The Jewel-eyed Lost Prince \\ WMMAP

1: The Prince

Athanasia peeked around the pillar in front of her, taking in the crowded throne room. Rumours had flown thick and fast for the past month, even making its way into the Ruby Palace, about Claude having another child. The Lovely Princess had never mentioned anything about a prince, of course she had to check it out! Even if it meant sneaking away from Lily.

She froze at the sound of rapid footsteps and muffled puffing behind her. Busted!

"Princess!" Lily hissed as she picked up Athanasia, "Don't run off like that!"

Before she could continue scolding, though, the doors to the throne room swung open. Maybe it was her imagination, but Athanasia thought they moved very slowly. An announcer stepped forwards and struck his staff against the marble floor twice, catching everyone's attention.

"Presenting His Imperial Highness," he cried, "First Star of Obelia, Aionios de Alger Obelia!"

The young man who entered was beautiful. From her seat in Lily's arms, Athanasia could make out sun-tanned skin topped by long golden hair so pale it was almost platinum, accentuated by brightly coloured flowing robes. More than that, he walked as if he owned the place.

When he reached the foot of the steps leading to Claude's throne, he and his entourage lowered themselves to kneel on one knee and bowed. "Aionios de Alger Obelia greets Your Majesty. May there be prosperity upon the Obelian Empire."

"Rise."

He stood. A wave of gasps and whispers immediately rippled through the room, Athanasia being no different. Seeing those jeweled blue eyes set in an unfamiliar face was very different from hearing stories of a possible prince. With those eyes, there was no question that he was from the royal lineage.

"Aionios..." Claude considered his name, as if savouring it. "Yasmin had some nerve, naming you that."

"Not as much as others," Aionios replied, with a glance to the side. Athanasia froze. Did he make eye contact with me? "My mother simply wanted to remind me of my origins."

For a long moment, no one dared to breathe. Athanasia could hear her heart thumping in her chest as tension thickened the air into syrup. What did he mean? What did this entire conversation mean? And... what would happen now?

Finally, Claude stood. "We'll continue this in the audience room. Court is dismissed."

Athanasia buried her head into Lily's neck even as she turned and walked away. Stealing a last glance at Aionios, she saw that his shoulders were slumped and one of his companions laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. The two exchanged tiny smiles. Her mind whirled. No character named 'Aionios' was ever mentioned in The Lovely Princess.

The existence of a prince older than both Athanasia and Jennette would change everything.

--

Author's note: 

Just a teaser for now. I'd really rather read a story like this than write it myself, but you gotta do what you gotta do when it doesn't exist. If a machine can take the fic fully formed out of my head so no one has to suffer my abominably long breaks between updates I'd be very grateful please and thanks.