Felix walked hand-in-hand with Claude. The seven year old prince was extremely excited to see his older sister, Odette. He couldn't wait for Felix to befriend her. They seem very alike, yet so different at the same time. Odette was a bit strict but a cheerful sister. As for Felix, he treated Claude with a carefree vibe but was a bit overprotective.
The 11 year old aspiring knight was simply following Claude. He didn't know where he was being led to, but it was sure as hell expensive.
The garden that they were walking through was exclusive. Each and every single corner, there were roses of pure red stained colors. There were also a few birds chirping from afar, along with adorable butterflies fluttering around.
It looked like something out of a fairy tale book.
Of course, Felix wasn't expecting anything less from a garden that belonged to the Royal Family. There was probably a man-made lake inside the garden, along with a small gazebo. Or they might even have their own fountain? He wasn't sure. But he knew damn well that this garden screamed rich and royal.
"Felix, wait here!" Claude exclaimed out of a sudden.
They stopped walking, and Claude let go of Felix's hand. He gave the older kid a kind smile. Felix just raised an eyebrow.
Wait here? He couldn't help but wonder why. Regardless, he simply shrugged his shoulders and followed the prince's orders. "Very well."
At that, little Claude de Alger Obelia walked away slowly. He knew that Odette and Anastasius were having a boat ride nearby. He wanted to join them, but it was Felix's ceremony. He wouldn't miss it for the world.
And so, Claude was now in the man-made lake.
He scanned his surroundings. There was supposed to be a boat in the middle of the lake. But it was missing. It was out of his sight. Where could it be? Claude thought to himself. Maybe Odette and Anastasius went back to the Palace? Or perhaps they were playing a game of hide and seek?
"Odette!" the prince called out loudly. "Anastasius! Where are you?"
The lake was surprisingly calm. The warm sun also gave the perfect weather for a boat ride. So why weren't they there?
Claude then, once again, started walking. He kept calling out his siblings' names, but it was dead silent. The breeze also became.... cold. As if there was something that passed through.
He simply shrugged it off.
"Don't play games with me! We need to go back home," he declared.
There was still no answer.
Claude sighed. Where could they be? It was only afternoon. There was no way they'd go back to the Palace again. Maybe they already went back... he pouted to himself.
Then, just as he was about to go back, he heard the winds rustle. It came from a huge tree, just nearby. It was as if the tree was whispering Claude to come closer. Like there was a voice telling him to do so.
Claude raised an eyebrow. There was some sort of sense pulling him close to the tree. And he couldn't do anything about it. He needed to find out what it was. His curiosity was dying to know what led him there.
So, that's what he did.
He went to the tree, ever so slowly. His mana was tightly sealed to his fists, just in case there was something or someone there to attack him. Claude took a deep breath and he turned toward the other side of the tree. Whatever that led him to the tree, there was a reason. He needed to confront it.
Claude's eyes widened at the scene in front of him.
----------
Felix wasn't quite sure what to say when he'd meet the Princess.
His mother, Annabeth, always talked about Odette. She described her as an angel in disguise, someone sent from above. The Princess seemed like a total sweetheart too, or so they say. She also has beautiful features from both the Emperor and the Empress.
Heck, even the other servants talked about Odette like a goddess.
"She really is quite something, Felix!" the Chief Knight of the Emerald Palace said once. "I bet you'll love her."
There were other rumors, too. The princess was also powerful with her mana. One maid said, "she's stronger than Prince Anastasius! She can control her mana quite well."
With the rumor alone, Felix was fairly impressed. It was like everyone has already met the Princess. All except him.
"Oh, sweetie, you'll meet her someday," Annabeth used to say. Rather, that's what she always says. His mother seems to love the idea of him and Odette meeting. "you just have to count on fate!"
Felix couldn't help but shrug at the thought of fate. Annabeth always talked about fate, and how it was crucial to their lives. But he wasn't a believer of fate, and he wasn't planning on doing so anytime soon.
The 11 year old sighed. Whatever fate was doing, it was getting quite hard to understand. He just wanted to spend time with Claude. He sighed and leaned back on the shrubs. Whatever Claude was planning, it was taking long. He might as well nap for awhile, right?
However, just as he was about to close his eyes, he felt something... off.
