Chapter Text
When Athanasia awoke that morning, she wasn't all too sure that she wasn't dreaming. It wasn't one of those days where everything was too good to be true or anything. It was just one of those days where Lillian was already bathing her.
Oh.
"Lily, what are you doing?" Athanasia asked, already used to Lillian's antics of prepping her for the day without waking her. She yawned loudly, letting Lillian proceed with scrubbing her skin raw. However, from the fact that there were a dozen maids in the room, Athanasia deduced that something important was happening that day. It wasn't Claude's birthday, she knew that much.
"Princess, tonight is your debutante ball. We need to start preparing as soon as possible." Lillian explained as she scrubbed the grime from Athanasia's golden locks, the lathered soap being washed off by a heave of a bucket. Two maids held either of her hands out, washing off the previous colour and painting a fresh coat of the peach colour. Once the peach was dry, the maids added the white tips, massaging her hands all the while. With a flick of the tweezers, her light coloured body hair came flying, leaving her body soft and hairless.
Athanasia watched them move around her, excitedly preparing for the ball. It was as if they were the star of the show. She supposed it was the motherly nature that came with being her caretakers. She was bothered by no means, finding refuge in Lillian's firm scrubbing.
With no free moment to even think, Athanasia was pulled from the bathtub and onto the bathmat, the extra maids towelling her down expertly. Lillian held her hair up with the towel, waiting for Athanasia to be dressed in the bathrobe before releasing her hair. By this point, Athanasia had long since grown used to the constant gaze on her naked body and was no longer bothered despite how strange it was. The curly mess of hair golden hair fell about and the maids sighed in awe of their darling princess.
She was the pride of the palace, from the maids to the Emperor himself. Despite his cold-hearted persona, everyone could see how he softened at the sight of his daughter. Steel-eyed gazes turned almost warm as his gaze fell on her. And soon, she'd be the pride of the empire. Not only was she smart, but she was also beautiful too. Curly golden hair that fell about in waves of shining bliss, jewelled eyes that shone in all lighting - she was the spitting image of her father, just far kinder.
"Princess, you're so beautiful." The maids sighed happily, snapping back into focus after allowing themselves a moment of admiration. Athanasia laughed sweetly before being escorted from the room, heading over to the emperor's palace.
As the emperor, Claude would be having a glow-up too. Of course, it wouldn't be as grand as Athanasia's considering she was the star of the show. Both Claude and Athanasia were going to have facial treatments, so Claude offered up his palace for it to be hosted. When Felix had told him that it'd be easier if there were two different venues, all it had taken was a single glare to silence him. Felix didn't mind; it was just Claude admitted his affection for his daughter.
Guards bowed to Athanasia as the group of maids and her passed, each one congratulating her on her fourteenth birthday. Athanasia giggled, waving goodbye as she walked quickly. Soon enough, they were inside the palace.
Athanasia was hurried into a room, the door shutting behind her. Immediately, a masseuse was pressing her into a massage bed, working the strain from her muscles. Athanasia laid their silently, taking it all. Creams were rubbed into her skin, her facial treatment beginning. Since she was staying still, she allowed her mind to wander for the first time since morning.
As she laid there, the thoughts of the night to come came rushing in. The fear, the anxiety, the pure terror was let it far too quickly, and she felt herself being drowned by her worries. As the crown princess, no one would expect that her worries would be too bothersome. After all, what could she worry about? Messing up her dance?
Unfortunately, her worries were far from that. Jennette would be introduced to Claude that night, and Athanasia wouldn't be able to stop it. Her actions in this timeline wouldn't stray Jennette's meeting from the novel's timeline. She could only hope that it would turn okay.
What could she do if Claude decided to abandon her? It was planned that Jennette would enter the palace and the royal family. Jennette would steal Claude's love and attention, for that didn't belong to Athanasia in the first place. She would take the role of Crown Princess, depriving Athanasia of any chance of a happy life. Friends would be hidden, for who would want the affection of a soon forgotten princess? Athanasia would be ruined, without help and all alone-
"-What are you doing to my daughter?" A cold voice growled, shaking Athanasia from her terror-filled state. She realised that her face had been scrunched up and relaxed it, opening her eyes to find the source of the voice.
