Happiness was a strange notion. It's intangible yet everyone sought it without knowing what actually it was. But as you raced hand in hand with Athy, a flower crown crookedly placed on your head, a similar set in her tiny hands, you felt that unattainable happiness within your grasp. You basked in that happiness that connections brought. Merely existing with the people you care about and love, feeling every bit of joy and happiness wash over you.

"(Y/n), please slow down!" Felix shouted in concern, running after you and Athy. Poor guy couldn't catch a break from always worrying for you.

You laughed, looking over your shoulder, "Geez, Felix, tired already? Don't tell me you're growing old."

Athy's teasingly giggled and looked over her shoulder, waving the delicate flower crown she chimed in, "Mr. Knight is growing old!"

"I'm not!" Felix shouted, to emphasize his point he run faster, bypassing you. He grinned in triumph and it quickly faded away seeing your wicked, cheshire smile. He realized he fell right into your trick, playing into your silly game. "You tricked me."

"Aw, my adorable tomato knight is definitely in his prime. If only Lily was here." You winked as you bypassed him and snickered at his betrayed expression.

"You're too cruel..." Felix mumbled, depressive clouds hanging over him as he followed you.

"Aren't I, Felix?" You flipped your hair haughtily. Patted his shoulder in consolation when he became more gloomy. Athy impatiently tugged at your hand to hurry up and shooting her an excited smile, you clutched her tiny hand tightly and dashed.

"Guess who's here?" You slammed open the office door open and walked in like you owned the place, Athy followed your example as she imitated your cocky posture. "Your favourite person and your lovely daughter."

Claude calmly finished signing the document, his movements graceful and swift. It dampened your mood when he didn't flinch or gave any reaction whatsoever. "Of course it's you. Who else would cause a such ruckus and dare to disturb my peaceful evening." Putting away the sealed document, he supported his chin with back his knuckles and remarked lazily, "It's always you."

"What a mood killer." You said, crossing your arms tad bit peeved by his lack of reaction. "Peaceful evening my ass, you're like an old man brooding in boring silence."

"Says the woman who still hasn't grown up from her childish mentality," Claude said and smirked like a cocky bastard, arrogantly leaning back in his grand chair with an air of nonchalance.

"Huh?!" Offended, you slammed your hand on the desk and intimidatingly leaned forward with an annoyed face. Judging by his widening amused smirk, you weren't coming off as intimidating as you imagined you'd be and this further fuelled your ire. "The said childish woman is one you love. My childish mentality definitely didn't turn you off from getting attractive to me or as a matter of fact falling in love with me."

"Touché." Claude's cocky smirk didn't fade away instead it softened at the edges, almost resembling a faint smile. "The woe is me, isn't it?"

Your annoyance vanished as the faint smile captured your whole attention. Heart melting away at the rare sight, your expression unconsciously softened.

Here was your other source of happiness. Him; your everything and more.

Gahh! The stupidly heartwarming smile again! It's so stupid I want to kiss him! So badly!

Before you could something stupid as kissing him, Athy peeked from the edge of the desk, with a wide eerie smile forced upon her lips and a blank look in her normally sparkling eyes.

"Papa," Athy started softly, tilting her head to one side. Immediately a stare-down ensued between her and Claude and the space shared between them lit up with invisible sparks. The stare down broke when Athy tugged at your hand in her, smiling broadly and Claude clicked his tongue, stoic expression almost breaking into an irritated one.

You blinked several times, baffled. You swore for a moment Athy looked like something straight out of a horror movie. You must be imagining it. There's no way your cute daughter was glaring murderously at Claude. Right?

As quickly as the eerie Athy came, she was gone. In place of it was your cheerful, bright daughter.

"I brought you this!" Athy grinned, showing the flower crown in her hands. "I made it myself!"

Laughing nervously as you shook off the strangeness, you picked her up and set her on the desk. "Go ahead, Claude put it on. Look! We have a similar one." You pointed to the flower crown nestled on your head and then Athy's crooked flower crown that was too big for her tiny head.

Claude's blank face shifted. "You want me to put that absurd thing on my head?"

You and Athy eagerly nodded your head in sync.

Eyebrows twitching, Claude took the flower crown from Athy's hand and dangled it in front of his eyes, looking unimpressed.

