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Chapter 32

— XXX

— Each time you fall in love,

It's clearly not enough.'

..

    They sat there stiff as they watched the result of the scene before. The phrase wasn't helping them relax either.

PROMISE ME

    Penelope wince at the title, it felt so lonely and desperate

THE NEXT MORNING was peaceful, Claude found himself staring out of his palace window — watching the scene before him with a newfound sense of intrigue; in front of him was Athanasia – concentrated on writing something down, as Penelope explained with a book in her hand.

    This beautiful scene, they hope it won't be ruined when he reads the letters.

He had felt jealous at first. After all, Athanasia was the only family he had left — the only family that hadn't treated him like the discarded spare, other than Diana. He was jealous, possessive when Penelope had first started getting along with his daughter. It irked him how Athanasia would prefer going to Penelope when she had any problems regarding academics. Or how excited she was to share things with Penelope.

     Emily found the Emperor's thoughts cute and how much her lady and his relationship has grown. She frowned hoping when he reads the letter, he won't treat her differently.

But that jealousy faded in meantime, and he found this ... warm feeling bubbling in his chest every time he saw both of them together. It was ineffable, but oddly soothing for some reason. Perhaps this is how they would have looked — he mused — had Diana survived childbirth.

    Hearing that name, made Penelope remember that this was an arranged marriage and that he had someone in his heart. Her worrying about his relationship with her was unnecessary, she should just worry not to get killed....that's all. She said internally

Somehow he doubted that. He couldn't see Diana in Penelope. Not even if he wanted to. They were simply too far apart. Diana's liveliness was incomparable, she was like a warm gust of breeze that made one forget reality for a moment, just as she had back in the day. How she had diverted his own mind from the harsh truth of his gray — dull world.

    Penelope agreed with his description of Diana and that she could never compare to her, not like she wanted to.

But Penelope was ... different. She wasn't as summerie as Diana. And while Diana was the exotic dream — Penelope was the grounding reality. She was cold, still like the night. She wasn't brazen and free-spirited, but rather she was composed and dignified — standing beside her would make any man feel like a king, and standing in front of her felt like you're her subject.

    Emily nodded her head rapidly as she happily agreed with the Emperor's words.

Yet — somehow she had started feeling familiar to Claude. Like an ever lingering sensation of comfort, of support which ensured him that even if he were to give up for a while, it will be okay.

    The family was stunned at how the Emperor felt about her. They never really thought she could be like that or look at her personality in that way. They just outcast her and never got to know her...

"Blessings and glory upon the sun of the Empire" Felix addressed, gently placing the pile of papers that were sent from the office for the Emperor.