Your hand trembled as you saw the red stain. Your breath hitched as you tried to make sense.

Claude grimaced.

Alarmed you turned around Claude who let out a surprised hiss as your finger traced the red welts on his back

His back was marked with bloody welts all over his pristine white shirt.

What the hell?

You went to remove his shirt when he grabbed your hands, shaking his head, slightly flustered. "It's not as bad as it looks."

Liar.

Without notice, your eyes welled up, tears forming at the comer of your eyes The wounds on his back, looked painful. So painfully raw and red.

Claude flinched. "Are you... crying?"

"They look so painful. You must be hurting." You sniffed, wiping your eyes with your sleeves.

Caught off guard by your words, Claude blinked, looking rattled. "You're shedding tears for me...? I don't get it. I'm the one hurt so why are you crying?"

You sniffled more, almost like you could feel his pain, and the tears came harder. "But it looks so painful."

Claude made an awkward face, not knowing how to react to your tears.

Felix blanched, gawking at the red welts on his back with wide eyes.

"I'll call Mother to get you bandaged! Please wait here, your Highness!" Felix dashed over to the exit before Claude could stop him. But Claude flicked his wrist, freezing Felix on the spot.

"I'll heal it with magic. Don't go trouble her. She'll worry for no reason. It might look bad but I can bear it."

Felix shook his head stubbornly. "But your Highness, you won't be able to heal it completely. Let the Royal doctor look over it."

Claude shook his head. "No need. Like I said I can bear it. It'll probably heal in a few days so don't worry. And I don't want to give them another reason to look down on me."

Felix bit his lips unable to come up with any protest. "I'll get you a change of clothes then. And some bandages too. Maybe disinfectant too." He mumbled worriedly.

Felix left with his head downcast. Claude let out a sigh looking over you who was still trying to take a glimpse of his tattered back.

Your eyes kept glancing at his back. "How did you get those? I swear whoever it is I'm gonna kick their asses to oblivion!"

Claude for a moment didn't say anything, just stared at you, contemplating, face unreadable.

Just when you thought he wasn't going to share he spoke up in an apathetic, bland voice. "The empress. According to her, my conduct was inappropriate. I wasn't allowed to go to Ruby Palace but I went against the rules anyway to see Mother. She found it despicable that I broke her rule."

His voice remained indifferent throughout his summary. "As my punishment, I got whipped 20 times in front of the servants for my rebellious conduct unfit for Royals as she puts it."

You were speechless.

Before anger slammed into you full force. "W-what?!"

Claude sat on the bed with tattered sheets, his mana at work, healing and patching up his injuries. "I came here because I wanted some time alone. And also to heal me when both you and Felix barged in and found my little hiding spot."

You were fuming, barely listening to his little complaints. "That old hag did that to you?! What?! What the hell is that?! Is that lady out of her mind?! She dared to raise her hand on you?! Why? Isn't that too much for just going to see your mother?"

Claude blinked at you before looking into the distance. "She doesn't want me to go to the Ruby palace because it's not a place for kids but I know she just wants mother to be isolated and tormented to use her against me. She thinks she could use Mother as my weakness to make me obey her every command. If she thinks I'd let her use my mother as a tool, she's sorely mistaken."

That would make sense. Claude cares for her mother. If someone wants to repress him they could use his weakness which was his mother. The menace behind those words and the following actions was absolutely cruel.

You scoffed in disgust, mumbling in obvious exasperation and anger. "What's up with her? I get it you're not her blood child but to go to this length to humiliate and harm you. Isn't that ridiculous? Doesn't she have something better to do as the empress? You know what, screw that! Is she deserving to be called Empress, let alone a Mother?"

Claude let out a snort. "That's a very tough question. And of course, she doesn't have anything better to do than a daydream. She's afraid that I'll steal the throne from his son. Since I'm more talented in all aspects including Mana than the Crown Prince, she despises me. She fears she would lose her position if I become the Emperor."