Felix called it his sixth sense, or something like that. He could sense when an uncertain amount of mana was overflowing or radiating in a nearby place. Or how the atmosphere has changed based on the breeze of the wind.
And it was a perfect opportunity for Felix. Specially in the future, wherein he'd need to sharpen his senses in situations like these.
So, he followed his sixth sense.
It led him to an extravagant man-made lake surrounded by plenty of trees. There was also something quite off in the overall atmosphere. As if there was someone lurking nearby. But Felix wasn't quite sure. Maybe it was just his imagination?
Once again, Felix followed his sense and it led him to a large tree. He walked toward the tree. And he was met with an unexpected twist. His eyes instantly widened.
"Claude?"
The seven year old prince was kneeling down. His eyes were filled with tears, and he was practically shaking. He was holding on tightly to a pair of gloved hands. Felix could even hear Claude's sobs.
Claude gulped nervously. "F-Felix...." he managed to say. "Odette is hurt."
Immediately enough, the 11 year old went beside Claude. There, the Princess had her eyes closed. Her shiny golden hair was dried off, and she wore a white dress that suited her perfectly. Her petite nose and long lashes gave her face a peaceful look.
She looks like an angel, Felix thought to himself.
Within a second, he facepalmed mentally. Now was not the time to get amazed over the Princess' beauty. He needed to help her.
He then bit his lip. "Let me check if she's breathing, alright?" he managed to calmly say. "You can help me with your mana, Claude."
Claude was still crying. "B-but I don't know how...." he paused. "what if I make it worse?"
"I assure you won't, Claude---"
The prince shook his head. "No! I don't want Odette to get hurt because of me," he replied. "please, Felix. Do what you can."
Felix sighed. "Of course, Claude. I'll do anything."
With that, Felix started to check Odette's breathing. He put his ear to her mouth, afterwards to her chest. Lucky for them, Felix was trained by Annabeth for first-aid preparedness. He needed it, after all, if he were to be a knight.
He noticed that Odette was having trouble breathing. As if there was something stuck on her chest. Felix took a deep breath. He started doing chest compressions carefully. He needed to get Odette conscious again. Even if he had plenty of questions, he first needed to solve this problem.
After a few seconds, Odette's eyes shot up.
"Ugh!" she sat up and groaned. The Princess coughed up water and sat up straight.
Claude's eyes widened. He immediately hugged Odette. "I'm so sorry, Odette."
Odette shook her head. It was pounding so hard, like an incurable migraine. "Claude?" She hugged him back. "oh, Claude. Thank god you're here."
The seven year old was still crying immensely. "I should've found you sooner. You were passed out beside the lake, and you were cold, a-and you weren't b-breathing..."
The princess could hear the nervousness and trauma in Claude's voice. "It's alright. You saved m-- Ugh!" she coughed once again. She kept on coughing, and the migraine kept getting worse.
"Odette!" Claude exclaimed and pulled away from the hug.
Meanwhile, Felix gulped nervously. The Princess was coughing. He needed to do something, anything. But he couldn't help but feel nervous. As if there were butterflies in his stomach. What was this feeling? It was new to him. He wasn't even sure if it was normal.
Regardless, he needed to take action. He was a future knight.
"Princess," he took off his cape and laid it on Odette's shoulders. "please warm yourself. I will call for medical assistance. I assure you that it will be quick,"
Odette's eyes widened at the sudden gesture. She felt a warm pair of arms on her shoulders. Her eyes were met with a pair of dark brown ones, along with a kind smile.
"W-who are y-- Ugh!" her cough wasn't getting any better as time passed. She needed to get rid of it. Quick.
Felix smiled reassuringly. "Please excuse me, Princess Odette and Prince Claude," he said warmly. "I will get back to you the soonest."
And Odette could swear that she felt butterflies in her stomach when she heard him say that.
----------
Princess Odette de Alger Obelia was bedridden for a total of three days.
Once Felix came back to her aide, he brought with him Annabeth, a Doctor, and even the Empress herself. The Emperor and Anastasius were nowhere to be seen.
Meanwhile, Claude was forbidden to even take place in Odette's room.
The Empress became furious when she discovered that Odette was injured. She immediately assumed that Claude was the reason. The poor seven year old prince couldn't even visit his sister. But, at the same time, he felt guilty too.
Maybe he was the reason for Odette's sudden seizure?
