"So you're the Lucas guy who healed my Athy? You...You are kidding me, right?"

It felt like a huge boulder was dropped on your head as you gaped at the ten year old boy in absolute shock and bafflement.

"Yes milady, I'm Lucas. But I'm afraid I'm not worth of any praise." Lucas politely bowed his head. Athy scoffed under her breath.

Hearing his humble words, your shoulders hunched over and your eyes stared blankly at Lucas. You a grown ass woman with years of experience in healing under your belt got whipped by a kid who hadn't even hit poverty?!

What's with this world and it's prodigies?! It's not fair!

To think that you almost died saving Athy while this kid just waltz in and cured Athy with snap of fingers made everything so much worse.

Though he did say he couldn't heal Athy completely and what happened might occur in the future, he did assure he could handle it and would eventually stabilize Athy's mana. It was a huge shock to find Raven was the the cause of Athy's condition. Still it was huge accomplishment compared to your borderline suicidal solution.

You questioned the fairness of the world as you sulked like a toddler, pushing your forehead against Claude's forearm while grumbling.

A flicker of amused glint crossed over Claude's stoic face. It didn't go unnoticed by you. You merely huffed.

Felix cleared his throat and smiled down at Lucas. "We are grateful for your hardwork. Though you might be still a kid, your skills far surpasses the official Healers and magicians."

"Felix is right."

Extinguishing the twinge in your gut, you crouched to Lucas level and patted his head as you smiled gratefully, "Thanks kiddo! You might be a child, adorable at that but the feat you accomplished is no joke!"

In Claude's arms, Athy grew agitated. She threw dirty looks at Lucas who was basking smugly in the praises. She shouted while pointing a accusing finger to him, "But (Y/n), this guy--"

"Easy there!" Your attention diverted from Athy's when you caught Lucas as he suddenly keel over coughing violently. You patted his back, growing concerned.

"I apologise. I might have use all my mana on healing Princess." Lucas said inbetween coughing fits. Feeling responsible and bad for him, you used your magic to ease his coughing.

A low growl rumbled in Ether's throat as he circled around Lucas and whipped his twin tails in the air threateningly. There was a dangerous glint in his heterochromic eyes like he was ready to pounce and rip off Lucas face at any moment.

"Shush, Ether." You scolded. When he growled and hissed again, specifically at Lucas, you sighed. Ether didn't like people but there were some exceptions where he downright hated them. Seems like Lucas fall in second category. "Stop scaring him, Ether."

"He hates me." Lucas sadly sniffed. Scowling, you picked up Ether and placed him on the bed where Raven was cowering. Probably still terrified of Claude. Couldn't blame the little guy since he first hand witnessed Claude's wrath.

"Stay here!" You ordered.

While you were busy pacifying Ether, Athy incredulously glared at Lucas. Claude spared her a suspicious glance and silently watched as you helped Lucas up with a apologetic smile.

"You can rest for now. Your hardwork will be rewarded once I confirm Athanasia's health. And if you failed, you die." Claude said bluntly, blue eyes coldly regarding him. You facepalmed at his not so subtle threat and elbowed him. Ignoring your jab like it was nothing, he ordered. "Felix, escort him out."

"Yes, your Majesty." Felix bowed and gestured Lucas to follow him.

Athy watched him with disgust, seeing through his innocent facade as Lucas meekly followed Felix. Before leaving, Lucas sent a discreet smirk to Athy causing her to fly into silent rage.

As Felix escorted Lucas out, he caught Claude's eyes and nodded with a meaningful look on his face. Claude sharpened eyes stared intently at Lucas who causally strode outside, feigning obliviousness to the calculated, scrutinizing gaze icily drilling on him.

"I can't believe it. I'm such a loser." You mumbled, depressive clouds hovering over your head as you weakly and limply leaned against Claude and sulked. Claude didn't complaint about your deadweight on him instead he opt to watch you, feeling incredibly nostalgic and amused.

Athy sweat-dropped at your sullen expression. You three were the only ones present in Athy's bedroom.

Athy awkwardly patted your head, her tiny hand feeling weightless. You sulked harder.

"So childish." Claude tsked sarcastically, shifting Athy away to flick your forehead.

