CHAPTER 55: CHAPTER 55: ATHEA’S SECRET

Illara leaned heavily against the lab bench, her trembling hand still clutched to her chest as the echo of Viora’s departure faded down the hallway. Her glasses had slipped down her nose again, but she didn’t bother pushing them up this time.

Venus watched her colleague with growing concern. In all their years working together, she’d never seen Illara this shaken—and that was saying something, considering Illara was the kind of person who got nervous ordering coffee from the cafeteria.

Illara was so painfully shy she could barely string a sentence together in team meetings, stumbled through presentations in a mumble, and, as far as anyone could tell, had exactly zero friends outside of work.

Her only social life existed online—late-night gaming sessions with people she’d never even met in person.

But even Venus had to admit that Illara’s fear wasn’t an overreaction. Not after what Princess Athea had said during her last visit.

’You have one week. Deliver results. A clear

path to weaponization. Or, I will reassign this entire division to the frontlines. Personally. And out there, the beasts are far less... contained.’ Those were her exact words, and the threat had been delivered with Athea’s trademark coldness, but the message was crystal clear:

Find a way to defeat the Vorthak, or become fodder for them.

"Hey," Venus said softly, moving closer. "She’s gone. You can breathe now."

Illara let out a shaky laugh, finally pushing her glasses up with trembling fingers. "Sorry, I just... when I saw her standing there, for a moment I thought she was her mother. They have the same..." She gestured vaguely at her face. "Same intensity."

"Princess Viora seemed a lot more reasonable than her mother, though," Venus offered, trying to sound reassuring.

"For now," Illara muttered, slumping against the bench. "But she’s still royal family. Still someone who could decide our fates with a single word." She stared at the sealed chamber containing the Vorthak corpse, and then the other one containing it’s head. "God, I hate this job. I just wanted to study something else, maybe help the dwindling male population by helping in the research to find the cure for the fade. Instead, I’m stuck trying to figure out how to kill monsters while the royal family breathes down my neck."

Venus had never heard Illara speak so openly about her feelings. The stress was clearly getting to her.

"We’ll figure it out," Venus said, though she wasn’t sure she believed it herself. "We have to."

Illara nodded absently, and she pushed her glasses up with a weary sigh, the fog of nervous sweat clinging to the lenses. The Vorthak’s lifeless form loomed behind the glass, a silent reminder of the pressure mounting from Athea, and now her daughter.

"Goddess, what a mess." Illara said, finally getting herself together.

Venus offered her something to clean the sweat. "That was intense. Princess Viora... She’s something else. Did you see how she just walked in? No alarms, no trace."

"I’m surprised," Illara muttered. "She is one of the strongest vitae wielders in this nation, tier 2, with class A abilities. Teleportation and water mastery, something beyond our security. And Althea’s going to blame me if this leaks."

The thought of another reprimand from the princess tightened her chest.

"Seriously, what’s the issue with her? She seems almost like she is pissed off at something else and is taking out her anger on us." Venus lashed out.

___

Hours passed in rapid succession.

Zaeryn sat in front of his gaming setup, the holographic display casting a soft blue glow across his face

A notification flashed mockingly in front of him: RAID FAILED - CRYSTAL NEXUS UNCONQUERED

He sighed in annoyance, leaning back in his chair. He leaned over his keyboard and wrote a message into the chat.

This is hard without MysteriousMistress24.

MysteriousMistress24, was one of Zaeryn’s best friends on the game. Although they had never met in real life, nor had she ever heard his voice. They hang out a lot, after gaming sessions, just exchanging texts. She was nice.

"Ugh, this is so frustrating!" came a cute female voice through his headset, ’CrystalBlade88’ their user name. "We were so close!"

"I can’t believe we messed up again," groaned another voice. This was SolarFlare, their fire mage who always got a little too aggressive. "That boss is impossible!"

"No, no, it’s not impossible," interrupted a third voice, sweeter and more patient—LunaRose, their archer. "We just need better coordination. Our timing was off."

