Embarrassed, Y/n carefully hands Athanasia to Lilian, huffing slightly as she leaves the lounge, ” What do you want? “
“…why are your cheeks red, Empress? Do you perhaps have a fever? I shall call for the physician..”
“…shut up. “
Felix held back his own laughter as he realized Claude was teasing Y/n as he walked alongside her.
Y/n’s flustered expression was surely something new, as he had never seen her show that kind of expression even when they were kids.
” No, what if it’s something serious? We should get it checked—”
” Oh, fuck off! “
Felix widened his eyes as this time, Claude burst out laughing. Y/n, are you embarrassed? “
” No. “
” But your red face says otherwise. “
” You’re just seeing things. “
” Oh, really? ” Claude chuckled, poking her rosy cheeks as he walked faster too, matching her pace. ” Why are you running away? “
” Claude, if you came here to tease me then go away! “
After he’s done laughing at her, he finally calms down and sits across her in the study, arms crossed as he leaned back lazily. It’s been a few months since he has visited her. It was the same as before, neat and tidy.
As expected of the clean freak.
“…really though? ” He began, ” how come you’re so attached to it? “
” Her. She’s your daughter, asshole. “
” Yes, her. ” He rolled his eyes, placing his chin on his palm and closing his eyes as he yawned, “…why? “
“…when you see her, you’ll
understand. ” She mumbled, evading the question right away. ” What brings you here? You’ve finally stepped out of your room. “
“…what was that nightmare about? “
“…just something. “
” And that something is? “
Y/n sighs, setting her pen down and staring at him, “…you remember when I got locked in that small closet in the attic? “
“…when we almost got caught trying to set the previous Empress’s hair on
fire? “
“…and I ran to hide because I was too scared, yes. “
” Tch, you were such a wussy child. “
“…do you want a punch? “
“…pfft…no matter how much I think of it, I still cannot believe that a disciplined child turned out this way today. “
Y/n frowns, tossing the cap of her pen at him. He easily defects it, of course. “…it was your bad influence. “
Claude hummed, opening his eyes to see her still working, “…are you still afraid of dark, then? Why didn’t you let me know? I would have kept the candles alight. “
“…it’s not dark. I just keep having the same nightmare of being locked in a small space, it’s nothing worth worrying about. ”
She pushed a paper towards him,
” Check that out. The northern delegation will arrive in two days, I need to get your signature on it. “
“…why do you have my seal, you throne stealer? ” He muttered, his eyes skimming through the paper but he paused as he heard a soft laugh. His gaze immediately jumped towards her, surprised to see her smile.
“…what’s with that childish nickname? I temporarily took over your duties, don’t worry. I won’t go killing you and taking the throne for myself. “
He rolled his eyes, not realizing his own lips had stretched into a soft smile as he read through the proposal.
” Not bad. ” He set it down, ” Did you draft it? Since when were you so creative? “
Another object flew towards him and he grinned at her glare, “…since always, jerk. Stop pissing me off and fix it if there’s any mistakes. “
” No, it’s perfect as it is. ” He put his seal, ” Where are you meeting the delegation? “
” In that restaurant. ” she yawned softly, “…you know how the northern Grand Duke is. He hates people and hates your face…”
Claude held back another eye roll, “…what’s his beef with me anyway? ” He scowled, ” He’s the one who keeps glaring at me with the audacity he gets from God knows where every single time he has come here. “
She smirked but ignored him, signing another sheet and setting it on the pile that just kept increasing. Claude huffed, “….he’s lucky I haven’t gouged his eyes out yet. All because you stop me every time. “
” He is here because he represents another nation. Do you want to start a war? ” She scoffed softly, ” Besides, he’s not that bad. Once he lets his guard down, he’s quite a fun person to converse with. “
Claude stared blankly, ” are you calling me boring? “
“…you’re the one putting words into my mouth, kid. “
” Hey! I told you not to call me a kid! ” He scowled, “…you’re extra annoying today. “
You simply smiled innocently as she took the proposal from him, ” If you don’t have anything else to do, go have something and get some rest. You look like a disaster, kid. “
” Felix, ” Claude turned on his heels,
” Let that infuriating woman know dinner will be ready in two hours. “
Y/n could only smile to herself as she signed away her paperwork, Felix followed Claude with a smile of his own.
He was relieved to see that Y/n was still here to pull Claude away from anything harmful. He was aware she would be by his side no matter what.