Frowning, your rubbed the sore area, you stuck out your tongue showing your maturity and retorted snarkily "I don't want to hear that from you, you world class petty jerk."

Athy swore her heart stopped completely. She fearfully turned her head to Claude, expecting him to whip out a sword amd cut off your tongue for insolence, instead she saw a smug smirk form on her psychopathic, emotionless Father's stoic face and her jaw dropped in shock.

"I beg to differ." Claude scoffed lightly. "You were the one who admitted 'petty' was your middle name or have you forgotten already?"

You huffed, looking away as your cheeks puffed up to even bigger pout proving Claude's point. You were petty. From kid to adult that trait never changed.

Who could blame you? After all the hard work, gurelling training and nightless studies, you were tad bit upset, not with Lucas but with yourself You needed to train and expand your knowledge as a Healer so if in near future something like this occurred, you'd be ready and not be helpless about it.

A comfortable quietness instilled in the room. A peaceful tranquility washing over you as you leaned against Claude's side and watched fondly as he asked Athy about her health while Athy declined a strange kind of hesitation in her actions and expression.

You sighed a breath of content happiness, the profound joy was unlike ever you experienced. At the moment you felt top of the world, the most fortunate person to live. Nothing could match to this exhilarating, pure feeling nestled warmly in your chest.

Once Claude inspection was finished he turned to you. He paused completely and raised a eyebrow, "Why are you staring at us like that?"

"Like what?" Your fond smile widened when Claude turned disgruntled, tad bit embrassed when he couldn't find the exact word to describe your softened expression, the warmth reflected in your shimmering eyes and the feeling it evoke in him. "Like I love you and Athy so so much? It's because I do!" You beamed.

Stunned into silence, Claude blinked several times as tips of his ears turned bright red. Averting his eyes, he mumbled in small soft voice, "I know."

You flushed red when your eyes strayed to Athy and her wide saucer like eyes. You sheepishly smiled at her as her expression turned pale and panicky. Guess she wasn't ready for your relationship with Claude. And Claude's silent staring wasn't helping either.

You stomped on his feet and hissed, "Stop staring!"

Claude unfazed by your stomping, merely blinked and tilted his head almost like he was confused.

Smiling crookedly, you shook your head at him and his oblivion to shame.

"Are you hungry, Athy?" You asked eagerly. Your brows furrowed when Athy only blinked owlishly at you, looking like she was having existential crisis as her wide gaze switched between you and Claude.

"Athy?"

Athy snapped out of her freakish trance and grinned forcefully, "Athy will have cakes. Lots of cakes!" A little bit of sanity too.

"Yep," You grinned, stretching your limbs, hearing the satisfying cracks and pops. "After all the insane stuff I need ton lots of sweets! Right, Claude? I'm sure you craving some just like us!"

"No." Claude made a face and a cheshire grin curled on your lips.

"C'mon, your salty personality needs some sweetness!" You poked his side with each word.

"No."

"Way to be a killjoy!" You booed and took Athy from him. "Let's go Athy, we can enjoy by ourselves. No need for you killjoy of a father to come along and ruin our high spirits!"

Claude rolled his eyes while his blue eyes softened at your high spirits and rambunctiousness that had returned wholeheartedly. No words could describe the amount of relief and happiness he was feeling to have you finally back and smiling. No longer there was wariness, the look of indiscernible despondency in your eyes, forced smiles and laughs or the fake cheerful masks. Just you and your real smile and genuine laugh. Everything that ever enthralled him and enticed him to you -- your mischievous smiles, your contiguous laughs, your daring, recklessness personality - was back. And the fact he no longer has to hold back made just made you more tempting and irresistible.

He smirked as his eyes squinted at your back walking away from him. He nonchalantly remarked, "Just try and leave me, and see if you'd get any desserts."

You stop dead in your tracks and spun around to shout. "You can't!"

Smirk turning sharp and taunting, Claude said with air of indifference. "I most certainly can. You wanna bet?"

Your jaw dropped. "That's abuse of power!"

"I'm the Emperor. Might as well use my status." Claude plainly said, his face deadpanned as he shrugged his shoulders and passed by your stunned self with a small satisfied smirk.

