Arlecchino sat on a comfy, blue cushion as Athy pushed each maid out of her room while asking for snacks. The cats circled the penguin on her lap as they looked around warily. This room was clean, shiny, and fitting of royalty. Arlecchino compared it to how her room was before Lucas fixed it, and realized their differences in status once more.
A cursed princess, and the heir to the throne in one room. She was sure no one approved of this. All the maids they saw gasped when they saw her, especially upon seeing the pants Lucas had given her after she refused to wear a dress.
Black shorts, with a large, oversized sweater. All the colors were black and white, while she held two cats and a penguin in her arms. She heard them whisper about how she was dressed for a funeral, and that they expected nothing less from a cursed princess. One of them didn’t even call her a princess just because she wore pants.
One glare from Athy made them quickly scatter away to another part of the palace. She huffed and smiled at Arlecchino while running over to her room, and that’s how they ended up here. Athy sitting on the ground with her and the kids as she showed off each of her plushies.
“This is mister Claude. He’s a mean bear that abandoned his daughters just cause he wanted.”
Athy placed the giant, brown bear down. Its face seemed to have a permanent frown as it gazed down at Fremi. The poor penguin flinched, tears in its eyes as it hurried to hide under Arle’s sweater. Athy noticed it and immediately picked up the bear and threw it to her bed.
Arlecchino watched her while helping Freminet hide. Athy was quite simple, talking all on her own while Arle watched her. She kept showing her toys, speaking calmly and childlike, but Arlecchino had spoken with enough children to know when they’re dropping hints.
“This is miss cat, she’s a big sister. But I don’t know where her little sister is. The maids took her away, and she’s been searching for her sister ever since.”
The truth is, Athy didn’t know about Arlecchino’s existence, until her maid, Lilian, suddenly came back with tears in her eyes four years ago. When Athy asked, Lilian smiled sadly and quietly confessed that she had seen the second princess.
The second what?
There’s a second princess!? Athy was shocked to her cor. She had never read about another princess! When she heard that name, Arlecchino, she almost passed out. If that was the actual harbinger from Genshin, she needs to have her by her side!!
If Arlecchino becomes the powerful figure she was in Genshin, Athy can avoid her original end just by holding onto her sister! Who needs Claude!? She just needs the harbinger!
Arle watched her chuckle to herself. The sound and her expression of porudness was all she needed to know that Athy was making a plan inside her head. Lucas only mentioned her magi. He didn’t say anything about her as a person…
And now Arle was curious about this ‘sister’ of hers.
“And this is Lilia. She takes care of miss cat.”
A small doll with blue eyes waved at Arlecchino with Athys help.
“Lilian is much better than the mean bea. She doesn’t threaten miss cat with death, and didn’t separate her from her little sister!”
So she’s blaming Claude, the emperor, and our father for her lack of knowledge regarding my existence? The dead threats are interesting. That man didn’t seem to even care enough to remember them. So why was Athy so paranoid about the emperor?
The cats looked at her calmly. They had decided she wasn’t any type of threat long ago, and were now just yawning and getting comfortable against Arlecchino’s legs as they tried to nap.
“Lilian is also Lily! You can call her Lily too! She’s a great maid, but she doesn’t let you eat a lot of chocolate… “
Athy pouted slightly before moving a bit closer. Her eyes were gentle but calculative.
“Say, Arle. Who takes care of you? Lily takes care of me!”
So she was finally searching for information? Arlecchino simply shrugged at her question, choosing not to speak just to see her reaction. When the girl hummed and closed her eyes in thought… It seemed like many ideas went through her head, but before Athy could continue the interrogation, her room door was opened.
Athy looked back, seeing a maid with brown hair styled into two braided buns push a cart with her food inside.
“Princess, lunch is-“
Lilian paused as she saw Arlecchino. Her eyes opened wide as she stood there, holding the cart a bit tighter.
“Princess, Arlecchino…?”
Athy smiled triumphantly and nodded at Lilian.
“Lily! I found my little sister!”
She pointed at Arle, but still didn’t dare to act overly clingy with her just yet.