Light spilled from the open doorway, a figure distorting the shadows of the darkroom. It took Athanasia a moment to recognise Claude. Her face lit up and she sat up without thinking.
She had forgotten something important. In the hours before the ball, she could at least be sure that she still had his love. She supposed that was her current salvation, so she'd take it as it came. She then noticed the icy gaze he was giving the people in the room and sighed.
"Daddy, what are you doing here?" She asked with her arms crossed over her chest. They had removed the bathrobe long ago, replacing it with a flimsy silken singlet and shorts, the pale white complimenting her creamy skin tone.
Claude turned his cold gaze to her, the iciness melting away immediately as he looked at her. "I was wondering why it was taking so long for you to out. At this rate, breakfast will go uneaten." He said lowly, focusing on her figure in the shadows.
In the years that Athanasia had begun her quest for Claude's love, they had started off meeting each other once every few days. It used to be in the afternoons before moving to the morning, and they spent every morning have tea together. As the years dragged on, it had turned into a breakfast ritual with them meeting in the afternoon for tea. Athanasia cursed silently, knowing that Claude would have stayed there waiting for her to come, not eating his breakfast without her. As endearing as it was, she wished he wouldn't do so.
"Your majesty, Princess Athanasia will be unable to have lunch or tea with you today. She is preparing for her debutante ball tonight as I told you earlier." Felix said exasperatedly, blinking tiredly. Athanasia giggled at the idea of Claude ignoring his guard, searching for his daughter just to have breakfast. It was sweet.
Claude didn't raise his gaze from Athanasia's form. "Why was your face scrunched up? Did it hurt when they were massaging you?" He glowered at the masseuses in the room, and Athanasia shook her head quickly.
"No, of course not! I was just thinking about things..." She trailed off, not wanting to explain what it was. It wasn't like she could just say 'hey daddy, I've been worrying about being replaced by your niece that thinks she's your daughter'. She pushed the worries from her mind, smiling brightly at her father. Claude hummed, thinking her response through as if he didn't believe her.
"Your majesty, why don't we begin your treatment now that you're here? Sir Felix, you too. We have the beds for you to use, and we can begin now." A masseuse offered, gesturing at the spare beds. The men exchanged glances, unsure of if it was worth it.
"I want to have breakfast with Athanasia first," Claude said determinedly, and Athanasia sighed, shaking her head.
"Daddy, my preparations take all day. I won't be able to see you until tonight after this, so why don't you do it now! You'll have free time later, too." Athanasia reasoned. "Otherwise, I might not be able to be in the same room as you until tonight." She urged as she was lowered down back onto the bed to continue her treatment.
Claude paused, thinking it over. With a sigh, he allowed himself to be led to a changing booth. His robe was discarded, and he walked out in loose pants. Athanasia peeked at her father, in awe of the man. Even when tired, he was beautiful. What a waste of genes, she mused.
Felix was stripped against his will and shyly walked out from behind the booth. Athanasia hummed to herself, appreciating Felix's build. He was always wearing at the very least his button-up shirt and trousers, hiding his figure. But now, as he covered up his chest, Athanasia watched as he was led to a bed.
Athanasia giggled, closing her eyes when they met Claude's. "You've become bolder, Athanasia," Claude responded, but she heard the amusement in his voice. An hour later, Felix and Claude were done and being escorted out, leaving Athanasia behind. She sighed, wondering how it felt to not be confined to a massage bed for two hours straight.
A while later, she was released, being hurried back to the Emerald Palace. It was already midday if not past it, and she'd had nothing to eat since her dinner with Claude the night before. She found herself craving the beautiful lamb from the night before and turned to Lillian. "Lily~" she began, watching as Lillian glanced at her. "I'm hungry." She whined, her stomach already sore.
Before Lillian could respond, a black-haired boy came into view. He clicked his tongue in annoyance, crimson eyes glowing as he neared. "Why are you hungry?" Lucas asked, disgruntled as he stopped the maids and princess. He ignored the maid's antsy reaction, focusing on Athanasia.
Athanasia's face light up at the sight of him. "Lucas!"