As soon as Athanasia returned to the mansion, she rushed to her uncle's study, eager to share the news with Grand Duke Kyle. She found him pacing back and forth, his face twisted in frustration.
"Uncle Kyle, I have something to tell you," Athanasia said, her voice trembling with emotion.
But before she could continue, Grand Duke Kyle slammed his fist on the desk, making Athanasia jump and said ,"Athanasia go to your room". "I'll never agree to it!" he exclaimed, his voice thundering through the room. "I'll never hand her over to those people!"
He strode over to the door and yanked it open, revealing Butler Kan standing outside. "Kan, relay to the Emperor that I summarily reject their request," Grand Duke Kyle instructed, his voice firm.
Butler Kan bowed low. "But, Your Grace, we will need a valid reason for our refusal. Otherwise, those... individuals will continue to hound us relentlessly."
Athanasia had been listening to their conversation secretly behind the door, her heart pounding with excitement. But when her uncle sensed her presence, he gave a subtle signal to Butler Kan.
Butler Kan opened the door, and Athanasia stumbled forward, her face flushing with embarrassment. "Ack... oh dear, I... I'm so sorry," she stuttered, trying to regain her balance.
Grand Duke Kyle rushed to her side, helping her up. "Athanasia, my dear, there's no need to apologize. In fact, I was planning to tell you all about this."
Athanasia's eyes widened with curiosity. "Really?"
Grand Duke Kyle nodded, his expression serious. "Yes, really. Come, let's sit down and discuss this further."
Grand Duke Kyle's eyes blazed with determination as he gazed at Athanasia. "You know, Athanasia, you're not just my niece - you're my daughter. You're the daughter of my precious little sister, and I'll do everything in my power to protect you."
Athanasia's eyes welled up with tears as she listened to her uncle's passionate words. She felt a surge of gratitude and love for this man who had always been there for her.
"If anyone tries to harm you, I'll never forgive them," Grand Duke Kyle continued, his voice low and menacing. "And I know the Emperor must have pressured you to accept this engagement proposal, but you don't have to worry about a thing. Tomorrow, I'll go and reject this proposal. That bastard Crown Prince doesn't deserve you at all."
Athanasia felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had been dreading the thought of marrying Rohan, and now her uncle was offering her a way out.
"But, Uncle Kyle, what about the Emperor's wrath?" Athanasia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Grand Duke Kyle's expression turned grim. "Don't worry about the Emperor. We'll deal with him. What's important right now is your safety and well-being. And to ensure that, we need to hurry up with your succession as the head of this house. If you become the Duke, you'll be safe from the Emperor's meddling."
Athanasia's eyes widened as she grasped the weight of her uncle's words. She was about to embark on a journey that would change her life forever.
Grand Duke Kyle's eyes sparkled with excitement. "And you've already awakened your Aries power, the manipulation of fire", that what they are after the treasure of Aries.
I nodded, As I reflected on my circumstances, I recalled a pertinent detail. "I possess the power of fire, a gift bestowed upon me by the constellation of Aries,"
In the Kingdom of Ermmaneu Empire, there exist 12 distinguished families who have received the blessing of the constellations. Each constellation imparts a unique gift, a blessing that is passed down through generations. I, too, have been fortunate enough to awaken my Aries power.
However, despite having awakened my power, I have yet to establish a contract with the Aries treasure. It is worth noting that the treasure's appearance remains a mystery, as it assumes different forms for each successive bearer. Consequently, the constellation treasures remain shrouded in secrecy, unknown to the general populace.
I had been waiting for my uncle's return from the castle, my heart racing with anticipation. But as soon as I saw his face, I knew something was terribly wrong.
"Uncle, what happened?" I asked, rushing to his side. "Are you okay?"
My uncle's expression was etched with sadness and disappointment. He grabbed my hand, his grip tight with emotion.
"I'm sorry, Athanasia, my dear," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't stop them. They're going to announce your engagement to the Crown Prince next week, on his birthday."
My world came crashing down around me. I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me.
"No," I whispered, my voice trembling with fear. "Uncle, please tell me this isn't happening."