"Don't be shy now, Claude. " You said and sighed when Claude thinned his lips unwillingly. "C'mon it's not that bad. I'm sure you'd look beautiful."

Claude didn't look convinced instead his disdainful grew.

Felix arrived and immediately sweat-dropped at the current situation of you shooting puppy eyes at Claude while he avoided your gaze and Athy's sulking figure on the desk. Grasping the situation quickly, Felix helped in guilt-trapping Claude into wearing the flower crown. "Your majesty, Princess put her whole heart to make it for you, you should at least try once it to keep her heart."

Claude sent a chilling glance his way and Felix paled at the unvoiced threat, shutting up.

"It's okay," Tears sprang in Athy's eyes as she delicately reached for the flower crown and protectively held it against her chest. "Papa doesn't want to wear it. I don't want to upset him."

Seeing Athy sullen and gloomy, you shot a fierce glare at Claude.

Warily looking at your stern expression, he roughly exhaled and said begrudgingly, "Fine. Go ahead."

Athy immediately brightens up. "Really? Papa is the best!"

You clapped your hands with a grin. "Sweet! Athy, go on, put the pretty flower crown on your dad."

Expressionless Claude tilted his head down so Athy could place the flower crown while throwing you sour looks to let you know he was forced into this against his will and he didn't like it one bit. You only smiled benevolently.

Athy clapped her hands in joy, and a smile that almost resembled a smirk curled up on her lips. "Papa looks so pretty!"

The bright and vivid colours of the flower petals contrasted the shiny gold of his strands almost ethereally while popping out the blues of his eyes.

You held your chin as you let out an appreciative whistle, "No kidding! You rocking that Angel look. Should I call you an angel from now on?"

Claude's sour face scrunched up into distaste and he shot you an offended look.

"Haha, I guess that's a no." You put your hands up and smiled innocently, "Should we go for walk? The weather is nice outside."

Wordless, Claude stood up from his seat and arranged the documents back to the proper stack and put away the quill.

Your brows shot up in pleasant surprise. Claude was never the messy one. He always kept his stuff organized and got distraught from your disorganized mess that often spawns from your laziness.

"What?" Claude asked. You realized you were smiling without knowing it.

You shook your head and softly said, "Somethings never change. I'm glad."

You turn around and saw Felix smiling over anxious Athy who kept throwing glances your way. It seems they were in some kind of argument.

"Why not, princess, I always carried you so what happened? Did I do something wrong?" Felix asked growing more and more gloomy with each question he shot at Athy.

Felix's kicked puppy eyes were too much for Athy to handle and she relented. Felix brighten up and carried Athy in his arms with a big happy smile.

"If you feel discomfort, do tell me, Princess," Felix asked Athy who pouted and shook her head in dismay.

Poor Athy finally got a taste of her own medicine. You thought with an amused snort.

Following Felix, you side glanced at silent Claude. After making sure Athy was deep in conversation with Felix about what was Lily's favourite colour and far enough, you stopped. Claude cocked an eyebrow at your sudden pause but you didn't give him the chance to question as you tiptoed and pressed a soft kiss on his lips. Claude froze, his eyes widened slightly at the feel of your soft lips on his.

"It's better late than never so.." You whispered against his lips as he remained frozen. "I love you, my angel." You pulled back with a devilish smirk. Claude's stunned face soured again while his eyebrows twitched.

Humming in triumph, you beamed, feeling wickedly satisfied at getting some tangible reaction out of him.

You had only taken a few steps when you were ripped back and spun around with a sudden tug on your arm. You crashed against his chest with a surprised yelp.

"If you're going to kiss, do it properly."

Was all he said to your surprised face before crashing his lips against yours and pulling you into a deep heated kiss, leaving you gasping for air as you parted. Just as you caught your breath Claude dived in for another kiss. This time more rough and hard, almost like he was starved.

Fortunately, Felix and Athy had exited and were spared. It'd be mortifying if they witnessed this.

You stared breathlessly into his half-lidded eyes as his thumb stroked your lower lip, shivering under his piercing eyes that glowed with a predatory glint.