Lilian looked at the single portion of lunch, and smiled apologetically in their direction.
“Apologies, second princess, I’ll bring you a serving.”
“No need.”
Her tone and words made the maid freeze for a moment, before Lilian smiled sadly.
“Then, is there anything I can give you?”
Arlecchino shook her head. She hates to admit it, but she’d rather eat something Lucas makes than what a maid, or chef prepares. Unlike him, they’ll actually try to harm her. Athy may not realize it, but her frown and how she settled down before her, all seemed to he made out of fear. Not due to a need of bring a good older sister.
She grabbed another toy, and kept talking like nothing happened. She didn’t pressure her to eat, which meant that Athy wasn’t planning on poisoning her. She showed her off to the maid, Lilian. Either expecting praise, or she wanted the maid to know of their relationship.
But why? What can Arlecchino give her that makes her try so hard just to make everyone think they’re sisters on good terms?
Lilian nodded sadly and quietly left without taking the cart.
Athy got the bear again, and placed it beside her, speaking while placing two cats before it. The previous one she had introduced, and a new one.
“Mister bear suddenly learned he had another daughter apart from his two daughters… And favored the new one. One day, miss cat… Was framed.”
Athy made the bear turn away, along with the other cat.
“He didn’t believe his daughter, and-“
With a small shove, miss cat fell to the ground as Athy lowered her gaze.
“Excecuted her out of nowhere.”
The cats flinched, their furs standing on edge while frowning at the bear. Athy crossed her arms and scowled while staring at the bear.
“That’s why we must avoid him! He’s nothing but a bad guy who will kill his daughters in the blink of an eye!”
At her raised chin, Arlecchino could only blink. So, Athanastia believes their father will get another daughter, and kill them?
“Understand, Arle?”
Athy grabbed the bear and threw it away. She kneeled in front of her and spoke with an eager gaze.
“That man cannot be trusted! Emperor or not, he’s a bad man! And we need to run away!”
Hmm? Run away? Athy grabbed her hands, and the cats slowly stood up while the Penguin peeked out from under Arle’s collarbone to see her. Unlike Lucas’s hands, Athy’s were warm. Not scalding like the kids, but still uncomfortable.
“Don’t tell anyone, but I have a plan on how we can escape from the palace! We need to leave before we turn nine, and eighteen!”
Before Arlecchino could ask anything, Athy held her hands tighter and looked at her seriously.
“I’m your older sister. You can trust me. Arle, I’ll protect you.”
And of course, you’ll protect me as well! Athy waited for her answer with expectation…
But Arlecchino didn’t answer her. She just took her arms back and placed them on her lap. Athy didn’t seem upset. She just stared at her while waiting. Arle figured she was trying to find a weakness, or hint of emotion… But Athy was simply staring at her face out of admiration.
Whoever designed her, thank you! Athy smiled fondly at her, making Arlecchino blink as she compared it to the way Lucas looked at her.
“Arle, do you want to stay with me? On this side! We can have sleepovers, play, and draw together! What do you think?!”
Arlecchino thought back to that room, and her routine with Lucas… And actually hesitated. In this normal room, surrounded by hateful maids and a sister that didn’t seem to pose any threat…
Yes, Lucas was the better option. No matter how she looked at it, the magician that’s done nothing but protect her, was much better than a ‘sister’ she just met.
The room door was suddenly opened as the maid, Lilian, entered with another cart where a tea set was. She smiled gently at them.
“Your highnesses, how about a tea break?”
Athy turned to Lilian and nodded eagerly before getting up and running to her. Lilian handed Athy her cup before pouring another, and drinking it directly. Athy saw her and shouted.
“Lily! That’s for Arle!”
Lilian nodded gently before swallowing and pouring the tea again, this time handing it over to Arle with a soft smile.
“Is this alright, your highness?”
The cats slowly stood up and placed their paws on Arle’s thighs. Sniffing the cup cautiously while Arlecchino took it.
“Thank you…”
Lilian smiled and started serving lunch to Athy. Athanastia stayed quiet while eating. But she did bite the food, swallow it, and offer it to Arlecchino, who shook her head each time. She’ll share a teacup, but not a bite of food…
Arle only drank half of the tea, before giving it to the cats and penguin. After eating, Lilian stayed, and that was probably why Athy didn’t bring up her offer again, or even play with the previous toys.
