Watching Her Journey 9

  “Lilian York, long time no see.” Claude rested his cheek on his palm.

  Lily bowed, showing her courtesy in front of the Emperor. “Blessings and glory upon the sun of the Obelian Empire.” Beside the maid was the princess.

  “I haven’t been able to pay enough attention to my one and only daughter due to my duties at court.” Athanasia looked down, her body trembled. ‘I’m scared…’

  “But still, Athanasia has grown into such a healthy child. The credit belongs to you.” , “Thank you, your Majesty.” Lily replied, still bowing.

  Felix smiled at the screen. ‘I too, I’m glad Ms. York came that night and suggested that she take care of the princess.’

  ‘I wonder how Ms. York kept her relaxed posture.’ Jennette looked at the nanny in wonder. ‘I would’ve trembled if his Majesty had called my name.’

  ‘Don’t make me laugh!’

  ‘It’s not, ‘I haven’t been able to pay attention.’ It’s you neglecting me!’ 

  Claude just stared at the screen, and didn’t know what to say.

  ‘You completely erased me from your mind!’

  Claude felt thorns in his heart as he closed his eyes while listening to his daughter on the screen. His red-haired knight looked at him in worry. Felix opened his mouth to say something, but he pursed his lips and chose not to say anything.

  “However, from now on, I will be looking into the princess’ well-being. There will be no need to worry.” Claude continued.

  ‘What?’ The princess couldn’t process the words that came from the Emperor’s mouth. 

  Athanasia raised her head, she saw Claude looking at her, his lips curled slightly upward.

  ‘Did you smile?’ Athanasia felt like a frozen statue, ‘Did you just smile at me?’

  “What?” Claude frowned. ‘What? What’s with that reaction?’ Of course he can also smile.

  ‘Pay me no mind!’

  The sudden outburst startled them.

  ‘Thank you for ignoring me my whole life this far!’ Athanasia screamed in her mind. ‘Thank you for not being aware of my existence!’

  “That’s a sad thing to be thankful for, Damn. Claude, your daughter must really hate you.” Anastacius shook his head.

  ‘Please be so kind and continue to do so in the future!’ 

  “Princess…”

  “Starting today, Princess Athanasia will be treated as a proper princess.” Athanasia looked at Claude in horror.

  “I wish the best for the princess.”

  ‘But you didn’t acknowledge me as your daughter.’ Athanasia thought. ‘In the novel, Claude admits that he never saw Athanasia as his daughter…’

  ‘So what on earth are you playing here?’

  “It’s okay, Princess.” Lily hugged her tightly, “It’s alright…” her nanny said while trembling slightly, she looked like she’s trying to contain her tears.

  ‘I really hope so too.’ 

  ‘A few days passed, but Claude and I stayed the same.’

  “But after a few months, the princess was able to adjust to the new environment!” Lily said proudly.

  “I think you got a bit chubbier since I last saw you.” Claude commented while looking down at the princess in front of him.

  ‘Dude, we just met 5 days ago. What are you talking about?’

  Anastacius covered his mouth to contain his laughter. While Lucas snickered.

  Athanasia smiled brightly. “Hehe, you look pretty too, papa!”

  Their sweat dropped. “Too? Does that mean the princess meant that he’s also got chubbier? Lucas asked.

  Anastacius laughed, causing Claude to glare at both of them.

  ‘So far, I’ve met up with Claude two more times, and had some sweet (and scary) father daughter time.’ 

  ‘Aw..’ Jennette thought.

  ‘During these meetings I realised, no matter how pert and insolent I behaved…’

  ‘… he didn’t try to kill me.’

  “Of course, he can’t.” Lucas commented.

  ‘On the contrary, the more I behaved like a scared child, the more formal ang boring my answers were.’

  Athanasia trembled slightly as she glanced at Claude who’s in front of her. Her heart began to pound faster as Claude looked down on her.

  “Follow me.” Claude simply turned around as he said those words.

  Felix and Lily both exhaled in relief, they both held their chest as their heart pounded faster– at any moment, you could hear their hearts pounding.

  Lily closed her eyes as she remembered that day.

  “I was on my way to the lake.” Claude told her. “Get ready and join me.” 

  Jennette’s eyes brightened as she heard the word ‘lake’. “The lake where we went together with the other ladies?”