"You should look in the mirror before calling me an angel," Claude said gruffly, another shiver ran down your spine at his deep hoarse voice.

God, why was his voice so hot?! Desire flooded your veins and you tucked his hair to pull into another kiss, Claude gladly compiled, pulling you tight against him.

"Hurry up! Papa! (Y/n)!"

You jumped, mind gaining clarity as the heated haze faded away. Athy's loud shout echoed from outside and judging from her impatient, slightly hysterical shout she was seconds away from running inside. You chuckled weakly as you uncoiled Claude's arms from around your waist.

Athy couldn't have more perfect timing. You sighed.

Blinking away the haze, Claude sighed in frustration and defeat. Dropping his forehead against your shoulder, he let out a deep heavy exhale and muttered bitterly, "I swear that brat keeps doing it on purpose."

You adjusted the flower crown as it almost slid off his head and laughed albeit forced, feeling your own longing greatly, "I'm sure it's just a coincidence."

Claude grunted, "Right, same coincidence every time with that brat. I'm convinced."

Pulling back, his frustrated expression slowly turned to calm and stoic the more he stared at you, a soft sigh filled with longing parted his lips. You blinked, slightly unnerved under his scrutinizing gaze, his unreadable face gave nothing away to what was going inside his head. Before Claude took his flower crown and replaced it on your head.

"Wait," You started to protest, "Athy made it--"

Claude swatted away your hands reaching for the crown and adjusting it, looking pretty proud as he held his chin and remarked, "It suits you better."

You flushed. "But Athy will be upset."

"Good." He said offhandedly. Snatching your wrist, he tugged you after him. "Let's go or else that brat would start screeching again."

Dumbfounded, you let him steer you before you smiled hopelessly to yourself. Why was he so petty? God, you loved him to bits, even his ridiculous pettiness.

***

After a tea break and lots of awkward silence as you were forced to sit between intense stare down from Claude and Athy.

Even Felix was surprised at the animosity between them. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration but you could feel the tension between them. All you could do was shrug your shoulder clueless yourself when Felix looked at you for answers.

You were immensely relieved when Lucas came with Raven. and forgetting everything Athy ran after them to play. Watching them squabble in the flower field was entertaining and adorable as hell. It warmed your heart to see a new budding friendship blooming before your eyes.

More so with Athy finding a friend.

"Aren't they cute, Claude?" You asked, kicking his leg under the table to gain his attention. Raising an eyebrow at your action, Claude spared a disinterested glance at them and went back to sipping Lippe tea. You deadpanned. "Oh, my god how are you even drinking that thing? Its taste makes no sense."

Claude paused in the middle of sipping his favourite lipee tea and narrowed his eyes, "Same goes for the sickening thing you are gobbling down."

You stabbed the slice of chocolate cake and waved at him with a look that said he was a dense idiot. "It's delicious! How can you not eat it?!"

"Disgusting might the appropriate word."

"Hmph!" You huffed, gobbling down the slice of cake. "You have no taste whatsoever."

"I'd say I have better taste in everything." Claude bluntly stated, looking far too intently at you before he closed his eyes and took another sip calmly, his twitching lips suppressing a smirk.

"H-huh?" You coughed and almost choked on the cake, caught off guard by the sudden innuendo. Seeing his smirk become visible made it clear you weren't imagining the hidden meaning in his words.

"You.." How could he say that with a straight face?!

"Yes?" Claude hummed, cracking one eye to look at you in innocent nonchalance.

"Pfft--"

You both sharply turn to Felix standing on guard. Sensing the stares, Felix bit down his knuckles to repress the laughter but his shoulders shook anyways.

"What's so funny, Felix?" You asked, furrowing your brows.

Giving up repressing his laugh, he let out a wholehearted laugh, "Reminds me of our younger days. You both used to squabble like this. I feel relieved nothing's changed."

Felix finished with another chuckle, a fond look on his face as a warm smile curled up his lips

You and Claude exchanged glances; you were flustered while he looked ready to chuck his porcelain cup at Felix.

"Felix." Claude started in a clear warning.

"Sorry, sorry," Felix said sounding unapologetic, a flowery smile plastered on his face. Claude shot him a death glare and Felix admitting defeat changed the topic, "Princess looks happy. Maybe we should start looking for playmates for her whom she could befriend."

