EVERYONE HELD their breath, their eyes fixed on isaac as he focused his energy and cast the spell. the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and hope as the seconds ticked by. but as time passed, isaac's efforts seemed to yield no visible results. lisa, who had been watching silently, decided to step in.

"isaac," she whispered, her voice laced with concern. "it's time to stop now. you're exerting too much energy. the spell isn't working." isaac gritted his teeth as he continued to channel his magic, sweat trickling down his forehead from the effort.

he ignored lisa's warning, determined to see his spell through to the end. but as time continued to pass, it became clear that the curse was resisting his magic. his body trembled with exhaustion as he pushed through, but the results were lacking. "no, i must keep going," isaac muttered, his voice strained from the fatigue. "i cannot give up now." lisa looked at isaac with a mixture of awe and worry. despite her reservations, she could feel his unshakeable conviction and the sheer force of his determination to break the curse.

but as the minutes ticked by, isaac's condition worsened. he began to sway on his feet and his complexion turned pale. It was clear that he was reaching his limits. "enough is enough," lisa finally proclaimed, her voice firm and authoritative. "your body can't handle it anymore. you'll risk serious harm if you persist."

isaac, clearly on the verge of collapse, collapsed to his knees, unable to maintain his balance any longer. lisa quickly rushed to his side, concern etched on her features. she gently held him, offering comfort and support as he lay there, exhausted and drained from the effort of attempting to lift the curse. "i was so close..." he managed to gasp out, his voice faint and filled with frustration.

suddenly, there was a gasp from akari as she noticed a slight movement from the unconscious crown princess. she hastily made her way to antanasia's side, her heart racing with hope. the others also perked up, their eyes fixated on the sleeping form, waiting with bated breath.

"she moved... she actually moved!" akari whispered, her voice quivering with excitement. "isaac, you did something! the curse is breaking!" "everyone gasped in disbelief as the crown princess's eyelids began to flutter open, a sign that she was regaining consciousness.

the curse that had kept her under for weeks was finally breaking, and the magic that isaac had used had helped initiate that process. "antanasia!" akari cried out, tears of joy streaming down her face. she bent down, gently taking the crown princess's hand in hers.

antanasia's eyes slowly opened, revealing weary and bleary eyes that struggled to adjust to the light. slowly, she focused her gaze on the blue-haired girl, her expression filled with wonder and recognition. "akari...?" she whispered, her voice raspy and weak from disuse.

tears streamed down akari's cheeks as she beamed at her childhood friend, her heart overflowing with happiness. she tightened her grip on antanasia's hand, feeling an overwhelming sense of relief and joy. "antanasia, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with both laughter and tears. "you have no idea how worried we've been!"

antanasia struggled to sit up, her strength still weakened from the ordeal she had endured. akari quickly helped her into a sitting position, carefully supporting her friend as the others approached, their faces filled with joy and relief. "thank you..." antanasia managed to say, her voice still trembling slightly. "i'm so relieved... all of you must have spent every minute by my side, right?"

royin locked eyes with antanasia, his expression filled with a mix of relief and concern. "you have no idea how concerned we've been about you," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of scolding. "we spent every waking moment by your side, worried sick and praying for your recovery." antanasia was taken aback, seeing tears spill from royin's eyes. it was a sight she hadn't expected to see; he was always the most composed and stoic among them. her heart ached as she witnessed his pain and worry, knowing how much the ordeal had affected him.

antanasia mustered a weak but sincere smile, her voice soft but strong. "i'm back," she whispered, her gaze drifting from person to person. her eyes shimmered with gratitude as she took in their expressions, seeing the relief and joy they felt at her return. "i promise i won't scare you like this again." the room was filled with a collective sigh of relief as Antanasia spoke those words. the others rushed to her side, enveloping her in a tight group hug and showering her with their affection. "don't ever do that again," Akari whispered, her voice tinged with worry and relief. "promise us you'll never scare us like this again."

antanasia nodded, tears of joy streaming down her cheeks as she soaked in the warmth and affection from her friends. "i promise," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "i will never put you all through this ordeal again. I'm sorry for making you worry." the door suddenly opened, revealing valkyria, standing at the entrance with a surprised expression on her face. her eyes widened as she took in the scene before her. antanasia, who was previously unconscious, now sat up straight, surrounded by her friends who were showering her with affection and relief.

"valkyria!" antanasia exclaimed, her voice filled with both surprise and joy. "you're here!" valkyria rushed towards antanasia, her face filled with a whirlwind of emotions. concern flickered in her eyes as she approached, taking in the sight of her friend's recovery and the tears of joy shed by those around them.

