He, who made you a princess

Chapter II

~ in the form of a nightmare ~

     "Will you hold me in your arms... without pushing me away?"

What am I saying? Why am I crying bent to my knees, looking up at my dad? What is this feeling in my chest? I feel like my heart is being squeezed and pulled apart at the same time.

    "Such a thing won't happen until the day I die."

Dad, what are you saying? And why am I still crying? What is this? After all this time... am I doing this all over again? Starting from this point?

    "Why is that?"

I asked helplessly.

"I'm your daughter too father. I was by your side much longer than Jennette."

No... what am I saying?

Dad looked at me with such contempt and disgust, with a cruel voice, his voice dug deep into my ears as he said, "you fool."

"There was never a day I considered you my daughter."

My head fell down. Why is my body moving on its own? This me is not myself... But why does it feel so real? I'm the one being stared at like a dirt on the ground right now by my own father.

My heart hurts, it's hard to breathe. No... dad! No! This is not the Athanasia that I am! I looked up and reached my hand out shouting "Daddy!"

My body jolted up as cold sweat dripped from my skin. I was in the emperor's palace, on top of the bed I now share with Lucas. Was that a dream? Again...

"Hey."

I looked to my right and saw my husband appear in a panic. Worry evident in his face as he frowns while he walked towards me.

     "Sorry, I was at the tower..."

"You're here now."

I held the hand that cupped my cheek and absorbed the warmth from the palm of his hand. Lucas moved to get under the cover with me and laid me back down, wrapped in his arms.

"Just a little longer now, don't give out on me."

I heard Lucas whisper at the top of my head before he kissed my forehead. I smiled in his arms and relaxed my body. I knew he was not only worried about me, but more importantly the effects this nightmares have on our child I carry.

Only 4 weeks old... ugh! Those bastards! If you were gonna curse me you coulda did it way earlier before my baby. If my baby comes out missing a leg because of your stupid curse I won't forgive y'all, I swear. I won't stop Lucas from killing all of you!

"Sleep."

I heard Lucas grumble at my huffing inward threats. I giggled and let myself fall back to sleep. The truth was I wanted to see dad but... Lucas, you're annoying when you're jealous.
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...2 weeks prior to this night

"Athanasia!"

Lucas called out, gently rocking his trembling wife in bed.

"Hey! Open your eyes"

He was in such a panic he opened both Athanasia's eyelids with his fingers like a child would. But her eyes had no focus, and only tears continued to drop as her body trembled.

Athanasia was now dreaming about her death at a platform viewed by many to see. Like a spectacle, only people veered at her in disgust. How could she poison the lovely princess Jennette?