"Huh?" Anger and incredulous overruled your rational senses as you spat curse after curse. "That old hag. She's growing old and wrinkled, still, she's drunk on power?! What the hell? Is she gonna take to the whole Empire to her grave? Make her tomb out of gold?"

Claude mutely watched as you bristled and fumed, expressing your anger loudly.

"Stupid old bitch! I hope her hair turns grey and wither away until she's bald. Her boob sags, her teeth get rotten and fall." You plopped beside Claude cursing loudly. Your filter went with the appearance of your anger and exasperation.

Claude cut off your angry rant with a bland retort. "You do realize that you are currently cursing the empress. You will be thrown in the dungeon if someone heard you badmouthing her."

You looked at him in indignation. "Empress, my ass! She could take her royal title and shove up her royal ass for all I care."

A breathy laugh left Claude's mouth catching you off guard. Your angered ranting paused as his barely audible laugh trickled your ears like soft feathers. A soft, pure sound, a surreal sound.

You looked at him with wide eyes. This was the first time you heard him laugh. A genuine, amused laugh.

Your heart raced as you stared at Claude who had his hand covering his mouth, and dazzling blue eyes filled with mirth.

"It's the first time I heard someone cursing the Empress so earnestly," Claude smirked and snickered. "If only could I see her face once she learns that someone dared to insult her so passionately. A child nevertheless."

You cleared your throat, snapping yourself out of the daze that his beautiful laughter put you into. "You have a beautiful laugh"

"Huh?" Claude raised an eyebrow.

"I said you have a beautiful laugh." You said, smiling softly.

Claude flushed a light shade of pink. He clicked his tongue while avoiding you. "There you go again spewing nonsense."

"It makes me so mad I can't hear you laugh more often all because of some shitty people drank on power." Your anger returned as you stared at Claude who blinked in bewilder, face flushing a shade deeper. "I swear she won't get away with this."

Claude deadpanned. "Now hold in your horses. Don't bother doing anything. It's fine."

You glared at him "What about this looks fine to you? She hurt you. It's not bloody fine."

Claude's intense eyes locked on you, all traces of humour wiped off. "I never said that. But you're not in the position to do anything to the empress."

Your anger vanished as your shoulder dropped. His words rang true. "But.."

Claude eyed you and the fire in your eyes kept fluctuating dangerously. He pressed his lips in a thin line and he ordered sternly "Stay out of it. Don't get involved with Imperial affairs. You won't get anywhere. I've danced their dance so long I can predict their actions and intentions."

He was shutting you out, you thought in dismay. His cold composure had returned from his earlier emotional outburst. The red tint around his eyes remained, making his emotionless glare even more unnerving.

"She's not worth getting yourself in trouble. That's exactly what she wants. For me to make a mistake and have me renounced from the position of the prince. I can't have that. That would jeopardize Mother's life if I Lost whatever tiny power I have. The Empress won't let the chance slip away to get me and Mother out of the way."

You sat there letting the words sink in. Stupid power-play it was. You clicked your tongue in anger. Stupid power-drunk assholes who couldn't care less if someone died for their greedy desires.

Claude had already foreseen the Empress's intention and he kept his cool, not letting his emotions get the better of him. The Empress had planned to denounce Claude from his Prince position and hoped that he would lash out at the injustice so she could get an excuse. But she underestimated Claude's sharp intelligence and slyness. He was one step ahead and didn't fall for her obvious trick, keeping a cool and level-headed attitude.

It ticked you off, this stupid situation.

As if sensing your silent rage, Claude looked at you in warning, shaking his head. "Stay out of it, (Y/n). You don't know anything about internal affairs so it's better for you to not get involved. You'll only cause more trouble."

Like hell, you could! You gritted your teeth, feeling your veins pulse in anger like you never experienced before.

You let a breath and glanced at Claude who was staring at you with a complicated expression like he was trying to figure you out.

"Let me see it," You declared. "I want to help it heal faster."

Claude shook his head, "No need. I'm already healing. It'll take only a little bit more time."

"I don't like any second you're in pain, Claude." You said while gripping his shoulder. "Let me help."