Claude couldn't stop overthinking. He needed to know why or how Odette passed out. He couldn't sleep at night knowing his sister was sick.
And so, the youngest prince went to his older brother, Anastasius.
So far, all Claude knew was that Anastasius was nowhere to be seen during the day Odette passed out. However, Claude also remembered that Anastasius was the one who accompanied Odette to their boat ride. So, what happened? Did Anastasius just disappear?
"Where is he...?"
Claude was currently in Anastasius' exclusive garden. He prayed to himself that he'd see his brother here. He really needed to talk to him. Ever since Odette's accident, Anastasius felt so isolated. He hasn't even talked to Claude, nor even approached him.
Ever so slowly, Claude took a turn at Anastasius' maze. It took him a few minutes, but he eventually got a hang of it.
Afterwards... he saw a pinch of golden blonde hair sticking out on the very top of the shrub. It was located in the far corner of the maze, wherein there was a fence. The fence separated the Palace from the Royal Grounds, aka the woods.
Anastasius! Claude instantly thought to himself. He quickly approached his brother.
However, all he saw was Anastasius staring into the abyss. And Claude could feel the uncomfortable atmosphere that surrounded his brother. He could also feel Anastasius' piercing gaze into the forest. As if he was being drawn in.
"Anastasius?"
There was no answer.
Claude gulped nervously. He took a step forward and held Anastasius' hands with his. It felt... cold. Cold, but familiar. It was still the same Anastasius, per se. Something was just off.
"Anastasius," Claude called out once again.
Then, as if on cue, Anastasius lightly shook his head. He faced Claude with a smile, as if nothing has happened.
"Were you worried about me, Claude?" he ruffled the younger prince's hair playfully. It was as if nothing happened earlier.
Claude nodded softly. "A bit.." he looked away. "yeah, I do. Specially about Odette."
Anastasius could feel his heart tighten at the mention of Odette.
"Odette?" he asked. "Why? What happened?"
"You d-don't know?"
Impossible, Claude thought. How could Anastasius not have known? He should be the first to know about it. But...
"I don't, actually." Anastasius was telling a half lie and half truth. "What happened to Odette? Is she doing well?"
Claude was silent for a few moments. "Odette is sick."
The 12 year old prince was shocked.
Sick? He.... he didn't remember a thing. He didn't remember doing something so horrid to Odette. The deal he made with Aeterenitas only involved him getting the throne, not hurting his loved ones.
"What?"
Claude nodded slowly.
Anastasius gulped. He could feel the guilt easing through his chest. How could he do such a thing to Odette? He... he didn't even mean it. He was being manipulated. Worst of all, he couldn't even remember anything.
"Let's visit her, then." Anastasius declared.
"No."
Anastasius raised an eyebrow. "No?" he questioned. "Claude, you are the last person who I ever thought of saying that."
Claude shook his head. "The E-Empress..." he bit his lip. "Mother.. mother told me I was forbidden to see her for the time being, Anastasius."
Then, it hit Anastasius.
He scanned Claude from up and down. The older prince noticed that Claude's cheeks were a bit bruised. Claude's hair was also a mess, along with his clothes too.
"Did she hurt you, Claude?"
Claude gulped nervously. He looked away and didn't even bother to answer. And by that alone, the older prince already knew. He already knew damn well what the Empress did to Claude-- she hurt him.
That was all it took for Anastasius to storm to the Empress' Palace.
----------
The Empress was a dangerous woman. With her looks alone, she could make the whole Empire kneel.
Not really the whole Empire. Rather, the Emperor himself.
The Emperor was pretty much heads over heels for the Empress. She was blessed with extravagant beauty, and an angelic personality. She also came from a lavish background, along with a high level of education, too.
Not to mention that the townsfolk loved her.
She always held charity balls for various purposes. For the crippled, the poor, and anyone in the like. She was also very considerate and kind, specially to the elderly. It was like she was the perfect image and role model for all.
But being a mother?
The Empress really sucked at that. Being a mother made her show her true colors-- her goal to eradicate the throne.
And she was so close-- so close to getting what she wanted.
The Empress was slowly putting a bit of poison to the Emperor's drink. It was something subtle; something that would take years to have a full effect. She just needed to give it to the Emperor almost everyday. And by four years, he'd be dead.
It was a long shot, but it'd be worth it. And it would be all perfect.