Even though he has grown up with them, he couldn’t step out of line and try to comfort Claude. But Y/n could do that and she always will, he was glad about that.
–
–
–
“…why did he suddenly want a tour of the garden? ” Claude grumbled, “…I don’t wish to see that annoying pest’s face but it’s been two days. Is he holding Y/n hostage? “
Felix grinned to himself, ‘…is he sulking that Her Majesty didn’t visit him even once in the past two days? ‘
” Tch, what could make her so busy anyway? “
‘….he definitely is. ‘
” I’m surprised you want to greet him, Your Majesty. “
Claude rolled his eyes, “…well, he’s a guest. So I should…”
‘..he never cared about that. He just wants to see Y/n..’ Felix’s grin widened but he schooled his features as soon as Claude shot him an icy glare.
” What’s so funny? “
He gulped, ” I was just…thinking of the time Her Majesty dumped a whole glass of juice in your hair, Sire. “
‘…shit, I dug another grave while trying to escape the other one..’
Claude, however, doesn’t get angry at him. Instead, he seems to be thinking deeply about what he said.
“…mhm. She really didn’t like me back then, huh? “
” Yes. “
“…”
” I mean, ” Felix stuttered,.” It was merely a misunderstanding! Her Majesty thought you were the previous Emperor. “
” Are you a fool? She knew us for three years before that. There’s no way she could mistake me for my brother. ” Claude scoffed, a smile on his lips,
” I had offended her earlier that morning. She definitely took her revenge. “
Felix blinked, ” Oh? ” He hummed, ” So that’s how it went down. But Sire, just what did you do for Her Majesty to be like that—”
” PLEASE TAKE ME IN AS YOUR CONCUBINE. “
The air crackled with something very cold the moment Felix processed those words. A good distance away in Y/n’s favorite garden, stood her and the northern Duke.
‘…did I just hear that right? ‘ Felix gulped, ‘…Her Majesty will definitely reject him coldly, as she has done with every other approach in the past.’
He sighed, shaking his head.
 ” Pardon me? ” Y/n sounded beyond confused at his sudden words. The grand Duke stepped closer, a hand on his chest as he spoke with utmost sincerity.
” I have loved you the moment I laid my eyes on you, Your Majesty. I am ready to abandon my title and everything if it means I get to show you just how true my affections are for you. “
Felix gaped, “..her Majesty didn’t reject him right away? Sire, there is no else who knows Her Majesty better than you do. Do you assume her Majesty has an interest in the Grand Duke too? “
“…”
“…Grand Duke, you…”
“…let’s go. ” Claude sped up, a frown on his face, ” Why are we just standing here? “
He announced his presence by emitting a very murderous aura, though subconsciously. Â
” You’re here, Empress. I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I heard the Grand Duke of North has come to visit me. ” Claude spoke monotonously, face blank and eyes glimmering dangerously.
” Your Majesty. ” Y/n tilted her head, confused…why was he roaming around when he should be resting? And there’s no way he came here to greet the grand Duke he despises so much.
“…greetings and glory upon the Sun of Obelia. ” The Grand Duke of North stated, voice blank and face ever so dull, Y/n was really amused by the sudden shift in his behavior.
” Ah, yes…you’ve had enough of the tour, right? ” Claude mused, ” How about some tea instead? You see, the Empress has taken over my duties for a short while, so she is very busy. “
He faced Y/n, who blinked, confused. She had finished her work so she could focus on the Grand Duke, since the agreement was very important for her.
” What do you say, Empress? ” Claude spoke coldly, Â ” I shall treat the guest with utmost hospitality. You can resume your work if you’d like. “
“…ah, yes..” She squinted her eyes slightly before smiling at the Grand Duke, who seemed dejected. ” I shall write to you, Roman. “
He beamed brightly right away, ” Yes, Your Majesty. “
Felix stood there, not sure of what he was witnessing. Was Claude…just petty about this man’s presence…or…
He watched the way the grand Duke kissed Y/n’s hand as a goodbye, Claude’s eye twitched.
Or…was he jealous?
Huh?
Felix was very confused. Usually Claude wouldn’t care about these sorts of things — Wait, that is because Y/n has never hesitated in answering a confession before.
Was Claude annoyed at the thought of Y/n’s time being stolen by someone else? That would make sense, since Claude didn’t want the Empress to be distracted by other matters…
Wasn’t that it?
end.
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