"antanasia!" valkryia whispered, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and relief. she quickly made her way to antanasia's side, joining the heartfelt group hug that enveloped the crown princess. as the hug continued, valkyria's grip tightened around antanasia, her relief palpable. her voice trembled slightly as she whispered, "i'm so relieved you're awake. i don't know what I would've done if you hadn't woken up."

just as they were about to express their gratitude, isaac and lissa had vanished without a trace. they realized the two were nowhere to be found. it was as if they had vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind. the space they once occupied was empty, leaving the others bewildered and questioning the mystery surrounding their mysterious appearance and sudden disappearance.

meanwhile, isaac and lisa were secretly observing the group from a distance, away from their line of sight. isaac had a smug expression on his face, clearly pleased with himself. isaac chuckled, his voice filled with satisfaction. "looks like our spell worked. they're all so happy, right, lisa?" isaac smirked at lisa, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "or perhaps i should call you estelle? the empress of the obelian empire." he said, addressing lisa with a mockingly elegant tone. "quite a change from the simple persona you adopted, wouldn't you say?"

isaac's voice cut through the air, tinged with a touch of annoyance. "honestly, i have no idea why you decided to avoid meeting your own daughter, antanasia." he shook his head, his expression filled with mild disappointment. "it's not every day that a parent gets a second chance like this, you know." estelle let out a soft chuckle, her voice tinged with a touch of sadness. "seeing my daughter from a distance is enough for me." she spoke softly, her gaze fixed on the scene unfolding before them. "i don't want to interfere with her life any further. It's better this way."

isaac frowned, sensing the pain behind estelle's words. his expression softened as he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering silent support. "are you sure about this, estelle?" he asked softly. "antanasia deserves to know the truth, doesn't she?" estelle shook her head gently, her expression resolute. "no, isaac," she replied firmly. "antanasia's happiness and peace of mind are more important than my own selfish desires. it's better for her to move forward without the burden of the past hanging over her."

isaac's tone became firmer as he addressed estelle once more. "what about claude?" he asked, his voice tinged with a touch of urgency. "he must be feeling the same pain and uncertainty that you are, estelle. don't you think it's time to confront the past and mend your broken family?" estelle's demeanor softened as isaac mentioned claude. "claude..." she whispered, her voice strained. "it's true that he must be feeling the same heartache as i do. i do wish we could mend the family, but after what happened..." her voice trailed off, leaving the rest unspoken.

isaac's expression remained sympathetic as he nodded, understanding the complexity and pain that came with their situation. he gave estelle's shoulder a final squeeze before turning his gaze back towards the group, who were blissfully unaware of the heartfelt conversation taking place nearby.

as antanasia settled into the tranquility of her room, she carefully began to peruse the collection of letters that had piled up during her absence. with each page she turned and every word she read, she felt her spirit lift as she reconnected with her loved ones who had faithfully written to her during her difficult time. though she was still weak and weary, her heart felt full and her mind at ease.

as antanasia continued to read through the pile of letters, her eyes widened with surprise as she came across her sister's letter. in it, her sister had mentioned the shocking news that their father had recently lost all his memories. antanasia couldn't believe what she had just read; her heart raced with a mixture of disbelief and concern, unsure how to process this unexpected turn of events.

antanasia urgently called for akari, her voice filled with a mix of determination and worry. "akari! We must return home immediately!" she said with a sense of urgency. "something has happened and we need to go back right away." the gravity of the situation was evident in her tone, her mind fixed on the importance of getting back as soon as possible.

as akari rushed into the room, concern etched on her face, antanasia wasted no time in explaining the situation. "dad has amnesia," she said breathlessly, hardly able to believe the words herself. "we have to go home and see what's going on." akari's eyes widened in shock and disbelief at the news. without a moment's hesitation, she nodded in agreement, a sense of urgency filling her as well. let's go," she said, determination in her voice.

as antanasia allowed akari to take charge and oversee the preparations for their departure, she set off in search of someone specific. her steps quickened as she navigated the halls and corridors, her mind set on locating the individual she sought. the urgency in her stride and the intensity in her eyes betrayed the importance of finding this person.

as antanasia's search continued, her eyes fell upon a familiar scene. there, standing before her, were isaac and the woman who was responsible for her existence. the sight surprised her and brought forth a mix of emotions, but her focus quickly shifted towards the urgent task at hand.

her voice quivered as she addressed the woman standing before her, her eyes locking with hers. "you... you're my mother, right?" her words were tinged with a mix of wonder, disbelief, and a deep longing to connect with the woman who gave her life. the weight and significance of this moment hung heavily in the air between them, as they both grappled with the emotions that this realization brought to the surface.

as antanasia spoke those words, the room seemed to hold its breath. the intensity and significance of the moment hung in the air, and a heavy silence descended. it was as if time stood still, with the two women staring at each other, each lost in their own thoughts and emotions. estelle took a deep breath before finally speaking. "ues, my dear," she replied softly. "i am indeed your mother." her voice was filled with a mixture of sadness, regret, and a hint of longing.

antanasia's voice was tinged with sadness as she spoke. "my dad... he has been through a lot. when he believed you had passed away, it devastated him. he was inconsolable and struggled to cope with your absence." her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and her voice trembled slightly as she spoke. "he mourned for you deeply, and his grief has been a heavy burden for him to bear all these years." she thought of the years her father had spent in sorrow.

