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CLAUDE DOESN'T KNOW much about his son. all that he knew about him is his name, its meaning, and his birthday. other than that, he knows nothing else. and he never tried to get to know him, too.
maybe its because he knew that one day he'll be taken away from him. that's why he never bothered to get close to him. sooner or later, claude knows that rosentine's fatherland will fight for salvatore's guardianship.
and if that man, the iudex were the one who stands to fight him for his son's guardianship, he knows it'll be a losing game.
it's pathetic, really. how can someone like him, someone who stole the throne from his older brother in cold blood, give up on a fight that hasn't even started yet. he simply accepted it, him losing his son to a man whom his son never even met.
perhaps he believes that it's better that way. so when the time comes for them to depart, both him and his son wouldn't have a hard time letting go of each other. after all, you won't cling onto something when there is nothing to hold on to.
"i'm pregnant! we're having a family, your majesty!" he should be happy. the fetus in diana's stomach is the fruit of their love after all.
but instead, claude felt his heart quicken. his hands growing cold as his mind went to his son─ his son that is yet to be acknowledged as the rightful heir─ and right there and then, he's sure; his son is gonna get taken away from him.
there is absolutely no way that fontaine ─ rosentine's homeland─ will sit idly when the son of such an esteemed person like rosentine did not get what he deserves.
"your majesty?" diana called out, worry painted in her features as she tries to get claude's attention.
"felix!" claude simply ignored her, calling out for his trusty knight who appeared immediately as he was called.
"yes, your majesty?" felix did not bother himself with the courtesy, as he bowed his head, waiting for claude's orders.
"escort diana back to the ruby palace, then call in imperial court. there are things that need to be discussed." diana looked confused, claude had never dismissed her so abruptly before. to think that this will happen after she just relayed such a joyful news.
"of course, your majesty. lady diana, please follow me." felix opened the door for diana, waiting for her to leave first before him.
"wait, your majesty, what's going on?" are you not happy? is left unsaid, but the message is clear to both claude and felix.
felix only pursed his lips, waiting to hear what the emperor would say. he knows why the emperor is suddenly appearing anxious. he also dreaded for this day to come. the day that will set salvatore's fate in stone.
"nothing. leave for now, there are other things that needs my attention." is all that claude told her, his hand signaling for felix and her to leave.
"wait-"
"lady diana, follow me." diana looked at felix with wide eyes. the tone that felix used to address her just now, it was new to her. in all the time she's been here, the knight always showed a kind and quite timid personality.
". . . blessings and glory upon the sun of the obelian empire." with that, the two left the emperor's study. leaving him in his lonesome solitude.
─
"blessings and glory upon the sun of the obelian empire." the servants of the aventurine palace chorused, all bowing down to the emperor.
"rise." and the servants did so. the emperor eyed all the servants one by one, scrutinizing each and everyone of them. from the maids, to the guards. claude couldn't help but frown.
all of them hailed from the land of fontaine.
not even a single one of them was from the obelian kingdom.
"you all have done a great job, raising my son." the way how the servants' flinches did not escape claude's eyes.
"of course, your majesty; it is an honor to watch the young prince grow." claude remembers her, natasha fremont. she used to be rosentine lady-in-waiting, now she serves as his son's maid.
"It seems that i have neglected my duties as his father for far too long." yeah, you sure did, is what natasha did not dare to say. at least not yet.
"starting today, i will be looking after my son, and he will be treated as a proper heir to the throne." natasha clenched her jaw at the emperor's statement.
"move him to the emerald palace. he shall reside there starting today." claude gave another order.
"yes, your majesty." the servants can only bow their heads and grit their teeth at the emperor's orders.
to think that after years of neglect, he'll suddenly drop such an order.
"another thing, in two weeks time from today, the prince's recognition will take place."
and such an announcement.
the servants offered one last bow, before the emperor excused them. felix watches his friend release a breath of relief that his friend was unknowingly holding. felix too, can feel himself breathe better.
yeah, this can work for now.
──── imagine being an asshole but also having attachment issues.