You perked up at that. Playmates? You watched Athy smack Lucas over his head with a stick when he grabbed Raven with a playful smile, snatching him away from Lucas's grasp. You sweat-dropped. Wait for a second when did Ether join them--

"Duke Roger recommended his son Ijekeil for the princess." Felix continued, then his voice turned sheepish. "Though Princess turned down that offer quite vehemently."

"Ah, I remember." You nodded. "She said something about not wanting stupid friends."

She's clearly Claude's daughter, alright.

"Good, I don't want a carbon copy of that snake bastard hanging around the palace. Just the thought of it is giving me a headache." Claude said, face painted with disdain.

"Now, now don't hold the deeds of the father over his son." You said before humming thoughtfully.

Ijikeil huh? You remembered him. He was truly a kind child. Though he did share some traits with his Roger, he was a good boy.

"I think Lucas is the best fit for her." You said after giving it some thought. You nodded towards the field where two playing when Claude hummed in question. "She's open with him and Lucas doesn't seem a bad child. With Athy's condition, Lucas more than qualified for that."

"Do as you will." Claude simply said, ending the discussion.

Your shoulder slackened at his disinterest. "She's your daughter Claude, don't be so dismissive."

"I did agree. What more do you want from me?" Claude sighed, staring back at your concerned eyes in boredom.

Your worried expression didn't let up, only deepened. Was he still resentful of her?

"Or she can have little siblings of her own?" Felix butted in with a playful smile.

"..."

"..."

Complete silence.

"E-eh?" Felix did a double take, switching his eyes between you and Claude as a somber atmosphere replaced the relaxed one.

"Did I say something wrong?" Felix asked hesitantly.

Claude's cold eyes settled on him. "Leave. Go fetch more deserts. She's finished with the rest."

Felix was reluctant but after Claude's sharp death glare he complied. Shooting you a concerned look as if you hadn't said a word.

You didn't notice Felix leaving, too deep into your lamenting thoughts. Children of my own, huh? Would that be possible?

"Athanasia is fine on her own," Claude said coldly, not looking impressed at the prospect of having children. "This bloodline is cursed. I'm not putting you to risk."

You lifted your head and met Claude's cold eyes, his darkened face was unreadable yet you understood. He was afraid of losing you the way he lost Diana.

After a few seconds of rigid silence, you nodded, dropping your head as you mindlessly stabbed the muffins, any craving for sweets long gone.

"What about you?" There was a hard edge to his voice as if he was bracing himself for something.

The mindless stabbing stopped. You hesitated as your mind raced to put your feelings in precise words. "I..." Swallowing the painful lump in your throat, you shook your head, "I don't see myself becoming a mother. Pregnancy scares me."

As much as you didn't want to admit it, Diana's death had traumatized you. There was something so horrifying to watch a healthy, bright person perish and fade away day by day. Claude wasn't the only one scarred by her death, you were too. Despite being happy for her, for the new life, eager and excited for the Athanasia to be born, watching her turn haggard and lifeless day by day was painful, horrifying and unbearably lonely. As much as it sounded cruel and selfish you didn't want to suffer the same fate.

Death was something you were far too familiar with that you'd like. And it's something that truly terrified you too.

Adding the emotional and mental baggage you carried, having children didn't sound appealing. As it is the thought of having children filled you with dread, no joy, no anticipation only amplified fear, you didn't want to think what would happen after you had them.

Your eyes stung, lips quivering as sorrow made its way into your heart. If only you were a normal person with no emotional or mental scars. Ha, fate was cruel and twisted. Or maybe I'm just a coward.

"It's fine though," Claude said slowly, unable to repress the relief in his voice after hearing your answer. Even though he didn't agree with the first part he was glad about your choice. When your sad gaze flickered up, he nodded towards the left with his chin. "You have Athanasia."

Your head turned to Athy. She was laughing about something as she tauntingly held a stick at Lucas. The dread and guilt inside your heart lessened and you smiled fondly, "Yeah, I have Athy."

You wanted to bang your head on the table for being all depressed and mopey when you should be enjoying the present moment.

Dwelling in the past while fearing the uncertainties of the future was simply ruining your present.