𝕺𝖇𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖆'𝖘 𝕾𝖑𝖆𝖈𝖐𝖊𝖗 𝕻𝖗𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖊𝖘𝖘

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 10

{𝕾𝖙𝖆𝖗𝖙}

It was early morning when Angelica came over to the Ruby Palace, and right now Angelica was sitting on the ground next to Athanasia, who was feeding Blackie. It seems like Athanasia forgot what happened that night when Angelica came back from the Alpheus's manor. Recently, every single time Angelica would come in contact with Blackie, she'd get dizzy spells, be nauseous, and even lose her appetite when she had to eat. She had frequent nosebleeds too, which was weird because Athanasia seems fine. When she felt a bit better, she just shrugged it off and continued on with her day, not telling anyone of her condition.

"Princesses, it's high time you go greet his majesty," Felix said, ticking Athanasia off.

"Papa, we missed you!" Athanasia exclaimed happily.

'Who's we?' Angelica thought, giving her a stink eye that none of them noticed.

And as usual, Claude gives no reaction, creating a very awkward silence. Luckily Felix, who noticed the awkward silence, spoke.

"Your majesty, the weather's nice outside. How about going for a walk?"

"A walk that doesn't sound bad, "Claude finally spoke.

"I couldn't agree more." It's been a long time since Angelica had a proper peaceful time outside, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

"What is it?" she heard Claude. Turning to him, she saw Athanasia tugging on Claude's pants. She kind of enjoyed the way Athanasia's face changed after seeing who she stood next to. Having a feeling that whatever is happening now is going to be funny, she stepped back a little.

"She's asking you to pick her up, your majesty," Felix piped up with a smile.

"Pick her up?" Claude questioned.

"Yes, she does that a lot to me when her legs are hurting."

"No,, I just saw something on Daddy's clothes." Athanasia couldn't help but shout when she felt Claude pick her up.

Claude was holding her by her dress ribbon, making her dangle in the air. Angelica was pretty sure she had a hard time breathing like that, but hey, who would have known Claude was incapable of carrying a child? Felix, on the other hand, was panicking like the mother hen he was. So he gently took Athanasia from Claude much to her relief and showed him how to hold her correctly. Just when Felix was going to give her back to Claude, she shouted, saying she wanted Felix to hold her.

"Ahem ! If that is what the princess wishes, I suppose I don't have a choice. " Felix was obviously extremely happy that Athanasia chose him; it's written all over his face.

"Shall we, your majesty? We'll follow behind you."

"I'll carry her, "Claude paused. "You were so strict about it, so I thought there might be some complicated way to carry a child , but it looks easy enough "

"Athy just-"

"So you don't want to be carried by me,Claude said, glaring at Athanasia.

"Ehehe, it is not like that. Athy is just worried about Angel. Who is going to carry Angel if Papa carries Athyy?" Claude stared at her for a moment before walking to Angelica, who decided to lean against the throne while sitting on the ground, eyes closed. One would think she is sleeping if it weren't for her tapping her finger on her thighs.

Seeing as she didn't take note of him standing in front of her, Claude gently picked her up and rested her head on his shoulder. Angelica, who was surprised by this action, instinctively wrapped her arms tightly around his neck as if her life depended on it. Feeling her wrap her arms tightly around his neck, Claude was under the impression that she was scared of falling, so he patted her head for comfort.