Chapter 1 -- Farewell for a Moment

Athy felt as if she had just woken up from a long hibernation. Her body was heavy, but her mind was surprisingly clear and lightweight. Her heart, however, felt hollow. She sensed she'd lost something; still, not knowing what "it" was only filled Athy with frustration.

Ah, why am I feeling like this? I feel like something very dear to me has been taken away. Like water slipping through my fingers, it's like someone took something from me so quietly that I wasn't even aware of it…

But the impression did not last for long. The heaviness Athy felt before faded away, leaving her feeling much lighter.

"Princess!"

When she finally opened her eyes, it was to the sight of Felix and Lily.

"Princess, are you alright? Are you hurting anywhere?" Lily cried while holding onto Athy. "Oh Lord… The heavens helped you. I thought you would die…"

Athy wanted to speak, but she had no voice. So, she only shook her head. Lily quickly brought water to Athy.

"How long was I unconscious?" Athy croaked. Whoa. What's wrong with my voice? I sound like a toad. I must have been unconscious for a while.

Instead of the sniffling Lily, Felix replied. "It has been ten days."

Oh? It hasn't been too long. Wasn't I unconscious for 40 days last time? I thought this time it would have been worse.

From under her covers, Athy took in her surroundings. "Did Lucas come back?" she asked.

Neither Felix nor Lily replied. Their unnatural silence did not escape her notice. Athy realized then that the person she should have seen from the moment she woke up wasn't there.

"Where's Dad?" again, Felix and Lily remained silent. Athy's anxiety slowly began to eat away at her heart. "Where's Dad?" Athy repeated her question once more, and only then did Felix open his mouth.

"His Majesty is…"

+++

"Princess!"

Despite their attempts at dissuasion, Athy was determined to leave her room. However, her body wouldn't move the way she willed it to because she had been unconscious for ten days.

"Princess, please! Please don't do this. Please return to your bed." Lily sobbed, grabbing Athy's arm, but Athy pulled it away from Lily.

Athy had to find Claude immediately. She had to see his face and know that he was alright.

"His Majesty fainted ten days ago and still hasn't woken up."

What did I just hear? This is all a lie, right?

"There was no way to calm the raging magic… but we couldn't waste any time, or we would have lost you… so His Majesty…"

Did he gamble with his life to save me? What nonsense. Felix's words were so unbelievable that Athy had to see the truth with her own eyes.

"Then, let me carry you instead."

After refusing the hand Lily offered to help her, Athanasia wobbled forward. Unable to watch her struggle, Felix stepped forward and scooped her into his arms. Finally understanding that there was no stopping her, Lily followed them in silence as Felix carried Athy towards Claude's bedroom. He set her down in front of the usual, giant, door. He held the doorknob for Athy and told her, "His Majesty will be happy to see that you're safely awake, Princess."

She could hear Felix continuing to speak, but she wobbled through the door as if she were possessed. Claude's bedroom was quiet, as it always was. The only difference was that Claude was lying in his big bed, his eyes closed, rather than the sofa.

"Dad."

The image of him felt so foreign to Athy. Why is Claude sleeping on the bed looking so peaceful, as if he will remain like this forever?

"Dad."

Athy approached Claude. That golden hair on the white pillowcase, the relaxed features of his sleeping face and the gentle hands resting on the comforter all belonged to the Claude Athy knew. However, looking at his visibly thinned face and dried lips, Athy knew that his situation was dire. No matter how many times she called out to him, he didn't open his eyes. The princess suddenly felt as if she couldn't breathe. Not knowing what to do, she stood dumbly for a moment before eventually extending her hand to him.

"Wake up."

She didn't like this.

"Dad."

But she couldn't do anything.

"Dad, wake up." Grasping Claude's arm, all Athy could do was call for him. The room was so silent that Athy couldn't breathe. The heavy silence was suffocating her. She buried her head next to Claude and breathed slowly.

Then, she sensed movement from his fingertips. At first, Athy thought she was mistaken, but Claude's hand flinched once more. She looked up. His narrowed eyes blinked a few times as if they were trying to focus. Then, they rolled toward her.

"D-Dad," called Athy as she rose up, lifting her upper body away from Claude's bed.

Ah, I knew this would happen. Claude isn't just anyone; he wouldn't die from something like this.

"You're…"

Finally, his eyes completely took her in. At that moment, Claude slowly opened his mouth and spoke in a quiet breath.

"Who are you?"

Feeling as if she'd been doused in cold water, Athy froze.