After they had just gotten in their residence, Athena immediately fled, showing herself and following any person she finds yet just like before, nobody could see her. After a whole two hours of wandering, she finally settled down and sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom. Her appearance is the same except the fact that she looked more mature.
Athena glanced back to watch her body sprawled on the bed without any modesty while in the company of somebody. Since she could stay at home and wander without the need to follow her body and be in the range of a few meters, Athena left and knocked on the master's bedroom. Nobody opened it. Of course! Without anybody's invitation, she passed through the door and saw her parents sleeping.
"Mother, father." She called out. There was no response.
Athena walked towards them and called out. "Mother, wake up. It's me."
There were a few minutes of silence before a vase on the bedside table fell and shattered. The two middle-aged people on the bed woke up and glanced around, their guards up.
Athena watched at the side as the two still can't see her. She walked towards the balcony door and opened it, inviting the cold wind to enter. The curtains fluttered, and the two people were confuzzled due to the weird events. "Who's there?" Her father asked in a cold voice while her mom opened the bedside cabinet and held a knife.
"Mother?! What are you doing!?!?" Athena screamed. Never had she ever thought of her mother holding out a knife or even having a knife in the bedroom. What is she? A husband assassinator?
Her mother came close to her as if she could see Athena. This lifted the fear of Athena's heart and switched it to joy. "Mother, could you see me? It is I, Athena." However, the Marquis and marchioness could see not her, but an invisible being the shape of a person standing by the door. The unknown person's appearance was detected because the curtains fluttering as if being blocked by something, was stopped and gave the presence of a person.
The Marquis pulled his wife back and dashed forward with his very own sword, piercing towards the invisible person. "Die, witch!" He screamed as he thrust his sword.
Athena watched as his father pierced through her being using the very sword that she liked very much when she was a kid. She was hit straight to her heart, yet even though she wasn't precisely physically hurt, she was. Emotionally. Once again, tears welled up on her eyes, standing there as his father pulled back the sword and proceeded to swing it, making slicing motions, on her arms, legs, and her neck.
Athena forced her cry back and gave a smile. "I'll see you tomorrow, father, mother. Have a good night's sleep."
Athena turned around and walked out to the balcony. Without any hesitation, she jumped out and slowly landed on the cold grass. She spectated as her father called the guards and made an all-out patrol the whole night and the next following week. This didn't matter to Athena. She would occasionally move something in the estate right in front of her parents and siblings. Yes, she's disappearing, but her power is increasing. She was able to move Athena's plate to fall down. Ever since Athena was surrounded by two guards all day at home.
Athena, whilst walking in the garden during 'Athena's tea party, cut the flower buds one by one. So far, nobody has noticed it yet. Athena proceeded as she listens to their discussion. It was the usual people except that there's a new viscount's son.
"There's a new article about the banning of slaves, have you all heard about that?" He brought up. Don't ever talk politics in front of ladies!!! Especially about slaves since that would completely expose how they plastic they are!
Right then and there, the short baron lady slammed her hands on the table and yelled. "Mistreating people who are the same people as we are unforgivable and inhumane."
Athena snorted at the side. Funny. It's only because your family can't even buy ten slaves. It doesn't matter, Athena simply ignored their conversation and raising of voices since it wouldn't affect her family much. They indeed have slaves, but if that bill is passed, then the most slaves would stay regardless of even if they are free since even from the start, her family has never mistreated them and treated them like their people.
She remembered seeing a slave in their land. He wore plain clothes but was still presentable. He carried with him the aura of a leader. Naturally, he should, for he was the leader of the slaves bringing the harvest to them. He shook hands with Athena's father with a smile and left. Athena will never forget him. He was her first love even if he was more than 10 years older than her.
Athena was brought back to reality when she felt her body should go through something. She looked up to see who it was. It was Kaine. He was standing by the flowers, holding a flower petal. It was color purple and had a bit of white at the end. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Taking a few steps away from him, she stared at his profile, but he was not looking at her. He resumed caressing the flowers. "It reminds me of when we were children. I liked plucking the flowers, and you were fuming whenever you catch me doing so."
"Can you see me? Kaine?" She asked, but there was no response.
Kaine glanced at his right and to her direction. "You've left a trail of flowers, don't you think it's very noticeable? If you're there, follow me."
He plucked the flower and walked towards the middle of the garden where the pavilion is. Kaine pulled a chair and sat opposite it. Athena was a bit touched. She has always been sitting with her body halfway through the table whenever she sits. "Thank you." She thanked, even if he can't hear it.
He put the flower in the middle of the round table. "If you're here, move this flower."
Athena complied and moved it. She could see the edge of Kaine's mouth lift up. A small part of her is overjoyed as well. At least, somebody actually knows that she exists.
"Are you Athena?" He asked. "If it's a yes, move the flower. If it's no, don't do anything."
They conversed for a long time with Kaine always asking questions and guessing while Athena moves the flower. It was already afternoon when there was another commotion. 'Athena' and her friends came running towards the pavilion.
"Kaine, are you okay? You've been gone for so long. We became worried that you were abducted by the witch." 'Athena' sat down where Athena was.
I mean, you're not wrong, thought Athena.
"Yes, we saw a trail of flowers plucked by her. The witch even had the audacity to cut Marissa on the wrist!" The short Claudia pointed at an Earl's daughter, Marissa.
Athena's brows furrowed, and she held her hand against her chest. She had on her face an offended look.
Kaine glanced at her, who was now standing and chuckled.