He, who made you a princess

Chapter VIII

~ when you became an angel ~

     A hand held my own. I opened my eyes slowly, letting the grogginess fade just a little bit. I felt nauseous and cold. My lower half felt sore... I moved my eyes to look at the person on the floor beside my bed.

Ahh... daddy.

What's wrong dad? Your hand is trembling.

I heard a soft snivel from him, and my heart ached. Oh dad... are you crying? My nose tingled sourly, feeling a tear well up in my eye.

Dad... Just the thought of my dad crying makes me want to cry myself. Are you sad? Don't be sad daddy.

I tried to squeeze his hand to comfort him, but there was no strength in my arm at all. Just a hopeless struggle. I wish I could embrace him.

I closed my eyes and tried to recall what had happened. That's right... A dream came to me while I was awake. As if flashes of another Athanasia's memories came to my mind.

And then I felt my insides burn, coughing up blood again before I collapse.

Ugh, I feel like I'm going to throw up. My vision begins to blur. My baby...

You're safe right? Your papa will be home soon too. So please be safe.

I feel daddy's hand squeezing mine tighter. He stands up and sits beside me on the bed. I want to look at his face, but my eyes are so tired...

Dad placed his hand on my forehead and patted my head gently. I heard him mumble.

     "I'm sorry."

...and my heart ached again.

Why are you sorry daddy? There's no reason for you to be sorry... Then the tip of his finger touched my forehead again and I felt sleepiness overtake me.

Daddy, are you giving me a good dream? Thank you. I haven't seen mom in a while.

I feel my dad stand up, his presence starts to face as the bedroom door opens. I barely hear him saying something to Felix before my consciousness completely drifts away.

Lucas...

.
.

...at the palace laundry for Athanasia and Lucas

There, under the moonlight passing through the crystal-like windows, was a wizard. Long, black hair, lit up like a sapphire gem. His eyes looking down on a basket glimmered like a fine polished ruby.

Even so, he looked exhausted. A darker shade than his complexion outlined the skin under his eyes. But soon, they turned tinged in red.

He felt a gaping hole forming in his chest. As if someone had torn him apart, starting from his heart. He doesn't know what it's called, this feeling...

He looked at the cloths in front of him. It was familiar, because he had seen his wife wear one before. And the sheets...

They were all stained with blood.

So much blood... Blood that's turned a darker shade now. Looking at them, he felt his throat tighten.

It hurts. Like there was a lump trying to escape from his mouth. It was strange, because he couldn't breathe, but for some reason, he just remains standing there.

He could smell the faint scent of the blood. So although his hand trembled, he reached down the basket and touched the fabric inside.

Still a little wet...