I'm Tired

Chapter 6

Claude Pov

I couldn't read her. She showed her cold side to me. She was like a lion cub showing its teeth. Always so uptight and cautious. She had this gaze where she wanted nothing to do with me and it hurt me. I don't know why it hurts. It felt like an arrow pierced my heart. I invited her for tea and asked her questions. She wasn't afraid of me. If she was actually thinking of killing me I would've actually been frightened. She had a frightening aura like she could kill me in an instant. She sat there looking at me as if I was nothing more than a bug underneath her feet.

What did I do wrong? She looks like Diana but her attitude is way off. Maybe she got it from me. I wonder

She answered my questions short and simple. She didn't explain further and I didn't explain further. We were similar. We don't show emotion or so I thought. I walk to the Ruby Palace to hear the maids talking about the Lovely Princess. How she was kind, sweet, and how her smile can melt you at any moment.

I think their eyes need to be fixed.

I sent Felix to be her guard and gave her the Emerald Palace. I heard from Felix that she was a genius at just the age of 3. She understood things that scholars had trouble grasping. I seemed to find her interesting and couldn't stop thinking of her. I accepted her as a princess and invited her more.

She was really amusing. I got to see more and more expressions from her. My favorite is when she ate the lotus and gave a grim expression. I honestly thought she would just admire it, not eat it. I now see the cheekiness she gained from Diana.

Felix started rambling on about a playmate. Suggesting the Alpheus family's son. Why does she need playmates? There is one child running around, I don't need more. She called Roger a white dog. She suggested a powerful wizard she could use as protection. She really is smart. She knows how to use her words.

There was a black-haired wizard with red ruby eyes that was appointed as the princess playmate. She showed up less and hung out more with that brat. They were seen together more and more. They were getting too close for comfort.

I should've killed him when I had a chance

When I had tea with her she smiled more. I now understand what they meant when you see her smile. When she smiles you just melt into happiness. When I'm with her my headaches seem to disappear. For her birthdays I gave her a library, the treasury, gold trinkets, jewels, and dresses. She looked happy, yet uninterested. 

 I saw her one day with a net and bow and arrow. She was eyeing a hawk. She threw the net up into the air, then grabbed two arrows; pulling them back then releasing them.  I was impressed that she actually trapped the target. As the bird was falling down, she pulled out a leather glove and put it on. She untied the net and said, "I saw Lucas having a staring contest with a hawk. I wonder if he wants you. If not I'll keep you. You'll be of use for hunting." The hawk looked like it was proud of its new owner. I could tell by it obliging to her and looking at her while she was speaking.

She was strange. Really strange. She was my daughter. Diana, do you see this? Even animals like her.

Time flew by like water, and she was already a young lady.

Well, she acted more like a man. She preferred trousers over dresses and hated etiquette. She was like me when wanting to speak her mind.

When she was angry she would be really vicious and violent. I feel bad for the victims (Pillows 1 and 2).

She hid her thoughts behind this perfect princess mask. It really left me confused. When I let her join an audience with me, she spoke with a gentle voice when an idiot insulted her. She also smiled. It was frightening. I already know that behind that smile she was ready to silence that man. Her gaze said it all. Instead of actions, she used words. Even Roger knew better, he must still be traumatized. What will she do to that man at the hunting games? I shuddered at the thought of it.

I wonder how she can keep that smile up all the time. 

I'm now glad that she gave me her cold gaze instead of a fake loving smile. I wanted her to be herself when with me, even if I never will say it out loud. I liked it when she never showed her true self to others. 

Except when a bratty magician came. 

She was acting normally to him. She did the same thing to him, she did to me,  except there was no fear in his eyes. I overheard the maids talking about how those two were always bickering and acting like casual friends. I went to check to see if the servants' words were true.

There I saw them talking, casually and saying offensive words without giving a crap. 

"Idiot." Aren't they both geniuses? 

"Ugly." My daughter looks like me! Is he insinuating I'm ugly?!

"Virgin grandpa" Isn't he like, 8?

"What the hell, you're a virgin too." She better be.

Is this how kids talk to each other these days?

I continue to listen to their conversation. They were talking about weird topics while holding strange devices. They hold no shame towards themselves. Even with their status different from the other, they speak without formality. Accepting the insult, knowing what they say is how their friendship works.

What a strange relationship.

A few moments later...

They were having a full-blown war. Insult and punch after the other. They were both powerful in magic but chose to use their fist and words instead. I should've brought some snacks. After the battle was over, they were exhausted. They restored the room back to the way it was with the help of magic. They moved on to the snacks and devoured them. 

This is my daughter. My one and only daughter. 

____

A/N:

Claude's view on Athanasia.

Thank you for reading! Sorry for any grammar mistakes.

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Word Count: 1059