For The Forever Lost Souls

Serious Talk Turned Peaceful

"You're here," said Claude.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We met Sir Alpheus outside," Felix said.

"Mister Whitey!" Athy yelled happily, as the twins chuckled at the nickname again.

"Whitey?" questioned Claude.

"Because he looked like a white doggy!" answered Athy.

"......." Claude turned his head slightly and moved his hand to cover his mouth.

Eh? He laughed! Athy thought in bewilderment.

It didn't just bewilder her – the twins were equally shocked, staring at Claude with wide eyes.

*Did he just laugh? Claude laughed? No way. That must be a demon in his body, * Ambrose said with a straight face.

*I'd rather believe a god isn't behind all my problems than to believe Claude of all people laughed. * Azrael said, his face hard as stone.

"Quite fitting for a man who, like a dog, won't ever stop barking or being a nuisance," Claude said.

Isn't that a bit harsh for the father of your son-in-law to be? Athy wondered.

"....."

Claude stared at the scene of Felix carrying Athy in silence.

Felix wore a confused expression as he noticed Claude's gaze.

"You've quickly become the nanny, I see," Claude said with a smirk.

Felix chuckled softly as he carefully set Athy down.

I don't think that was meant to be a compliment... Athy and the twins thought.

Athy handed her lollipop to Felix, then grabbed the twins by their arms and led them toward Claude.

"Now that I think about it, I believe Sir Alpheus also has a boy around the same age as their highnesses," Felix said, then added, "wouldn't he be a good companion for their highnesses?"

While Felix talked about the young Alpheus boy, Athy and the twins were busy staring at the gold chair Claude was seated on.

*Do you think we'd be able to get away with taking this chair? * Azrael asked Ambrose.

*Who knows. Well, even if we do, I'm sure they'll have enough money to replace it. * Ambrose answered with a devious smile.

Wow, look at this gold, Athy thought with sparkles in her eyes. I don't think anyone would notice if I took some...

The children quickly noticed Claude's gaze was fixed on them.

"Is Athy, Azrael-oppa, and Ambrose-oppa going to have a new friend?" Athy asked brightly.

"...Just imagining four children running around the palace gives me nightmares. I hate it when it's noisy," said Claude.

Huk, I was careless! I should have said I didn't need any companions! Athy cried internally.

"On top of that, a boy like Roger Alpheus..." Claude trailed off.

*Ugh, should have said we wanted to be friends with that Alpheus boy just to irritate him. * Ambrose cried internally at this missed opportunity.

*I would have happily accepted had I known he'd be like this, * deadpanned Azrael.

That's too bad, I was a bit curious about Ijekiel. I think he was two, maybe three years older than Jennette... thought Athy.

Hm? Athy finally noticed Claude was lifting her.

"As I thought, heavy," said Claude.

Eh??? What are you doing?! You don't usually act like this...! Athy looked up at Claude in shock.