ATHANARIS LOOKED OVER THE SCENERY, a peaceful expression on his face as he held Athanasia's hand.
Athanasia looked over at him from time to time, admiring her brother's looks.
"Athanasia" he called out to the child quietly.
Athanasia tilted her head to look directly at him "Yes, Brother?"
"What do you think?"
"Think of?"
"Think of father"
Athanasia froze, her face slightly stiffened and looked anywhere but him "I-I don't know?"
Athanaris only hummed in response and they continued to walk peacefully while Felix watched them from the back with happy tears.
"You know Athy, Father might seem cold at first but as days passed, you'll know him more and understand him" he smiled at her.
Before Athanasia can even reply, they have already arrived at the ruby palace, greeted by the sight of the frantic maids.
Lily snatched Athanasia quickly and held her in a protective hug, Athanaris only smiled at the show of concern and hostility coming from the maid.
Lily noticed him and curtsied.
"Hello Miss Lily, it has been a while" he said with a smile that warmed those around him.
"Indeed it has been your highness, what might be your intention in visiting this humble palace?" she said curtly.
"It's nothing, just accompanying Athanasia back"
The maids sighed in relief but looked at him in admiration.
He opened his mouth and added "Oh! And also, Father said that him and I will be visiting Athanasia one of these days"
And with that, he left with Felix.
__________
ATHANARIS STARED AT HIM, dead in the eyes, wearing a serious expression.
"What did you just say?" He growled out, obviously angry.
"Y-Your highness please calm down."
"Oh~ I am very calm right now." He flashed Felix a devilish smile.
A while back, a messenger has reported to him about the sightings of illegal slave trading of kids near the borders of Obelian empire.
Of course he was pissed, remembering something similar to that back in his world and he wanted to stop it or at least prevent this kind of things from happening.
The children whose innocent and knew nothing of those dirty works some adults does will be involved and used like that by other people, the greedy ones at that.
He wanted to punch someone so badly at the moment.
He directed his gaze at Felix once again, his eyes blazed molten silver for a moment before it went back to its original color.
"Felix, go fetch the knights, we will be hunting down some idiotic ones that dared to do such things."
Felix straightened, a determined look on his face "As you command Your highness!"
He bowed and bid him goodbye before walking to the crown prince's door, wrapping his fingers on the door knob before stopping as realization hit him.
"Wa-wait, Y-Your highness, we?!!" He exclaimed, beads of sweat rolling down down his cheeks.
Athanaris raised and eyebrows at this before frowning "Yes we, do you have any problem with that, Felix?
"B-but Y-Your highness, Hi-His Majesty might kill me!!"
Athanaris only smiled before pushing him out, he then slumped on his chair, massaging his temples, a cold glint in his narrowed eyes.
He have witnessed slavery back in his world when his so called father introduced him to the underworld, he hated it and still is hating it, so hearing slavery happening in this world, in this empire, he was furious, the slaves aren't even adults, they're children okay, children.
He looked at the stacks of paperworks placed on his table for a while before deciding to give his father a visit first and also talk to him about this matter.
The hallways to his father's office is quiet as there was no sound heard except for occasional humming of Athanaris as he walked.
And now he missed playing, maybe he'll request a violin later.
He arrived and knocked on the door, after hearing a quiet 'come in', he opened the door and walked inside, seeing his father staring at the paperwork but not doing anything with it.
"Father?"
Claude hummed in response.
"I will be gone for a few days. I have to deal with the slave trade happening in the borders."
Claude's head shot up and looked at him with a pointed stare, clearly unpleasant by the idea of sending his son to the borders to deal with such things.
Athanaris sighed, knowing what his father's answer will be so he gave his best puppy dog eyes to Claude "Pleaseee Daddy. I wanna go~ I'm not going to get harmed because the knights are there so pleaseeeeee" he pouted right after.
Claude fought back the urge to accept when he saw the look his son gave him but it proved to be futile when his son pleaded him with a pout and the only thing he can do is sigh in defeat before agreeing.
Athanaris thanked him with a bright smile, kissing his cheek with a big 'Muah' before skipping out of the room.
After Athanaris went out, he sighed and called in Felix, ordering him to take the knight that is going to be with his son.
__________
THEY STOOD NERVOUSLY in front of the emperor whose giving such a cold aura, his mana flaring, adding more fear to the scared knights.
"You all shall protect Athanaris with your life, if any harm shall befall him, even a strand of his hair, you all will be beheaded, your bodies displayed at the entrance of the palace, do you understand?"
The knights sweated bullets and answered in unison "Understood Your Majesty."
"Good." Claude nodded slightly, satisfied at their answer and dismissed them.
Felix stood at the side with a sweat drop, a slightly crooked smile plastered on his lips 'His Majesty is too overprotective of His Highness'
__________
LOOKING OVER THE FOREST was a small figure of a child perched on top of a random tree branch, eyes narrowed as he watched over the black hooded figures followed by many chained up children.
He glanced down at the based of the tree and saw a red headed knight, he nodded slightly before eyeing the hooded figures and children once more as they entered a cave.
After some time, more people started to appear and the child waited and waited untill no one else is going in.
He raised his right hand and waved.
Suddenly, a dozen knights came out of the bushes and started to run in the cave, knocking out the guards guarding the cave in the process.
After about thirty minutes, they all came out with cuffed men dressed in noble outfits, only a few of them were wearing commoner outfits.
"Is that all of them?"
All of the cuffed men slightly jumped in surprise by the sound of a young, melodic voice and they stared wide eyed at the smiling child in front of them.
He tilted his head in question.
"Yes, this was all of them Your Highness." Felix answered, kneeling in front of him.
Athanaris inclined his head to the right, index finger tapping on his cheek as he said innocently "They why is there five more atop the trees?"
Felix's eyes widened and looked at the forest, only to see them already retreating.
He was about to chase after them but stopped when a cage made out of ice appeared and contained the five.
"Done now." Athanaris said with a huff.
They bound the five and set a camo for it was now night.
Athanaris was in a tent, discussing some matters with Felix before retiring to bed.
The next day, they set out to the palace.
It took two days for them to arrive and Athanaris immediately went to Claude's office after ordering the knights to take the prisoners down the dungeons and interrogate them.
He knocked twice but no one answered, so he went in and saw the empty room.
He walked around, finally stopping beside the bed where he saw Claude sleeping.
He gently shook him and said with a small, calm voice "Father, Father please sleep on the bed or you'll get cramps."
Claude stirred and saw him, muttering a small "Oh" before sitting up, eyes still droopy "Welcome back"
Athanaris blinked before smiling brightly "I'm back!"
"Ah, that's right my report. Do you want me to report now or later?"
"Later, let us sleep first."
Claude got up and went to lay in bed, Athanaris following after stripping himself off of his cape and boots.
Claude wrapped his arms around him protectively, like a parent does to their offspring.
Athanaris was lulled to sleep by the gentle and calloused hand that was running through his white hair.