You didn't know how to face the situation in front of you.

It's been 2 days since Athy went into a magic-induced coma. No healers or magicians could find a cure for her situation. Apparently, she had too much mana for her small body to handle.

Athanasia wasn't supposed to have magic. She was born magicless so why did Athy have it?

Even you as an experienced Healer couldn't find a solution to it. All you could do was use your own mana core to absorb her unstable, rampant magic and stabilize it before sending it back to her.

It was a temporary solution. Your mana core was too small to permanently absorb her unstable mana. Even before that, her magic wasn't compatible with yours since your magic affinity was linked with healing while hers was a different affinity. Once you wore yourself out, her mana would again flare up with no way to stabilize it. You only hoped before that Claude would find someone.

Athy's pale face, her ragged breathing, and the occasional pained whimpers increased the sense of helplessness.

You covered your face with your palms as a small whimper escaped your throat.

You had gone through so much. Situation that brought you to your knees with your spirit and heart shattered into millions of pieces. You knew the cruelty of life keenly, knew the bitter truth of the tainted world that perpetuated tragedies yet you continued to walk. You staggered through the suffering and survived the heartbreaks all the while holding in the tears. Never once gave in to your despair and darkness because you stubbornly held on to the hope. A hope to see your loved ones happy. To see a bright future that wasn't tainted by pain.

To change the fate that sealed away the future of your loved ones.

But now...

"Oh, Athy.." You whimpered, clutching her small hand as you slowly lower your head on her palm. "What do I do? I don't want to lose you. Not again."

No answer.

I'm going to lose Athy all over again, aren't I?

A heavy feeling crushed your insides. Icy claws gnawing at your heart as a slow numbness started replacing the constant torment raging. The light in your eyes dimmed, taking a lifeless undertone.

There was only so much you could bear before you'd shatter under the despair. And you could feel yourself cracking piece by piece, shattering little by little as all accumulated unspoken despair and hidden pain started taking a toll on you.

"(Y/n)," A hand landed on your head, affectionately patting. The numbness momentarily retreated as you looked up at Felix. "It's going to be fine. His majesty has summoned every competent Healer and magician. Princess will regain her health, please so don't worry."

Felix's voice was soft, reassuring. His big hand was warm as he gently comforted you. Lily nodded from behind him, her eyes were red from crying. At that moment you envied her. She was free to let out her emotions yet you were stuck in a void of numbness, slowly feeling dead inside.

As Felix said, Claude probably was threatening someone outside in the throne room to find a solution.

You forced a smile on your face and Felix relaxed a bit. The moment he turned away your smile died down.

He didn't know what you knew. No one could understand your fear.

You had lost Athanasia once. Had witnessed her death with your own helpless eyes. So naturally, you feared history repeating itself.

Your fear was real. You only hoped it wouldn't come true.

***

"Throw him in the dungeon."

A calm, chilling voice echoed in the throne room. The magician on his knees trembled, biting back any protests as knights dragged him away.

"Sent the next Magician."

"Yes, your Majesty."

The knights not daring to look up dutifully nodded and quickly left the suffocating throne room filled with thick killing intent.

In the absence of others, the throne room went eerily silent until a breath of cold contempt laced with suppressed fury left the Emperor.

"Fucking useless,"

Claude closed his eyes, reining in his agitation and anger. A whole week and he still hadn't found a competent magician to heal the child. A whole week he spent his time-wasting on useless pests.

Claude was so close to letting his bloodlust take over and rip limbs off if another one of the completely useless magicians showed up.

"Your majesty," Felix walked in with a worried look. He briefly bowed to show respect and asked with hope. "Any luck..?"

In answer, Claude closed his eyes with a rough sigh. A frustrated look overcame Felix's face.

Claude observed Felix for a few seconds and asked stiffly. "How's she?"

Felix without the need for elaboration replied with a helpless look. Felix knew Claude wasn't talking about the princess. "Not good. She hasn't said a word in days. She barely responded to anyone. Despite being exhausted from lack of sleep, she hardly leaves the princess' side. I'm worried she's pushing herself too hard."

