27一 the perplexity of him

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You died screaming, yet the monster who took your place was silent.

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THEY STARED AT HIM, AS IF HE WAS AN animal put on display, made to perform just for their sick enjoyment. 'A little bird in a glass house' most have called him, when he was naught but a child. They ignored the signs, that the little bird was being raised by a dragon, that back then it was but a chick. He grew, and instead of becoming a bird of prey, as they all expected, he transformed into a lion whose razor sharp fangs eagerly awaited for the next fool to make a misstep in front of it.

The lion's eyes were sharp, and even though it looked docile from afar, its muscles were always ready for it to go on a prowl for its next victim.

They called him a beast behind closed doors. Because even though they tried to ruin his image (and they tried, oh they tried so ardently), the people of the empire did not believe. How could they? When the lion had brought them only happiness and safety? When it had done so much to protect them from the cruelty of the world?

Truly, the nobles of Obelia acknowledge, their prince was a coiled snake in tall grass.

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IT FELT WRONG, BEING HERE TO WITNESS this. The indifference in her brother's eyes was chilling as he looked at the nobles swarming around him like bees to sweet honey. It was obvious they were pandering for his favour, throwing out praises at him as easily as breathing. But her brother remained quiet, his gaze passing over them and their words falling off of him like water on a duck's feathers.

He looked at them as if they weren't even worth the dirt under his polished shoes. (She wondered, idly, what would it take for him to look at her like that.)

By his side were his two trusted knights, flanking him and looking cross at any who wandered too close. Two hounds of green and black, those two. She couldn't see clearly, but Hector's hand was resting upon the hilt of his sword and Kassian appeared to be wound tighter than a spring. And, in both of their eyes, a feeling of utter disgust befell the people surrounding her older brother.

On the fringes of that mounting crowd she could observe the two representative siblings from Xekch conversing with a turquoise haired man that she hadn't met before. Though, given what General Raed had said before leaving her company, she could make a guess as to who that was. Gregory Alancia was as intimidating close up as he was at distance, with the way his hair shielded his face from the sides and how his eyes seemed to glow with a constant distaste for those surrounding him. Perhaps it was real distaste, given the rumours she has heard from the maids.

Word had it that many a noble had thought that taking advantage of her brother's lack of presence at court was a good idea. The things she's heard from charming the maids with her smiles were一 concerning. Black market deals, smuggling rings and even rumours of slave traders.

When she heard all of those, possibly, true happenings she had to wonder一 what was her father doing? Shouldn't he have dealt with such problems already? Wasn't it his duty as emperor to oversee his people's wellbeing?

But Madam Iris' lessons proved her quite wrong. It wasn't her father's immediate responsibility. That's why there were people being paid to deal with the problems His Majesty couldn't directly put a stop to. Sure, he was updated on the ongoings of matters, but, as her teacher had stressed, the emperor had more pressing matters. Making sure that noble infighting did not spill over the population, budget allocations for the various institutions of the Empire (there was a Minister of Finance, but he couldn't allow any expenses to be made until the budgets were decided), making sure that relief supplies were all in order in case disaster stuck the nation, territorial decisions had to pass through the emperor's hands and the monitoring of the Empire's military was his duty as Supreme Commander of the army.

(When the Madam began listing the Emperor's duties and the list kept on going, Athy thanked the heavens that she had no ambition for the throne. It sounded like too much trouble for her to get into.)

It was then that she realized that her brother was detrimental to the continuous harmony of Obelia. While her father dealt with the bigger issues regarding the Empire's autonomy, he brother was in charge of making the best decisions for the peoples' safety. While she had only seen her brother's comings and goings to parties and social functions, the Madam assured her that those duties will be passed onto her once she reached an appropriate age. (The duties of the empress had been taken on by the heir and she一 Athy didn't know how to feel about that.)

Attending to the courtesans' events was to be her duty as Imperial Princess. Hosting events, guiding the flow of news of society, influencing the spread of information to the nobles一 she wasn't sure if she could do it. She was unsure of her ability to take over this duty after her brother. Aware as she was of how this wasn't what Athan should be spending his time on didn't help.

Athanasius could do everything she could and couldn't, and he could do it better than she ever will. (It was that one seed of insecurity, in the form of the words "His Highness is the perfect heir" that gnawed at her.)

Momentarily distracted as she was, she didn't notice the nearing nobleman. Nor did Every for that matter as she was busy talking with one of the maids present to bring something or another for her ward.

She didn't notice the man until it was too late. Until there was red liquid dripping down her hair and face. Until the banquet hall rang with oppressive silence.

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ATHANASIUS GLANCED UP IN CURIOSITY THE moment a choked hush befell the crowds. Such silence would usually be welcomed by him on normal days, but events like this one were never quiet. There was always a conversation happening, a man seducing a woman in a shadowed corner or servants passing information among themselves. The lack of sounds indicating a physical altercation had him scouring the ballroom, jeweled eyes seeking and curious.