Just then, the door to Zaeryn’s room opened, causing him to remove his headset device as Sage walked into his room. She immediately struttered to him and gave him a hug from the back.

___

In the royal gardens, Princess Athea sat alone in her chamber. Crystal doors sealed her inside, cutting off all sound from the outside world.

On her desk, an Omni-Pad was laying there, as she traced her fingers through a picture of a young kid with blonde hair and blue eyes just like hers.

On her side, a glowing screen floated before her, its light catching her dark brown hair, dyed to hide the silver-white of her royal blood. Her sharp blue eyes stared intently at the person on the screen.

"I can’t keep the secret for long," Lysara spoke, her face a grim mask on the screen. "There is a division within the Citadel, and while they are forbidden from speaking of internal issues without the High Commander’s approval, I don’t expect Zia or Commander Thorne to not find a loophole. If they do, then the truth will be out."

Athea nodded slowly. "I am aware of the risk. Although, it’s disappointing really. Is there no way you can keep them in control?" she asked, her voice calm and even.

Lysara’s eyes narrowed slightly. "I don’t know what you’re trying to suggest, but no. Commander Thorne’s loyalty lies with the Queendom and Zia’s with her own self-serving ambition. They will not be satisfied until they have exposed the boy as a weapon, or better yet, as a threat to be eliminated."

At that moment, a soft beep echoed in the silent chamber. Athea’s gaze shifted from the video broadcast to the advanced doors of her chamber.

"I have a visitor, old friend," Athea said. "Let me know if you find any changes. For now, however, keep an eye on him and protect him. If what you said about him being able to manipulate others’ vitae is true, then it changes everything."

After cutting off the communication with Lysara, Athea pressed a button on her Omni-Pad and the door opened with a soft hiss.

Viora was standing by the door when they opened. She stepped inside, her feet quiet on the black stone floor.

The room mixed old and new, tech and magic in perfect balance. Silver-threaded tapestries hung on the walls while magical crystals gave off warm light.

Ancient books were placed next to the glowing screens. Through tall windows, the palace gardens stretched out below, where strange flowers bloomed under the endless twilight.

Athea stayed behind her desk. Even sitting down, she drew attention. She was powerful, graceful, and quietly mesmerizing. Her smallest movement, the way she tilted her head, showed she was in complete control.

But her eyes went wide slightly as she realized something was exposed on the desk, and she had forgotten to hide it before allowing Viora to enter.

Viora had already seen the picture on the holographic screen on Athea’s desk, and her eyes showed the surprise that she felt in that moment. She couldn’t seem to recognize who the kid on the picture was. And stranger, it looked like a male child. Why was Athea looking at that?

Athea immediately moved the Omni-Pad away from Viora’s view.

Viora observed her mother, something seemed amiss. Athea’s usually steadiness wavered slightly as she moved the device away, her blue eyes had an expression Viora had rarely witnessed— panick!

Like her biggest secret had just been discovered. She didn’t want Viora to see that picture of the stranger kid who looked like a male. She had surely made a mistake and that was not meant for Viora’s eyes.

But despite her curiosity, Viora knew better than to inquire about this from her mother. Such questions would yield no answers, only her mother’s displeasure.

"You’re back?" Athea’s voice regained its perfect composure, her signature smile settling into place—measured, controlled, revealing nothing. Her hands folded elegantly before her as if nothing had transpired.

"Yes, Mother." Viora’s smile held more warmth, gentler than Athea’s calculated expression.

She moved with fluid grace toward the desk, her long white hair flowing like moonlight.

Despite her battle-worn armor, every step spoke of refined training and natural nobility.

Athea studied her daughter thoroughly, and when something caught her attention, a flicker of disapproval crossed her features before dissolving into another practiced smile.

"You could have at least changed from that battered armor before visiting me. Is this how the heir to the throne presents herself, appearing more like a weary soldier than a daughter of royal blood?"

"Forgive me, Mother," Viora replied softly. "There wasn’t time to change into proper attire. I wanted to see you."

