The Princess With a Future Set in Stone

Chapter 50: Lies

After six months of being unconscious, Claude had finally woken up.

Anthanasia did not make the news public, since she had announced that Claude was dead, just three days ago.

Previously, the plan had been to be crowned as Empress as soon as possible, but with Claude's awakening, that plan might be out on pause.

'I doubt that I'm fit to rule Obelia'

Anthanasia went to the Garnet Palace, in which Claude was being checked by a doctor that was loyal to the imperial family and was good with keeping secrets.

"His Majesty is very weak, after being unconscious for a very long time. It might prove him difficult to get around"

"It is expected"

"And about his memory, well, maybe you can tell him things that have happened. Show him familiar things and places. The more you remind him of his identity, the quicker his memory will return"

"Okay"

Anthanasia bit her lip, feeling perplexed. If it was just the temporary inability for Claude to get around, it would have been better. But to make matters worst, Claude had a loss of memories.

He seemed to have forgotten at least eighteen years of his memory.

He remembered his name. Remembered Felix and the fact that he was the Emperor.

But he did not remember more than that as he seemed to have been unaware that he had an eighteen year old daughter, or to be more precise, eighteen year old daughters.

When he had woken up, he was alert and suspicious of everybody until Felix came and clarified the situation.

Claude still remained cold towards Anthanasia, but his indifference seemed to be better than when he had his memories. He was even cold to Jennette.

Walking into Claude's room, with a tray containing his lunch, she put on a gentle smile.

"Hello father. Your lunch is here"

Claude was sitting up right on his bed, facing his back to Anthanasia while staring at the window.

"Put it on the table"

Anthanasia obliged and set down the tray on the table, then proceeded to sit on the chair beside his bed.

"Why don't you leave?" Claude asked in his icy tone.

Still, she remained unfazed. He didn't seem to show the hatred that he had usually shown to her, when he had his memories. The only emotion he displayed was curt coldness.

Far better than the usual harsh words and expression filled with deep hatred he had previously displayed.

"I want to accompany you and tell you about my day. You know, how I used to do"

"Really?" It was supposed to be a rhetorical question, but Anthanasia couldn't help but answer the question in her mind.

'No. This is wrong. Lying to the Emperor like this. But....'

"So while you've been unconscious, I've become close to many amazing people. I and Jennette really missed your presence. I remember when the three of us would have our own little tea parties, make flower crowns...."

Lies, lies and more lies.

But these lies, seemed to soften Claude's heart. The more she spoke, the more his eyes seemed to soften. The more his tone became warmer.

The doctor had said that if she told him things that had happened, then his memories would be likely to return. That was the reason why she didn't tell him what had happened in the time that he had forgotten.

Instead, she told him about events that were only crafted in her imagination. Scenarios that she had only ever hoped to have happened.

"Before mother died, we'd go on walks together" That was probably one of the biggest lies yet.

Anthanasia had never met her mother before, since she had died while giving birth to her.

But Claude who had his memories vanished, seemed to believe it all - the picturesque image of their perfect family.

It was all wrong, but she couldn't help it.

There was something that couldn't make her able to let go of having a perfect and complete family.

She had thought that she had given up on this hope of Claude loving her, but seeing him actually caring for her as a father, nudged at her heart.

'Is it wrong that I don't want his memories to return?'