Instead, they drew together. Lilian would sometimes glance at them before going back to her embroidery. Arlecchino didn’t actually draw, she watched Freminet attempt to do so while Athy helped him hold the pen with a smile.
The cats stayed with Lilian, by her feet with their eyes closed while warming themselves up in the form of small loafs. When it was time for dinner, Arle grabbed the cats and penguin before nodding to Lilian, who looked at her with a sad smile.
“Is it time?”
Athy made a disappointed sound as she stood up and went to Arle. Eyes drooping in a sadness fitting of her eye color.
“You’re leaving? Can’t you stay for the night? We can have a sleepover!”
Arlecchino shook her head, her serious gaze enough to make Athy back down and lower her gaze.
“Aww, okay. But-“
She looked up and questioned softly.
“-Can I see you again? Can we play tomorrow?”
At her expectant gaze, Arle remembered a memory she had buried deep down a long time ago.
“-Can I see you again?”
Peruere raised her head, seeing a girl with a vibrant smile, and sea green eyes that shone brightly due to the light coming from behind her.
She had that same look in her eye Peruere had always seen her with. Calm, and steady. Everything ‘mother’ was, without the hidden malice in her eyes.
“Can we play tomorrow, Peruere?”
At her soft question, Arle had simply lowered her gaze to escape those eyes. But she took it as a yes. Her soft chuckle ran through her ears as she left with a soft goodbye.
“Bye-bye, I’ll look for you tomorrow!”
Just like she said, Arlecchino met up with her every day, and they spent every waking moment together.
Maybe only Lucas would know for sure why, but Arlecchino finally responded to Athy with a soft nod. At her answer, Athy smiled brightly and didn’t hold her back any longer as Arlecchino left for her part of the Ruby Palace.
Lyney narrowed his eyes at the maids that glanced their way as they left. He even hissed at one that murmured about Arle’s appearance.
Arlecchino didn’t bother with any of them. She just hurried back to her side. Where Lucas, and the cold bed were. Mostly the cold bed.
–
“Arle! Over here!”
Athy smiled while the cats ran around a field of flowers, hiding from the penguin trying to catch them. She took Arle’s hand and gently pulled her along the field. Tye cats and penguin hurried to stop playing and follow them.
Across the months, Arlecchino had met up with Athy to play and explore the palace. The ‘play’ was really Arlecchino munching on the snacks Lilian made while the cats played with Athy.
This time, though, Athy took her to a secret place while carrying a bag filled to the brim with jems. Each stolen from the Ruby Palace.
“Arle, I’ve been saving some jewels here! We can use them to escape from the palace!”
Her happy grin, as she said so, while pulling her along, was enough for Arlecchino to allow it. Ever since that meeting, a new cat has joined them. A much larger one with black fur and red eyes that loved laying around Arlecchino’s neck. Something the other cats were surprisingly okay with.
Maybe that should’ve been the first sign this cat wasn’t a stranger. But Arlecchino already knew who it was the moment she saw the cat.
Athy was very startled when they were playing, and the cat suddenly jumped down a tree and landed on Arlecchino’s head. Arle wanted to place the cat down, but the comforting cold that came from it made her stop, and keep it there for the rest of the day despite Athy’s worries.
Ever since then, this cat joined them on their daily playing, and always left before Arle returned to her room.
Anyway, the black cat wasn’t named by her, Athy named it.
“Blackie!”
Needless to say, Arlecchino didn’t care for the name and only the cat grieved the name assigned to it. Whenever she pictured Lucas’s face at hearing the name, Arle had the very faint desire to smile.
“There!”
Athy smiled and dragged Arle forward by her arm. The large palace with an open, stone path and pillar supporting the roof. This place couldn’t br abandoned like Athy believed…
“It should be around here somewhere…”
Arlecchino felt a little odd. The cats were on her head, making her temperature even warmer with the hot sun. With Athy holding her wrist, and Fremi on her palm, her body was warmer than it had ever been. The only saving grace was Blackie and the cold air he gave her.
