The man placed a hand on her forehead.
"Your fever is gone, that's a relief," he sighed as he took a step back.
It took a while for Athena to be acquainted with the princess' memories. The man in front of her was Seth. He was the hunter who saved her when she fell off the cliff three years ago.
This time, he saved her again when she was pushed into the river.
"Seth, your name is Seth, right?" Athena asked with a look of slight confusion on her face.
"Yes, that is me," he replied without hesitation, "Is everything alright? I'll go get the healer…"
"No no, it's alright. I just… I think I just need rest," Athena replied as she laid back down on the pillow.
She winced as she felt the tenderness of her wound beneath the bandages. Even moving a little hurts like a million bee stings. Athena looked to her right. She removed the covers that were placed on top of her and got up from the bed.
"What is it that you need? I can get it for you," Seth said as he tried to help Athena.
She shook her head as she walked towards the mirror. Every step was agony as pain surged through her body. Still, she pushed through. By the time she got to the dressing table, she was panting and sweating.
Athena looked at the mirror. She reached out her hand and touched her face. She looked like herself, nothing had changed. The same porcelain fair skin. The same silky black hair. The only difference was the color of her pupils.
Modern-day Athena had ruby red pupils, but the Princess' pupils were shimmering gold. It was a clear indication of her royal birth and her royal status.
Seth observed the princess quietly. She had been acting strangely since she woke up. But he didn't think too much, chalking it up to confusion.
When Athena rose from her seat, he helped her back to bed. She rubbed her temples as she laid back down. The memories of the host body were still pouring through her mind. The emotions she felt gripped her tightly too.
Anger.
Sadness.
Frustration.
Athena knew what she had to do. She wanted revenge on those who tried to kill her. She wanted to be reunited with her family. Most importantly, she wanted to live.
"Where are we, Seth? How did I get here?" Athena finally asked when her mind finally became a little clearer.
Seth pursed his lips. A small part of him wished she had gotten amnesia. That way, she would not have to live with the pain of her past. The pain of betrayal.
"We're in the outer ring of Pythra, in Eastwood Inn. How much do you remember?"
"I remember falling off a bridge… no, falling into the river? I was also stabbed."
Seth nodded, chalking up her response to a fuzzy memory.
"I lost you when the assassins were chasing you. Then, I heard a commotion near the river so I headed there. By the time I got there, there was nothing. But something told me to look in the river. True enough, there you were. So I jumped in to save you."
Seth could have left her when they parted ways upon reaching Pythra, but he followed her in secret to make sure she was alright. Athena turned to him with a grateful smile on her face.
"I'm in your debt, Seth. When I regain my position in court, ask for anything and you shall receive it."
"Princess…Athena, are you sure you still want to do this? Even after coming so close to death's door again?" He asked anxiously.
He had seen the princess fight for her life. Was her resolve still as strong as before now that her life was threatened again?
Athena bit her lip. She placed her hand over her eyes and let out a sigh.
She wanted to live.
For that to happen, she would have to reduce her enemies to dust. If she wanted to live a life without worries, she would need to gather wealth. Then, she will be able to live in peace.
"I have to do this. In fact, this is the perfect opportunity to do so," she declared with determination.
"The perfect opportunity?"
"Now, my enemies truly think that I'm dead. They aren't looking for me any longer. This means it's the perfect time to make my return. And I'm going to make a grand entrance."
Seeing and hearing how determined she was, Seth let out a sigh. He had once advised the princess to disappear from the world and lead a carefree life. But now he knew that it would not be possible.
Seth got down on one knee.
"What… what are you doing?" She gasped in surprise as she reached her hands out to help him get back up to his feet.
"Princess, if you would have me, please accept my allegiance to your cause!"
"Seth, this… you've already done so much for me, I can't ask this from you. It's not right," she refused.
Seth was her savior. She was going to repay him for everything he had done for her. How could she possibly ask him for his loyalty? Her enemies were dangerous figures, ones with the power to kill an innocent man at the snap of their fingers.
She could not put him in harm's way.
In fact, they might already have their eye on him.
But Seth refused. He pleaded with Athena to use him in her plans. Eventually, she relented.
"Alright, alright. It's not like I can stop you from doing what you want anyway," she lamented.
Only then did the man get back up on his feet.
"Once you're better we can start planning on how to get you back into the palace," Seth responded as he went to pour her some water.
Athena shook her head. A plan was already forming in her mind. She knew what her next steps were going to be and she had to act fast.
"No, there's something more important I need you to do for me."
"What could possibly be more important than this?" He mused as he held up the cup for her.
After taking a sip, Athena replied, "I need you to disappear."