Once again

03

It was a silent night and clear sky. As the moon illumated her room with a soft glow. Yet the sleeping Princess wasn't peaceful.

Athanasia trembled and flinched in her sleep as tears brimmed her eyes. Before she finally jolted awake, sitting up. She was breathing heavily as she brought her hands to her throat feeling nothing but her silky skin.

"It's just another nightmare." Athanasia told herself and she tried to calm down. She took deep breaths holding her knees to her chest.

Since being reborn Athanasia hasn't slept properly at all. The suffering from her last life she could ignore and forget when awake because of distractions but when she was alone at night, there was no escape.

'My training starts tomorrow. I really have to get some rest.' Athanasia fell to her side, still holding her knees.

But she knew it was gonna be another restless night as she laid there, still trembling.

***

Finally the sun was beaming through the windows and Lily came into the room. Athanasia rubbed her tired eyes as she sat up. She never fell asleep the rest of the night.

"Good morning Princess." Lily beamed as she changed Athanasia's clothes. "Good morning." Athanasia greeted her back with a happy, innocent smile. "Did you sleep well? You've got bags under your eyes." Lily asked gently rubbing the dark circles under Athanasia's eyes. "Of course I did!" She responded with enthusiasm.

Even though not entirely convinced Lily continued getting the Princess ready for the day with planning to give her warm milk before sending her to bed tonight.

Athanasia was eager all day to start her training. She felt like today was moving more slower than ever.

'What did I ever do before?' Athanasia thought long and hard about her past. All she could remember really was lots of studying of how to be the perfect princess. 'That's really all I did. Even when I drank tea with nobody I always kept myself dignified as much as possible'.

There was nothing for Athanasia to do as she couldn't ask for books for studying so young and even if she were older, she already studied enough before and instead she should use her knowledge of her studying since she didn't get the chance to before.

'If I wasn't somehow reborn, then that life would've been a complete waste. But it isn't and now I can make sure Lily lives a life she deserves, a happy life and that way I will too'. Athanasia thought as she headed to the kitchen.

Athanasia went to the kitchen to ask for more meaty meals and just more nutritious foods in her meal in general, if she were to be knight.

The cooks and maids looked at the little serious and cute princess with curiosity as she made her way into the kitchen. As she entered the kitchen everyone was surprised to see the Princess. The head chef quickly came forward to greet the young princess.

"Princess Athanasia, I am Chef Renold. It's nice to make your acquaintance, your highness. But I wonder of your reason to come all the way here yourself? Is the food not to your satisfactory?" Renold asked politely.

Renold was a middle aged man who just enjoyed to cook. He didn't have much interest in nobles and the gossip. When offered the job he accepted with no hesitation even when knowing of the massacre that occurred here. He felt some pity for the princess but he wasn't a man to get involved, he was just a cook to serve the princess.

"Yes the food you make is always delicious, compliments to you Chef Renold." Athanasia says elegantly as if she were already a grown princess. This made the onlookers smile at the their cute little Princess. "I just wanted to request for more meat in my meals and with more nutritious foods so I can play outside longer." Athanasia tells him with a slight blush on her cheeks at her childish excuse she came up with for her request.

But it was fitting for her age. Renold took a second in thinking about her request before nodding his head. "If that's what the Princess wants, I shall oblige." Renold says seriously. "But Princess, you shouldn't have troubled youself in coming all the way here, it's dangerous in the kitchen and Lily will be upset when she finds out." Renold tells her as he narrows his eyes at the maids who just let the young Princess come into the kitchen with no care.

"It was no trouble at all for me. And nobody will tell Lily of my appearance here." Athanasia says her voice colder and her eyes narrowing at everyone before turning on her heel and taking her leave.

Everyone was surprised at the words of the princess who talked just like a master would. Well she was their master but servants usually listen to the head nanny instead of their real master until they are older. The Princess yet already demanded for them to take her word over her nanny.

Knowing they'd be scolded by Lily if they told, they decided to follow the little princess's orders.

***

'Aah, I'm so bored.' Athanasia thought as she wandered mindlessly.

"Wait, where am I?" Athanasia whispered to herself as she looked around. She was in the woods with tall trees and bushes surrounding her. But she got a glimpse of what seemed to be some architecture. As she started to walk towards it and she could see more clearly her stomach churned and her steps faltered.

Without thinking her steps began again. The small Princess approached the Garnet Palace. It was just as she remembered and also deserted as she knew it would be.

She felt her venom fill her heart a bit more as memories of former life came to mind.

After she met her father, she desperately tried to get his attention. So she wandered around here all the time hoping to see him since all her requests to see him were all denied. Maybe after a year it was then she finally gave up on coming here, after never even seeing a glimpse of him. But every day she still requested to have a meal or tea together. Wasn't until another half a year passed till her request was accepted. They had dinner in complete silence. But she'd never been happier.

At the end of the meal however he spoke, "You kept bothering me and when I accept, you just disappoint me with your lack of etiquette and boringness." Is all he spoke before he left.

The memory of his words that popped into her head added fuel to her vengeful heart. But there was nothing she could do just yet. So she turned around and began heading back to the Ruby Palace.

***Later that night***

"A few more laps, Princess." Leroy told Athanasia who's already ran ten laps. She felt like collapsing and punishing Leroy. After doing some stretching she's only run. She hadn't even seen a sword tonight or any sort of weapon.

'Is he just trying to break me? Thinking that I'll quit after have some aerobic. Is he not even planning on actually teaching me swordsmanship?' She thought. Her body felt as if it was on fire, sweat soaked her clothes, and her muscles hurt. Athanasia never actually had done any serious workout before, not even in her last life. The most athletic things she's ever done was going for walks and occasionally dancing.

"With the condition your body is in now you wouldn't even be able to hold a bow let alone a sword, Princess. So until then we will be just building up your muscles that are like marshmallows and also your cardio." Leroy spoke as if he knew what the young Princess was thinking.

The young Princess cursed him in her head.