You opened and closed your mouth servals times, too speechless to come back with a retort. Your lips thinned and you complaint to Athy as you sped up to follow the blonde jerk ahead. "Did you hear that, Athy? He's gonna ban our desserts! Your dad is nothing less than a evil tyrant!"

"Tch."Claude slowed down to match your pace. You jolted when he leaned down and brushed his lips against your ear and in a low silky voice, only audible to you, he whispered. "You belong to said evil Tyrant."

Your face burst into reddish of red colour as your mind momentarily malfunctioned. You almost tripped on your feets, if it weren't for Claude's quick reflex to catch your forearm. You spluttered out something incoherent jumble of words

His face was too smug for your liking when he took Athy from you. Poor child was still reeling back from shock.

Your tried to regain your composure and calm the loud thudding of your heart, as you trialed behind him and Athy with a flushed cheeks.

Pretending like nothing happened, stoic face Claude said, "Before your disgusting sweets, have some proper meal. Your body needs something more substantial."

Clearing you dry throat, cheeks still flushed pink hue, you shot him a unamused look. "Yeah, yeah whatever you say, your Majesty."

"Don't like the taste of your own medicine, huh." Claude said shrewdly with a sardonic smirk. "It's nice change to see you all red."

You narrowed your eyes at him. "So this is how it is, huh? You want to be competitive. So be it. Let's see whose going to be red all the time! Spoiler alert, it's not going to me."

Huffing out a amused breath, Claude's lips twitched. "We'll see."

You didn't how the conversation took a turn to such childish thing. But you weren't complaining. You missed bickering with him over absolutely nothing or even silly things like this one.

Meanwhile Athy almost threw up at the lovey-dovey atmosphere surrounding you both. Why was she seeing floating hearts?!

M-my bastard of a villainous Father seduced my godmother! Athy shrieked internally in horror, her soul floating above her pale body. What do I do?! I gotta stop him from breaking your heart. My mom deserves way better! Not a psychopathic murderer whose also known for his depraved debauchery!

***

Utter chaos ensued the moment you stepped into the Black Tower. You grinned warily, not stopping your soft steps as you passed familiar and unfamiliar faces alike.

Some recognised you while some where confused at your appearance. Both of parties watching from afar as if too afraid to interact with the new person entering their working place. You had suspicious it was likely caused by Claude.

"Brings back memories, huh Ether?" You said mischievously, the cat sitting atop of your head meowed his agreement similar glint of mischievous in his heterochromic eyes.

You ascended the spiralling stairs leaving behind the loud crowd gathered at the base of the stairs to gawk at you curiously. You had a clear goal in mind to meet Roman and thank him. And also clear some of your doubts surrounding the mystery around your fake death.

Two days passed since the Athy woke up from her coma everything been relatively calm and smooth if not strange. You say relatively because since Claude and your dynamic had changed, you both were navigating through said new dynamic still figuring out what to do next.

It'd much easier to figure out if it weren't for the constant interruption whenever you tried to spent quality time with Claude. Whether it was due Claude's emperor duties or Athy suddenly being super clingy and refusing to leave you alone, you weren't getting any alone time with him.

Though you enjoyed your time with Athy with her sudden vehement refusals to leave your side, specifically with Claude, Claude on the other hand didn't share the same sentiment. His mood was definitely not merry. He sure made it crystal clear by his brooding silence and constant glare directed at you.

Almost like it was your fault for not spending time with him.

You sighed. Geez, it's not like I don't want to be with him, any less than him, so why blame me. Ugh! Why's my life so tough, dammit!

"Who allowed you here?"

Your gloomy musing halts as Roman familiar figure drifts into your field of vision.

You lifted your hand in mock salute. "Yo, old man long time no see! Seems like you still got your stinky personality!"

A vein popped on Roman's forehead. "You haven't changed either! Still the same infuriating brat with outrageous mouth!"

You bounced on your feet with jovial smiled. "Aw, you missed me, old man?"

"Goodness no! There was so much peace with you gone. Especially the troublemaker cat. Can you ask him to stip glaring at me?"

You completely ignored his request.

"Don't worry." You said, reaching up to pat Ether's head and winked. "The chaotic duo are back, so no more boring peace!"

"I'd prefer you don't ruin my peaceful days."

"Can't promise that!"

