"It's almost your birthday sweetheart!!"

Athanasia almost jumped herself out of her bed as someone suddenly jumped on her while sleeping.

"Wha- Mom!!" She groaned, rolling herself in annoyance. "Don't go waking me up like that!!"

"What?" Diana pouted. "I'm just excited, your birthday is in 5 days, and it's not just your birthday, it's your 18th birthday!!"

Athanasia frowned. That reason didn't make her annoyance fade away. Family or not, no one should wake her up so early in the morning in a rowdy manner. Unacceptable!

"So you better wake up now sweetheart! You got a lot of stuff to do~!" Her mom sang, sitting up as she pulled her daughter out of her bed. "You'll grow old fast if you just lay in your bed forever."

"When will it be the day where it's just my bed and me...?" Athanasia complained, getting herself dragged by her mother to the bathroom.

"Go wash yourself up, darling. I'll be waiting here and maybe pick you some good clothes to wear for today~" Her mom said, closing the door behind Athanasia's back, leaving her standing alone in the bathroom with her unruly state.

"What a good morning..." Athanasia sarcastically muttered, rolling her eyes. "Well, since I've woken up, I have no choice but to start my day..."

....

"Mom, it's the last day of my dance lessons right?" Athanasia asked, her eyes busy with tying her corset. "When will the instructor come here?"

"Hm, at noon, I guess?" Diana answered, waiting for her daughter to finish dressing up. "You took a lot of time there, do you need some help sweetie?"

"I was about to, but I got it." Athanasia breathly laughed. "And~ I'm done!"

"Perfect!" Diana stood up and peeked in her dressing room to see her daughter in a dress that she picked earlier. "My, oh my, you look stunning, Athy!"

Athanasia chuckled and gave herself a twirl. "Am I? Well, I'm my mother's daughter after all~"

"Indeed!" Her mom agrees, pulling her into a tight hug.

"M-Mom! You're crushing me..."

"Ah, my apologies!" Her mom let go of the hug. "Here, let me style your hair. It's been a while since I've done this."

"Okay!"

-

"Dad," Athanasia called, scooting her chair close to her dad who is reading an article. The latter hummed in response.

"Do you think that I'm going to be a good ruler?"

Claude looked up, facing his daughter with a frown. "What?" He asked.

"I mean, I'm almost 18 now and I'm your only child, meaning I will be the next ruler of the empire..." Athanasia said, looking away awkwardly.

Well, in one of the timelines, she almost became queen but she died protecting her people with her family, and time repeats. She really doesn't know how to be a good ruler nor to be a perfect role model to her people. She's just. Herself.

Now thinking about her past made her really think that if she's a good ruler or not. She's not sure and is very nervous than her past self who is ready and confident about everything she chooses.

But this is the present.

What path would her present self choose?

Athanasia jumped in surprise as she felt her dad patting her on the head, ruffling it to destroy the hairstyle that her mom worked hard for.

"M-My hair!" She complained, pushing her father's hand away. "Dad!"

"Don't worry about such a thing."

Athanasia paused, blinking in surprise and confusion. "... Eh?"

Her dad smiled reassuringly. "I and your mother are here for you. You have plenty of time to think about that to yourself. As your father, I cannot force you to do something that you're not comfortable with. So take your time, Athanasia and I'm sure when the time comes, you're going to be a great ruler."

Athanasia's eyes softened and immediately, she stood up from her seat and ran towards her dad to give him a tight hug. "Thank you, dad..."

Her dad didn't say a word and just softly patted her head. Until...

"Athanasia... You're crushing me..."

"Oops, sorry dad...!"

Now that the loop has stopped, she can finally do what she really wants and grow up with her loved ones. Athanasia was so happy to see the future she deeply want to see over these past loops.

She's really thankful.

"Perfect!!! Your Highness, you are so perfect!! You are ready to dance for your debut!!!" The instructor praised Athanasia as soon as she finished her dance, the latter smiled with her cheeks tinted pink. "Thank you, ma'am. It's because of your teachings, I was able to dance this well!"

The instructor blushed and smiled back. "Ah, you flatter me, Your Highness~!!" She checked the time and her eyes widened at what she saw. "Oh, my!! It's almost time for me to get my son from school, uhm, Your Highness... Is it okay for me to..."

Athanasia nodded. "It's okay, ma'am. Besides, you've already taught me everything, I'll be fine on my own."

The instructor smiled softly then bowed. "You're so kind, Your Highness. Thank you so much! Blessings and glory to the Obelian Empire."

Athanasia bowed back and watched her instructor walk out of the room and hastily made her way out of the palace. She let out a chuckle and stretched her arms up. "Well, how about a last-minute practice, shall we?"

Athanasia danced by herself alone without a partner and happily glides herself in the middle of the ballroom, but then suddenly someone appeared in front of her and held her hand while the other pulled her by the waist.

Her eyes widened at the sudden touch and opened her eyes to see Lucas, smiling down at her. "May I have this dance, milady?" He asked so politely, making Athanasia laugh.

"Yes, you may, milord." She teased.

"Shall I also sing a song for us, my lady?" Lucas asked teasingly, making Athanasia smile and nod as an answer.

He cleared his throat to ready himself in a teasing manner and then his expression turned serious, looking down lovingly to his lover who waiting for his song.

"You took me off guard...

You gave me your heart." He sang, giving her a twirl, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I never asked for that, wasn't expecting that...

But I'll hold it..." He continued, his voice turning soft as he just watched his lover dance with a bright smile on her face.

"You stole mine, I won't report that crime~" He teased, tickling her as soon as he held her waist, making Athanasia giggle at the touch. "Stop that!"

"If you promise me this... To give me your lips, for another moment." Athanasia stopped laughing as looked up, finally noticing Lucas' loving gaze on her, making her cheeks heat up.

Lucas smiled at her reaction and continued to sing, "You're my everything, I... Thank God, you came into my life..." He sang oh-so softly, giving Athanasia errors into her heart.

"Cause I'd~ be lost without you..."

The two stopped dancing, too busy staring into each other's eyes. Lucas could only smile at how much love he could see in Athanasia's eyes as she just stare at him blankly.

And slowly, Lucas closed the gap which Athanasia kissed back. The first kiss in the future they are waiting and longing in the past. So sweet, so soft, so loving. They wish this could last forever, this love between them.

They let go and smiled as soon as they saw each other's faces. Lucas pulled Athanasia in a hug, kissing her hair. Athanasia hugged back, smiling so giddily while inhaling the comfortable scent that her lover gave, always making her feel safe and at home.

"Athanasia..." Lucas whispered. Athanasia replied with a soft hum.

"Even time destroys itself, lets be in each other's arms like this..."

Athanasia smiled, tightening her hug. "Is that even a question?"

Lucas breathly laughed, caressing her hair which Athanasia secretly love.

"Until our future ends..."

"Don't let go of me..."

The answer is...

I will. I promise.

Lucas lets go of the hug and smiled at Athanasia who also smiled back. "And another one..."

"Will you marry me?"