(Post Execution)

Athanasia had always been longing for her father's love. Ever since she met him at the garden when she was nine years old. She's been longing for her father to look at her with gentle and loving eyes. But that never happened. Instead, SHE was the one who was gazed at with love by HER father. Jeannette. The name of the girl who took everything that she wanted from her.

After all, all Athanasia wanted was her father's love. She have always followed their rules. She behaved and never asked for anything other than her father's love. That's all she ever wanted. The love of a parent. She's always the one who gives way to others. She's always been looked down upon and taken advantage of since she is not loved by her father.

Father, huh? That was always in her mind ever since she got sentence to prison. After all, she was accused of trying to poison Jeanette. That of which she would never do. Jeannette has always been the friend and sister she had always wanted. She finally received love from someone other than Lilian. And she will never do something that will make her lose someone she loves dearly.

But they didn't believe her at all. She was sentenced to death. She was hanged. She died. And no one even cared. All they cared about was Jeannette. Jeannette this and Jeannette that. Always Jeannette. Never Athanasia.

But, why? Why did she suddenly woke up in someone's bed? Didn't she die after being hanged? Athanasia was startled when someone suddenly spoke up.

"You're finally awake." The person said. Athanasia stared at the blacked haired male in confusion. "H-how...am I alive?" Athanasia asked. The boy stared at her with a blank expression on his face. "I used magic to make it seemed like you were dead during your "execution" and then I took your body from those people who sent to bury you and brought you here." The boy explained, his ruby red eyes looking at her with a glint of amusement. Athanasia stared at him dumbfounded.

"Why did you save me?" She asked him with a soft voice. The boy went near her and looked her directly at her jewelled blue eyes. "Because you deserved better." He replied. Tears welled up on her eyes when she heard his response. This person...someone actually cared for her? "Why? Why do you care about me?" Athanasia asked, not believing that someone actually cared for her.

The boy just smiled at her. "Well, that is for me to know and you to find out. Come on, you must be hungry." The boy told her. Athanasia froze. Did...the boy just tease her? Athanasia then wiped her unshed tears then smiled weakly. 'This is enough.' That's what she thought before following the said boy.

"Wait!" Athanasia called out to him. "Hmmm?" The boy looked back at her. "What's your name?" She asked. The smirked at her then replied, "Lucas."

•••••

It's been months since her 'execution'. And it's been months since she's been living with Lucas. The two of them got close through the months they've been together and Athanasia finally felt happy for once in her life.

But one faithful day, "Athanasia. I have to tell you something." Lucas' statement caught the said blonde girl's attention. "Yes?" Athanasia asked. "I won't be around for a while. I'm going on trip." Lucas replied. Athanasia was startled. "H-how long will you be gone? Where are you going?" Athanasia asked calmly, trying hide her fear of being left alone.

"Just for a couple of months or so. I'm just going to the world tree. Don't worry. I'll come back. After all, you are living in my house." Lucas said, with a hint of humour in his response. Athanasia let out a sigh of relief. Then she smiled at him, sadly. "I wish you luck. Travel safe." Athanasia told him. Lucas smiled and patted her head. Then, Athanasia did something he didn't expect her to do. She hugged him. He, of course, reluctantly hugged back since he isn't the best person to react when hugged so suddenly. A few more seconds lasted before they both parted away from each other.

"I'll see you soon." And with that, Lucas left for his long trip to the world tree.

•••••

Lucas has been gone for two months now. And Athanasia has been plagued by dark thoughts. 'Why is this happening to me?! Whose voice it this?! Why does it want me to hurt Jeannette so badly? I've long since forgiven them for what they did to me all those months ago! Why!?' Athanasia's thoughts were racing.

All she could here was that horrid voice.

'Why bother forgetting what they did to you?'

'You deserve everything she has!'

'She took everything from you!'

'Take away everything from her as well!'

'They all deserve to suffer for what they did to you! For what they did to Lilian!'

'An eye for eye and a hand for a hand as they say.'

'Get rid of the pest!'

'Why do you let them push you down like this?!'

'You're more powerful than them!'

'You're all alone now. There's no telling when he will come back.'

'Kill them.'

