THE MORNING light streamed in through the windows, signaling the start of a new day. antanasia found herself back in the rhythm of her royal duties, three days having passed since her return to the palace. amana, her loyal maid, revealed that the search for her missing sister was still ongoing.

turning to her maid, amana, she inquired, her voice filled with concern. "they still haven't found my sister?" amana responded with a solemn nod. "i'm afraid they're still searching, your highness. despite the efforts, there has been no trace of your sister as of yet." she replied.

antanasia's brows furrowed as she heard amana's words, her disappointment visible on her face. "a week have passed, and they still haven't found her?" she whispered, the weight of her sister's absence weighing heavily on her mind. "it's frustrating that they haven't found a single clue about her." the thought of her sister being lost and alone haunted her thoughts throughout the day as she continued with her royal duties.

a sudden recollection flashed through antanasia's mind, and her eyes widened as she remembered where her sister was currently residing. the realization dawned on her, prompting her to stand up with urgency. however, just as she was about to step out of her office, her eyes widened in surprise as her father appeared in front of her, his sudden presence catching her off guard. she hadn't expected to encounter him so soon after their conversation, and the memory of the cold and distant man she faced just a few days ago played in her head.

antanasia's words escaped her lips in a whisper, a mixture of surprise and emotion filling her tone as she called out to her father. "father..." the shock of seeing him there, unannounced and unexpected, left her momentarily flustered, her focus momentarily shifted from her initial plan to finding her sister.

her gaze met her father's, her curiosity piqued by his unexpected visit. "what brings you here, father?" she inquired softly, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and anticipation. her heart pounded slightly as she waited for his response, wondering what had compelled him to seek her out.

claude observed his daughter with a mixture of contemplation and a newfound sense of affection. though her features bore a striking resemblance to his wife estelle, they also carried an otherworldly edge that brought about a myriad of emotions within him. as he took a moment to gather his thoughts, he responded with a calm, yet slightly uneasy tone. "i just wanted to check in on my daughter," he replied, his words carrying a hint of vulnerability that he was unused to expressing.

antanasia's eyes widened slightly as her father's words settled in. the fact that he had referred to her as his "daughter" struck a chord within her, reigniting a glimmer of hope that their fractured relationship might be mended. "oh." she managed to say, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of warmth. "i'm doing good, father." a small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, a visible sign of the joy that her father's words brought to her heart.

claude saw the flicker of happiness and hope in antanasia's eyes, his own heart stirring subtly in response. seeing her react positively to his words filled him with a mix of emotions. he nodded slightly, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, but it was quickly suppressed as he turned away and walked away from her office. his internal turmoil remained masked as he retreated, leaving Antanasia to dwell on the brief moment of connection they had just shared.

antanasia stood there, her gaze following her father's retreating form, a myriad of emotions swirling within her. though their conversation had been brief, the impact of his words lingered in the air. the realization that her father had begun to accept her as his daughter brought a faint smile to her lips, a flicker of hope igniting within her heart. however, despite the small step forward in their relationship, the complexity and enormity of the emotional gap between them remained.

but then antanasia's voice carried a mix of resignation and sorrow as she whispered under her breath, "how unfair it is." the realization that her father's acceptance of her had come so swiftly while her younger sister had faced his potential wrath stirred a deep sense of injustice within her. she watched as he withdrew into his palace, the weight of their complicated relationship sitting heavily on her heart.

without wasting a moment, antanasia channeled her mana, unleashing its power to teleport herself to the location where her sister was residing. she had gathered information and knew that her sister was now living with the young lady in alpheus manor. with a burst of magical energy, antanasia vanished from the confines of her office at the sapphire palace, reappearing in a swirl of magic within the grand estate of alpheus manor.

antanasia glanced around the manor, her eyes searching for her sister, but she found no trace of her. her initial excitement at discovering her sister's whereabouts began to give way to confusion and apprehension. she frowned, a mix of curiosity and frustration building within her as she pondered her sister's whereabouts. "where could she be?" she murmured, her mind racing with possibilities.

as antanasia returned to the palace, she noticed a striking sight unfolding in the gardens. there, amid the greenery, lay her father, his figure laying down on the grass. a sense of urgency filled her, and she immediately hurried towards him in the company of the two young ladies. "father!" she called out, her voice tinged with both excitement and concern. her heart pounded slightly as she made her way towards her father, a mix of emotions swirling within her.

as antanasia laid eyes on her younger sister and with jennette by her side, her eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. an array of emotions surged through her—relief, confusion, and hope. it seemed almost too good to be true, but there she was, standing before her. "athy.." she began to speak softly, her words choked with a mix of relief and disbelief. yet, as her gaze shifted towards her father, who was slowly opening his eyes, her focus momentarily shifted. confusion and uncertainty mingled with the joy and wonder within her. before she could speak further, she turned her gaze back towards where her sister had been standing, but she was nowhere to be seen. it was only jennette who remained by her side.