“Woah, look Arle!”
Athy moved her forward, and a golden aura assaulted her eyes, making her squint them to get away from the light. The small statues were in the form of baby angels and decorated the empty walkway.
With an excited look in her eyes, Athy leaned forward and poked the body of a statue.
“Is it real gold…?”
While Athy inspected the statue, cat Lucas moved closer to Arle and rubbed his face against her cheek. Arle moved her hand up and stroked the cats cheek absentmindedly.
At Fremi’s chirps, she placed him beneath her chin. The two cats above her head rubbed their cheeks against her head, but they suddenly stopped and turned around. Lucas opened an eye and looked back, seeing the tall figure behind the girls.
Those blue eyes were cold, and dark as he kept his chin up, and looked down at them with his eyes. His serious tone, had an angry and disgusted undertone.
“What, are these filthy bugs doing in my palace?”
Athy instantly froze, and even shivered at that voice. She turned, the bag of jewels on her hand fell to the ground, the pouch opened and spilled each one on the ground. Arlecchino turned back as well, meeting his eyes and recognizing him. It’s her father, the emperor Claude.
When Athy turned, she moved Arlecchino behind her. Making the harbinger blink in confusion as Athy trembled under Claude’s gaze. But she stood firmly while shielding Arle behind her small frame, she held onto Arle’s wrist with a firm grip, like it was a lifeline.
Claude slightly tilted his head, before squatting down and coldly observing them both.
“You two look familiar… Like two wenches. One…”
He pointed at Athy, making her flinch. His finger followed her hair pattern, each swirl and curl as he remembered the similar pattern that used to lay beside him.
“A dancer from Siodonna, was it…? Yes. You look like her.”
He then turned to Arlecchino. Her jeweled eyes with the unique pupil, made the memory of that same, cold gaze that looked right through him.
“The witch princess from the Handura kingdom… Was it?”
He sneered at them, Arle felt Athy shiver under that gaze, her trembles growing worse as Claude grabbed her chin and turned her face to see it better.
“I think I remember what that wench named you… I believe, it was Athanasia.”
The hand holding onto Arlecchino’s wrist trembled. She didn’t even feel when Arlecchino stepped forward or when Lyney jumped to her head and stared at Claude in wariness.
Claude stared back at Arlecchino. He raised an eyebrow while trying to remember…
“You, didn’t have a name.”
Arlecchino looked at his eyes. While cold, he was nothing compared to ‘mother’, Pulcinella, Dottore, or even Pantalone. Why should she be afraid of him, just because Athy is?
“My name is Arlecchino.”
Claude hummed before he smiled, cold like the one he showed Athy.
“You’re the little bug that didn’t cry. Impressive, that you’ve survived for this long.”
His eyes scanned both of them.
“You’ve both grown so big.”
Athy gasped softly and took a step back, stepping onto one of the jewels she had placed in the bag. Claude followed the sound, and blinked at all the jewels surrounding the girls.
Claude looked down at the gems, then up at Athy. While the girl flinched, Lyney remained calm, seeing the cat stay steady, was all Arlecchino needed to focus elsewhere, on the knights behind Claude. There was a red-haired knight with soft, grey eyes that smiled at her when their eyes met.
Arlecchino turned to the other… A young woman with her pink hair tied into a neat, and long braid. A white headband under certain sections of her hair that ended in a small, white bow on the side of her head.
She seemed surprised at Arle’s attention, and smiled softly upon meeting her gaze. Arlecchino softly inhaled in surprise, her wide eyes made cat Lucas frown and watch the knight closely.
The knight’s soft smile, and those mature features morphed with similar, but younger ones. She had also smiled that way before her body went cold…
“Clervie…”
Claude heard Arle’s murmur and turned back to his knight. His eyes were cold as he questioned.
“You know her?”
She immediately shook her head. With a hum, Claude suddenly grabbed Athy by the shoulders and lifted her up. The poor girl almost fainted as he tilted his head while observing her.
“You’re heavy. I didn’t think your chubby cheeks would also depict your weight.”