"I..." Claude swallowed thickly, the lump in his throat making it hard to breathe. Something strange welled up in his heart. "Why do you care so much?"

"Excuse me?" You blinked. "Are you for real? I thought I made it crystal clear. We are friends. In what world does a friend not get concerned over another friend who got hurt?"

Claude let out a shallow breath. For some reason, he couldn't look you in the eyes. What was the discomfort in his heart? Was it discomfort? It felt strange. Not painful but strange. It was hard to explain.

That train of thought came to a halt when you squeezed his shoulders. He jumped when you brought your face closer with a smile he could only describe as demonic.

"Early you were offering to parade naked, right? I'll take the offer. Parade for me. Here, let me help you take off your shirt."

"W-what? Hey! Stop that-!"

***

You waited a whole day to get Claude off your back who continued to watch you with suspicious sharp eyes. He had somehow sensed your grudge and kept his eyes on you. Or maybe it was because you stripped him half-naked against his will the other day so he had it out for you. But you were successful in throwing him off.

"Ether, if we succeed in teaching the stain on humanity a lesson, I'll give you my whole week's snack to you." You promised Ether who was parched on your head. The hood of the cloak concealed him.

Ether nodded determined, the bribe of snacks firing him up even more.

You felt the invisible spell he cast on you as you were used to it. You used it quite often to sneak out to get fresh breath. Sometimes sneaking in the kitchen at midnight or sneaking out for star gazing every night. Ether always helped you with your shenanigans.

Taking a deep breath, you let the nervousness and thrill settle down. You made your way through the garden, bypassing several palaces before arriving at the Crystal palace the residence of the Queens.

Your eyes were lit up with devious mischief and blazing fury. One which couldn't be doused off without scorching its target.

Maids and butlers crossed your path as you sneaked around them, making sure you wouldn't bump into them.

They were hurrying, making preparations and arrangements for the tea party with other noble ladies and the ball later in the evening for the anniversary of the Emperor and Empress.

It was a perfect day to avenge Claude. The perfect day to give her a taste of her humiliation.

The blue-tinted marbled floors and pillars overwhelmed you. You had gotten used to the simplicity of the Garnet Palace that the top-notch dazzling decorative of Crystal palace made you feel significantly small.

Imagine being rich. Can't relate.

You arrived at the Empress' quarter. You paused when you heard the conversation going inside. Curious your body leaned against the door to eavesdrop on them.

"You love your Mother, don't you your highness? You don't want me to disgraced, do you?" It was a sickly sweet feminine voice, definitely the Queen

But who is she talking to? You bit your lips as you leaned forward to hear them better.

"Of course not."

You flinched. It was the Crown Prince's voice. You could never forget his voice that brought you to death's door.

"Then fulfil my wish and become the Emperor you're destined to be. Bring your mother the justice that your Father failed to do so. Bring respect to her sullied name. You will do it, won't you my Son, for the sake of my love for you, your love for me?"

"Yes, Mother. I'll try my best to not disgrace you. "

Her voice was sickly sweet, "That's all I want from you, your highness."

What a twisted, warped familial love it was. It sickened

you to your core watching the detestable exchange between two people who were supposed to be family. It was a stain on every supposed interaction between families. Between a mother and son.

Thank God, Nora wasn't like the heartless creatures in front of you. Thank God, your Mom wasn't anything like that. You could never even compare her and the loving kind Mothers you had.

It certainly did clarify why Claude had given up on bond and familial love from his family. He was better off without it. This twisted thing they called familial love.

The anger against her just blazed even hotter.

You quickly moved away from the door as it opened and the Anastasius came out with a sour face. You grimaced, not having him seen since the incident.

He paused for a moment and your heart nearly stopped. Could he sense you?

You breathed again when he shook his head and walked away, his black cape fluttering behind him.

You entered the chamber, feeling nervous and excited simultaneously.