her voice trembled once again as she shared the news about her father's amnesia. "dad... he now suffers from amnesia," she said quietly. her voice filled the air with a mixture of sadness and worry. "there's more..." she continued. "it seems that, strangely enough, my father's memories are fixated on you. according to my sister's letter, he constantly inquires about your whereabouts, as if you were the only thing he could recall amidst the fog of amnesia."

estelle's eyes widened, and a mix of shock and disbelief washed over her. to hear that her husband's memories were inexplicably fixated on her and that his quest for her whereabouts continued to consume him, despite his amnesia, was both unexpected and deeply moving. it was difficult to fathom the profound impact that her absence had had on claude, and the weight of her decision to stay away suddenly felt even heavier than before.

estelle's eyes widened in surprise and disbelief at the revelation. her heart sank as she digested the news about claude's condition and his fixation on her. she felt a mixture of emotions, from surprise and regret to guilt and sadness. she took a deep breath before speaking, her voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and empathy. "oh... my... this is truly heartbreaking," she whispered.

the sound of someone calling her name interrupted antanasia, causing her to pause mid-sentence. she turned her head towards the source of the voice, her mind momentarily diverted from the heavy conversation she had been having with her mother.

antanasia's voice carried a sense of finality as she prepared to leave. "it seems that I must take my leave now," she said softly. "If you ever wish to visit the obelian empire, please, do as you please." with those words, she made her exit, leaving estelle standing there, lost in her thoughts and grappling with the multitude of emotions swirling within her. the weight of the information she had just received lingered in the air, leaving a somber atmosphere in estelle's wake as isaac just looked at her.

─────────────────────

THE JOURNEY back from the obelian empire proved to be a heavy and somber one. no one dared to speak, as the weight of the situation weighed heavily on everyone's minds. antanasia was faced with a difficult decision; she had to leave her friends behind in the castina empire. she could not bear the thought of entangling them in the complex and fraught situation that awaited her back home, and so she made the difficult choice to part ways, at least for the time being.

antanasia couldn't help but blame herself as she realized that she had overlooked a crucial part of the story. regret weighed heavily on her chest as she mentally chided herself for forgetting to warn her sister about that lady. "how could i forget something so important?" she scolded herself silently. "i can't believe I failed to warn my sister." she braced herself for what lay ahead, hoping that the consequences of her forgetfulness would not be dire.

antanasia hurried back home, her heart racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. without wasting a moment, she made her way to her father's chamber, driven by the urgency to see her father and assess his condition. the maids were taken aback by her unannounced arrival, their surprise evident in their expressions. she had returned home without fanfare, her arrival a stark contrast to the usual formalities and announcements that accompanied her presence in the castle.

she stepped into her father's room, her voice barely above a whisper as she spoke. "dad..." she called out, her voice filled with a mix of emotions. as her eyes fell upon her father's figure, seated with felix by his side, her heart skipped a beat. she took a moment in the sight of her father, her eyes searching his face for any sign of recognition or recollection of who she was.

the coldness in her father's eyes and the detachment in his voice sent a shiver down antanasia's spine. the words that left his lips, "who are you to call me father?", echoed through the room, creating a sharp contrast to the warmth and affection they once shared. it was as if a stranger had taken her father's place, leaving her feeling devastated and confused.

throughout her life, all she had ever received from him was love and warmth. to witness this cold and distant demeanor now was like gazing upon a stranger. pain and sadness welled up within her as she struggled to reconcile the man before her with the loving father she had known all her life.

felix, with a gentle but firm voice, stepped in to address the emperor. "your majesty," he began, "may i remind you that this young woman is your eldest daughter, the heir to your throne and a product of your union with empress estelle. she is not a stranger or a distant relative but rather your next in line, the one who will carry on your legacy." felix's words, while respectful, carried a subtle undertone of reproval, gently correcting the emperor's previous cold and distant demeanor towards antanasia.

claude's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of skepticism still present in his expression. He shook his head and spoke with a hint of doubt in his voice. "i cannot recall estelle and myself having a child." his voice betrayed a hint of confusion and disbelief, his memory failing him. for a moment, the room was filled with a tense silence as the weight of claude's lost memories hung heavily in the air, leaving antanasia feeling like a stranger to her own father.

felix stepped in once again, his voice calm and steady as he addressed the emperor. "your current condition is a result of amnesia. it alters your perception of reality, making it difficult for you to recall certain events." he paused, allowing his words to sink in. "this explains the lack of memories related to your daughter."

claude's gaze remained fixated on antanasia, his eyes studying her features intently. as he observed her, the striking resemblance to empress estelle became more evident — the jewel eyes that mirrored those of royalty and the flowing, silvery-white hair that matched those of her mother. these physical similarities served as a stark reminder of the connection between antanasia and her parents, adding another layer of complexity to their already fraught relationship.

he took a moment to contemplate this revelation, his eyes now showing a flicker of recognition. despite the amnesia that had robbed him of his memories, he couldn't deny the visual evidence before him. the resemblance to empress estelle was too striking to ignore, and the connection with antanasia began to