Something shifted in Athea’s expression after she heard that her daughter who she thought couldn’t stand her, wanted to see her. Her rigid posture relaxed by the smallest degree, her smile becoming unexpectedly genuine. "Oh? You were too eager to see your mother to waste time with appearances. That’s understandable."

The words carried a warmth that surprised them both. For a heartbeat, Athea’s gaze drifted to the Omni-Pad, her eyes fixed on the male child on there, the shift in her eyes in her eyes barely perceptible.

But seeing Viora standing there—alive, safe, choosing to come to her first—something within Athea’s carefully guarded heart eased.

"The mission was successful," Viora continued, her voice confident yet respectful. She stood tall, every inch the devoted daughter seeking approval. "We eliminated the Vorthak threat before they could breach our realm."

There was something in Viora’s bearing, a quiet strength that needed no proclamation, wisdom beyond her years earned through shouldering great responsibility.

Her blue eyes, so much warmer than her mother’s, held genuine compassion and concern. She was someone who would sacrifice everything to protect those she cherished, who would bear any burden to spare others pain.

"And your warriors?" Athea inquired, though her eyes briefly returned to the hidden crystal.

"As always, we lost brave souls," Viora replied, her expression growing solemn. "I’ve already sent condolences to their families and ensured they receive full honors."

Athea nodded with characteristic composure. "Their sacrifice protects countless innocent lives. Imagine if those Vorthak had succeeded in crossing into our realm the civilians, most barely capable of fifth-tier vitae manipulation, would have been defenseless against such creatures."

A subtle smile of pride touched Athea’s lips, and for a moment, the mask slipped enough to reveal a mother’s genuine admiration for her daughter’s strength and dedication.

Viora’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly at her mother’s clinical assessment of loss, but she simply inclined her head. "Will there be anything else?"

"No. You may go."

As Viora reached the crystal doors, she paused, turning back with those perceptive blue eyes. "Mom... are you well? You seem... preoccupied."

Athea’s smile remained unchanged. "Merely reviewing tactical reports. Nothing that need concern you."

Viora searched her mother’s face for a long moment, clearly sensing the deception but too respectful to press further. "Of course. Rest well, Mother."

The doors whispered shut, leaving Athea alone in the vast, ethereal chamber.

Several heartbeats passed in silence before Athea retrieved the Omni-Pad, her composed facade finally fracturing to reveal the exhaustion and longing she’d fought to conceal.

Her fingers moved quickly she activated the crystal’s communication matrix and began composing her message:

To: Ysmeine

Send me more pictures of him.

She stared at the glowing words for an eternity before transmitting them.

Then sat back into her chair, closing her blue eyes, the weight of her secret pressing.

__

Viora walked through the palace halls, her mind racing. Her mother’s panic, the split second Athea had fumbled with that device, had unsettled her deeply. Something was being hidden, something big enough to crack the princess’s perfect control. And Viora was determined to find out what.

She found her aunt in a quiet gallery, sunlight spilling over enchanted crystals that hovered like suspended stars. Lady Calyra, Athea’s elder sister, stood with a serene vibe to her.

Silver hair pulled back into a tight, elegant coil, her eyes glimmering with ancient wisdom. Her silk royal robes were flawless against her voluptuous figure, in a way that made Viora’s battle-worn armor feel crude and heavy.

"She’s hiding something," Viora said quietly, stopping a few paces away. "And I think I know what it is.

Lady Calyra tilted her head slightly, "And what might that be, niece?"

Viora hesitated, then spoke, her words deliberate. "Haven’t you ever wondered why Aphrodite doesn’t look like us? She doesn’t resemble a Lumina at all—green eyes, black hair."

Calyra’s sigh was quiet, measured, like someone accustomed to reading over-eager young minds. "You’re reading too much into this, Viora. Family traits can skip generations. Royal bloodlines... sometimes hold surprises."

"No," Viora said, shaking her head. "This is different. I have a wild theory—one you may not believe. I think Athea is hiding a secret child."

Her aunt’s eyes sharpened, just for a fraction of a second. "A child?"

Viora let the words sink in, lowering her voice. "I think it’s a boy."