Once fired up, you weren't the one to care about consequences. The action being thoughtless, reckless, senseless didn't matter to you as long as you could quench the need to trample someone messing with your friends

The Empress was seated in front of the mirror as a few maids fussed over her. Some painted her nails, some put on her makeup while some dried her hair with soft towels.

You grinned. Yad arrived at the perfect time. She hadn't styled her hair.

Quickly reaching beside her, the invisible spell concealing your presence, you searched for it among all the pieces of jewellery and other products you didn't recognise.

Quite exciting gasp leaves your mouth as you found the bottle of hair products. Glancing at the busy maids and the arrogantly smirking Empress inspecting herself in the mirror.

You reached over, quickly uncapped the lid and poured your secret formula of destruction.

You were successful in stifling your evil laugh as you leaned against the wall adjacent to her. You waited impatiently as the maid gently untangled her waist-length dark brown hair.

Your eyes lit up with devious joy when the maid took the tampered hair product and applied it to the arrogant woman's hair.

You leaned against the wall, stifling your mischievous snickers and counted down until the serum would work its magic.

Five.

The maid thoroughly applied the fragrant oil using her nimble fingers to massage her scalp.

Four.

She untangled the empress's hair, gently combing through the tangles.

Three.

The maid rolled up her hair and parted it to style it into an elegant bun.

Two.

An elegant bun sat atop Empress's head, the maid reached for the hair ornaments to decorate the styled bun and refine it.

One!

Just as the maid reached up to place the ornaments, the Empress's hair puffed up. As if electrode, every strand stands up in attention.

It looked like a puffed bird's nest electrode multiple times until it was fried and crispy and standing tall on her head.

The petrified maid froze as the Empress had her eyes widened comically.

The silence didn't last as his high-pitched horrified shriek bounced off the walls.

"You fool!? What have you done to my beautiful hair?! Make it back the way it was!!"

"I'm sorry, your majesty but I don't know how it happened." The maid cowered back.

The Empress shot up and glared at the maid. "What do you mean you don't know?! How am l supposed to go the banquet with these horrendous hairs?!"

The maids cowered back. "W-we are s-sorry!"

You felt slightly guilty for getting the maids in trouble.

Empress shrieked. "Damn fools. Do something!!"

You guffawed silently, clutching your stomach when everyone started to pull her erected hair down, making the Empress flinch in pain. They tried to apply hair moisturizer and other similar things but still, the stubborn rod hairs stood alert in their place.

Empress sat there frozen in utter shock and anger. "It's not working. You insolent fools! How can I show my face to the nobles now, they'd laugh at me. I'll become laughing stock!!"

That's the plan. You snickered.

Empress heard your mocking laughter and she screeched in indignation. "Who dared to laugh at me!? I'll have their tongues cut!!"

Empress sat in front of the mirror, pulling an erected strand down. It flopped back, standing tall on her hand once she let go of it. "Call the Royal Magician and ask him to fix my hair!"

The blond butler bowed deeply. "Ma'am the Royal Magicians are away casting barriers at the border of the Empire as per the Emperor's order. And other magicians are busy casting protective spells around her Palace. No one is present to serve you."

You covered your mouth, smirking. Of course, you had foreseen this. Your move was calculated and well-timed.

You moved to stand beside her as her eyes teared up in frustration and helplessness. "Empress, I've heard that if you do bad things to others it comes right back ten times harder on you. Have you caused someone harm recently? No wonder you're suffering right now." You spoke to her, making sure only she could hear your voice.

Her face flushed in anger. "Shut up before I cut all of your tongues!!"

Maids and servants shared a puzzled look, before looking at their Empress as if she had lost her mind.

***

In end, she cancelled the tea party and spent the whole evening trying it find a solution to her horrendous hair that won't come down no matter what. You saw her wail like a baby, break vases in anger, and throw tantrums. Anything to vent out her obvious humiliation.

You sat down enjoying the cookies with your partner in crime in your lap, watching with great amusement the drama unfolding before you. Ah, if only I could have popcorn to go with the drama.

The Empress tried to cancel the ball but the stern refusal of the Emperor made it quite impossible to not show her face during the important political audience.