Third person pov
" Where do you think you are going ? "
Claude asked as he glared at Athanese who was unable to leave to due to Claude grabbing his wrist tightly.
' a-aah what should I s-say '
Athanese thought as he trembled under Claude's glare .
" Speak or else I will kill you "
Claude said as he threatened Athanese meanwhile Athanese was thinking of the safest thing to say
" Your majesty seems to have problem sleeping so I just wanted to help your majesty . So I thought I will help you stabilize your majesty's Mana "
Athanese said while looking down afraid from what might happen whereas Claude just stared with a neutral expression on his face.
" Call felix "
Claude said as he laid down on his couch again
" Ye ... Yes your majesty ! "
Athanese thought happily as he was about to take a step to leave but Claude didn't leave his hand so Athanese looked at his wrist and then at Claude confusedly.
" You can use magic , can't you ? "
Claude said unwilling to let go of Athanese hand.
" Yes , I - I will use it "
Athanese said as he closed his eyes and focused on his magic. He let his mana go through the hallways and inside Felix's room then he slightly pricked Felix's hand .
Felix felt something prick his hand and he woke up and ran towards Claude's room since Claude only called him like this on emergency. Felix ran towards Claude's room in his bed time clothes and when he opened the door , he saw something he clearly didn't expected.
' huh ? '
Felix thought as he rubbed his eyes again to make sure he is not hallucinating.
' felix is wearing panda pajamas '
Athanese thought as he covered his mouth to prevent himself from laughing out loud. Felix just stood there for some seconds watching Claude laying down on the couch while holding Athanese's hand.
' Why am I here ? '
Felix thought as he watched the father and son duo.
" Felix , escort him to his room after some time "
Claude said , after those words left Claude's mouth Felix stood there unmoving for a few seconds and tilted his head in confusion.
" Don't you understand human language "
Claude asked as he pulled Athanese into a hug and cuddled .
' I like cuddles but it seems like father is probably suffering some side effects '
Athanese thought as he looked at Felix who was leaving the room . Athanese looked at Felix's night dress and silently chuckled
' he looks cute in it but I didn't expect him to wear that '
Athanese thought as he tried his best not to produce any sounds.
" Wait ...
Call that another brat here too "
Claude said as he hid his face under Athanese's neck. Claude tightly hugged Athanese again and sighed
' why am I acting like this '
Claude thought as he was being comfortably hugged by Athanese. Felix just smiled at them and left.
With Athanasia , lily was standing by her side waiting for her to fall asleep. It has already been past midnight but Athanasia was unable to fall sleep probably due to her worry about Claude.
Suddenly , Felix came inside the room this time wearing his proper uniform.
' huh ? Felix why is he here ? '
Athanasia thought as she looked at Felix who was sweating profusely due to some reason.
' phew ! I didn't know I could change and run here this fast '
Felix thought as he felt proud at his simple accomplishment.
" His majesty requests for your presence, your highness "
Felix said as he smiled when he remembered Claude hugging Athanese . Athanasia and lily stood there frozen from shock
' did dad finally decided to kill me ? '
Athanasia thought nervously as she walked to Claude's room with felix following her from behind. When they arrived the door was open , Claude was sitting on the bed while hugging Athanese
' eh ? '
Athanasia thought as she was about to laugh but noticed the pleading look from Athanese. Athanasia smirked at that and thought
' that's what you get for being overly adorable and cute my dear little bro '
Athanasia thought as she totally forgot about her worries. Athanasia walked towards them and Claude suddenly looked at her that made Athanasia flinch.
" Sing lullaby for me "
Claude demanded as he finally let go of Athanese . Athanese sighed in relief as he freed away from the hug
' did dad get drunk '
Athanasia thought nervously as she glanced at Athanese for answer. Athanese just whistled and looked away not willing to explain everything to her.
Athanasia sat on the bed beside Claude and sang the Good bye to bad dreams song while Athanese just sat there treasuring the moment. The family silently enjoyed their moment and the twins left when Claude finally fell asleep.