My uncle's face contorted in anguish. "I'm sorry, Athanasia. I did everything I could, but the Emperor wouldn't budget.
My uncle's hands cradled my face, his touch warm and reassuring. "Don't worry, my dear," he whispered. "It's just an engagement. We'll call it off when we get the chance."
I nodded, trying to muster a sense of hope. But as I retreated to my room, the weight of my emotions threatened to overwhelm me. I missed my parents, their absence a palpable ache within me.
The silence in my room seemed to hum with their memory, a haunting melody that only the stillness could hear. I wandered over to the empty shelves, tracing the outlines of where framed photographs once stood. The dust that coated the surface seemed to hold the shape of their absence.
As I gazed around the room, I caught glimpses of my parents' ghosts in the flickering light of the moth-bruised lamp. The clock on the mantle ticked away, marking the hours since they had left me behind. I wondered why time continued to pass, indifferent to the pain of their departure.
In this space, where memories lingered like whispers, I felt the weight of my loneliness. The engagement, the Crown Prince, the Emperor's decree – all seemed to fade into the background as I confronted the ache within me.
As I strolled through the garden, the sun's descent into the horizon cast a warm, golden glow. I settled beneath the branches of a majestic tree, its leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze. The sky transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, a breathtaking sunset that left me spellbound.
The horizon bled watercolors – pink wounds, violet scars – as dusk stitched the sky with threads of falcon wings. The earth drank the last light like a beggar, a broken cup, its thirst unquenchable. Night arrived, not as an end, but as a bruised ripeness, heavy with stars that twinkled like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse.
In this serene and peaceful atmosphere, I felt my worries and fears slowly unravel, like the threads of a tapestry. The beauty of nature had a way of soothing my soul, reminding me that even in darkness, there was always hope.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. "It's okay, Athi," I told myself. "Uncle is right, it's just an engagement. I can call it off whenever I want. But now's not the time."
Just as I was psyching myself up, a loud, mocking laughter echoed from behind me. "Hahahahahaha!" I turned around to see Adrian, his baby pink hair sparkling like a diamond in the fading light. His silver eyes seemed to gleam with a golden shade, thanks to the sunset.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to sound stern despite the amusement dancing in his eyes.
Adrian grinned mischievously. "Nothing, I was just watching the sunset... and then I saw a fool talking to herself!" He chuckled, holding his stomach. "I'm sorry, Athi, but you were really funny!"
I playfully rolled my eyes. "Really, was I? Ha ha."
Adrian's laughter slowly subsided, and he nodded towards the mansion. "Okay, that's enough. Let's go inside now. It's getting colder, and we don't want to catch a cold."
I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards Adrian for lifting my spirits. Together, we strolled back towards the mansion, the stars beginning to twinkle in the night sky above us.
As soon as Adrian burst into my room, I couldn't help but smile. His infectious energy was just what I needed to lift my spirits. He jumped onto my bed, his baby pink hair bouncing with each movement.
"Hey, Athi! I heard you're getting engaged to the Crown Prince! Now you'll be a princess! Isn't it great?" Adrian's eyes sparkled with excitement, but I could see the hint of concern lurking beneath.
I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of my emotions bearing down on me. "Adrian, I don't want to be a princess," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Adrian's grin faltered, and he slid off the bed, his eyes locked on mine. "What's wrong, Athi? You're not excited about the engagement?" His voice was laced with concern, and I knew he was genuinely worried about me.
I shook my head, feeling a lump form in my throat. "It's not that, Adrian. It's just...being a Crown Princess means I'll have no control over my own life. I'll be trapped in a gilded cage, forced to follow rules and protocols. I'll lose myself in the process." Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I spoke, and Adrian's face softened.
"Athi, I'm so sorry," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. "I had no idea. We'll figure something out, okay? We'll find a way to get you out of this engagement."
Just then, the door creaked open, and Arion slipped inside. His eyes met mine,"Hey, cuz," Arion said softly, his eyes scanning my face. "I couldn't help but overhear. What's going on?"