You held Diana's hand tightly, brushed back her sweaty strands from her exhausted face as soft murmurs of encouragement left your lips as she continued to fight through her labor.

She was brought out in the hall, in less confined place so the midwives could help her and you stood beside her feeling helpless and petrified.

Screams tore through Diana's throat and echoed through the palace. Each time you flinched and your hold on her tightened. You frantically tried to calm her down, brushing away her blonde hair, holding her hands tighter.

Until her screams died down and a much softer wail echoed in the room.

Diana collapsed on the bed with a gasp, looking drained and almost lifeless. You almost cried as Diana struggled to keep her eyes open. Your hand trembled in her hands that continued weakening it's hold every second.

A selfish part of you wanted to yell at her to stay. To not go and leave you alone. Leave the baby alone. But you rein it it. Forcing it down. Now wasn't time to burden her with your emotions.

You breathed out, looking at the bundle of joy the midwife handed to you. A baby girl. She was wrapped in soft, fluffy cotton as soft cries left her tiny mouth.

She wa so delicate, so fragile, so small. It brought out your protective instincts. You watched her wonder eyes filled tears as you carefully cradled her in your arms.

"My baby..." Diana called out, her voice was scratchy and hoarse from all the screaming. Weak and tired, as her life rapidly faded.

You smiled sadly and carefully placed the baby beside her.

"A beautiful girl, Diana."

Diana smiled, a smile that only a mother could smile and kissed the baby's forehead and whispered tenderly, "My beautiful Athanasia...."

Athanasia. The one you failed once. And the one you were determined to save this time.

You heavily sucked your breath, willing yourself to not give in to your sorrow and loss. You hands didn't stop trembling, vision blurred as you blinked rapidly, not wanting to miss the last heartwarming moment of mother and child that soon would get separated by life and death.

"Take care of her." Diana eyes found yours in tender way as she smiled at the baby, cooing at her.

Tears brimmed your eyes, lips quivered and yet you gave her the most charming, assuring smile you could muster.

"Rest assured, Diana. No one will love her like I will."

"Thank you..."

Your smile wobbled, faltering as Diana's eyes fluttered close. You leaned forward, taking the baby into your arms and gently pressed a soft kiss on Diana's forehead and whispered softly, "Rest."

Diana's hand went limp in your hold, her breathing stopped along with her heart.

You broke down, crying out sorrowfully. Falling on your knees, clutching the baby close to your chest.

Athanasia as if sensing your pain wailed louder and you wept with her.

The bottled up sorrow and loss violently shook your insides. The pain that you kept forced down came spiralling out into soul-clenching wails. Even the bystanders couldn't help but flinch, looking away from you.

The midwives left with some advices, leaving you to mourn your friend's death while the concubines curious watched from sidelines. They didn't dare to come near you. Even they knew not to intrude on such sentimental moments.

Ether nudged your wet cheeks, whimpering at you. Little whines left his throat as he tried to stop your tears.

Sucking a breath, you snapped out of your sorrow and looked at the baby still crying and wailing for her Mother.

You leaned your cheeks against Ether to assure him. Ether whimpered, nestling close to your neck, giving you his warmth. You were grateful to him.

You brushed away her tears while little droplets slid down your cheeks.

"I'm here, Athy. Don't cry." You whispered to the child. Bringing her tiny fists to your lips and you kissed it affectionately. "I'm here. Don't cry. You are not alone. You'll never be alone. I'm promise."

The baby couldn't understand your words that you whispered to her so tenderly. Didn't had the ability to comprehend the deep meaning behind your words. And yet that didn't stop you from murmuring the heartfelt words.

"This time for sure I'll protect you, Athy. I'll save you."

Athy didn't opened her eyes, just leaned in your warmth, nestling in close to your chest as her cries grew softer and softer..

Ether peered at the child from your shoulder, rubbing his whiskers to your cheeks affectionately.

One life was extinguished to light another life. The sacrifice of a mother for her child. It was tragic yet beautiful.

Your eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the little one when you felt it...

A ominous shiver run down your spine. Ether's hackles rose and he growled threateningly sensing danger.

"...He's here."

****

As soon as you finished the thought, the hall flooded with intense bloodlust.

Your breath hitched, getting stuck in your throat. You shuddered at the bloodlust that kept nearing you.

You pulled Athy close to your chest, breaking into cold sweats. You resisted the urge to curse up a storm from the panic you felt rapidly welling up in you.

The concubines panicked sank to their knees as they felt the impending doom closing in. You had warned them to leave, to get away or else they'd get killed but they scoffed at you. Saying you had ulterior motives. Diana was out of picture, they assumed they could finally have a chance to gain the affection of the Emperor. Foolish thoughts. Now they were surely regretting the greed that made them ignore your warning.

It was cruelty from your part. You never cleared them what would happen if they ignored your warning. No matter how bad they were, they didn't deserve to die. Their deaths would surely weight on your mind because you prioritised your and Athy's safety first.

But you were ready to carry that burden if it meant you could keep your promise.

