“
SIRE! “
Claude glared, ” What? “
“…it’s been three days. Don’t you wish to see Her Majesty? “
Claude flinched, which was oblivious to Felix. The guard sighed, “…Her Majesty might want to see you, though. “
” Ha, why would she? “
“…Ah..the thing is….” Felix gulped, “…Her Majesty is quite ill. She asked me not to tell you…but I think she’ll feel better if you go to her. “
Claude froze, glancing at him sharply,
” Since when? “
” T-Two days? ” Felix gulped, ” Forgive me, Sire. I should have informed you earlier. “
Claude cursed, ” What has happened to her? ” Felix followed after his rushed footsteps.
” The physician says she is just overworked. I think it’s the work
stress—”
” For fuck’s sake…what does she
mean? “
When Claude enters the room, he sees her unconscious figure on the bed. She was having trouble breathing, he could tell. There’s an uncomfortable blush on her cheeks indicating she also has a fever.
He hesitantly sat beside her, taking her hand in his.
” Felix. “
” Yes, sire. “
“…when did I start courting her? “
Felix froze, was he supposed to lie?
“…ha. ” Claude hates that silence, “..so could it be true? But it doesn’t make sense…”
” Sire.. “
“…I never loved her? Fabricated memories, really? ” He muttered under his breath, “…what do I believe? These emotions that I’m feeling which are, in fact, very real..or her words? “
Felix flinched, “….”
” Tell me. Was I really never in love with her? “
He gulped, nodding slowly. “…I don’t know how you felt for Her Majesty, but you only married her out of necessity. And you both did not have
any…romantic relationship. “
“…why do I remember differently? “
“…it’s a side effect of the curse from the black magic. ” Felix muttered gloomy, so Y/n finally had the courage to say it, huh?
“…haha..”
” My Liege…”
“…this is stupid. ” Claude sank to his knees against the bed, “…no, that’s ridiculous. I love her, I can feel it. So why is everyone—”
” Claude. “
“….”
” All the loving memories you have of her from before, ” Felix gulped, ” They don’t exist. You never courted her! You never went on any dates! ” He gripped on the hilt of his sword, “…the most you both ever did was have a meal once in a few months…”
” No…”
“…she was only the Empress before Lady Diana passed away. ” Felix frowned, heart aching, “…there was nothing between you both except for friendship. I…don’t know how you really felt for her deep down from the start…but when you brought Lady Diana, I thought that there really is nothing between you both—”
“…enough. Please..that’s enough, Felix. “
Felix bit his quivering lip, hesitantly sitting beside Claude.
“…she was hesitant around me all this time because…she felt as if everything was not real…” He clutched his dizzy head, “…fuck. “
Everything was spinning. His tears continued to spill as he leaned against Felix’s shoulder, voice crumbling, “…what do I do? All of that was a lie? But I love her…wait.. do I? “
“….”
“…no, I really do…I love her and yet…”
—
Y/n had tried her best all this time to find a solution. Felix watched as Claude flipped through the pages of every Magician she had looked into, who could bring his real memories back.
As Y/n is still unconscious even after five days, Claude decided to visit her study. He was still very conflicted about his feelings, and everything else.
As he flipped through the massive file that is full of research and magicians regarding his condition, he couldn’t help but dread the feeling.
The feeling that these two were not lying to him.
But…what about his feelings? He felt it. It feels the way his heart longs for her every time he glances at her. So how? How can he believe anything else?
“…call this one. “
Still, he should try. He gripped the edge of the table, he should try since she has been trying so much for him. All of this research..it couldn’t have taken a small amount of time.
” Yes, sire. “
—
“…this is…irrefutable. She has concluded well. ” the magician mumbled, his face hidden behind the cloak, “…there’s nothing you can do, though. “
Claude felt as though his whole world fell apart. Was everyone playing a prank on him? Could that be it?
He scoffed, “…nothing I can do? ” He clenched his fists, “…I called you here for a solution, Magician. “
The Magician sighed, pushing off his hood to reveal his long black hair and shiny crimson eyes, “…even if I am the greatest magician in the world, there is no treatment for this, Your Majesty. “
“…why? “
” This is a side effect. Not a cause of the curse you mentioned. Black magic is a very complex matter, not many understand every thread of its existence. “
“…I don’t need a research on black magic! ” Claude scowled, ” I just….want it back. “
The magician nods, ” I understand Your Majesty’s situation. However, like any other side effect, this ought to wear off by itself, too. I shall purify your body of the remnants of black magic, first. We will then see how Her Majesty’s mana has affected your core. Perhaps then we can find some clarity on the situation. “
“…alright. “
Claude laid down on the bed as the magician requested him to. He felt the warmth of a strange mana deep into him and something very heavy being pulled out.
Before he could ask, was losing consciousness. Felix stared dully but after a good few moments, he spoke,
” So? “
“…it’s…surprising. “
“…”
” Her mana is, first of all, special. It’s pink, unlike any other mana that is supposed to be blue. Apart from that, while the technique she used fills up the black magic core to freeze it from releasing the curse further…”
The magician leaned down to stare at Y/n’s face, “…her mana not only froze the black magic but also mixed in with his actual core, which is very rare. “
“…why did that happen? “
“..it simply means that their mana is very compatible. But the big deal is that not a single pair as such has existed, who’s survived a Mana Bind without even meaning to. Her mana has settled into the deepest corners of his core. It’s so compatible that it overshadows his own mana…wow! “
Felix felt an annoyed pulse in his forehead. ” Listen, magician….you’re not here to experiment on them. “
” I’m aware, I’m aware! ” He sighed, placing his hand on Claude’s chest, ” I cannot take her mana out because it has merged and become a part of him. That’s why, as I said, we can only wait for him to snap out of it. “
“….sigh. “
” Mana Bind is not as simple as it seems. Pulling out her mana or separating them might result in damaging his core, which is a risk not even worth taking. “
‘…these two..’ The Magician smirked, ‘…it’s such a rare phenomenon, I cannot let this go. ‘
—
When Claude woke up, Felix informed him of everything that transpired. He remained locked in his palace, focusing on work instead after hearing the magician; who apparently went by Lucas.
Yesterday, he also heard that Y/n has woken up and is back to full health (also thanks to Lucas), he had been desperate to run to her and never let go once she was in his arms.
But he held back knowing just how uncomfortable she might be about it. He assumed it was because they were close friends…
But that wasn’t even the case. He felt it…when she told him she loved him. It was real, she didn’t lie. So the only reason she had been pushing him away was probably because of what his reaction might be.
Was she worried about his unpredictable ways? Maybe she thought he’d punish her? Kick her out? Isn’t that why she never let him cross the line even if it was merely a delusion?
He slumped as her smile flashed across his eyes. And then, he raced towards her room and found her fast asleep again.
He sighed shakily, resting his forehead against hers, “…what if all of this isn’t real? ” He mumbled, leaving a kiss on her head, ” Please wake up. Wake up and tell me what to do. This is not some cruel prank, is it? “
He has no clue what to do or feel at this point.Â
end.
…more angst. We’ll jump right into flashbacks soon hehehe
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