#htgmhoms

Everyone knew that the Duke had loved his Duchess with his whole being and that the Duchess had loved him too, very much so. It was a surprise for people to find out that they had let another person into their marriage. They really did the unthinkable. And yet you seem anxious because of that? What is the reason?

It all started a long time ago. You were one of Izek's sister two friends. You all always had a wonderful time. Your trio always smiled the brightest and laughed the loudest when you were together. You organized tea parties together, and you borrowed each other's gowns and helped each other with any problems.

Sometimes, you three managed to tag Izek along into your fun and silly little picnics. And while Freya had always been inviting Izek to sit next to her, he had always sat between you and Ellen, his sister. It was quite saddening for you to see Freya's eyes diminish at this obvious rejection, and so you just sneaked to her a few of your macaroons to cheer her up. His red eyes had followed you the entire time, softening slightly at your gesture.

Another time, you had been making flower crowns for people you liked around the mansion, and in that fateful moment, you saw Izek walking through the corridor. You immediately called out to him, and after you caught up to and asked him to get down, which he surprisingly did without hesitation, you put onto his head a flower crown. You squealed with joy, seeing how cute he looked like that, and he just stood up and walked away quickly, trying to hide his blush from you.

When the dinner time came, everyone who you gave the flower crowns had already taken them off, everyone except Izek. When you saw him still walking with the crown you made, your face started to burn like crazy and you choked on the watter you've been sipping. He had been drinking up that reaction of yours like a man forever parched who never got his thirst satiated.

Then she came into the picture. Rudbeckia de Borgia, Izek's wife from the arranged marriage. While most people had treated her with distrust and reservations, you welcomed her with open arms. Ever since she first met you, her posture significantly relaxed, and since then, she seemed to always seek you out.

When both Ellen and Freya started busying themselves together in some matters, you helped Ruby to acclimate better. She was so sweet, absolutely adorable! You were so jealous of Izek to have such a stunning and kind wife! You also noticed how she flinched every time her husband had been mentioned. Did he scared her? Oh, you're gonna have a talk with him about how to treat his wife properly.

And that's how you ended up with Izek sitting, looking at the stone cold floor and you in front of him scolding him about his behavior and the importance of treating his wife with respect. Truly a sight to behold, one that gave the nosy maids a fresh talking material, and so the rumors had spread everywhere.

Both of you paid them no mind whatsoever, and your mood had certainly been boosted after you saw the change in Izek's attitude. Ruby also seemed to be surprised at first, but then she became way more chatty and clingy toward you. Almost as if you had saved her life..

From that day forth, Ruby always clinged to your side, always sat next to you at tea parties, and always offered you a dance on different balls, with Izek watching all of this unfold before him.

The relationship between Ruby and Izek quickly started to blossom before your very eyes, and you were truly overjoyed! His wife's chaotic sunshine energy had managed to melt his frozen heart. They both complimented each other so well that it was a delight to watch their romance unfold.

Both of their eyes, however, never left you alone for long. Once the couple realized your importance to both of them, no one could truly stop them from having you. And so the Duke and Duchess started scheming together.

When you were having a peaceful little picnic out in the garden with Ellen and Freya, exchanging the newest gossip and eating snacks, Ruby had come closer to your trio, asking you to come with her for a moment. You of course agreed, but you didn't miss the slightly displeased faces of your friends, you had been spending a lot of time with Rudbeckia lately and today was supposed to be your day with them to catch up.

As you followed, Ruby, who was dragging you along you couldn't help but notice that both of you had been walking towards her and her husband's bedroom? Inside Izek seemed to be waiting for the both of you, which made you incredibly confused.

"Ruby, Izek, what's going on?"

Instead of answering your question, Izek had led you to their marital bed and gestured for you to sit, which you begrudgingly did, and Ruby sat right next to you, hugging your arm, and so they began to explain. The couple told you all about their feelings, how they both cherish themselves and how they also cherish you and want you to be with them, to take care of each other. They laid out all of their feelings out in the open for you and presented you with a marriage proposal.

Now do not mistake here, because your answer matters here, if you agree both of them will be overjoyed and Ruby will immediately tackle you onto the bed with a hug and a kiss to your cheek. If you refuse, however, Izek will block you your path to the door and won't let you out of the room unless you sign that document.

Okay, so, for starters, Athanasia's first life is the same, and second life is actually Ruby's second life. by that I mean, Ruby's backstory, where she had a lot of siblings, was abused by her family, and was killed by one of her brothers. Instead of her having read (only) the book about Ruby's story (I can't remember what it is called), she also read Lovely Princess. she is reborn for her third life back as Athanasia, and everything is the same up until her mana explosion when she's 14. She has the explosion, and disappears. Claude does NOT lose his memories of her, and no one is hurt. Claude is completely distraught by her disappearance, and doesn't stop looking for her, determined to find her.

Meanwhile, Athanasia was teleported to the Brittannia Kingdom. The Brittannia Kingdom and the Obelia Empire are neighbors for this AU. When she was teleported there, she tried to explain that she was the princess of the Obelia Empire, but the language in Brittannia is different from in Obelia. (think like Norwegian and Swedish, or Spanish and Portuguese; similar but not the same) The people who found Athanasia bring her to an orphanage, where she learns to speak the language of Brittannia. No one believes her when she tries to tell them who she is, because her jewel eyes became something she could show and hide at will because of the mana explosion, (like Jenette's ring) and she had yet to figure out how to show them.

Athy gets adopted by the pope (by the request of Cesare) and is given the name, "Rudbeckia de Borgia." (But she has both Athanasia and Rudbeckia as her names, think like how immigrants to the US will give their kids names from both their home country and English names.) Cesare is kind while teaching her how to read and write in the language of Brittannia, but soon turns violent. Ruby's only comfort is Enzo. Over the next four years, the Pope tries to marry Ruby off four times before finally marrying her to Izek van Omerta. It goes the same as the normal story, until The Festival. (I think it's chapter 80 or so, where Casare comes to the Omerta Residence)

During the days leading up to the Festival, Ruby had gotten a letter from the Obelia Empire, explaining that Claude de Alger Obelia would be attending the Festival. she specifically was informed of this, (as in she got a separate letter to the one sent to the duke) because the Obelia Empire has reason to believe that Rudbeckia van Omerta was in fact the lost princess, Athanasia de Alger Obelia. Ruby sent her reply immediately, disclosing that she was indeed Athanasia, and explaining what happened to her after her mana explosion (along with classified information to prove her identity.)

What will happen when The Obelian Emperor, along with a select few people such as Athanasia's nanny, Lily; Athanasia's guard, Felix; Athanasia's friend, Lord Ijekiel Alpheus; Athanasia's best friend and the magician of the black tower, Lucas; and some select guards and escorts arrive at the Festival party?

A bit more story stuff:

Athy/Athanasia and Ruby/Rudbeckia will be used interchangeably depending on context

This story is Izek x Ruby, not Lucas x Athy; Lucas and Athanasia will just be best friends.

Claude will become more affectionate and protective than in the original story, because he's nervous about losing Athanasia again

character personalities may deviate from original.

Alright! so this was the concept for the Ruby as Athy AU! I know I haven't finished any of the other one's I've started so far, but I hope that I can get around to those ones AND do this one consistently. wishful thinking lol. Anyways, have a great day everyone!