiel, how is he? My mind wandered off to the white haired man. Me and the princess made our way to her room. It's been at least.. 6 years since our last encounter.

I remembered every detail of my memory with me crying with Ijekiel in his secret garden. I wonder if he still remembers me. If he still does, does he still like me? Does he still want to know about my past? If so.

Would he still want my hand for marriage after he finds out?

Anxiety washed over me. I didn't know I'd feel so much anxiety because of him. I cared too much for him, I fell too hard in his trap. But, he was still a child back then. I care too much.

And so, after I changed the princess' outfit. I escorted her to the dining area where Claude was waiting before I left and went back to her room.

I continued knitting Ijekiel's favorite flower on the handkerchief I was working on earlier.

After a few days, I finally finished the handkerchief. I smiled happily as I accomplished something new once again. I grabbed the cloth and raised it up on the hair and admired my embroidery.

I wondered if Ijekiel is back now. I folded the handkerchief neatly before I went to the mirror to examine how I looked. My hair was neat as always. I snapped my fingers and changed into a whole different outfit.

I twirled my dress around a little as I held my handkerchief. I smiled as I was finally satisfied with how I looked before I snapped my fingers and appeared in the Alpheus manor, around the area Ijekiel is currently in.

I looked around and saw so many differences over the past few years. My eyes landed on a certain white hair. A smile crept up my lips as I was about to take a step towards him.

My smile faded away.

Athanasia was in his arms, they were looking at each other. My expression fell as I took a step towards them and accidentally stepped on a branch. He heard this and turned around.

I quickly snapped my fingers and teleported back into my room. I slumped on the edge of my bed before I fell down on the floor on my knees. The image I saw on the Alpheus mansion replayed in my mind.

My breath hitched as I raised my hand to my chest and clenched on it. I forgot that Ijekiel was supposed to be in love with Athanasia. Of course he'll forget about me and go to her.

I felt numb, the efforts I've made over the past 6 years are now in vain. I sat down on the floor before I raised the handkerchief I embroidered for him. I stared at the cloth before placing it down on my bed.

I've never felt so stupid in my whole entire life..

I shook my head as I let out a sigh. I snapped my fingers and my dress immediately turned into my maid uniform. I stood up from the floor and took one last glance at the handkerchief.

I felt a pain in my chest before I turned around and left my room.

I was now sweeping the princess' room. I felt empty and hollow, the image of them together still remains in my mind. The pain inside of me is unbearable, it's more painful than what the priests from Agnes made me feel.

Even though Athanasia and Lucas will end up together, Ijekiel would still love her. I stopped sweeping the floor, I paused for a second before I looked at the garden outside of the window.

What about me? My grip on the broom hardened as I sent daggers at the flowers outside of the window. I let myself be toyed with fate, how foolish of me.

How foolish of me to hope that I'd be the happy ending.

Why am I thinking like this? I should've expected this since he just told me about marriage and all when he was still just a child. No, I should've expected this the moment we met in Jennette's nursery.

That he'd still fall for Athanasia in the end.

I clasped my hand together as I endured the pain that was aching so painfully in my chest. I closed my eyes as I called upon God again, using the power I have.

"I pray for Ijekiel Alpheus to end up with the woman he loves.."

Even if I know it's not me..

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