Felix swallowed hard before continuing in a more shaky, trembling voice. "She's not herself. She stopped smiling. That never happened before. No matter what circumstances, she is always cheerful, positive and smiling. Normally she'd joke around, tease to get everyone's spirit up but now she looks so... unlike her." Felix looked up with a grim look. "I don't think it's just worrying for Princess' health, something far deeper seems to be disturbing her."

Claude's face darkened more and more as he listened to Felix. He had noticed himself the lack of liveliness around you. The warmth and joy he closely associated with you weren't there.

The smiling cheerful girl who wouldn't shut up no matter what had become so distant and cold. It was like you were a completely different person.

Something was very wrong.

Since you came back, something seems to be off about you... Something amiss. You were a lot more cautious. Guarded. Less the carefree, reckless girl he knew and more of a stranger.

He choked it off as if you being afraid of him after that night he killed his brother. You had witnessed his every side and expected it but maybe the ruthlessness he showed then was more than you could handle.

You behaved normally with everyone. Showed your caring, affectionate side, smiled with warmth at everyone but him. It was a bitter pill to swallow, seeing you so wary and cautious around him, treating him like some monster.

You hated him was what he concluded.

But now he wasn't so sure...You still cared about him. He saw it numerous times. Despite the front you put of disliking him, the moment you see him troubled or in pain, you reach out to soothe him with words or actions. Just like old times. Contrast to your cautious, wary nature towards him.

He knew you still cared. Deep down in your heart, the bond was alive just like it was in his, despite his efforts to cut off all ties with you. He couldn't get rid of the feelings he had for you. Knowing you reciprocated it, he didn't want that. Against his every instinct warning him to stay away from you, that he would only get hurt in the end, he reached out for the first time to someone. To you to bare his heart. It was torturous, painful and embarrassing since he never knew how to express his heart in words.

He struggled with each word to voice his feelings and somehow through stumbling, staggering he managed it. And when you smile at him and acknowledged his efforts to reconcile, it made all the struggle worth it.

But now you were slipping away again.

A pit formed in his stomach. Claude stood up with a dark look before teleporting to Ruby palace, leaving Felix behind to get himself together.

You were still in the same position last he saw you. Expression blank as you continued to gaze at Athy with glossed-over eyes, gently caressing her forehead.

He noticed the dark bags had become more prominent under your eyes. You looked pale and exhausted yet you stubbornly refused to leave Athy's side, still continuing with your magic purification.

He squashed down the slight burn in his heart. His eyebrows knit together as he closely observed you.

Again the lack of life in your eyes, the defeated hunch of your shoulders, and the limp way you held yourself in the chair made him uneasy.

What put him on edge was the fact he recognized the numb look in your eyes. The same numbness he was all too familiar with. The numbness that came when one gave up on everything, every hope and isolated oneself. To see it on you was like a nightmare.

"You should rest." Claude's harsh voice rang in the room. He didn't mean to sound so cold but the way you looked right now was grinding painfully on his nerves. You shifted your blank eyes to him, staring through him before you turn back to Athy.

"I'm fine."

"I wasn't asking you. I'm telling you to rest."

Instead of some snarky remark like he expected, you remained silent.

Claude clenched his teeth, feeling his ire flare to a dangerous degree. Fine, you say? You looked like you'd collapse any second and you were claiming to be fine?!

He was almost ready to fling you over his shoulder and drag you to bed when the door opened and a grey-haired man walked in.

"Your majesty." The grey man bowed deeply and remained that way, waiting for the Emperor's permission to look up.

Claude's already sour mood worsened. "Roman."

Roman looked up, adjusting his glasses as he nervously darted his eyes to you, worry filling his eyes.

Claude clicked his tongue. He still remembered he had ordered the man before him to never show his face again. He had locked him up in a black tower after he had ended up demolishing the white tower out of despair at losing you. The place held too many memories of you, whenever his eyes fell on it, it filled him with painful nostalgia when he was trying his damn hardest to forget you.