'Ah, there it is,' He thought, sights falling onto the soaked in wine form of his sister and the silent noble whose drunken flush was rapidly receding the more the situation sobered him. Instantly, the princess' teacher sprang into motion, shooing a maid away to bring a dry towel, the lavender haired woman hurrying by her ward's side, face thunderous with fury.

Seeking his father's eyes among the crowd, Athan tilted his head in a silent query. The older man met his gaze, raised an eyebrow at his unexpected initiative, but ultimately gently shook his head in denial. 'Huh.' Was his father curious about how things would unfold? The prince furrowed his brow in confusion, mind jumping from his father's decision to the situation at hand.

He stood like that for a moment, lost in his own mind as his knights closed rank to him in reaction to his inattentiveness. After what felt like a century to him, an imaginary lightbulb blinked alive among his thoughts. 'So that's how it is...' It appeared that Claude wanted to see how the little princess will handle all of this unprompted attention. In other words, if she had the backbone necessary to survive and dominate in the world they were leaders of.

An interesting move on his father's part, to see how far her understanding of her own position has come after almost two years of studying under Madam Iris' tutelage. Truth be told, he himself was curious if Athanasia would be able to later on take over the Empress' duties. (Another part of his mind was interested if she'd be of use to his future plans.)

"A-Ah- Princess! I apologize! How careless of me!"

Bored jeweled eyes gazed at the noble attempting to salvage the situation as Lady Fallis began tearing a new one in the man. But the noble 一and wasn't that Baron Cohen if his memory served him correct?一 couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the pair of teacher and student and the frantic maid gently wiping away the wine from the princess' hair. His eyes were searching the crowds, darting from the Crown Prince to the Emperor in frantic movements.

Athan hid a sharp smile behind a gloved hand. 'That fool.' Glee overtook his face, eyes gleaming with anticipation. 'That's a good look you have on your face, dear sister.'

"What are you paying so much attention to, when I stand before you?" Athanasia's face resembled that of their father in that moment, impassive and cold, mouth set in a firm disapproving line and tiny body filled with righteous fury.

"Ah! Your Highness! You see, I was merely-!"

"Merely what? Ignoring me, the person you have wronged?" Sharp like a dagger, she cut off Baron Cohen's bullshit apology. Anger lined her very body as she stepped away from the maid currently tending to her, only to come and stand before the man who offended her. "I will forgive you on your mistake, but do not think, for even a moment, that I will forget the disrespect you have shown me."

'Good.' He thought as his father clapped his hands, drawing attention from the commotion. It seemed that Claude was of the same mind as him, as the emperor's next words were, "How entertaining." A chilling smile ghosted the older man's features as he turned away to say something in hushed tones to Felix.

Chuckling to himself, he sent a signal to Gregory to continue his discussion with the Xekch representatives and update him on it later. Stepping towards where his sister still stood but from where the Baron had vanished, the crowds parting like the Red Sea to form a path for him, Athan couldn't help the giddiness that spread within him. 'How fun.' He thought, smile sharp and full of dubious intent. 'You're exceeding my expectations, dear sister.'

It seemed like dearest Athanasia was too lost in her own thoughts to notice his approach. But it was fine, as it allowed him to scoop her up in his arms and leave the banquet hall with quiet steps, followed closely by his two knights and the lavender haired lady. Her face was full of surprise, though she did not shriek at his sudden actions, choosing to grip his shoulders in her tiny hands.

"I think that's enough excitement for tonight." He told her in lieu of a concrete reason. She pursed her lips but nodded, yielding to his whim.

He walked in silence, only the sounds of Lady Fallis' heels on the marble floors echoing around him. Finally, when they began nearing the entrance to the Ruby Palace, he spoke. "You acted accordingly tonight." A rush of pride looked to be surging through her and though he wanted her to acknowledge her own achievements, she needed guidance also. Guidance that she could only find with him and their father.

"Though if I may, sister mine, a piece of advice?" She looked at him, confused, before she nodded, eyes attentive. "Sharpen your fangs before the hyenas come sniffing. If you allow them to prowl around you, you'll soon find yourself disillusioned to the world."

Athanasia appeared to understand his words only by half, the other one puzzling her. Either way, it was fine. She'll come to realize the truth of his words soon. The world was not a kind place, even more so towards people like them.

As the maids of the Ruby Palace began making their way towards them with Lillian York in the lead, Athan placed his sister on the ground. "Whatever happens, do not forget my words." He gave her a smile, turning around to return to his own palace. "Have a good rest tonight, Athanasia."

'It will perhaps be the last you'll manage to get.'

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How much can you change and get away with it, before you turn into someone else, before it's some kind of murder?

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Sporadic updates because uni is kicking my ass. (Surprise, I'm in law school 😂)