Your heart pounded harder and harder as you felt his terrifying, deadly presence nearing. Cold sweats broke out and chills ran down all over your body. You were scared.

You knew what was about to occur. The infamous Ruby massacre. Only one person would survive the massacre.

The knowledge only terrified you more.

You looked down at the sleeping child, scrunching her tiny nose cutely.

You knew Athy would survive this. Her death was written at age of 18 but that didn't stop the anxiety and worry gnawing at you.

You quickly pulled over your cloak, hiding your face as you waited for him. You made sure to calm the fussing Ether as he protective instincts made him agitated. You kept him inside your pocket afraid he would end up attacking Claude if he felt you were threatened.

You jumped when the door slammed open violently and a deadly presence dominated the room.

The air grew tense and heavy.

The frigid air that accompanied the person gradually dropped the temperature of the room to a freezing degree.

Everyone held their breath, shivering violently. No sound was made. Nobody wanted to provoke the beast and unleash the monster.

Including you.

You were shivering at this point, trying to ease the anxiety and fear compressing your chest.

You bit you lips, pulling Athy close for warmth as the temper dropped. You peeked up, looking through the hood at the person you haven't seen for a while. You instantly regretted it.

Claude stood still, waiting. His expression was shadowed as if he was manipulating darkness itself to obscure his face, to not show the emotions racking his features. His glowing blue eyes peeked through his overgrown golden strands, looking cruel and sharp. At the same time hollow and lifeless.

Helplessly your gut clenched as you watched him, jaw clenched and uneasy eyes.

Feelings rose up, resurfacing itself from the hole you buried them. Fear overwhelming other emotions. But within those depths of emotions you could feel the instinctive urge to soothe his pain that was reflected clearly in his glowing blue eyes.

Your heart dropped as sudden realization dawned on you. Maybe you couldn't erase the tender, soft spot you had for him despite the fear and hate deeply seared into you from past life.

The realization twisted your inside horribly. It pained you. It killed you.

How can one still harbour tender feeling for someone who would kill them in the near future and literally destroy every reason for their living?

Apparently you did.

You snapped out of your thoughts when Claude took a single step forward.

His footsteps were soundless yet terrifying. Inducing spine chilling fear. Everyone present shivered as he passed by, the deadly calm aura only serving to farther elate the fear.

You kept your head down as he passed by you, his robes brushing your sides. You shivered, eyes wide with wariness and alert.

Diana was just few steps behind you, lying lifelessly on the bed.

Claude stopped before lifeless Diana, eerily silent and motionless.

You held your breath from the suspense that was clawing at you from his silence.

"So you chose death over me." Claude seethed, gritting his teeth. His voice was low and rough as his gaze remain fixated on Diana.

As if the cruel reality finally sank into him, he let out a humourless laugh. It was like the last thread to his sanity finally snapped, a cold, menacing smirk on his face.

"I was played fucking fool once again."

Another hollow, crazed laugh left from deep down his throat, vibrating through his chest in quiet, shallow hiccups.

You could feel his pained muffled hitching sounds akin to suppressed sobs rumble through your own chest as your own being sank in, submerged withing the feelings that opposed you. Contradicted every survival instinct you had.

Silent tears slid down your cheeks, landing on sleeping Athy's soft, chubby cheeks.

Whose pain was reflected within those drops. Was it truly yours? Was it the man's that you once loved or still love? You didn't know. You didn't want to know.

Your body leaned forward. Your pressed your forehead against Athy's to gain even the smallest control over your emotions and make the right choice.

On the other hand, Claude clutched his head to block the vision of lifeless Diana. A unhinged look withinin his dazzling blue eyes that peeked through his slender fingers.

Thick, dense, suffocating bloodlust emitted from him as his magic started to swirl violently around him.

It startled you enough that a small shocked squeak left your throat involuntarily. Your skin crawled at the thick miasma filling the room as though it was Death's claws.

Your lungs burnt under the thick bloodlust. Feeling like it was being crushed by the pressure. You watched in horror as magical wind blades whipped through the air and sliced the flesh and bones.

You wanted to cover your ears to block out the shrieks of pain and muffled thud of bodies collapsing lifelessly on the floor. Instead you brought Athy close as she started to stir from the commotion.

You winced and hissed each time your skin was broke and brunt by the magic. Shallow slashes appeared all over your body and bled, staining your clothes. In natural response to the threat your magic flared up but you shoved it down. You couldn't risk exposing your identity.

What if Claude recognised your magic since he had trained you and knew it closely?

You couldn't take the risk so you endured the sharp pain all over your body and kept Ether from pouncing.

One by one the pained, begging shrieks died down. The carpet was painted a sickening tint of red and the air was tainted with repulsive smell of blood.

Your body trembled, shielding Athy away from the blood spraying freel in the air each time someone is cut down. Your own blood trickled down joining the blood all around you.

Thank God you sent Lily and other maids away and forced them to sleep under magic and masked their presence. At least they were saved from the bloody carnage.

Within the bloodshed, Claude stood motionless, bathing in the blood that splattered on him as his magic cut down every living being present.