claude's voice broke the silence as he groggily addressed antanasia, his tone laced with confusion and lingering pain. "what? why are you here?" he asked, his hand instinctively moving to his throbbing head, massaging his temples as if to relieve the intensity of the headache. the surprise on his face was evident as his eyes flickered between antanasia and jennette, trying to make sense of their presence amidst his disoriented state.

jennette's voice cut through the tension, her concern evident as she spoke softly. "the knight will come soon," she informed him. the anticipation and worry in her tone were palpable, adding a layer of uncertainty and unease to the already strained atmosphere. claude's expression remained a mixture of perplexity and confusion, his gaze flicking from Jennette to Antanasia, silently awaiting what lay ahead.

antanasia's gaze shifted to her father, who continued to stare blankly, his headache seemingly lessening. she observed him closely, a mixture of understanding and concern in her eyes. despite his confusion and discomfort, it was evident that the intensity of his headache had eased. she remained silent, her thoughts swirling with curiosity and apprehension about the impending visit from the knight.

felix arrived on the scene along with lilian and the gardener, a sense of urgency in his movements. he expressed his gratitude to the lady and swiftly made his way to assist claude. as her father and Felix departed, antanasia's attention lingered on jennette, left alone in the garden. a sense of unease washed over her as she glanced behind her, her instincts stirring with caution. the sight of jennette on her own stirred a mix of protectiveness and unease within her.

antanasia turned to her loyal maid, amana, her voice filled with intrigue. "does it mean that my father has been frequently requesting her audience?" her question hung in the air, a sense of curiosity and wonder evident in her tone. amana nodded her head in affirmation, confirming that ber father had indeed been persistently seeking jennette's company.

a wave of disappointment washed over her as she processed the information. she sat there, her gaze distant and her words, a mere whisper, carried the weight of her frustration and disillusionment. "how...disappointing," she muttered under her breath, her voice laced with a hint of bitterness.

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ANTANASIA'S search for her sister led her to the alpheus manor, her actions quiet and covert. however, to her dismay, her efforts yielded no results. she scoured the estate, hoping to catch even a glimpse of her sister, but her sister remained elusive. reluctantly, antanasia had no choice but to accept that her sister was hidden somewhere beyond her reach.

as she sat silently in her office, her gaze fixed on the desk before her, amana, lilian, and felix watched her with concern. the weight of her emotions seemed to linger in the air, their expressions reflecting the worry they felt for her. despite the presence of her trusted companions, a sense of solitude shrouded her, a silent and contemplative atmosphere filling the room.

antanasia's voice broke the silence as she directed a question to felix, her tone reflecting a mixture of curiosity and disbelief. "felix, has the lady been making regular visits to see dad?" her gaze remained fixed on the red hair, her eyes searching for an answer to the mystery that had been gnawing at her thoughts.

felix nodded, confirming antanasia's suspicions. "indeed, your highness," he replied solemnly. "lady jennette has indeed been visiting his majesty quite frequently as of late. it seems that their interactions have become more frequent." antanasia's disappointment grew as felix's words confirmed her fears. her heart sank, the realization that jennette had been spending a significant amount of time with her father weighing heavily on her mind. her thoughts raced, a wave of sadness and betrayal flooding her heart. "i see. thank you for the information, felix." she murmured, her voice tinged with resignation.

antanasia allowed herself to be consumed by the towering pile of paperwork that lay before her, her mind focused on the task at hand. she didn't waste any energy inquiring more about her father's activities; there was no point in investing herself further in his affairs. as she delved deeper into her work, a sense of detachment took root within her, distancing herself from her father and the source of her ongoing disappointment

her work was interrupted as her maid burst into the room, her chest heaving from the strain of running. the maid gasped for air as she shared the unexpected news. "your highness." she managed to say between breaths, "the emperor has requested your audience. the princess has returned." antanasia's heart raced at the words, a mixture of disbelief and anticipation coursing through her. she immediately put down her pen and stood up, without wasting a moment, antanasia stormed out of her office, propelled by a mixture of excitement and anxiety. ignoring the surprised glances from her staff, she raced through the corridors, her steps resounding with urgency. her heart pounded against her chest, echoing the rapid rhythm of her footsteps.

as antanasia burst through the door, her eyes widened at the sight before her. there, standing before her, were the two individuals she held closest to her heart: her father and her sister. a mixture of relief and joy flooded her being as she beheld the unexpected reunion. "father. athanasia..." she gasped, her voice filled with a mix of shock and happiness. her heart filled with a deep sense of contentment and warmth, knowing that her family was reunited once again.

she closed the distance between her and her sister, enveloping her in a tight embrace. her voice trembled with both relief and frustration as she whispered, "don't you ever leave the palace again." she held her sister tightly, her emotions a tangle of worry and joy. the thought of her sister's absence had weighed heavily on her heart, and now, as they reunited, antanasia never wanted to let her go, fearing the possibility of her sister's disappearance once more.