Exasperated, Roman sighed like he was already exhausted with your presence alone. "Why are you here, child? Tell me you didn't come here just to frustrate me. I'm old man now, do spare me."

"Would you happy if I said I did came here for said reasons?" You taunted with shit eating grin. When Roman glared, you laughed merrily finding his pissed off expression funny.

"Your so much fun to rile up but no I didn't come here to do that. Though I'd love to." You shrugged playfully before getting to the point. "I wanted to thank you."

Roman blinked in confusion. "Thank me, for what? I practically did nothing in helping Princess or you--"

"I'm not talking about that." You cut him off and your smile grew smug when Roman's eyes widened.

Roman stilled and narrowed his eyes before he sighed seeing the steel look in your eyes. He grimly said, "So you know huh?"

"I learnt recently." You nodded, Ether almost slipping down in process. You apologise as he grumbled. "I don't know the details. It's only after coming back I knew about the rumours everyone thought I was dead. I put two and two together. So care to fill in the details?"

Accepting you were going to back down, he started retelling the incident. It was as you suspected, Lawrence and Roman orchestrated your fake death to stop anyone, more importantly Claude from chasing after you once you ran away.

"So Lawrence, huh?" You whispered, a strong sense of guilt and regret festering inside as you recalled your last meeting with him. His confession still weighted heavily on your conscious.

Roman rubbed his eyes tiredly. "Yes, that lad. He came to me and begged me to help him to cover your tracks. He was worried about your safety, rumbling something about the emperor hurting you." Roman adjusted his glasses back on his eyes, nit looking your way. "He was quite abundant and stubborn so I couldn't refuse. He came up with the whole fake corpse plan, I only executed it."

You raised a eyebrow and crossed your arms as your expression showed skeptism and doubt. "You're not very sincere, ya know?"

Roman spluttered before throwing his hands up and relenting. "Fine! I wanted to repent for treating you wrongly all those years." You fell silent, not expecting him to open up like this. Roman tiredly sighed as his eyes clouded over with memories of past. "I remember clearly the day you were brought in and I was appointed to be your teacher. I had tons of complaints. Why was I chosen to teach some lowlife commoner? After testing your abilities my thoughts were only reinforced. You weren't prodigy by any means, were nothing more than a naive child who got mistakenly chosen. At least that's what I thought." Roman scoffed to himself, a tiny smile surfacing over his aging face. "You were constantly belittled, scorned and ostracized for being a commoner yet you endured that with a smile on your face. Even though you were isolated for unjust reasons, you never gave into their taunts and mocks, just kept resiliently working hard on improving yourself. You did cause trouble for others namely those who insulted your blood and mother with that magical cat of yours, but there was no real menace in your actions. Seeing you struggle through all that and still smile forced me to reflect on myself and my beliefs. You might have never been a prodigy but you were a true hardworker. I'm proud of being your teacher."

Your lips parted in shock. Now that was not what you expected.

"So when the knight came begging for my help, I took the rare opportunity to repent myself. I knew you wanted to travel around and not stay caged within the imperial grounds."

Blinking rapidly as slowly the words sunk in, you weakly smiled. "Sheesh, old man you're so sappy, you know that? Going sentimental on me like that... Are you trying to make me cry cause I'm close to summoning a river here!"

Roman scoffed with red hue on his cheeks. "Whatever, you brat. It's not me you should be thanking. That troublesome knight is more responsible and the one you should be grateful to. Though I think all his efforts were for nought now that you're back and he'd being shipped away for guarding the Western border."

The feeling of elation quickly faded away as your eye mudded over with guilt. Head downcast, your eyes scrunched shut tightly as your stomach churned at the fact you left Lawrence hanging midway with no proper answer to his love confession. Back then you were a weak coward who ran away selfishly at the face of affection while your mind and sanity was tearing itself apart from the cruel revelations. Then your soul and mind was tattered, ripped into pieces to make sense of anything beside the fact you wanted to run way from all the betrayals and hurt.

Lawrence I'm so sorry...

You knew the pain of pinning after someone who could never be yours. Wanting their love when you knew it would never come to be. It hurts. The unrequited feelings were hell to get through. And you left Lawrence at the mercy of it knowing full well the agony it'd surely cause.

"He loves you, that troublesome knight."