There was another reason he didn't want this pest to show himself before him. He had an inkling suspicious these wrinkled bones had something to do with your fake corpse that night since you hadn't refined your magic skills to perform such high degree spell.

Along with the knights he sent away at the borders to guide. They both were lucky to have connections with you or else their bodies would've been six feet underground.

However, the situation called for the old man's help and out of necessity, he let him out. But it seems to be a waste since the man proved himself to be completely useless as well.

"Speak," Claude said coldly, a menacing glare on his face. "Did you do a solution or are you ready to have your limbs ripped off?"

Roman gulped almost cowering in intimidation, his eyes again darting towards you who hadn't acknowledged his presence yet.

"No, your majesty." At Claude's malicious aura and chilling glare, Roman quickly continued. "But there's something far more important thing I need to tell you. It's pertaining to Lady (Y/n)."

That got his full attention.

Much to Claude's annoyance, Roman requested to speak outside. Claude clicked his tongue but compiled.

Roman was contemplating how to break the grim news to the Emperor whose razor-sharp eyes were fixed on him.

"Your majesty, as you know Lady (Y/n) is using her own mana core to stabilize Her Highness's unstable magic." Roman waited for the affirmation, once Claude silently glared at him and he continued, stumbling his words out, "It's a very risky, temporary solution Her Highness rampant mana is hard to stabilize and that child has been going on at it for days without proper rest. At this rate, her mana core would get worn out and Her Highness's unstable mana would end up overpowering her core and.." Roman trailed off as he felt the icy gaze burning through him.

"Meaning?"

Roman dropped to his knees as he let the next words out which very well get him killed. "Once her mana core reached its limit in intake of Princess' mana, her heart would explode..."

The corridor was instantly blanketed in thick bloodlust the moment words were out.

"She would die..?"

Roman shook harder at the quiet deadly tone. He knew the Emperor was notorious for his ruthlessness. But Roman was worried about you. The Emperor needs to be aware of the risk you were taking to your life.

"Please your Majesty, you need to stop that child before she gets herself killed."

A shadow was cast on Claude's face, hiding away his face. His aura turned cold and suffocating as barely repressed rage came off him in waves making Roman take a step back in fear. Turning on his heels, Claude slammed the door open and stomped to you.

Grabbing your arm he pulled you up from the chair, tightening his grip when you stumble on his chest. None of his actions were gentle. He stared at you with cold eyes as you looked at him with surprise.

"Wha-?"

"Take her place and look after Athanasia." Claude without looking at Roman ordered coldly. Before you could make sense of his sudden aggression he teleported you both into his room.

You gasped at the abrupt change in surroundings. Taking a sharp breath, you spun around to face Claude to demand answers. You felt your breath hitch. His blue eyes were glowing, menacingly, expression unreadable as he stared at you.

Through the numbness dread settled in as you took a step away from him. "Why did you bring me here? I need to be with Athy. She needs me there."

"Is she all you can think of?"

You were too tired to find the hidden meaning behind his words. There was a persistent headache throbbing too due to lack of sleep and proper rest. "Claude, take me back to Athy if you are going to talk in circles."

"That child," Claude started, tone nonchalant almost indifferent but the contemptuous look in his eyes gave away his bitterness. "..just who is she to you?"

You blinked, it was hard to focus on his words, the numbness and exhaustion swirling under your skin repressed all emotion. "I'm her Godmother."

Claude scoffed and grabbed your chin harshly, tilting you close to force eye contact as his eyes pierced through you. "Godmother? So you are ready to throw away your life for her?"

You were startled. "H-How...?"

"How do I know it?" Claude said, his eyes hard. "Doesn't matter. Tell me, what were trying to accomplish by throwing your life away? For a child that isn't even yours."

Your fist clenched in anger. You swatted his hands away and took a step back. Glaring at him you spat out, "It doesn't matter if Athy's isn't my blood and flesh, I still consider her my daughter. And for her, I'm ready to gamble with my life."