  “Your Majesty.” Lily spoke. “I worry the princess being around the water is-“

  Claude cut her off. “What’s there to worry about when she’s with me?”

  “Well, what do you think is the reason, your Majesty?” Lucas said, wearing an innocent look.

  ‘You! You are the problem here!’ Athanasia screamed in her mind. 

  “B-but…” Lily tried to reason him, but Athanasia tugged on her skirt. ‘Don’t fight him, Lily! What if he decides to go after you?’

   Claude raised his brows.

  ‘I really don’t want to ride that boat either, but…’ Athanasia imagined Claude pushing her into the lake.

  Claude frowned. “If so, I wouldn’t push people into the lake”

  Claude turned around to face Athanasia. “Don’t you want to join me?” He asked.

  Athanasia smiled brightly. “Yep, Athy wants to go with papa, too!” She exclaimed. Behind her was the horrified Lilian.

  “Really?”

  Jennette gulped. ‘I hope that nothing bad will happen to the princess.’

  The screen showed how Claude carried Athanasia to the boat, and then put her on her seat.

  Jennette sighed in relief.

  ‘Whew!’ Athanasia felt relieved as she breathed out in her mind. ‘I’m already tired!’

  As Claude settled down, the boat finally moved. As the boat moved,  Athanasia watched the beautiful scenery. ‘Wow… what a ride.’

  ‘Are all the Emperor’s boats like this?’

  ‘But how is it moving? Nobody is rowing this thing.’

  “I noticed that too during my ride with the princess.” Jennette smiled.

  ‘It’s probably because of magic.’ Anastacius thought.

  “What are you thinking about?” Claude suddenly spoke, causing Athanasia to startle.

  ‘Don’t talk to me. Don’t look at me.’ Athanasia shivered as she squeezed her blonde hair. ‘What should I say? The weather’s nice today? The lake is pretty?’

  Lucas scoffed. “She’s terrible at telling lies.”

  “Your hair is sparkly and pretty, papa!” Athanasia unexpectedly said.

  They blankly stared at her. ‘Seriously?’

  ‘But what the princess said was true, though.’ Jennette continued to watch the scene.

  “I like sparkly things! Hehe.” Athanasia covered her lips as she giggled. ‘Well, his hair is pretty. Like gold.’

  ‘Am I obsessed with golden things because I was poor in my previous life?’

  Claude smiled at her, causing her to flinch. “That reminds me, you had a jewel pouch with you that day.” Athanasia froze.

  “I kept your treasures safe and sound. Why don’t you come and retrieve them yourself next time?” Claude suggested.

  ‘He kept it?’ Anastacius raised his brow.

  ‘And to that, I can say nothing! I suppose I’m not meant to have a peaceful life.’

  Athanasia glances at Claude. She studied how he dressed, ‘What clothing is that supposed to be from?’

  “Isn’t it inappropriate to get dressed like that in front of your child?” Anastacius asked loudly.

  “Well, isn’t it illegal for someone like you to roam around like a free man?” Claude responded.

  ‘Egypt? Greece? The Kingdom of Oil?’

  “Are those the Empires of her world in the past?” Ijekiel asked.

  “The names that the princess mentioned were called countries. The robes that the Emperor wore happened to be similar to what Egyptians, and Greeks, wear.” A voice answered Ijekiel’s question.

  “Oh.”

  ‘He looks good in it.’ Athanasia praises.

  Claude smiled. Of course he looks good in it because Diana purposely chose it for him.

  ‘I don’t want to admit it… but seeing him like this, he’s not bad to look at.’

  ‘He’s the type of man who easily attracts women…’

  Felix nodded. ‘I remembered when his Majesty still hadn’t met Lady Diana. A lot of noble ladies surrounded him.’

  ‘I can see why they would get drawn to him.’ 

  ‘But his attitude…’ Felix sweatdropped.

  ‘Diana really liked Claude as well. I remember reading that from a spinoff of ‘Lovely Princess.’ 

  Athanasia spaced her thoughts as Claude’s jeweled blue eyes shone. ‘Are my eyes the same colour as his?’

  “Yes, they are like mine.” Claude responded as if the princess could hear him.

  The screen showed the bottom of the lake before it turned black.

  To Be Continued.