Jeannette's POV

"Your Highness," My maid, which I learned that her name was Nina, called to me, "I have good news for you."

I stopped whatever I was doing and turned to her, "What is it?"

"Today is His Majesty's birthday."

"Mhm? I knew that. " I said, trying to get her to say more.

"He requested Athanasia's presence." She said proudly, and my face fell.

"You know what this means for you, dear." She looked at me with warm eyes, but it only made me uncomfortable.

I immediately stood from my seat and tried to run out the door to get Athy, but Nina blocked my way.

"Nina," I said desperately, "Please!"

"Jeannette," She said firmly, "You will not go to her room right now."

My shoulders fell, "But why not?"

"You and her are enemies," She emphasized, "Why should you check on your enemy?"

"But we're not, Nina, please!" I begged, and she slapped me once again, I fell on the floor.

I groaned, and looked at her in the eye.

"You will follow my orders." She glared at me, and kicked my stomach.

"Ah!" I cried.

She steps on my neck as she says "this better not happen again."

I sob as my hands wrap around her foot.

I can't bear to see Athy get hurt, when she's the one who keeps me together right now.

"Nina.." I said weakly.

"What?" She raises one eyebrow.

Quickly, I kick her other leg so hard that she stumbled on the ground, and I stand back up. As she tries to regain her balance, I kick her again in the stomach as hard as I can.

"I will not follow your orders," I glared at her, "you're just a maid!"

With that, I ran out the door as fast as I can, and occasionally looked behind me to see if she was chasing me, but thankfully, she wasn't.

When I tried to turn my head back to my path, I bumped into someone.

"Ouch." I say, as a reaction to the impact of the collision.

"Your highness?" The voice sounded concerned.

I look up, and, it was Felix!

"Oh, Felix!" I grabbed his hand, "I heard papa is requesting Athy's presence..."

"Ah, yes," Felix said, and he looked hesitant, "I was on my way to get her."

"Oh, please! Let me go with you!" I begged.

"Of course." He said without questions, and we headed to Athy's room.

We basically ran on the way there, I wanted to have as much time as I could with so I can at least reassure her, or comfort her.

Felix opens the door without knocking, and I ran inside and hugged her. Athy looked confused, but nevertheless, I still continued hugging her.

"Your highness, his majesty requests your presence.." Felix's voice rang.

"What? Why?" Athy asked.

I will tell her myself, I hope she'll be fine.

"I-I don't know, but he wants you for his birthday.. Today." I said, regretting the fact that I stuttered.

She looked at me as if I had just told her that unicorns exist.

I was about to speak, but I was interrupted by Felix.

"Your highness, he wants to see you now." I realized that I don't have time anymore, so I just went with them as we headed to the ballroom.

When we arrived there, we heard the host announce, "Greetings to Her Highness, Jeannette de Alger Obelia, and, err... Athanasia."

It felt as if my heart was being ripped to shreds as I saw Athy's blank face, as if nothing in the world could bother her anymore.

I stood beside her, and I refused to go anywhere else, but papa ordered the guards to take me away.

I watched papa humiliate her from afar, and I kept trying to break free.

"Please, let me go!" I begged on of the guards.

"We cannot." They said firmly, and all I could do was watch Athy with her head down, humiliated.

"I hope you all know that. I only have one daughter, and that is Jeannette." Papa declared, and my face fell.

I immediately looked over to Athy. She was crying. Athanasia was crying, and it was enough for me to go crazy again.

"No! Let me go, you bastard!" I cried, but they wouldn't budge.

"This isn't fair." Athy's voice rang, and I loosened my whole body.

"What's not?" Papa asked, and I wondered the same thing.

"When I finally decide to stop trying on you, you came to me," she paused to regain herself, "you made me see you as a father."

What in the world does that mean?

"And now, you're throwing it all away, leaving me the memories." She says, trying to keep her voice as straight as possible as she trembled.

My heart broke, I couldn't stand seeing her like this, but they'll never let me go. Why in the hell is papa doing this to her? Why is he abandoning her?

"Please.." I looked at one of the guards in the eye, trying one last time to break free.

The guard look away, avoiding my gaze, "I'm truly sorry, your highness. We cannot break orders."

I was shattered, and I stopped trying. Tears started streaming down my face. I couldn't help Athy when she needed me the most. I felt so useless.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Papa said firmly.

Athy laughed bitterly, "Of course you don't."

I kept crying, feeling so hopeless.

"And that's what hurts the most."

I lowered my head, feeling the pain for her. I didn't want to see Athy hurt.

"Lies." Papa spat back.

What in the world is this? A week ago, they seemed like the closest father and daughter duo. What happened?

"But what can I do?" Athanasia covered her face with her hands and said with a quieter voice, "what can I do now?"

It felt as if every single limbs in my body were about to fall.

"I still love you, Dad." Athanasia says with a loud, and clear voice.

That was enough to get me to break off of the guards and I ran towards her, but she herself started running out the ballroom.

I looked back, but the guards weren't chasing me.

I wanted to at least comfort her, to make up for what I couldn't do. However, right before I was about to hug her, a bright, blue magical lights surrounded her, and she disappeared without a trace.

"No!" I fell to my knees, hugging nothing but the air.

I stayed in the same position, feeling despair, and hopeless.

"No.." I muttered to myself, and I started sobbing once again.

Maids and guards came rushing in towards me, some trying to find Athy, and some trying to figure out what was wrong with me.