as the trio continued their conversation with claude talking about athanasia, the conversation was abruptly cut short as their father clutched his head, a familiar pain taking hold. with a strained voice, he instructed antanasia and athy to leave, requesting that athanasia stay at the Emerald palace for a while. he then called for felix and ordered him to summon jennette to the palace. the sisters shared a sad glance, silently communicating their disappointment at the abrupt shift in plans. they had hoped for a chance to reconnect, but it seemed their time together would be cut short.

as the two sisters settled onto the couch in the emerald palace, athanasia observed her older sister closely, her gaze lingering on her pale complexion and the dark circles beneath her eyes. concern etched itself onto her face, her heart heavy with worry for her sister's well-being. with a gentle touch, she reached out and gently placed a hand on her sister's arm. "sister," she whispered softly, her voice filled with worry. "are you feeling unwell? you look exhausted."

antanasia gave her sister a reassuring smile and patted her head gently. "I'm doing just fine, athy," she replied, her tone carrying a hint of exhaustion. despite her fatigue, she didn't want her sister to worry, so she chose her words carefully. "i might be a little tired, but it's nothing to worry about. Please don't worry too much," she added, trying to alleviate her sister's concerns.

nas and athy's gazes fixed on the door as jennette appeared in the doorway. the air in the room seemed to thicken with an unspoken tension. antanasia's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she regarded jennette, her heart filled with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. as jennette entered the room, her words shattered the heavy silence. "his majesty has fallen asleep." she began, her voice laden with a hint of sympathy. "it appears he didn't get much rest last night, either. they told me that he'll feel better if he rests a bit more like this." her explanation hung in the air, the gravity of the situation becoming all the more apparent.

athy and nas exchanged a glance, their minds racing with unspoken concerns. the situation seemed to grow more complex with each passing moment. they were abruptly snapped out of their thoughts as they noticed someone with ruby eyes standing before them and staring intently at them. they looked up to see lucas standing there, his voice carrying a hint of concern. "what's with the frown?" His words cut through the air, breaking the tension that had engulfed the room.

nas and athy immediately excused themselves from jennette, their actions betraying an urgency that had taken hold of them. in a swift motion, they clutched lucas' arm tightly and exited the room, practically dragging the bewildered poor warlock with them. the urgency with which they moved, combined with the determination on antanasia's face, left no doubt that something important was transpiring.

as they found themselves outside the room, away from prying ears, antanasia could no longer hold back her emotions. frustration and concern bubbled to the surface as she voiced her sentiments. "what took you so long!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with impatience and worry. "do you know how long we've been waiting? we were desperate to see you." antanasia added, her words carrying the weight of their anxiety and longing.

as Lucas observed antanasia, he noticed the tears welling up in her eyes, a testament to the overwhelming emotions she was experiencing. his own expression softened, a hint of guilt in his gaze. "i'm sorry I kept you waiting, but i came as quickly as i could," he said softly, his voice tinged with sincerity and a genuine desire to alleviate her anguish.

athy interjected as she pleaded with lucas, her words laced with both urgency and hope. " fix our dad!" she said, desperation evident in her voice. their gaze pleaded with lucas, searching his face for an answer. lucas went quiet for a moment, his expression shifting from a blush to blankness, his thoughts racing to find a solution.

as lucas listened intently, athanasia wasted no time in explaining the events that had unfolded in his and her older sister's absence. her words spilled out in a rush, laced with a mixture of worry and urgency. she recounted the strange headaches her father had been experiencing, the growing tension in the palace, and the increasing number of times jennette had been seen in her father's presence. with each detail, athanasia's voice cracked slightly, the weight of the situation taking its toll on her. lucas sighed as he pointed at jennette. "first thing first, send her away."

the three ventured into the room of the emperor, their footsteps soft and careful, as though afraid to disturb the delicate peace that surrounded the sleeping emperor. the room was filled with a quiet calm, the only sounds being the faint puffs of air escaping his lips with each breath. the trio stood there for a moment, their gazes fixated on his tranquil form. as athanasia reached out and grasped a handful of lucas' hair, her actions were swift and calculated. her heart pounded in her chest as she executed her plan, and the sudden tug on his hair pulled Lucas out of his thoughts with a start.

his surprise was immediate and palpable, and his eyes widened as he tried to process what was happening. just as he opened his mouth to protest, athy quickly silenced him with a hushed hiss. "don't wake him up! he just fell asleep" she whispered urgently, hoping against hope that their father would remain blissfully unaware of their presence.

lucas' voice cut through the air like a sharp blade, his words laced with a mix of surprise and frustration. "what is this?" he inquired, his expression growing grim as his gaze fixated on the emperor. "you told me he only lost his memories. so why is he dying?" the two princesses exchanged a startled glance, their eyes widening at lucas' words. his direct question hung in the air, prompting the two to consider the severity of their father's condition.

"what are you talking about?" antanasia asked the warlock. the warlock spoke. "his magic is a mess. this isn't simple loss memory." he said as he used his mana to their dad but stopped when something stopped him which made him stop interfering. "first of all, i've healed his body, but i can't recover his memories." the warlock's words pierced the air, casting a heavy veil of concern over the group. "what do you mean?" antanasia spoke.

"his magic is a