Lost || Claude De Alger Obelia

Twelve

It has been weeks ever since that happened. There wasn't quite a change in the empire aside from how it's rapidly growing better than before, Claude was still the same but he has been careful around you these days. Although most of the time it was for show, but when it's just the two of you he's more likely to mock you around.

Speaking of Claude.

"It looks like you're at it again" he said after sitting down at the chair opposite to you.

You couldn't help but roll your eyes at his comment. Of course he caught you working again when it was supposed to be a day off for the empress, but both of you know why you'd rather work than walk around.

Claude simply ushered the maids to bring you some pastries and refreshments for you to enjoy making your brow raise in question.

"Are you trying to fatten me up, your highness?" you ask him in a polite tone, not wanting the others to suspect anything.

He just shrugged and smirk, clearly trying to annoy you as much as possible. Despite the bubbling feeling of anger inside, you couldn't help but smile at his attempts of annoying you. Claude wasn't a very expressive man after all, so it wasn't a surprise that he doesn't know how to ask for your attention once in a while.

No, what kind of thought is that?

You mentally shrugged your thoughts away, feeling embarrassed that you ever thought of it. Claude wouldn't want your attention of course, he's just doing his job as a husband who's out of his duties. He wouldn't dare like you, or even see you in a romantic light.

Or maybe he did, but just wouldn't say so?

Oh such a bright smile while having embarrassing thoughts that is entertained, a smile that could melt hundreds of men who could have seen it. But it was just you and Claude,  meaning it was only him who witnessed how your cheeks flushed red and how your lips curl up into a genuine smile. Something that he hadn't seen before, which made him sit there in surprise.

"And what are you thinking about?" Claude dared to ask you after a long moment of silence, his hand found its way to touch your chin making your delighted expression turn into annoyance.

"Do you have to touch my face just to ask me such questions, your highness?"

You were always like that, harsh and straightforward. One of the reasons why Claude likes you, not in a romantic way. But he just appreciates your effort in making the empire one of the best.

He simply took his hand away from your chin and shook his head "Now, I was just trying to be friendly."

"I appreciate his highness' effort, but I am in the middle of finishing my duty. Can we be friendly after this?" Oh, of course you don't want to.

You don't want to have any friendly interactions with Claude, why would you? You'll end up falling for him and it isn't what you want. But the truth is, you couldn't bring yourself to love this man. No matter how hard you try to, he was just someone, a husband, an emperor.

All because  of a marriage your family pushed you, all because they wanted you to be discarded immediately.

Claude had noticed your sudden silence and looked down at your clenched fists, not really knowing the reason for your sudden change of mood. But he might have thought about it already, it was most likely about your family.

"I suggest you to leave your paperwork for the next day" he blankly said to snap you out of your thoughts.

As much as you wanted to argue more, you didn't have the energy to do so. Remembering what your family did made you feel bitter at the situation, instead of feeling love in this marriage like some normal fairy tails. You didn't feel it at all, because all you felt about this marriage was dread and desperation to die once and for all.

And of course, Claude doesn't allow you to go on and about by yourself after that incident. He was all around your personal space, even in places that you don't need him. The blonde emperor was there to look after you, so much for a cold man who doesn't find you interesting in terms of romance.

"I cannot just leave this be" you told him but of course you still left your paperworks there and Claude held your hand as the both of you left the office.

....

"His highness dote on her majesty it makes me feel jealous!" one of the maids exclaimed in a dreamy sigh.

The other nodded dreamily, eyes twinkling in thought as they watch the two royal walk around the garden despite them bickering with each other over stupid things, though it was all Claude's work on trying to rile you up while you give his stupid words a calm but obviously annoyed answer.

Such thing to witness between the two.

"How lovely it is to see them like this. His Majesty really cares for the princess."