Listless Princess

Chapter 14

Damn, I fell. I just slipped! It wasn't because of the chocolate got it?!

Sheesh... now what should I do? I can somehow make myself breathe underwater, so while I'm in here, should I think of going up and pretend to struggle to reach the air or something? but I don't want him of all people to see me in my weak state. 

Geez, lemme take a look through, whether if he has the motivation to save me or not. 

***

Athanasia swam up and only her head was seen, she was paddling underwater and was looking at Claude with dead fish eyes. then she started speaking, "Hey, the water feels good, don't you want to join me?" she asked, 

Then Claude remembered what he said previously, 'I was on my way to the lake, get ready and join me' and a 'Don't you want to join me?'

"Only stupid fools would want to" He replied, watching Athanasia doing a perfect backstroke. He was astonished but didn't show it on his face. 

"Hm? perhaps?!" She pretentiously looks concerned, "I mean... Athy know you wouldn't want to admit it but... N-no Athy won't say that you can't swim!" she said, quite loudly. 

It provoked Claude a tad bit but he didn't react to it, but instead smoothly replied with a smirk, "Who do you think am I?"

"A golden-haired guy who has a kink for Egyptian clothes?" She immediately answered blankly while doing a butterfly stroke. 

"..."

"..."

"Don't you know I can freeze the water in an instant?" he said after seconds of silence. Athanasia then quickly swam back to the boat, Claude didn't help her for a bit but she manages.

"The boat got wet" With that excuse, Claude dried up Athanasia's clothes and hair and the dripping water as well in the boat. As they were about to go back to the shore Athanasia spoke up, 

"Hey, Athy..."

.

.

.

After they got out of the boat, finishing their boat ride together. Claude looked at Athanasia, "Since you're good at swimming, there is no need for you to be taught how to swim."

"Obviously, Athy can even swim better than Felix Robane" She pointed to Felix who was standing right beside Lily who was worried about her. 

'Why the full name?' Felix thought, feeling a little bit sad. 

"Hmph, I shall see you on our next tea time together," Claude said and went away with Felix and the other maids who accompanied them here in the lake. 

After they went away, Lily ran up to Athanasia who was looking at Claude with expressionless eyes, not knowing what goes through her head, and hugged her, mumbling how thankful she was that Athanasia was safe. 

"Didn't I say so earlier Lily? Athy is strong enough to slap that guy in the cheeks" 

"Still, the princess is still a child. Please don't say things that will make me and the others worry"

Athanasia pouted and felt a little bit guilty. she then nodded, "Okay"

***

After Claude got back to his palace, he went back to work as usual. Finishing up some documents that needed to be approved and discussed in the next meeting. Then as his mind was engulfed with work he remembered Athanasia's words earlier while they were still on the boat. 

"Hey, Athy...

Athy doesn't like you" 

with an expressionless voice and eyes, she said out of nowhere. 

"Is that so?" He said his usual lines. Curious about what the reason was. 

"Yes, and Athy just wants you to know that the day where Athy will call you 'father'... 

...will probably never come"

He was taken aback by the words of the small child. 

'Ah- I finally noticed why she never called me 'father' not even once in our meetings these past few days too... so that was why I was feeling strange.'

.

.

"Athy doesn't know you."

"Y-your highness, this person here is your highness's father, the Emperor" 

"So is Athy suppose to call him her 'daddy' or some?"

.

.

"Don't you want to join me?"

"Athy wants to keep eating cocolates but Athy doesn't have a choice so Athy will join"

.

.

"Hey, the water feels good, don't you want to join me?"

"Only stupid fools would want to"

"I mean... Athy knows you wouldn't want to admit it but... N-no Athy won't say that you can't swim!"

.

.

"Who do you think am I?"

"A golden-haired guy who has a kink for Egyptian clothes?"

.

.

"I need to treat her better"

To be continued...