Athena has now gotten quite accustomed to Irene's body and the pain she experiences every month due to monthly visits. She knows a few maids and is familiar with the schedule of her father so she could move around the residence. Recently, she's had frequent tea parties at home, and now, her father ignores her without trying to harm her in any way. Maybe, he thought things over and is storing her since she could be of some use. She is, after all, a friend of a queen candidate.
Today, she has invited Athena to a tea party, but she didn't arrive. Athena's fiancée, though, and Irene's cousin, attended. Kaine sat down beside her and immediately asked how her health is. "I'm doing well. I've just gone through an excruciating visit, but it's fine now." She answered.
"Visit?" Kaine asked, but Athena just chuckled. Dalie and Bethanie laughed at the side as well.
Franie hit him on the arm. "A man wouldn't understand."
Sitting around the table, they gave a few greeting remarks and finally went straight to the point. "I've found somebody. Edward Green's family is well off, and he is a nice man. I heard he support the banning of slaves and slave contracts." Franie proposed, "How about him?"
Lady Helz's voice came from her right. "Isn't he Lady Athena's friend? I heard they're quite close." All the ladies' attention flew to Kaine. "Lord Kaine, wouldn't you say that your Fiancee has been acting weird?"
There was a moment of silence before Kaine coughed. "I've noticed as well. Maybe she matured out of her antics." "Anyway, do you ladies believe in spirits? I've been in some of Athena's tea parties, and he seems quite interested in those." He lifted up the tea and drank a sip.
'Quite smart.' Athena praised. 'But that's a bit too much.'
It was time for Athena to shine. She put down her cup of tea and smiled. "My father hasn't done anything to me recently. I think that it should be fine to put off the marriage a little later."
Franie was about to speak but was shut off by Helz. "Franie, respect her choice." Franie sulked by the corner after being told off.
"But are you sure that you're truly fine?" Dalie asked.
Athena nodded. "I assume my father had deemed I am worthy enough to be his political tool. Who knows what he'll make me do."
After finishing a few more tea, the guests left, and Athena was supported by the maid around. Days and months passed by, and it was another royal banquet of the capital. It was the King's birthday. Athena rode in the carriage along with the Count. Irene's situation has also been improving much more recently since she's stopped drinking the 'prescribed medicine' for her 'illness.'
Inside the carriage, it was all serious and quiet. Athena to a glance at her 'Father.' He had quite the body figure. Wouldn't wonder since he's usually carrying a knife in the mansion. He's most likely had a lot of exercise from wounding people. Although he had a slender body, Athena wouldn't say it's the same case for his face. She is sure that Irene's facial features were from her mother.
Count Wrae twirled around a knife in his hands while Athena kept her leg ready in case of any action. Two small blades are also attached to her legs.
The silence ensued until they arrived at the party. Count Wrae changed the bored and serious look on his face and plastered a smile on his face. He came down the carriage first and, with an expression filled with worry, carefully helped Athena down the carriage. Both of them entered after their names were announced. Moments after they arrived, the King came down, and everybody wished him Happy Birthday.
Since Athen is 'ill,' she was given room to rest in. After meeting with her friends, she invited them to the room. The very first thing they discussed after entering the room was 'Athena' of course. She was dancing not with Kaine, her fiancee, but with Edward. Their group's husband candidate for Irene.
"She is mad!"
"Oh, not mad. She's got no propriety. Wasn't she all about manners before?"
In all honesty, Athena felt a bit uncomfortable. She might not be in her original body, but she is still connected to it. Being badmouthed for something she hasn't done is unacceptable. Right when Athena was about to speak, the door was opened, and Kaine entered, mad. All the girls swarmed up on him, asking questions, but he sat down and glared at them.
"That's not Athena." He said in an icy tone. Athena felt chill on her bones. Before the girls could say something, he continued. "Athena will never do that. I believe that she's possessed."
Athena, who is sitting across him inwardly pursed her lips. It's not the right time yet. But Athena will, of course, act dumb since Irene never interacted with Athena when Athena was still in her body. Kaine explained about her seeing Athena's spirit in the ball, and in the Grandrie's tea parties.
Everybody was silent. Only Franie was not. She was laughing as if she's just heard of a joke. "Now, you see. It might appear not very believable to all of you, but it is true. I assure you with my everything."
Even after that, the Ladies's expressions didn't change.
'Well, that is why I never said anything in the first place. It's not very believable.'
"You're mad, Kaine. Prove it." Asked Bethanie. Bethanie has always been a very emotional person. At this moment, her eyes were a bit moist.
Kaine was lost for a moment, and so, Athena did what she could. She's not looking forward to being used by Lady Helz.
"I can," Athena said, and in a quick instant, everybody's eyes were on her. "I won't say anything right now, but I agree with him. I also saw her. It's just, she was almost transparent at that time, and ever since, I never saw her again."
Bethanie instantly became hysterical, and Dalie comforted her friend. Helz was going to inquire further but was shut off by Athena. "I was forbidden by her to say any more than this. She said she'll be coming back after going somewhere. Lady Athena requested to protect her body." Athena smiled while saying her name. "Nevermind that. A party should be enjoyed. Why don't we all go back and have a little dance to lift up our moods?"
Athena was able to dance two dances before she sat down, too tired to do anything anymore. She didn't dare to do anything when she noticed the gaze of her father, eyeing her every action. Had she done something wrong? Her father came to her and sat down. He said in a cold voice while wearing that fake expression. "Go dance with Kaine. This is an order." After saying that, he stood up and left to talk with his 'friends', but Athena felt she was being eyed the entire time.
She was forced to dance another time. Without concealing anything from Kaine, she said just what ordered her to do and was gladly asked by Kaine.