His pristine white robes now painted red. Blood splattered on his cheeks. Empty, dead blue eyes that stared vacantly at nothing.

Your wavering eyes watched him, uncertainty and pain swelling within your chest.

Not once he flinched when someone scream rang out as they were cut down. Not once his magic wavered or hesitated in cutting them down.

A cold blooded monster that gave up his humanity and basked in his own cruelty.

And it terrified you. Made the past self you cower in horror.

Abruptly, Claude cocked his head to side and his glowing eyes flashed menacingly. For a slipt second, your eyes met with ice cold glowing eyes and you immediately broke the eye contact looking down.

So lost in your thoughts you didn't notice the ominous silence that followed after the carnage of blood was finished.

You sweated profusely. Biting your lips until it bled. Chest heaved with panic and fear as you struggled to breath properly.

You had disguised yourself with magic. But his magic surpassed you in ways you couldn't comprehend.

What if he saw through your magic?! Fuck!

There was deafening silence and you could feel his chilling gaze on you as you trembled with harsh breathing.

Athy wasn't suppose to die here. Her death was written at the age of 18. You were sure she would survive this like the first life.

Still you couldn't trust the unpredictable psychopath lost in haze of grief and rage. Lusting after blood to diminish his own pain.

His footsteps made wet sounds as he stepped over the bodies and pool of blood and made his way to you. Each step heavy with killing intent.

Your hand discreetly moved to the dagger stashed in your boots as your eyes flashed to Claude in wariness. If push came to shove you weren't afraid to spill blood.

Even Ether was vibrating with magic, ready to teleport you if things went south.

A sword materialised in his hand. The edge of blade glinted menacingly.

As you gazed at the sword with trembling eyes, you were thrown back in lane of memories. Nightmare that recurred in only dream was coming alive.

Your death played before your eyes. The very sword he was currently holding, was the same one he used to pierce your heart.

You couldn't stop the soft whimper or your shaky exhale as your gaze remained fixated on the glint of the silver that was nearing you.

Claude stopped a singel step away, stared down at you with bloodthirsty blue eyes.

There was hiss in the air as Claude brought down his sword, cutting swiftly through air and nearing your neck.

Just moments away from piercing your delicate neck...

Just moments away from beheading...

Just inches away from dying the same death...

"Wahhhhh!"

Claude stopped. The swords cut through your cloak and it's sharp edge kissed your neck slightly piercing the delicate skin. Blood trickle down your neck, slided to your collarbone as you held your breath afraid to move in fear of the sword finishing it's killing move.

A soft wail echoed, piercing through the silence. You tensed up, body rigid going into defensive stance as he cold gaze landed on Athy.

Hatred and cold rage blazed within the eerily glowing eyes. The bloodlust thickening.

You tightly grasped the hilt of the dagger. Eyes hardening with resolve to spill blood.

The sword disintegrated in his hold much to your shock. Your body recoiled as Claude stretched his hand out.

His outstretched hand crackled with deadly magic as it neared crying Athy.

Does he wants to kill Athy with his own hands? You glared at the hand, and removed your dagger from your boot.

I don't want to hurt you, Claude but it seem you given me no choice.

As you angled your body for attack, you hesitated as you noticed something.

Claude's hand only hovered in the air. Stopped midway.

Why are his hands trembling?

You looked up. Claude jaw was shaking slightly as his eyes narrowed on Athy, staring daggers with a deadly scowl on his face.

Despite the thick bloodlust you sensed coming off him in waves, he was making no move to kill her.

Confusion clouded your determination. You couldn't wrap your head around the fact that Claude was hesitating. He was even holding back in his magic as it won't suffocate Athy.

Did something changed?

You swallowed hard and released the dagger cautiously.

Clenching and unclenching your fists, you gathered up your courage to speak.

"A-Athanasia." Claude twitched and you repeated in firm force. "Her name is Athanasia, your majesty."

There was deadly silence. Fear pulsed through your body, burning in your veins as you watched, searched his face for any indication, any emotions..

There was nothing but blankness.

Claude was silent before a hollow chuckle left his lips curved up in humourless, malicious smirk

"Athanasia? How amusing."

He straighten up and turned on his heels, his back to you as he spoke again coldly with no emotion.

"I wonder how long can this thing live in accordance to its name."

His robe flapped behind him as he walked out the carnage he created. You were still watching him with dim eyes.

What was that?

He left Athy but what was the emotions you saw for split second on his blank face And the hesitance even before you gave him her name.

You stood up on wobbly feets, rocking Athy to stop her crying. Humming softly to soothe her as her tiny arms flailed around

You gaze didn't leave his back until he was completely out of sight. You whispered to yourself quietly. "Goodbye, Claude."

Finally you gave a deep sigh of relief and leaned back to brush your nose against her tenderly, making her gurgle cutely.

"We survived, Athy."

A colossal change was made. Tremendously different from past life. Only one survive was supposed come out of Ruby massacre but here you were rocking Athy with small smile in your arms.

Two survivors standing in the carnage of blood, steeling themselves for their future.