By four years, Anastasius would be 16. Then, he'd be declared as Crown Prince. And then he'll be Emperor. Perfect, the Empress thought, just perfect.
"Mother."
The Empress snapped out of her thoughts. She was currently having her tea time in her extravagant room. It was currently a Wednesday, also known as the day she'd shop for new gowns and eradicate the old ones in the trash.
She turned around. "Anastasius, sweetie!" she greeted her eldest child. "How are you? I haven't seen you these past few days."
Anastasius cleared his throat. He ignored her greeting. "Can I have a word with you, alone?"
The Empress raised an eyebrow. Sometimes, she was shocked that Anastasius was only 12. He acted way too old for his age.
"Of course," she replied. She then gestured all her maids to go outside. "You heard the him, shoo."
Less than five seconds, Anastasius and the Empress were the only ones in the room. The Empress pointed to the chair across hers. "Take a seat, sweetheart."
Anastasius did what he was told. He sat tall and confident. "Mother--"
"Have you packed your bags for Arlanta? I heard that Roger is quite excited to be your roommate. His mother told me that he's all ready for school."
Anastasius groaned. "That isn't important, Mother."
"Oh, I have also invited the Judith Sisters to the Palace," she explained. "maybe you'll like Rosalia? Or even Penelope... but she's too young--"
"Mother."
The Empress stopped blabbering. "Hm?"
"What happened to Odette?"
"Odette? She is quite sick, Anastasius." she said casually. "and I'd like to believe that scoundrel is the reason why."
"Scoundrel?" He gritted his teeth. "He is nothing but a child, Mother! Why would you blame a child for such a thing?"
The Empress was caught off guard. "And since when have you cared for a commoner's child, Anastasius?" she answered. "Have you no sense of decency and respect to the Royal Bloodline?!"
"He is my brother!"
"And he is someone who can take the throne from you!"
Anastasius clenched his fists. "That is no excuse for you to hurt him! Why would you beat up Claude, when he did nothing wrong?!"
The Empress shook her head. "Have you forgotten your goal, Anastasius?" she asked. "I thought you wanted to be Emperor, the most powerful of them all!"
"Isn't that what you want, Mother?" he snapped back. "All this time, you told me to hate Claude. You always forced your agendas on me but I don't want it. I'd rather--"
Kill her.
Anastasius paused.
It was him again, Aeterenitas -- inside his head. And he hated it. It always felt like he wasn't himself. It felt like his soul was getting pierced by something-- by someone. And it was so suffocating.
Just give in, and leave it all to me. The pain will be gone if you do. The voice whispered to his head. It sent shivers down his spine.
"You'd rather what, Anastasius?"
He gulped nervously. His hands were shaking, and he could feel sweat prickling down his fingertips. He just wanted the pain to end. And the voice.. the voice just kept repeating in his head. Again and again. It couldn't stop.
Anastasius was silent for almost five minutes. It was nothing but him and the Empress glaring at him angrily.
"Nothing, Mother." he replied. "please forgive my sudden outburst. I have made a mistake."
The Empress, meanwhile, smirked. She knew that her son would come to his senses.
"I..." Anastasius started. "I promise I'll be loyal to my mission. I'll leave it all to you." He wasn't speaking to his mother. This time, he was talking to Aeterenitas.
And that... that was Anastasius' last day at the Palace.
He didn't even bother sending goodbye to Odette, let alone apologize to her. He instantly packed his bags and went to Arlanta.
That was also the last day before he completely changed forever. He completely let Aeterenitas into his wellbeing, and then their plan would commence.
TO BE CONTINUED...
NEXT CHAPTER TITLE: "An Invisible String Called Fate"
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Hello, dear reader! How are you doing?
Thank you so much for reading the new update. I hope you enjoyed. I swear there will be more action next time. This will also be the end of the intro arc! The next chapters are dedicated to a few time skips, along with a few characters too.
Do you get what is currently going on orrr is it a bit too messy? Feel free to drop your questions below!
Most importantly, drop your theories. I always love reading them, because some of them are actually correct. And some? Well, I might take it into consideration.
So, what'll happen with Anastasius? And Odette, is she ok? Poor Claude, he doesn't deserve to be treated like that :(
And Felix! Are you rooting for him and Odette? Or do you have someone else in mind?
Drop down your thoughts! <3