AN IMPORTANT EXTRA | WMMAP

CHAPTER 10

"This is Athanasia, my daughter. I suppose this would be the first time you've met her." Claude gestured lazily towards the child.

"Yes, it is my honor to meet you. I am Grand Duke Bottclair, I am your father's cousin," Mikhael smiled gently at the younger, "this is my son, introduce yourself."

Sage nodded before giving a slight bow of his head, "Blessings and Glory upon the Obliean Empire, it is my pleasure meeting her Royal Highness."

Athanasia sat across from him, wide-eyed as his father sported the same expression.

Claude had only a blank look before lifting a hand to cover his mouth.

'Introduction was a bit over the top, but as long as Claude doesn't see me as a threat, then it is fine.'

"Ah yes, it is nice to meet you too! Papa said I would meet my cousin today, so Athy was excited!" Sage mentally cringed as he watched the girl smile brightly.

'It must be a pain talking like a five-year-old to survive. I send my sympathy to you, Athy.' Needles pretended to prick at his consciousness as he gave a slight smile back.

"Your son should give you some lessons personally," Claude spoke up as he watched Mikhaels shoulders sink with a sigh.

"What can I say? Even as an infant, my son had always been polite." Mikhael looked over at his son before patting his head gently.

Sage only replies with a slight nod.

"How is Louise? Looking after two children while carrying a human inside her must have used up a lot of energy." Mikhael's face morphed into an offensive look.

"I will have you know I am the most well-behaved person in the house. I always make sure she is well comfortable during these things." The black-haired male stuck his nose in the air as he said with pride.

A laugh was heard from behind Claude before it was followed closely by a cough.

Felix was looking away with a slight blush on his face from the attention he had received from all four.

"Was there something funny with what I said?" Mikhael raised an eyebrow as he stared down the knight though amusement swam around in his eyes.

"N-no! of course not! I-I was just-!" Claude cut off the flustered knight, who raised his hand.

"What you said was rather amusing to hear considering the last time Louise was carrying your son, you had gotten drunk off a couple of beers and started crying while Louise had to drag you into the carriage. She was surprisingly strong since she was a few weeks away from her due date." Claude had a slight smirk on his face as he recalled the memory of the male being upset that Louise had gone to a check-up without him and finding out the due date without him, so he decided to drink away his sadness as the Grand Duke proclaimed.

It was Mikhael's turn to blush in embarrassment before he complained about the sudden mention of a forgotten memory.

Sage was looking carefully at the amused tyrant as thoughts swarmed his mind.

'...It is almost terrifying how much black magic he has used to lock away his emotions. I will try not to interfere as much as I have already and hope the plot stays on its original path.'

As both adults, mainly Mikhael continued to engage in their conversation. Athanasia observed Sage.

'Athy... I know you are confused as to why I exist, but please stop analyzing me as if I am alien.' If Sage hadn't learned how to keep calm under pressure, he surely would have been sweating like a pig right now.

With a sigh, he finally made eye contact.

"Is there something you wish to speak with me about?" Jumping slightly, Athy shook her head with another bright smile.

"Athy is just happy to meet Sage! I never thought I would meet my cousin!"

'Apart from Jennette.' The boy had no doubt that was what the girl across from him was thinking.

"Then I am pleased to hear you are happy. I hope we get along well, cousin." Sage replied in a non-hostile way. With that being said, the maids had finally brought out dinner, placing it in front of them.

AN UNIMPORTANT EXTRA.

CHAPTER 10, I WANT TO GO HOME, PLEASE.

ATHANASIA POV.

'At first, I didn't believe Felix when he said I would meet my uncle and cousin; I just thought he was talking about Claude's brother and Jennette! To think he meant characters who didn't exist.' Athanasia was in the middle of a crisis as she kept her gaze on her food.

She couldn't deny that both the father and son duo had unique looks; it made her wonder why she had never heard of them in all of the five years since she was born. It was something she was going to ask Lilian as soon as she got back to her room.

The blonde child had difficulty keeping her expressions in check because when she looked up again, she found her father gazing at her.

"Is there something wrong with the food? Do I need to punish the royal chief?" He questioned as his voice held little emotion.

She placed on her infamous smile with a quick shake of her head, which worked wonders on her maids. "No, papa! Athy loves the food very much! Athy didn't know what to eat first."

'Why does he always use those threats? It makes me feel sicker than I'm already am!' She began to eat her food as taught to her by Lilian. She glanced at her cousin before deciding the best course of action was to converse with him once again.

"So what does Sage do at home? Does Sage like chocolate? Because Athy loves chocolate!" She watched as Sage froze slightly before looking at her to reply.

'I have also learned from my past mistakes of hiding chocolate in my sleeve. My heart almost gave up beating when I almost punched Claude while he was sleeping, and it flew out of my sleeve, waking him up.' Athy smiled emptily on the inside as she thought about how she almost got herself murdered.

"I do not do much, Princess. I only study and practice my swordsmanship. In regards to chocolate, I do not mind it. However, I do tend to lean towards more sour candy." With that being said, he went right back to eating his meal.

'Wow... he is so formal for a five-year-old... it's kind of scary.' She sweated profusely at the thought before her mind continuously went over what went wrong with the timeline and how it changed.

'Was it because I was transmitted into the book? Was it because I was born as Athanasia that changed everything? What if the ending changes now too? Will my death be unavoidable now?'

"-is that okay, my Princess?" Her head shot up when her train of thoughts was quickly broken, and she made eye contact with her uncle, who held a gentle smile.

Slightly alarmed, she looked towards the boy across from her, who only looked down at his food with wide eyes as he gripped his fork tightly.

'Wha...'

"Yes, I believe that isn't a bad idea." Claude had spoken up, his face showing little emotions as always.

"...Oh! That is okay! Athy doesn't mind!" She quickly agreed alongside her father. With a bright smile, she hoped it didn't give off the fact that she wasn't listening.

"That is great! I am happy you agree to allow Sage to become your study partner. I have heard my Princess is quite the genius. I do not mean to brag, but so is my son, so I do believe you will be on par with each other!" Athanasia drowned out his voice as she began blanking out while her gaze stayed locked onto the boy across from her.

'WHAT?'

SAGE POV.

'I want to go home, please...'