He placed Athy by his waist, one arm around her back before he turned and went to grab Arlecchino. Lucas hissed at him, making Claude frown and change directions to grab him.
But Arle ran away from his hand, and went to the female knight. Hiding behind her cape, when Clervie turned back and gently lifted said cape; Arlecchino looked up at her with a soft, and pleading look.
Lucas let his cat jaw hang low at the display. Clervie blinked and looked to the emperor for help, but Claude just huffed and walked over, then he shoved Athy onto the other knight who hurried to hold her properly.
“Felix, carry her. Clervie, since she likes you so much, carry her. I should have tea with my guests.”
Felix blinked, and adjusted his hold on Athy, while Clervie looked at Arlecchino and knelt down. Smiling gently while speaking in a soft tone.
“Princess, may I carry you?”
At her nod, Clervie gently picked her up and walked behind Claude along with Felix. The knights glanced at each other in worry.
When they arrived at Claude’s room, they placed the princess on the soft, and pink couch before the maids brought tea and sweet treats.
Arlecchino kept her eyes on Clervie behind Claude, while cat Lucas sighed and rested above her head. The kids on her lap, and Athy freaking out with Claude observing her.
What, should they even do right now? He’s staring at them, waiting for something, but what!? Athy glanced at Arlecchino, but Claude’s voice made her flinch once more.
“Are you mute? I figured you could talk like the other one.”
He sighed in disappointment and leaned back on his seat in boredom.
“This is boring.”
Athy knew Claude was a man who lived by amusement and entertainment. If she was boring then, he’ll kill her! She placed on her dumbfounded smile and spoke in the most childish tone she could muster.
“Athy can talk.”
“Finally.” He dragged out and continued sternly.
“Why didn’t you talk earlier?”
Felix moved to him and spoke softly due to the princess.
“Pardon, your majesty. But children their age can be very shy.”
“Is that so?”
Athy resisted the urge to nod along, while Arlecchino softly stroked Freminet’s face while looking at Clervie still.
The reason for this was simple. She kept trying to find any mannerisms or expression that would tell her this knight before her wasn’t the Clervie she knew.
So far, her observations were proving the opposite. Cat Lucas rubbed her cheek, and finally made her turn to Claude while her hand scratched behind Lucas’s ear.
Claude suddenly addressed the knights.
“Felix, Clervie, leave us.”
They both glanced at the princesses then they went to leave, glancing back one final time before closing the door.
“Why aren’t either of you two eating? I made them bring out things kids would like. If you don’t eat it, I’ll kill the cooks.”
Athy clung onto her dress before picking her fork up and eating it. Arlecchino glanced at the cats, and they jumped to the table before eating it. She only moved to place Freminet beside them and taking Lucas off her head and into her lap.
Claude hummed at her actions, while Athy found herself eating more of the tasteless cake out of stress. He didn’t seem to mind the cats, or even care as he leaned further into his seat and spoke nonchalantly.
“Athy must be a nickname. Athanastia, do you know what the name means?”
How could she not? It’s the name that saved her from Claude’s massacre at the Ruby Palace…
“If that wench had survived labor, the act of naming you herself would be enough to have her executed.”
Athy could only munch on the cake in silence, and hope Claude could tell she didn’t want the throne! He abruptly turned to his other daughter.
“Arlecchino, was it? Who’s taking care of you?”
Lucas curled the tip of his tail, keeping his eyes closed while listening.
She wasn’t actually sure how to answer this. All she knows from Lucas is that he’s a magician, a great one whose name is well known. But would mentioning Lucas be a good thing, or bad?
In the end, she decided on an answer.
“My father is.”
Lucas opened his eyes wide and looked at her in wonder, and expectation. While Calude hummed in boredom, but his eyes narrowed in on her in warning.
“Your father? Do you know who I am?”
Athy knew the answer would be incredibly important. Arlecchino’s answer would depict both of their lives. So she jumped in the conversation, hugging Arle’s arm while answering sweetly and pointing at Claude.
“He’s our papa!”
“……………..”