And with that, Athanasia finally snapped. She finally gave in to the darkness.

A hooded woman walked silently through town as she headed straight to the royal palace where the emperor resides. Eyes cold and lifeless. Her jewelled eyes glowed dangerously. But her pupils are nowhere in sight.

Athanasia sneaked past the guards and into her garden.

She walked silently through the halls of the emperor's castle. Avoiding any signs of people approaching.

Then she came across a portrait of Claude and Jeannette, looking happy. As usual.

She glared at the portrait before looking away. Then she walked away from it.

Athanasia hid behind a pillar as she waited for Jeannette and her two maids to pass by. She gave Jeannette a dark look as she sneaked away from them.

Athanasia then went in a room. Silently closing the door behind her. Locking it as well.

She then took the sword from the knight armour in that room before going to the other door and exiting.

Athanasia then went to the room where her placed his crown.

Athanasia then took it before looking at a portrait of Claude. "Foolish bastard." She muttered to herself.

She then walked out of the room. Following her path from that room and back to the garden. A sword in one hand and the crown in the other.

Athanasia then went in the forest and used her magic to cause a scene to catch all the residence of the palace's attention. Then she removed her cloak and put on the crown.

She then used magic to infuse the sword with magic. She smiled wickedly with a crazed look in her pupil less, jewelled eyes.

Then she noticed Claude, Jeannette, Ijekeil, Sir Alpheus, Felix and the royal guards rushing to where she is standing. Adorned with the royal crown, clothed in dark and light blue clothing. An enchanted sword raised in one hand, in a stance ready for battle.

Claude, Jeannette and the others stared at the supposed dead princess in shock and horror.

"Athy? I-is that you?" Jeannette asked in disbelief. Finally seeing her supposed dead sister, after she was found out to be innocent, alive and well. Standing in front of her caught her off guard. "Athanasia! You're alive! Thank goodness!" Jeannette exclaimed as she tried to get close to her. But Ijekiel stopped her. "Jeannette, don't! Can't you see!? She's a demon from hell! Princess Athanasia was hanged! We all saw it! This person can't be her!" Ikekiel exclaimed.

Athanasia scoffed at this. "You." This caught all their attention. Claude stared at the blonde haired girl who was his supposed dead daughter. 'She was hanged! How is this wrench still alive!? Is this her ghost coming back to haunt me!?' Claude then stepped in front of Jeannette, his magic spiralled around him.

Athanasia laughed. "What is this ? Protecting your hated brother's child? Do you seriously still believe that she is your real daughter and not the true heir's child? You know. The man you murdered in order to get the crown of which I easily stole from your palace?" Athanasia mocking asked, playing with the tip of her new sword. Everyone froze when she spoke. They still can't believe that the dead came back to life.

"Athanasia please!" Jeannette exclaimed while Ijekiel and his father held her back. "Felix! Arrest this wrench!" Claude exclaimed, anger evident in his cold jewelled eyes. The royal guards then charged at her, swords raised to take down the horrifying being with the face of their dead princess.

Athanasia easily dodged their efforts in capturing her. Her eyes still cold and lifeless. "Ijekiel, Sir Alpheus, father! Please let me talk with Athanasia!" Jeannette exclaimed. "No! There's no telling what she'll do to you!" Ijekiel exclaimed. Alpheus agreed as well. "You are not allowed to go near that thing. Whatever it is, even if it has that wrenched child's face, she will be killed. No matter how many times. Her face sickens me." Claude told Jeannette.

Athanasia, of course, heard this. Annoyed by Claude and Jeannette along with their allies, she swung her sword and sent all the royal guards, including Felix, flying back. All of them knocked out cold. This shocked the four of them.

"Now it's your turn to die. " Athanasia told Claude, in a sickeningly sweet voice, her pupil less cold eyes glowed in amusement and insanity.

Then she sent enchanted vines to chain all four of them. But Jeannette was pushed aside by Ijekiel before she got caught. Athanasia growled. "Useless." She muttered to herself as she let the vines encase Claude, Ijekiel and Alpheus in a cocoon like prison of vines. "Before that girl, I'll just crush you three first." She said to herself.

"Athanasia! Wait!"