Exhaustion was clear on her features. Felix worried if she was overworking herself. It has been a week since the funeral and Claude hasn’t left his room.
Y/n always stayed over, but right now, as he watched her sleep (more like passed out, he saw her getting knocked out the moment she sat down), it was worrisome because he knew she had been taking care of everything.
The Emperor’s duties as well as hers, the Empress’s duties. However, he knew asking for Claude to work is also selfish and rude when he was still so heartbroken.
All he ever does is lay around and eat when Y/n forces down meals in his system. He has heard all the nights where his pained sobs drench Y/n’s shoulders and all the nightmares he experiences.
Claude was hurting so much, and there was nothing he could do. He grabbed the blanket, gently covering her with it,
” Pardon me..”
“…she fell asleep? “
Claude, who stepped in, looking like a ghost, asked. Felix flinched, nodding slowly.
” I shall move her to her room—”
“…no, leave her be. Disturbing her won’t make it any better. ” Claude sat on the other side of the bed, Felix felt strange.
” Shall I fetch some dinner for you, sire? “
Y/n was here to just eat with Claude and resume her paperwork by the desk across the room but he could tell it was about time she got some rest.
“…no. I’m not hungry. You can leave.”
“…as you wish, Your Majesty. “
Claude laid down, waving a hand to wipe out the candles and getting under the blanket too, staring blankly at the ceiling.
A soft groan made him flinch, he glanced at Y/n. He wasn’t used to sharing his bed, he had almost forgotten she laid there, dreaming about who knows what…
No, wait…
He leaned over, frowning as he saw the pained expression on her face. Was she having a nightmare?
” Y/n? ” He gently shook her, ” Y/n, wake up. “
She immediately shot up, gasping for breath. He followed suit, concern taking over him as he realized her situation.
She wasn’t able to breath, he could tell by the way she was clutching on her chest, her attempts at taking longer breaths only making it worse.
” Y/n! ” He cursed, using his mana to have her snap out of whatever she had seen, eventually making her body dull and leaning over, as if she had no energy left.
He bit his lip, ” What the hell was
that? ” He whispered, trying to meet her eyes, ” Hey, tell me. Are you sick somewhere? Should I call—”
” No, ” She rasped out, “…it was just a nightmare from back then. I’m fine. ” She gave his hand a squeeze before prying it off of her, ” Sleep. I’ll get some fresh air and be back. “
He opened his mouth to argue, she was definitely hiding something. But his vision dulled, “..you..cursed witch—”
Why did she put him to sleep?!
–
–
–
When he woke up, he was alone in the room. It wasn’t strange before, but after last night, he felt as though he was being kept in the dark by something big.
He sat up silently, staring blankly at the blanket for a good while. The sun is slowly coming to set again as he lazes around his room doing absolutely nothing yet once again.
However, before he could fall asleep again, he forced himself to sit up and finally gathered the will to step out of his room. He needed to inquire about what the fuck was wrong with his childhood friend.
” Felix. “
The Crimson Knight stepped in, bowing, ” Yes, sire? “
” Where’s she? “
Felix pursed his lips, ” The Empress is currently in the Ruby Palace. “
Claude frowned, “…and what’s her business there? “
“…the Princess. “
“…the whole day? “
“…yes. “
Claude sighed, “…I see. “
Felix blinked, taken aback at the dull reaction. He had assumed Claude would immediately teleport there and try to annihilate the child already. Perhaps, Y/n has already talked some sense into him regarding the subject…
He sighed inwardly in relief, as he watched his sire stare thoughtfully at something for a good few moments before he spoke up, ” Then send a note saying I’m visiting. “
Felix nodded, although looking hesitant, “…Your Majesty, you won’t…harm the Princess, right? “
Claude gave him a blank look, sighing. “…your Empress will kill me instead. ”
He rubbed his red and tired eyes, “…I want to meet Y/n. It’s not like I want to go there to see the child..” He hesitantly trailed off, “…I’m not ready for that
yet. “
Felix smiled sadly to himself as he bowed, ” I shall send the word. “
–
–
–
The same palace that was tainted with blood not days ago now glimmered and shone brightly. He was having trouble accepting the fact that it was the same place.
“…did Y/n change something here? “
” Yes. ” Felix smiled, ” Her Majesty wished for the palace to be more child-friendly. “
“…no wonder. Her choice of colors is very…unsettling. ” Claude trailed off as he examined the walls, he couldn’t find the right word for it.
Was it too comforting? Too soft? He couldn’t bring himself to say that when his lover had died in this very palace.
But that was the thing!
This place didn’t look similar to the Ruby Palace he knew at all. How did she even manage to change so much in such a short amount of time?
He stared blankly at the door of the lounge, footsteps frozen as he heard a baby cry. He couldn’t take another step inside, eyes glued to the two maids surrounding Y/n, who looked beyond scared and baffled as a baby cried in her arms.
“…L-Lilian York, why won’t she stop crying?! “
” Your Majesty, you need to rock her gently. “
” But I did! Did I break her neck?!!! ” Y/n widened her eyes even more in horror, ” Take her back! I told you I should not touch that fragile thing! “
” Your Majesty, please calm down. ” Lilian York chuckled softly, ” Princess is alright. Her neck is not broken. See, she’s smiling at you. “
Claude was ready to run away any second, but something stopped him. He was amused to see Y/n show so many expressions on her face. He knew she didn’t like kids, therefore, she didn’t know how to raise one either.
But watching her struggle and try to get used to holding and comforting a wailing baby made him want to laugh and cry at the same time.
Because even though that child was his, he couldn’t bring himself to take a step further and see her face. And because of the fact that he was amazed Y/n wanted to put an effort into raising that child.
Felix smiled as he saw the awestruck look on Claude’s face before clearing his throat and knocking on the door.
” His Majesty has arrived. “
Y/n froze, facing them with wide eyes as if she was caught doing something she shouldn’t have. Everyone stilled too at Claude’s presence while he stared at Y/n blankly.
Lilian York gathered all her courage to be ready, wanting to step in if Claude were to try and do something while Felix wondered why the atmosphere suddenly turned strange.
” Pfft—”
“….”
” !!! “
” ?? “
‘…is he laughing? ‘ Was Lilian, Felix and the two maids’ reaction while Y/n’s cheeks slowly turned redder as Claude looked away, covering his mouth as if he was coughing.
“….”
end.
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