Oh dear lord, what did she just say…!? Athy begged to any and every God for this to work. If Claude, who ignored the original, shy Athanastia, but loved the kind Jennette that always called out to him sweetly then… Please let this work!
“Hmm?”
Claude looked down while holding his chin in thought. He stayed quiet, so Athy smiled even more sweetly and called out while pulling Arle closer to herself.
“Papa!”
Arlecchino saw his stone expression, and decided to speak in defiance.
“My father is much prettier than yours, Athy.”
Athanastia actually covered Arle’s mouth, but Claude had already raised a brow.
“Really now? And who’s your father? Arlecchino.”
Lucas grinned with proudness. He’d love to transform and drag his victory across the emperor’s face. But doing so would make more trouble for her.
Athy thought Claude would insist on knowing, but he simply stared at Arle before he covered his mouth and looked away. Athy thought she saw the corner of his lips raised, but she must’ve imagined it.
Claude couldn’t help but remember that other wench. How she would also stare at him in defiance and make his life interesting with her words.
He waved his hand and called out to the knights. Telling them to take the princesses back to the Ruby Palace.
Arlecchino grabbed onto Clervie before the knight could even step forward, leaving Felix with Athy.
When they reached the Ruby Palace, Lilian immediately grabbed onto Athy. Essentially pulling her away from Felix and held her tightly before glaring at him in hatred. When she saw Arlecchino, she reached out, but Arlecchino held onto Clervie tightly. Even hugging the knight’s neck to avoid being taken.
There was no choice for Clervie but to kneel down with a smile and softly move Arle away from her, and towards Lilian.
Felix smiled softly in hopes of reassuring Lilian.
“His majesty, the emperor will now be calling for the princesses in the near future.”
Lilian flinched, while all the other maids smiled at Athy and glanced at Arlecchino, who kept her eyes on Clervie, until the knights left.
Without a word, Athy suddenly puked her stress out. During that commotion, Arlecchino got away and returned to her side. The moment she entered the barrier Lucas made, the cat jumped from her shoulders, transformed, and grabbed her. Lifting her high up with a happy grin.
“Would ya look at that! You called me father!”
Arlecchino didn’t let his happy expression persuade her.
“It wasn’t intentional. Just to get a reaction out of Claude.”
“Claude!”
Lucas grinned even wider and mushed his cheek against her own. The comforting cold made her stay still and allow it. She looked elsewhere to ignore the feelings of fondness growing in her heart.
“You call him Claude~ But call me dad~!”
Lucas suddenly stopped, cleared his throat and lowered Arle to his chest before walking forward. Acting like the previous display never happened.
“So, more meetings with him?”
Arle helped the cats jump on Lucas’s head while Freminet stayed on his shoulder.
“Most likely. Can I mention your name?”
“Not yet. I’ll tell you when I can reveal myself. Just to be safe.”
I’ll be troublesome, more troublesome than it’s worth to reveal himself just yet.
“But, I can be Lucas, not the great magician.”
Arlecchino saw his scheming grin, and decided not to question it yet.
“About that girl…”
Lucas turned to her, and suddenly ran his fingers through her head.
“What would you like her to be?”
Arlecchino closed her eyes and hugged his neck while thinking about his question.
“… I just want her to be happy.”
Lucas’s voice seemed softer.
“She is. I’m sure of it.”
Oh, okay… For some reason, that was all she needed to believe it and she fell asleep in his arms out of relief.
–
Claude exhaled deeply as he fell onto the mattress. His head swirled with images and scenarios of wenches he had almost forgotten about. Whether it was the golden hair that smiled just by seeing him, or the woman whose real dreams only he knew…
It all slowly morphed with his two daughters. She remembered their feelings towards them.
“She is our daughter, Claude.”
“I’ll raise her on my own. Now, with this proof, they can’t do anything to me, or your empire.”
One was full of bliss, the other seemed cold, but Claude could tell when her eyes softened while looking down at her growing stomach.
“I just want this child to live away from Handura…”
“Think she’ll look more like me? Or you?”
He closed his eyes, and exhaled while reciting some chants. The next morning, these memories were blurrier, and almost gone from his mind completely.
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