A Second Chance at Life

Chapter 2

"The sorcerers of the tower have the strongest power among all the sorcerers in existence," Lily recites the story of this kingdom. I knew I wasn't in some random foreign country. This world has sorcerers. It's a fantasy world. "The sorcerer of the tower was so powerful, that he could easily bring an empire to ruins." I wanna see magic, too! "And for that reason, they freeze their own hearts. Because such powers could be used for trivial reasons if passion overcame reason and emotion overcame rationality. There are stories that the sorcerers from the tower destroyed the kingdom before our Obelian Empire," Lily continues to read the story but I'm too entranced to see real magic someday. "oo dis?" I point at the picture of a blonde man in royal clothing. "Oh my, do you recognize who he is?" Nope. "Yes, that's right. he's your father, princess," What?! That damned bloke who left his wife and child and is out there doing god knows what?! "Bee Baa! Eeyaa!" I lean forward to tear his picture in the book but lily moves it away. Bastard! Trash! "My, my, our sweet princess is certainly a bright young child." The current emperor of the Obelian Empire is the hero who brought an end to the tyrannical, devil-worshipping evil king before him? This scumbag who left his daughter out there, after massacring a palace full of people is portrayed like some kind of great heroic king? I know its just a storybook but, come on! My face curls up into a scowl. "That reminds me, I've never told you his majesty's name," Lily continues unaware of my rage for him, "Your father, his majesty Claude De Alger Obelia." Huh? His name left me in a bewildered mess. No way! Why does he have the same name as the emperor from that book? "And your name is Princess Athanasia De Alger Obelia." Why do I have the same full name as the princess in that novel? "You are his majesty's precious daughter." She concludes. Woah... It's uncanny how identical things are, and how annoying... Why am I getting shivers down my spine?  

"Lovely Princess" is a romance fantasy novel that was a big hit online. Like the title, there are lovely princesses in the novel. Among the two princesses of the Obelian Empire, the protagonist is the second, Princess Jennette. The princess is a beautiful lady with an angelic heart, and she is beloved not only by her nation but by the whole continent. And among those who adore Jennette, was her father, Emperor Claude. To his people, he is praised as a hero and a savior of the nation. But in truth, he is a heartless man who killed his elder brother, the proper heir, and sat himself upon the throne. Jennette was the kind of person who could melt the heart of even a cold-blooded man like him. Jennette's mother was Claude's fiancée. After enraging him and losing her place as the bride-to-be, she died while giving birth to Jennette. Jennette's aunt tried to protect her niece from Claude by hiding her in the care of the Alpheus family. After realizing her existence, Claude was cold towards her at first. However, Princess Jennette, being an unbelievably lovable person due to being the protagonist, eventually melted the cold icy fort that was Claude. Supported by her father, the king, she was wed to Prince Alpheus, the best man in the empire fit to be a husband, and lived happily ever after. So cheesy. ughh, those bastards. On the other hand, Athanasia was the firstborn princess and the same age as Jennette. Athanasia's existence was informed to Claude the moment she was born. But, he leaves the child in the palace for concubines. Thanks to that, Athanasia grows up to be a fragile princess, always on edge. The first time she ever saw her father was on her 9th birthday. Led by the lights and the noise of the banquet, Athanasia leaves the palace late at night. Where she meets Claude in the garden of the Emperor's Palace. Of course, Claude turns away and leaves, uninterested. But to a girl like Athanasia who has never received any affection, this was quite a fateful encounter. She tries all her might to be loved by her father thus growing up into a beauty with both skill and grace. And on the day of Athansia's debutante when she turned 14, her dream gets shattered into pieces. Athanasia, with her gloomy and foggy disposition, and Jennette, bright and cheery as the sun. Perhaps it was inevitable that everyone loved Jennette more than Athanasia.

Athanasia was a really nice girl too, just that Jennette was supposed to be the best girl in the book. 

Instead of being jealous of Jennette, she teaches her the ways of the palace. you dummy. you should've looked out for yourself. But Athanasia loses the very thing she ever wanted to Jennette, her father's love. Well, I suppose you can't lose what you never had. On top of everything, this poor princess gets killed by her own father. Accused of putting poison in Jennette's glass. She was framed, of course. Jennette's aunt was behind it all. An elaborate scheme to make her niece the first heir of the throne. 

This was unnecessary since Claude didn't give Athanasia a single thought about the throne in the first place. On the contrary, if she knew it was poisoned, she would've gladly drunk the glass herself to save Jennette. Because if something bad had happened to Jennette, it would have gravely saddened Claude.

Athanasia was a poor, foolish princess. Jennette's aunt must've simply intended to remove her from inheriting the throne or to have her confined but Claude cannot be underestimated. He killed Athanasia before she was even found guilty. It was her 18th birthday, exactly 9 years after the first time she met him in the garden on the night of the banquet.  Eventually, the truth was revealed and Claude didn't feel an ounce of guilt or regret for killing the innocent Athanasia, his first daughter. Jennette suffers from guilt until she is comforted in her fiancée's arms and puts the ordeal behind her. And the story ends with a "Happily Ever After." 

I just don't get why Athanasia has to die such a meaningless death. It's all to exaggerate the tyrant dad's one and only love, Jennette! Pisses me off just thinking about it. Well, it's not like I really liked Athanasia, but she's better than Claude and Jennette, though. I couldn't care less what happens to others in this world as long as I'm happy. But I just can't stand by and watch. Why? BECAUSE IT SEEMS I'VE BECOME THAT VERY ATHANASIA!

Before I know it, I'm throwing a fit and Lily is worried sick, trying to figure out the reason for why I'm throwing a tantrum. 

Lily aka Lilian York. The only person who claimed Athanasia was innocent in that novel. And for that, she, too gets killed by the hands of Claude. Despite being aware of the Ruby Palace incident, Lily volunteered to be Athanasia's nanny. The reason was Athanasia's mother. She always admired Diana's spirit was as free as a bird. But Diana died right after giving birth and Claude shockingly massacred everyone in the Ruby Palace. 

I'm pretty sure I ended up in that damn book! That means I'll die. And she'll die, too, defending me. Lily scoops me in her arms and pats my back while singing me a lullaby to help me die my sobs down. Why am I Athanasia? Call me Jennette! I don't want to be Athanasia. I was right, I should leave this damn palace. Time, make haste!