' I should have just casted a sleeping spell on him '
Athanese thought as he and Athanasia walked towards their room with dark circles clear on their eyes. When the royal twins reached the palace , Lily and the maids ran towards them while questioning them about their night attire and dark circles.
Lily quickly took hold of the twins and dragged them to their bed.
" Now , sleep "
Lily said as she helped them reach their respective rooms. Athanese and Athanasia quickly fell asleep when they hit the bed.
During the evening , Athanese and Athanasia were already awake. They were sitting having tea while a chatting a little bit.
" Father acted weird "
Athanasia said as she remembered how clumsy and vulnerable Claude was yesterday.
" It was probably due to the treatment but I am sure Father will be fine after Lucas heals him "
Athanese said as he sips his tea .
" Mmmm . I sure hope dad will remember about everything soon "
Athanasia said as she shoved a price of chocolate inside her mouth.
Meanwhile , Claude woke around noon and felt embarrassed from last night's memory where he was acting like a child .
' I should have kill those brats sooner , they are probably using some kind of magic on me . Otherwise , there is no explanation on how I will act like that '
Claude thought as he felt a need to kill the adorable twins. Claude felt conflicted and confused.
" I wish your highness to give this child love
As you loved me , I hope you give the same love to this precious child ''
Diana's words were echoing in his ears like illusion. Claude frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose
' don't joke around
Even though you died
You died without my permission
I do not have any memories of daughter or a son '
Claude thought and suddenly he saw a image of diana standing infront of him while smiling
Claude stood up and tried to grab her who was standing before him . Diana closed her eyes and started disappearing
" Don't go ! "
Claude said as he tried to hug her and hold her just like he used to do but she was already dead , the image vanished .
Claude looked at his palm and clenched his hand while frowning
' this is why I hate them
These useless emotions always playing with me
I can only struggle helplessly In the face of these uncontrollable emotions
Only able to beg in vain '
Claude thought as he frowned
.
.
.
During the evening , The Birthday celebration of the Emperor was being held and most of the nobles there were wondering on why the prince and the princess are not present in the banquet.
Meanwhile , Athanese and Athanasia were lazing around talking about whatever thing they see due to boredom. Suddenly a group of Knights came inside the room.
The two knights who were standing at the front looked at each other to decide who will give the information to the prince and the princess.
Athanese , Athanasia and lily who was standing were confused as to why the knights who protect the king will be here. The left knight nudged the knight standing at the right telling him to talk but he also did the same and the knight standing left coughed and spoke
" The Emperor has commanded For Princess Athanasia and Prince Athanese to be brought in front of him immediately "
' so will it happen or not ? '
Athanese thought anxiously while he glanced at Athanasia , the two followed the knights and when they reached the door Athanese said in a small voice only Athanasia could hear
" Athy greet father formally "
Athanasia nodded her head in reply and the Announcer who was standing by the door announced in a loud voice
" I present Princess Athanasia De Alger Obelia and Prince Athanese De Alger Obelia "
Athanese and Athanasia walked down the red carpet and stopped at mid way.
" Blessings and Glory upon the sun of the Obelia Empire "
Athanese and Athanasia said in sync as they bowed down and stood up. Claude stared at them and said
" Kneel "
The nobles present there were confused but Athanese knew what would happen so he tried to keep his calm while holding Athanasia's hand to help her calm down.
Both of them kneeled in front of Claude . To Ijekiel's and Athanasia's surprise Athanese had a serious yet calm look on his face which was kind of terrifying but the nobles were used to it since they usually saw Prince like that . Athanese never behaved kindly or naively towards any of them except some nobles.
The nobles began to murmur while they glanced at The Prince and The Princess who were kneeling before the Emperor. Athanese saw how uncomfortable Athanasia was getting from their sound so He glared at the crowd making them silent at once.
