Athanasia was walking around the gardens of the Ruby Palace, her mind filled with Jennette and her father, how she was granted with the love if her gather as soon as she was revealed to be his daughter, whereas he never once glanced in Athanasia's direction since they met on that fateful night five years prior.
Suddenly, the cries of a baby reached her ears and stopped her in her place. Then, as fast as she could, Athanasia dashed towards the bushes where the sound was coming from, scared the baby might be hurt. She found the baby in the bushes, gently picking it up and bouncing " Don't cry little one, I got you." Shushing her soothingly.
Examining the little one and, to Athanasia's relief, the baby was unharmed, save for the peculiar yet shallow little lightning bolt scar on the babe's forhead. The baby finally calmed down and stopped its crying, opening its eyes to reveal... Wait. A jeweled emerald green! Athanasia never heard of jeweled eyes being another color than blue! How extraordinary!
Glancing into the bundle of blankets she took the baby from, Athanasia noticed a letter wax sealed with a beautifully drawn 'H' and opened it. The contents detailed the baby's name, what happened, why the baby was there, magic(much to her surprise), and even Voldemort. She could barely believe the innocent little bundle of joy in her arms was capable of stopping an Evil Dark Lord. The Abandoned Princess realized that this baby girl needed her. Assuring the unknowing baby " Don't worry, I'll take good care of you Harriet Potter."
Four Years Later, shortly after Jennette was poisoned.
Athanasia, Lily, and everyone else at the Ruby Palace absolutely loved little Harriet with all their hearts. Athanasia now took the role of mother for Harriet ever since one day when the child was just two and had told her in almost unintelligible baby gibberish "Mama, I love you." And hugged her, effectively stealing her, now, mother's heart. Everyone heard about the poisoning and Athanasia was absolutely terrified about what would happen to her and, most importantly(in Athy's eyes), Harry. 'Who would poison the second princess, she is so beloved by The Emperor.' But two days later, Felix and The Royal Guards burst into the Ruby Palace. Athanasia was holding Harriet protectively close to her chest, the scared maids acting as a shield, standing around the frightened mother-daughter duo. But they were pushed to the side by the guards, who then ordered Athanasia to follow. Thinking she would resist, they didn't hive her time to act and instead proceeded to drag Athanasia, either unaware, or just not caring that there was a child in her arms. Dragging them towards the throne room where Claude, who was glaring menacingly at her, and all the nobleman of Obelia were.
Before Claude could even get a word in, Countess Rosalia stepped forward, shouting at Athanasia with contempt "You poisoned my dearest Jennette! You should die for your sins!" Which in turn encouraged the other nobleman to reveal their hatred toward the abandoned princess.
"Witch!"
"How could you hurt our lovely princess!?"
"Die!"
"It shoudve been you!"
"Filthy wench!"
"How could you even be royalty!"
Some even went so far as to throw things at her as she passed them. Harriet couldn't believe what she was hearing. How could they say this to her mommy? Her mommy was the nicest person in the whole wide world! She was confused why her mommy wasn't saying anything, but figured she might just be scared at of people yelling like she is. Harriet doesn't want her mommy to be scared so, being the brave little five year old she is, decided to stand up for her mommy. Popping her little head out in the open, "LEAVE MY MOMMY ALONE! SHE DIDNT HURT NO ONE!" a little voice boomed inside the audience hall. Surprising most people as they didn't care enough to get a close look at the princess, which was needed in order to realize she was holding a small child.
Claude swiftly stood and took the child out of struggling Athanasia's arms. "Don't hurt her please! Shes just a baby!" He ignored the wench's pleas of mercy. Turning the child's face towards him he made eyecontact with it. Then he saw them... How is that possible?
The Tyrant Emperor was shocked into silence, his eyes wide and mouth agape. Brave little Harry decided to break the silence "hey mister! Who are you? Why are these meanies saying mommy hurt someone?" She innocently inquired. That prompltly snapped Claude out of it. Confused and still a little dazed, he ignored her question and instead asked her who she was and why she was calling Athanasia her mother. "Silly mister! My names Harry! And Mommy is Mommy because she found me in the gardens when i was a baby! She didn't hurt no one! I would know! We never ever left the palace once!" Harriet rambled to the man she didn't know was her grandfather, worried for her mommy but trying to be a big girl. Having heard the little girl. Everyone was shocked into silence 'if she never even left her palace, how could she have poisoned Jennette?'
Then, much to the surprise of everyone, Claude ordered Athanasia and Harriet to be moved into his own palace. Proceeding to walk away with Harry still in his arms(leaving felix to find the real culprit). Finally addressing Harry's question "as for your question, I'm Claude de Alger Obelia, The Emperor and your mommy's father, which makes me your Grandpa" luckily no one but them and the quiet Athanasia following behind were around to notice the out of character softness that seeped into Claude's voice, nor the small smile that crept onto his face at the sight of the little girl's amazement. Quite a contrast to the usual evil smirk he wears, if he ever does smile.
Finally, they reached a room. Its contents were very extravagant, 'fit for a princess' Athanasia thought grimly, despite the situation. Claude finally handed Harriet back to her mother and Athanasia felt like she could finally breathe again. Taking a moment to hug her daughter to her chest and get the air back into her lungs. Claude gave them their moment, feeling a little guilty but trying not to think about how it was him who brought this on.
The tyrant cleared his throat, deciding its been long enough. "Go inside and don't leave until i summon you, the maids will bring your food." Then he promptly left.
...
Athanasia didn't know what to think. So much has happened in so little time it makes her head spin. She was framed for murder. Claude found out about Harriet. They were moved into his palace, away from the servants she knows and loves. Away from Lily.. But! She has to be brave for her daughter. Hopefully Claude will forget about them and Harriet would be safe from his claws.
Unknown to the naive young mother, Felix had found and brought the letter that was found with Harriet to Claude already. In The Emporer's study, having resd said letterHe didn't know what to do at first, I mean first his beloved daughter was poisoned, and now his loathed wench of a daughter had adopted a little girl. But not only did the little baby have jeweled eyes, but she also supposedly defeated a powerful dark lord when she was but a babe.
Taking a moment to lean back, Claude thought about how close Harry was to Athanasia. He could use Harry in order to keep Athanasia close to him. After all, no mother would want to be separated from their child.