Crystal tears

Chapter 5

                         Claude's POV

Five Years later....

I was seated in my office when someone knocked on the door. "Come in." The door opened, revealing a Knight Assigned to the Northern Wing. He walked in and began to speak. "Your Majesty, it appears that Adviser Antirrinos has fallen asleep in the Northern Gardens... again." The knight reported. I waved my hand dismissing him and spun to look at Felix. "Let us go and retrieve the sleeping beauty, shall we?" I stood up and walked out with Felix opening the door along the way. The gardens were roughly a five minute walk from my office. We turned in the appropriate direction and strode off. As we neared the Northern Gardens we came across a thing blocking the path. It was stopped at the Cherub statues. "What is this filthy bug doing in my palace."

I peered at the bug as a small blue pouch fell to the ground, the contents spilling out. "That face. I've seen it before." I paused for a moment before continuing. "...Yes. Was it that dancer from Siodonna? You look like that wench." I reached to grab its face. "Your Majesty." Felix called out. "And I think I remember... What the wench named you. I believe it was Athanasia." I pause again (to make it more dramatic). "Back then, you were a tiny bug that couldn't even lift its head." And paused again(even more dramatic). "You've grown a lot." Another bag fell and a small red gem rolled out and hit my foot. I glanced down at it and then back up staring at the child subsequently crushing the jewel. I reach for her again this time grabbing her under her arms. I brought her up to eye level and looked her in the eyes. "You're heavy. You have really chubby cheeks, but I didn't expect you to be this heavy." I could feel Felix's skeptical stare boring into my back. "Now, what are you doing in my palace." I shift my gaze to one of the statues and notice a bite mark on it. I silently continued staring at it till Feix piped up. "Maybe she thought it was a toy. I stayed silent a little longer. "She must have wandered off during playtime. Felix." I tossed the child to him. "Carry her." He let out a confused sound. "After we pick up my Adviser I should have some tea with my guest." And with that I continued to walk to the Northern Gardens.

Once we made it to said gardens I began my hunt for the sleeping person. I strolled around for a moment before abruptly turning a corner effectively finding my target. He was sitting in a chair slumped over a table with a book loosely in his hands. I sighed and sauntered over to him. I gently shook him. "Ant. Ant wake up." I partially yelled in his ear. He groggily turned his head to look at me. "What?" His yawn dragged out his words. "Come on, let's go." I tried to urge him up, to which he responded by swatting my hands away. I sighed for the second time in the last five minutes. I picked him up out of the chair and slung him over my shoulder like a sack of flour. "Werewe gonnin?" Ant sleepily slurred out. "We're going to have tea with an unwanted guest that I found on my way here." He just plopped his head down in response. "Now, off we g-" Ant cut me off. "Claude, I swear to god, if you start running like a goddamn horse again I.Will. Beat. Your. Ass." His previously tired tone one. "Fine then." I slightly pouted and began walking with Ant still on my shoulder. "Not!" I bolted off. "YOU FUCKING DICK! ONCE YOU PUT ME DOWN I'M GONNA RING YOUR NECK!"

His screams resonated throughout the palace. "Then I won't put you down." I gave him a cocky grin. "You bastard!" We zoomed past Felix who just sighed. We made it to the guest lounge and I set Ant down then mentality facepalmed at my stupidity. "Shit." Just as he was about to lunge at me the door swung up to reveal a passive looking Felix and a frightened child. "Sir Antirrinos, please refrain from attacking His Imperial Majesty." Felix gave Ant a solemn gaze. "But Felix he-" Felix cut him off with a threatening glare. "Fine.." He looked away dejectedly. "Anyway, I have brought Princess Athanasia, Your Highness." Ant and I look at the child in question. Ant has a soft spot when it comes to children. And when I say soft spot I mean he turns to literal mush. I turned my head to him. "Ant stop staring at the poor child." I quietly told him. "But she's so damn cute!" He had literal stars in his eyes. I could only groan.

I walked up to the nearest servant and put in a request. "Bring something a child would like and our usual." They nodded preparatory to walking out o f the room. It was a few minutes of silence before the attendant came back with a cart full of sweets, tea and milk. They set the contents of said cart out on the table then left the room. Ant reached for a tart while Felix set the girl down on the opposite couch. There was a heavy silence in the air until I initiated a conversation. "I didn't Know you couldn't speak." I said looking at the child in front of me. She just hicced in response. I turned my gaze away from her. "Well this is boring" Ant lightly punched my arm. "Athy can talk." The child finally spoke. "Finally, I get to hear your voice. Why did you stay silent until now?" I quirked my eyebrow. "Pardon me, Your Majesty, but little girls around the princess' age are known to be very shy." Felix butted in. "Is that so." I sat quietly for a moment. "Felix." I called out. "Yes, Your Majesty?" He immediately answered. "Leave us." He left without complaint. Once he left Ant spoke at last.

"Oh! Claude!" He cheerfully called. "Hmm?" I looked in his direction. "I made a flower crown for you, cause I thought it would compliment your otherwise stagnant face!" He pulled a fully made flower crown out of nowhere. "Where the hell did you pull that out from?" He put the crown on my head as he replied. "My pocket" He pulled his hands back. "How fucking big are your pockets?" I shot him a look of disbelief. "Eh~ Not that big." He took another bite of his tart. I stared at him then turned my attention to the girl again. Athy, it must be a pet name."

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I know I said that this chapter would be soon but I got distracted 

and forgot about this. Anyway have a lovely day!