Once the crowd of nobles got silenced , Claude spoke
" Athanese and Athanasia
With the generosity of unbecoming me , I have let you two live and you should consider yourself blessed for being alive for now but even at days like these you two disturb my peace now , what should I do with you two ? "
Claude said as he glared at the twins.
" Majesty ! Your Majesty please keep calm "
Felix said as he didn't want the prince and the princess to feel bad. Claude shot a threatening look at felix and said
" Felix Robane
Do you wish to get execute for a treason "
Claude looked at Athanese and Athanasia who were still bowing before him. Athanese gently squeezed Athanasia's hand to assure her that they will be okay.
Athanese on the other side was also not able to handle his emotions well .
' I knew I cared for him .
I knew I liked his praises and how nice it felt but his insults also somehow hurts pretty bad , he is not a villian . No , he is not even a bad guy but from his perspective I am sure me and Athy are the bad guys in his life but I am confident after spending some time with Athy , Father won't see her as a nuisance anymore but what about me ..... '
Athanese thought as he tried to calm down his breathing.
" The ones before me are merely a sinner. It was my intent to kill them if they appeared before me again but I am not inclined to see blood shed today , that's a shame.
My interest has wanned. The banquet shall end here "
Claude said like a sculpture of ice without a single droop of blood in his veins. Like someone who has never called his children's names with warmth. The heartless Emperor from the book.
" Take them out of my side "
Claude said heartlessly as he stood up from his throne. The guards who were standing beside Athanasia and Athanese came forward and tried to take Athanasia her out but Athanese quickly pulled Athanasia near him . Athanese glared at the knights before him who flinched under his gaze
' I won't let your filthy hands touch Athy '
Athanese thought as he glared at The knights one last time
" There is no need , we shall leave with our own feet "
Athanese said as he looked up towards Claude .
" I doubt your majesty will accept our Congratulations on these happy occasion "
Athanese said as he helped Athanasia stand up
" As you wished we shall take our leave "
Athanasia said with a cold expression as she bowed .
" Blessings and Glory upon the sun of the Obelia Empire "
Athanasia said as she started leaving while Athanese took a last glance towards the Emperor and said
" Me and Athanasia sincerely congratulates your majesty on your day of birth , we wish you a Happy Birthday "
Athanese said as he bowed and left to follow Athanasia who had already left before him . When he reached the hallway , he saw Athanasia on the ground while tears escaped her eyes
" Athy .. "
Athanese said as he felt heartbroken when he saw the always smiling Athanasia like that. Athanese went near her with tears threatening to drop from his eyes . He gently picked up her shoe and put the shoe on her feet gently.
" Athanese ... "
Athanasia said as she looked away not willing to show Athanese her crying face. Athanese sighed and pulled her into a hug .
" Shh , it will okay soon "
Athanese said as he patted Athanasia while helping her calm down
" I am sorry "
Athanese said as he gently pecked Athanasia's forehead
" Why ?
Why are you sorry ? "
Athanasia asked and Athanese ribbed the remaining tears from her eyes as he replied
" Because I couldn't do anything there "
Athanese said as he hugged Athanasia tightly.
" Don't be . I am sure Father will be fine soon "
Athanasia said as it was now her turn to comfort her siblings. Athanese felt something leave and realized he was crying . Athanese cried on Athanasia's shoulder while whispering ' sorry '.
Athanasia smiled at the fact that Athanese was finally willing to show his weak side to her but she didn't like seeing Athanese sad
" Athy doesn't like to see her one and only brother sad "
Athanasia said as she rubbed the tears that were forming endlessly in Athanese's eyes
" I will make sure to protect you "
Athanese mumbled as he hugged Athanasia and both broke away from the hug and went towards their palace.
Ijekiel who followed after Athanese just watched the scene happen before him. He was upset about the fact that he wasn't the one to comfort Athanese and he surely didn't like Athanese's eyes sad .
Ijekiel walked away with the determination to make sure he will never allow tears and sadness inside Athanese.