𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹, wmmap

𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧 𝗜: chapter 3

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 3

"Why does it feel
like my life wasn't that
happy before
this?"

"You have to stop with this nonsense and go see him!" Felix has never spoken like that to the emperor, but he is willing to. For Achlys. The empress consort has been through a lot these past days. Waking up to knowing nothing must be terrifying. Felix was lucky enough to be there when Achlys woke up. They were close before the accident was it even an accident? it was on purpose and that is the hardest thing to accept.

Achlys came to Obelia a little over two years ago from a powerful neighboring kingdom. The purpose of his arrival was marriage. More exactly, the marriage between him and Claude de Alger Obelia, the emperor of Obelia.

It was rough at first and it was very clear that Achlys wasn't here by choice, but for his duty towards the crown.

They quickly became friends. Felix made an effort to spend as much time as he could with Achlys. Those were some lovely moments.

However, those lovely times didn't last as long as they should have.

Claude, the emperor with cruel cerulean eyes, was one of the causes for the interruption in the peace and quiet of Achlys' life as much peace and quiet it can be when your family has sent you away to the lions.

Felix and Claude have known each other since they were children. Their relationship wasn't always good. In fact, it was pretty bad for a while. It got better, of course, and now they, in Felix's opinion, can afford to call each other out for their unbelievably annoying behavior.

Claude looks up from the papers in his hands. He was just minding his own business, doing the paperwork that never seems to end, when Felix barges in with the angriest look he has ever seen the red head wear. Suddenly, the paperwork doesn't seem half as important. 

Claude smirks and leans on his chair, crossing his arms in the process.

Felix only gets angrier at this.

"Claude, you are impossible! A child! His Imperial Highness, Empress Consort Achlys, has been spending the last week in the loneliness of the Sapphire Palace's gardens! Get your head out of your imperial ass and go see your husband who needs you!" Claude's smirk falls. So it is about that.

Felix sees this and he gulps. He really hopes he didn't go too far with that one. He really likes his head...and arms....and everything that should stay attached to his body.

He almost apologizes.

"Felix, do you like being alive?" Felix's eyes widen in disbelief. He should have expected that, yet it still surprises him.

The knight with fiery hair looks at his emperor and closest friend with coldness, not caring about offending him anymore, "For Your Imperial Majesty's information, I do. But I know you won't kill me. You are far too lonely to do that."

A few seconds of stunned silence pass.

"I shall be taking my leave. Thank you for your time, Your Imperial Highness."

Claude is left alone and, though he should, he is not angry. He feels empty. And he knows Felix is right about the loneliness and about his behavior.

The emperor looks towards the door, fingers tapping softly on his desk, papers long forgotten.

That was the scariest thing I have ever done. Felix rushes through the Emperor's Palace, trying not to collide with servants that he passes by from time to time. Engulfed in dread, he knows he must talk to Achlys, the one who is suffering the most.

He almost slips twice on the freshly washed floors and once on the grass path to the Sapphire Palace. 

The Sapphire Palace used to be a place Felix loved to see and he admires its greatness still, yet now it feels cold because the one that was the cause of its warmth is no more. The palace was built especially for Achlys, but now, even though Felix hates to admit it, the sapphire eyed prince that first arrived in Obelia with happiness in his soul is no longer there.

The Sapphire Palace shines in the light of the golden sun that rests upon the Obelian empire and Felix is no longer afraid because he finally realizes that they will get over this. Achlys will come back, just like the sun always comes back up after a long night of darkness and fear, just like the stars that never truly go away, always there on the eternal sky. The knight will be there for his empress, for Achlys who deserves the world.