Giving him one harsh look, you turn to leave. You only took a step away when Claude grabbed your shoulder, spun you around and pinned you against the wall in one smooth swift movement.

"Gamble with your life?" Claude pressed his hand on your shoulder to keep you pinned against the wall and planted his forearm above your head to corner you and force your full attention on him and he growled, "Don't you dare."

You stopped struggling and took a deep breath to compose yourself. "Claude, let me go."

"No." Claude's voice rang sharp and harsh as he pressed himself closer, face twisted up in annoyance. "Let you go so you could go back and risk your life again? I think not."

Your hand shot up and grabbed his collar before you could stop yourself. The numbness fully dissipated as frustration took its place. Pulling him closer, you stared dead into his eyes and said harshly, "I'm trying you save your daughter dammit! She'd die without me there. Don't you want her back safe?!"

"Not at the cost of your life."

Claude's hand on your shoulder moved to grab the back of your nape as his own frustration resurfaced.

Harsh breathing echoed in the room as you both glared at each other, scowls on your faces.

Realizing the situation was only escalating you tried to calm yourself and reason with him. "Claude, it doesn't matter--"

"Yes, it does! I can't lose you, not when I just got you back." Claude slammed his fist above your head making you jump, he gritted his teeth as he desperately sought to convey his feelings. "Why can't you understand? I can't lose you twice."

You let out a shaky breath as the colour drained from your face. Shaking your head, you let out a tiny whimper. All of the time why now? Why did he have to say a such thing now?!

Feeling you shiver against him, Claude took a sharp breath as his muscles tensed up at the realization of what he said. His gaze lost his aggression and filled up with indescribable emotion, he bit his lips as he repeated again in a more small, stiff voice, "I can't lose you again..."

"And I can't lose Athy!.... The only reason came back was because of her. If she isn't here, there's no point in me staying!" You screamed as tears burned in your eyes. There was a painful lump in your throat as your heart throbbed with every second. You almost wished for the numbness to come back and replace the painful feeling running through your veins like tiny knives. The confession couldn't have been timed more wrong. You were already in a tight spot, his words only made your decision more painful. The decision to save Athy even at cost of your life.

"This again, huh.."

Claude's hair cast a shadow over his face as he let out a dry, bitter chuckle.

A chill ran down your spine and the unshed tears became harder to hold in.

"The choice is already made and I'm not the one you choose," Claude said between bitter laughs. He rested his forehead on your shoulder, his body trembled with each dry laugh. "How pitiful. That pest won once again."

You shut your eyes tight at his defeated tone. "Claude.."

"Don't," His voice was strained and ice cold, and you flinched back. "Don't pity me."

Pulling back, he stared at you with blue eyes devoid of any emotion. A chill crawled up your spine at his emotionless tone. "You made your choice, now hear mine. I won't let you slip away so easily. You'd remain by my side till my last breath."

Your eyes widened. "W-what?"

"You heard me," Claude said, with an ominous chill in his eyes. "I'll end that pest's life if you risked yours."

"What?" You stared at him with your jaw dropped in shock. You pulled his collar and shouted. "No, what the hell are you talking about?! She's your daughter!"

Claude didn't budge, his eyes continued to flash dangerously, and he almost looked unhinged.

"I don't care about that." His voice sounded so indifferent, so uncaring your nails dug into his collar, almost ripping the robe you held on to. "You won't risk your life for her. I'll find another way to save her so you don't need to worry."

Claude stepped back, creating a small distance so he could properly look at you. Still caging you against the wall, he ran his thumb under your eyes, tracing the dark bags you got from sleepless nights. You shivered under his touch, feeling your eyes drooping in exhaustion as finally all the sleepless night caught up to you.

You struggled to keep them open. You felt Claude using his magic to put you to sleep so you push against him but it was futile.

"For now, sleep." Claude caught your falling figure. Placing a hand underneath your knees and back, he picked you up into his arms. For a few seconds, he stared at your sleeping face. Walking around the room, he carefully laid you back on his bed.