After that tea party, it has been months since Athena saw Kaine. The feeling of relief that she felt had disappeared entirely in her heart. He has become busier, and they never met. Since 'Athena' never saw Irene again and she kept using her 'powers,' Athena had come back yet to her worst state. Close to transparent.
Today though, she has become more colourful since once again, Irene is here in the tea party of the duke's daughter. "It's another year. I've heard that Lady Denfir's birthday is near?"
'Athena' gave a smile and answered. "Yes, I do indeed. I would like everybody here to come to my birthday."
Athena watched from the side as she looked at Irene. For some reason, her face seemed paler than usual. Is she not fine? Athena walked towards the host, the person who was tasked to take care of the lady. Slightly tapping her shoulder, she was able to direct the lady's attention to Irene. In an instant, the lady stood up and called the maid of Irene. She was given medicine, and when her complexion was better, she was told to go home to rest.
Athena watched as Irene was supported by her maid.
'She should stay at home for a while.'
---
The day for Athena's shining moments came. 'Athena' kept turning around the whole night, unable to sleep, and she was woken up very early by the maids. The maids were busy all day, decorating the ballroom and fixing 'Athena.'
It was already afternoon, and 'Athena's hair was getting fixed while Athena on the side was already ready, wearing purple and red with a bit of gold. Her hair was set into a Dutch crown braid. She watched the servants outside, cut her flowers, and use it to decorate the place for her birthday. Athena is excited since quite a lot of people she knew were included, and that means Dalie and Bethanie are, as well.
It was already getting dark, and 'Athena' still wasn't finished. She ate an orange while her favorite maid shaped her eyebrows. The eyebrow pencil that was introduced by 'Athena.' Not only that. She also introduced shaving off the hair on the hands and everyplace. She launched something called a mouthwash, a concoction of some herbs.
The guests invited were finally coming. Athena went downstairs to see the guests while 'Athena' was still dressing up. It wasn't until half an hour later that Dalie and Bethanie came. It was apparent that they are still mad, but at least they gave her face by attending. Since she could freely move around at home, Athena was quite happy. She followed her friends and was also eavesdropping in the conversations of the adults. Why not, right? Especially when they're speaking of the conflict between the neighboring country and possible expansion. Quite an interesting discussion.
She was enjoying herself too much, even if nobody could see her. But what happened next was unexpected. 'Athena,' the person who's in charge of her body hasn't even come down the stairs yet! Her soul instantly shook, and she felt her whole body hurt. Athena forced her eyes open and looked at her hands. She had a glass-like hand.
For who knows how long, she was in pain to the point that her mind is blank. Rolling around, she felt something on her hand. She was strained to open her eyes, and she was greeted by an unfamiliar roof. The top of the bed was painted with a 'W' and a pen behind it. Wrae?
Athena turned her head towards her right hand and saw Countess Wrae sleeping while holding her hand. Gears turned around and formed various reasons and theories. She glared at her pale hands as white as Irene and confirmed her suspicion. Yep, she is Irene now. Athena sighed and looked around the room.
"Irene, are you there?" She asked in a whisper as to not wake up the sleeping Countess. "If you're there, could you try slapping me?"
Athena waited for a whip of wind, but there wasn't any. At most, she wasn't able to feel it. She gripped the hand of the Countess who's eyes are puffy due to crying and fell back to the dream world.
Later on, she was woken up by a woman's shriek. Due to her being used to her spirit form, she wasn't quite as responsive. When she finally opened her eyes, that was when she caught a glimpse of the object that nearly wounded her. It was a knife. Athena instantly glared at the direction it was from and saw the count and countess quarreling and maids by the window, watching.
The Count pushed his wife away and glared at Athena or more like Irene, and left, slamming the door with a loud bang. After the husband had left, the Countess ran towards Irene and hugged her while sea spilled from her eyes. She neither said anything nor did anything any further. The Countess only hugged Irene for a very long time whilst crying.
After about half an hour, the Countess fell asleep in her arms. She helped her on the bed and went towards the mirror. Athena was right. She had turned to Irene, and now, she had done what the 'Athena' had done. Or maybe this is what happened to 'Athena' as well.
She shrugged these things off her mind and focused on what just happened. Since the Countess appear to love her very much, then was the person who threw the knife her father, the Earl? Never would she ever think that that Earl would turn evil behind the doors. He had always carried a sweet smile whenever Athena had met him.
Athena glanced at the knife stuck on the wall. She went to take it and put it on her bedside table just like how her mother, the Marchioness, had a knife.
'It might be useful in the future.'
Now, the problem, though, is that she knows nobody in the household except the Earl and the Countess.
(I'll call him Count now to avoid confusion. Earl is the same as Count)
Athena thought for a minute and decided to act frightened for a while. She is, indeed. She would speak barely minimum or act sick while getting more information. To be safe, though, she must stick close to Countess Wrae. A gust of wind passed and caused her hair to flutter. Athena went back to bed since she felt she had a headache.