crown [C. TARTAGLIA]

09

"what... what do you mean by that?" you asked,  heart skipping a beat at the words he said. you told yourself that he was just joking around as usual, he was always like that.

childe had only narrowed his eyes at you before turning away. "just don't go near alberich."

in truth, the prince was also having trouble by what he felt. he was surprised at what his mouth has spewed out of the blue, not expecting the sudden rage he felt when he thought kaeya had asked you out instead of him.

you were just his guard, nothing more and nothing less.

he didn't mean to feel so emotional whenever he saw you with someone else, talking with another person other than him. he grew soft for you, and he hadn't even realized it until his sudden outburst.

"damn it..." he cursed as he walked away from you.

meanwhile you were left at the dim hallway with a frown remaining on your face. "surely, you can't be...?"

°

the next day, the air in the room has been slightly awkward. you stood behind childe per usual while he worked at his table absentmindedly.

he didn't like how you were so quiet, he wasn't used to your mouth being taped shut.

"[Y/N]."

"yes, your highness."

his eye twitched at you being so formal with him all of a sudden. did what he said the night before bother you that much?

he stood up from his chair and faced you, walking towards your position until there was barely any gap between you two.

you tried to remain unfazed by it, but childe has always been an unpredictable one. you never know what he was going to do, resulting in you stiffening your posture.

he noticed this, and smirked. "do i make you nervous? hm?"

childe placed one of his arms on the wall that was at the side of your head, leaning in towards you more.

"...no." you turn your gaze somewhere else.

"really?" he scoffed. "then how come you can't look at me directly in the eyes?"

"...i believe what you are doing right now isn't really appropriate, your highness."

"your highness? what happened to your snarky name callings?"

you didn't like how close he was, you knew he could feel your uneasiness now that he was right in front of you.

"it would be informal."

"really? you're talking about informality, you of all people?" he laughs.

"we shouldn't..." you balled your fist as you tried to recollect yourself first. after a whole night of staying awake trying to think of a solution, this was the only thing that came to mind. "we shouldn't have been so close with each other."

"...what?"

"you are my master, i'm nothing more than your servant." you said, looking at him straight in the eyes this time. "so i think it's best if we treat each other that way."