Chapter 13: Chapter 13 - Athanasia (2)
Chapter 13 - Athanasia (2)
The woman appeared on the other side of the portal in a dark forest. She looked around and saw the subordinates of the Lumierre Archduchy.
She walked toward them as the portal behind her collapsed and disappeared.
As she reached them, all of them bowed their heads, and a maid standing there stepped forward and greeted her.
"Welcome back, Lady Athanasia. I hope everything went well."
"It did," Athanasia said. Her voice was elegant, a bit gentle, yet cold and distant.
A female knight who had previously been standing beside the maid stepped forward. She had blonde hair and blue eyes.
"My lady, your ride is ready."
Athanasia nodded.
She went to the car that was waiting for them. The car was silver-black with the Lumierre family crest on its door.
Athanasia boarded the car.
The maid and the female knight boarded it just after her.
The remaining subordinates went into their vehicles, and they departed for the Lumierre Archduchy.
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In the Lumierre Archduchy.
In the castle of the Lumierre family, which was built from the strongest materials to represent the peak of nobility in the Dratharis Empire, the castle looked more like a fortress made to withstand time itself than to look aesthetic. But nonetheless, it was second only to the royal palace of the Valeria Dratharis royal family in beauty.
Inside the study of the patriarch of the Lumierre family.
Archduke Aurelius Lumierre sat in his chair in front of a large desk.
He had purple hair and purple eyes like Athanasia, though his were on the lighter side.
His presence was more like that of a military commander than a politician.
He was reviewing several documents when he heard a knock on the door.
Knock.
Knock.
Without looking up, he spoke.
"Come in."
The door of the study opened, and Athanasia entered.
When she entered, Aurelius looked up and smiled softly.
None of the cold or ruthless expression he always carried was present.
"The rift has been dealt with, Father," Athanasia spoke.
"I expected as much, seeing you here without a single scratch," Aurelius said with a smile.
Athanasia went ahead and sat in the chair in front of the desk.
"So, what did you want to talk about that you called me here for?"
"Well, as you know, you are engaged to Crown Prince Ashael," Aurelius said.
"And as his fiancée, you are also expected to clear the Valeria Trial to see if you are worthy of becoming the Empress of the Dratharis Empire."
"Since the previous Empress is also back, she sent this letter for you to come to the royal palace."
Aurelius took out a letter bearing the Dratharis Imperial Seal.
Athanasia took the letter from him.
The letter was still sealed because it was meant for Athanasia alone.
If he had dared to open it, he would have had to face the previous Empress.
The previous Empress was the mother of the current Emperor, who had already surpassed the Legendary Rank.
She was among the top five strongest people on the entire planet.
Even some of the other worlds feared her because that was how strong she was.
Athanasia opened the letter and read it carefully.
After reading the letter, she looked at her father and said,
"It says I’m to come around the capital immediately and clear the trial before the Crown Prince’s birthday banquet, so the church doesn’t try to find any reason to interfere with the engagement during the banquet."
"That’s it?" Aurelius asked.
"Also, that I have delayed it long enough, and since I’m already an adult, I should start doing my duties as the future Empress," Athanasia added.
"Hmmm."
Aurelius folded his arms and said,
"Then you should depart immediately."
"Alright."
"Tomorrow works for you?"
"Yes."
Athanasia nodded.
"Then start preparing," the Archduke said.
Athanasia stood up and left the study.
Archduke Aurelius leaned back in his chair in thought.
’The enmity between the church and the Lumierre family has been going on for centuries since the Lumierre family submitted to the Valeria lineage. And it only increased after Athanasia became engaged. If they find out who her master is, the stir will be even more troublesome.’
Athanasia was walking toward her chambers with her personal maid and female knight following behind her.
The soft sounds of her heels echoed as she walked.
The servants bowed lower when she walked by.
Soon, she reached her chambers and entered, while the maid followed her inside and the knight stood outside as a guard.
"Prepare the bath," Athanasia ordered and sat on the sofa.
"Yes, my lady," the maid answered and went away.
Several minutes later.
Once the bath was ready, she stood up and went to the bathing chamber.
Athanasia took off her combat gown and approached the bath.
Her figure was already mature despite her young age, with a full, well-proportioned bust and a graceful hourglass body.
Her porcelain skin looked flawless and elegant.
Almost perfect, if not for the cracks on her body.
One stretched across her left shoulder.
Another ran from the right side of her abdomen, tracing along her body.
The biggest one was on her back.
But even with the cracks, she looked beautiful, even if they were unsettling.
This was the price of her power.
The side effect of her trait, [The Maiden of Endless Ruin].
Her whole existence was not strong enough to handle such destructive power.
Athanasia stepped into the bath, not minding the cracks because they had existed for many years.
Only she and her maids knew about them.
Warm water surrounded her body.
She closed her eyes and drifted into her thoughts.
