ἀθανασία, the undying

The horror that enveloped the Ruby Palace was immeasurable once they had found out the second princess was to have tea with the first. Now that wouldn't have been a problem since the princesses were close, but the fact that the emperor would be there terrified them as they fussed over their princess. He hasn't paid any attention to the second princess, yet a certain brunette's arrival suddenly changes that?

Needless to say, they were all worried out of their minds.

As they watched their princess walk away from the palace while clenching a certain red-haired man's arm, they were scared it might be the last time they see her. She was kind to them, loved them with all her heart, and her smiles always filled the servants with joy. She waved to them with a smile on her face, cheerful as ever.

Yet that smile of hers dropped once she turned around.

Athanasia held Felix's arm tightly. "I can't go there, he'll be there, please." The knight just gave her an apologetic smile. "You know I can't just let you skip on this, Princess." She lowered her head, feeling dejected.

"Please don't call me that."

Felix sighed, catching sight of the table where two figures sat by. "We're here, Princess." She nodded but kept her head low. She then let go of him and walked in front of the two figures. "This one greets the sun and star of Obelia." She spoke as she curtsied, the brunette sending her a smile, and the blonde staying indifferent.

"Sister, take a seat!" Jennette chirped as Athanasia sat beside her. Taking a look at her tea, she looked at Jennette's tea, which was lighter than hers. It made her uneasy, but she could not move to point it out in front of the emperor himself, now, can she? She'd be embarrassing herself in front of him if she were to do so. She paid no mind to it and drank it anyway. She didn't feel anything out of the ordinary, so she should be safe. For the next few minutes, she could only listen to the conversation as the first princess enthusiastically spoke to the emperor.

Only listen, sit still, not speak.

The teatime came to an end, and as Athanasia stood to say her farewells, she brought her hand to her mouth when she felt an unpleasant feeling climb up to her throat and—

Blood splattered on her hand, and the same blood dripped on her chin. She looked up and she saw her vision blur. She felt her knees buckle, hearing yells and screams and shouts. The last thing she saw was Claude's frozen state—

Before everything went black.

Claude didn't think much of it when his daughter invited the blonde girl to their teatime. He didn't think much of it when the girl came clutching Felix's arm casually. He didn't think much of it when he'd noticed how the girl's face and voice went from bubbly to nonchalant and formal once she'd let go of the knight.

He really didn't want to think much of it when the girl coughed out blood just right before teatime ended.

Jennette could only scream in horror as he sat there, frozen, as his most trusted knight rushed to her side when she fell to the ground. "Athy!" He yelled out, shaking her slightly. When he had received no response, Felix's face paled. Not even waiting a second later, Felix gathered Athanasia into his arms and bowed to the emperor before running off. The knight showed such speed that even Claude was surprised.

With the blood splatter and limp body, the girl looked familiar. Similar to a woman he had once loved and been so desperate to forget once she died because of her, so desperate as to go far as to use black magic, yet the sight of the unconscious girl alone managed to make the memories rush back to him. He hates that he feels like this because he shouldn't. He hates that he feels so hurt, so confused, so—