Survive n' Avenge

What did You just say?

Arriving at the table, Athanasia can feel herself being nervous and all, facing Claude, the man that she swore to avenge. With the help of Felix, Athanasia settle down her seat and has a pillow under to make her more comfortable to drink and talk. There was this deadly awkward silence between three people, Claude, Athanasia and Felix. Athanasia fools around with the cookies in her small hands, such unpleasing manners should never be show to any Nobles, not counting that he's the cold-blooded Emperor, who can make your head flying at any moment. As long as you breath the same air in the Obelia Empire. 

Claude finally broke the silence by giving out a order for Felix, his bodyguard, "Felix, leave us. I'd like some private moment with my daughter." Stopped the play with her cookies, Athanasia freezed, is it because she's scared because it's only them? Or is it because she was annoy by Claude calling her "daughter"? A word that he never ever tells her before, even refused to say that. She was both scared and annoyed, but she keep her head cool. 

"How's your health? Judging from your apperances, you must have been healthy." Asked with such tone, is he sincere or just act? Athanasia couldn't see the answer with his dead-like face. "Thanks to the maids of the Ruby Palace and Lily, I have been very well since my birth." Clearly, she wants to draw a line between them. "Is that so." Claude seems unpleased with Athanasia reply, but there's nothing she can do about it.

"I haven't been able to give you some attention due to my mountains of works. Say, is there a thing you wish for?"

"Unfortunately, I seems to have none in mind. I don't want to trouble his Majesty for my selfishness."

"That should not be a matter for me, say, is there anything you wish for?"

....Such a scary conversation couldn't possibly be a father-daughter talk, no matter how much hate is between them. Claude seems to slightly enjoy this tea time with " his little girl ". What for? What's the reason? Interest? Because she's bold for being uncaring of her manners infront of the Emperor? Or is she didn't match the expectation of Claude? 

"....You seem very bold, even when it comes to me."

"Pardon?"

"Dared to entered the Emperor Palace without any prior notice and even roam around as you please. And even now, showed such unpleasant manners, do you have a death wish?"

Unsurprised by his reaction and reply to her actions. Athanasia was deep in mind for a moment and then gave the Emperor, one clear reply. "It's unfortunate."

"What?"

"It look like you want a scared, child-like Athanasia to be infront of you right? Desired to see her father that always neglected her from birth. Sorry to ruin your expectation, but that Athanasia is long dead." A smirk on Athanasia angel-like face that now look so evil, as if she has waited all this time to say this once and for all. Claude has this ridiculous reaction on his face that Athanasia could never forget. 

"...What did you just say?..!" Anger burst into Claude, unable to hold it back, he glared at Athanasia but didn't say a word, these shocking words that brings this awkward and deadly silence back once again. "It's not like I wish to die now, it's just that, it frustrated me when he's looking down on me..." Athanasia confessed to herself, but what has to be done, have been done. Claude sighed, like he released all of his anger and went back to his dead-like face.

"You're very bold I see, just like your mother. Bold, not afraid that I might sentence you to death. And very..." Stopping his words there, is like a word that he isn't bold enough to say, afraid that his daughter will see him as a soft man who only rely on a lover who has deceased. "What the hell are you going to say? Finish it, old man." 

It was evening very soon, Claude has noticed the time and finally decide to leave. "It seems like this little tea time is going to end now. Felix, escort the Princess." Claude say as he walk away from the table, where Athanasia was sitting. Felix came to pick her up and they chatted during the walk.

"How's your tea party have gone? Was his Majesty nice to you?" Felix asked out of curiosity with his sparkling puppy eyes, Athanasia couldn't help but pinch his cheek. "Yes, it was nice to have some tea with him. Thank you for your concerns..!" They were very friendly with each other like old-time buddies or even more, family. 

They arrived back to the front manor very quick, where Lily was standing, waiting for her dear Princess. "Princess!" She hurried to Athanasia and asked how the tea party have gone, Athanasia know for sure everyone gonna panics if they know she provoked her and it can led to bad results. "It was fine, the Emperor was nice to me. I enjoyed it!~" Using a baby voiced tone to trick everyone to think that she's an innocent child. Lily sighed like she was relieved. Another just went by, end in a peacefully way, but what will happens tommorow? Will Claude take another act? 

....

Location: Imperial City

A black figure sudden appears in the Imperial City have caused ruckus from the early evening. People have stayed alert because there were many thieves and gangsters those days.  There's guards everywhere in the city which caused troubles for other thieves as well gangsters. But the black figure is nowhere to be found, who are they? Are they a human being?

...

"What the h*ll, there's guards everywhere. I need to get to the Ruby Palace soon, to meet -- ------- ----...  And to pick up Yuki."

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Author's note:

Happy 1st september.... School have started an my scheduel has become busier and busier, I have sport tommorow hiicc.

But what do you think? What's the black figure? Why are they heading to the Ruby Palace? Who's Yuki? Leave your guesses in the comment section🤗