Praesidium (WMMAP Fanfic)

Chapter 2

Another day another dog barking in front of him. All the incessant yapping is making Claude's head throb, but his mind keeps coming back to the incident with Ambrose yesterday. He had Felix investigate every single person inside the palace but there was no one named Athy, he had so far as had him check the visitor's log books but there was none with that name as well

'A dream and nothing more' Claude was starting to concede to that thought but something at the back of his head is telling him not to let it go easily.

"... send the Prince"

Claude's cold eyes suddenly zeroed in on the person who dared to try and suggest he send away his only son

"Explain yourself, Alpheus" Claude said sharply and it automatically translated to 'explain yourself or I'll rip your tongue out' in the people's mind in the room causing them to freeze up

"I- I mean your majesty, the Prince is very bright and despite his young age the imperial tutors hired has already conceded they have nothing more to teach him... I am merely suggesting that maybe he can learn more in Arlanta" Duke Roger Alpheus tried to explain and powered through his nervousness

"Oh?" Claude let out a small amused sound causing the room temperature to drop making them break out in cold sweat

"Tell me Alpheus, what will my son learn there that cannot be taught by Imperial tutors?" Claude's eyes swept over the noisy and nosy nobles who were trying to make themselves smaller and avoid his eye "It must mean the hired imperial tutors are useless if they cannot surpass even Arlanta's"

They stayed silent and tried to silence even their breathing in fear of even the slightest noise may irritate their emperor

"Felix, behead those useless tutors for lying that they're the best in what they do" Claude waved his hand towards Felix who was standing behind his chair

"Yes, your majesty" like a loyal follower, Felix doesn't bat an eye and follow the will of his master absolutely. With that the whole room erupted into noises of complaints since most of them sent their relatives to the palace as an imperial tutor in hopes of sticking themselves to the young prince to find his weaknesses.

Claude glared at them and they quieted down instantly. He tilted his head in satisfaction, the once noisy room has finally quieted down.

"Friends, your majesty" Duke Alpheus said suddenly, proud he has finally found a suitable answer for his majesty's question. Saving the poor tutors' lives

"Friends?" Claude repeated, tasting the foreign word in his tongue. He had never had never acknowledged even the closest to him as a friend, family betray each other afterall what more a mere friend?

As soon as Claude exited the meeting room he turned towards the Prince's private library, by not he has memorized by heart the habits of his son.

"About the behea—" Felix who was always beside him tried to ask

"Kick them out of the palace"

"Yes, your majesty" Felix said with a relieved smile and nodded towards another guard signaling them to do as the Emperor said. He feels bad towards the tutors, kicking them out of the palace means no one will hire them in tutoring anyone else... well, better no work than dead after all

The door to the Prince's private library opened, it was so quiet inside that even the page turning can be heard clearly. Claude walked inside deeper, he knows that his son would be surrounded by stacks of books taller than him.

"Father" Ambrose greeted him with a smile and he nodded in greeting before looking at Rabia who was sitting in a chaise sofa while elegantly drinking tea and feeding Ambrose ever so often with butter cookies and making sure to wipe cookie crumbs from his face and clothes

"Rabia, you're here as well"

"Yes, your majesty... I see you're irritated because of the meeting today again" Rabia said with a sympathetic smile as she pours him a cup of tea which he receives with both hands

"Thank you"

"So what did they want this time? Don't tell me they're pushing for our marriage again?" Her exasperated sigh caused a small frown to appear in Claude's forehead, was the thought of marrying him so burdensome?

"Stop with those useless thoughts" Rabia poked his forehead before smiling at him softly "Claude, let me be honest... I like you as a person, you're a wise ruler, a good companion and a wonderful father to our son... that's just it, you don't love me and I don't love you and it won't work. You'll find someone perfect to be with you, who you'll love and cherish wholeheartedly and sadly I'm not that person for you"

Claude stared at her sad expression, he wants her to be with him always. She was the only one who stood by him after everything that has happened but he couldn't refute the fact that what she says is true... he has affection for her but he can't give her his whole heart

The sad silence was broken by Ambrose who walked towards Claude and climbed on his lap holding an open book

"Father, I want to go here" Ambrose said as he pointed at a page where the boarding school of Arlanta si being explained

"To Arlanta? Why?" Claude said, recalling the meeting  earlier and a certain white dog barking about sending his son away to find friends

"To learn more and be the best" Ambrose said with a determined nod making Rabia laugh and pick up her son and give him sweet kisses on his cheeks making him embarrassed and protest halfheartedly

"To me, my little prince, you are already the best" Rabia said softly as she hugs her son tightly

Something about the view in front of him makes Claude at peace as he hides his smile behind sipping tea and his ever loyal Knight Felix looks away discreetly with a smile on his own. Thankful that after a long time of loneliness, his majesty has a chance at happiness and family