What If?

06

"Come back soon, Princess." Lily waved at me as I walked away. I waved at her before finally turning around and walking away.

It was very early with the sun just coming up. This morning I was on my way to the magic tower to visit Lucas. He wasn't able to attend the party because he was behind on his work since he was busy helping me with preparing for the trial.

So I decided to treat him with his favorite snacks so Lily and I woke up very early and made chocolate pudding and banana bread. I smiled at the thought of Lucas's face when he realizes what is in the basket.

As I walked by Claude's palace I admired his beautiful palace that flourished with flowers. It was strange to think of Claude liking flowers.

Nobody was around, so I decided to pick a few of them. The bouquet I held smelled so wonderful. They were so fresh and beautiful.
I continued to admire the flowers that were in my hands as I walked towards the magic tower.

"What are doing? So early too." A voice caught me off guard as I flinch looking up. I froze as my eyes landed upon Claude and Felix. Three days in a row I have seen His Majesty. How unlucky could I possibly be?

I quickly bowed to him. "Blessing and Glory upon the Obelian Empire," I said before standing up. "Good morning, Your Majesty." I greeted him. "I am on my way to the Magic Tower to share some snacks I've made with Lucas," I answer his question. He glances towards the basket that rested on my arm then back again at me.

"Why so early?" He questions again. He asks these questions but looks so uninterested to honestly know and care.

"I usually am up at this time every day, so I just decided to go to the magic tower now," I explain to him. Indeed, I am up at this time every day but the reason that I went to the Magic Tower this early was to avoid His Majesty.

He kept silent as he stared at me for a while probably trying to see if I'm lying. That's when I glanced at Felix who smiled at me. I smiled a little too.

"Felix, take the basket." Claude suddenly orders before walking away from me. Felix looks surprised but walks closer to holding out his hands. Seriously? He just knows how to torment me any chance gets, doesn't he?

I handed the basket to Felix who is for some reason smiling even more happily. I look down at the flowers in my hand. I could still give Lucas these I suppose. It's the thought that counts, right?

"Hurry up." Claude suddenly says making me look up at him. He was staring at me. He was telling me to hurry up? I looked at Felix who shook his head gesturing me to go ahead.

What's going on? I was confused but then slowly I began to walk after Claude who waited for me. As I caught up to him he turned back around and we walked side by side with Felix trailing behind us. Why are you suddenly accompanying me? I glanced up at him as he just walked. Then quickly I looked back down to the flowers.

"You are quite close with the magician?" Claude asks and I felt his cold gaze back on me.

"Yes, we have been good friends for quite a while." I nodded. "What kind of snacks did you prepare?" He continued to another question. Does he not feel this heavy tension? Why couldn't he just leave me be?

"What kind of snacks did you make?" Felix surprisingly asked me as he seemed to smell the basket. Just like a puppy. I giggled, smiling at him. "There is chocolate pudding and banana bread." Felix seemed to smile even wider. "I knew it! It smells delicious, Princess! One can you make me something?" Felix asks. I can't tell if he is doing puppy eyes on purpose or not.

Lily and Felix would be a cute couple. "Sure, what do you enjoy?" I smiled at him as I slowed down letting Claude walk ahead and walked by Felix instead."Ooh! Can you make me some lemon bars?" Felix asks me. "Of course," I tell him.

"Felix. Take ten steps back." Claude suddenly ordered him. Felix frowned but complied. I decided to try something. Even though it might get me in trouble. I backed away from Claude with Felix. Felix looked surprised and anxious as he looked up towards Claude.

"Athanasia," Claude said sternly as he stopped and turned towards me. "I said for Felix to step back. Not you." Claude glared at me. "Can't I walk with Felix, Your Majesty? I don't wish to disturb you by walking so close to you." I make up an excuse. He used to look revolted anytime I used to try and get close to him and now for once I don't try to he is still upset. Nothing I do could ever please him.

"No, you cannot." Claude answers and I slowly oblige as I walked by his side once again. We walked in silence now as Claude's mood has seemed to become sour. It was a relief that the Magic Tower was now close.

I smelt the flowers in my hand once again. "Do they smell nice?" Claude asks. What is going inside of that head of his? He seems to be asking anything he can think of. "They smell wonderful." I complimented them. "What do you plan to do with them? You must have something important you are going to do with considering you stole them from me." Claude seemed to threaten me suddenly as a chill went down my spine. As If the tension wasn't thick before.

I stayed silent as we came to a stop as we reached the Magic Tower. Finally, I managed to look up at him but still avoided his cold eyes.

Taking a breath in I held out the flowers to him. "I picked them out for you." I lied. For the first time, I watched Claude look taken aback but it was so quick I almost wondered if I g had imagined it.

Claude took the flowers from me as he watched me as if to see if I will have some type of reaction. And for some reason, I felt a warm, happy, nice feeling. It was barely there but it was still there. Then Claude dropped them all on the ground, as his gaze stayed stagnant on me. He proceeded to step on them.

That very small feeling snapped instantly almost like a stab through the heart. I guess I unconsciously still craved his affection. How foolish of me.

He then proceeded to turn and walk away without a word. Felix came and placed the basket in front of me. "Princess, please do not be discouraged. His Majesty is slowly beginning to rem-" Felix cut himself off. "Please go," I asked him, thankful that my voice didn't crack.

I just wanted to see Lucas.