Chapter 4

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...Chapter 4...

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Here I am looking at a sort-of cctv monitor inside my room. A globe that shows all the actions in the palace in that exact time.

I made a bite out of a cookie, with a frown on my face. 'I didn't know that Diana died because of giving birth?!'.

Well I don't blame her for dying I don't quite remember what happened on the book so..Wait, Is Diana's death even mentioned on the book?

Ugh! All this thinking is making me go insane!

I made the floating globe disappear into dust, I left my seat and started thinking to myself. It's already been 10 months and boy those two started their lovi-dovi as soon I left.

Wondering on how I know about it? My gut feeling told me so.

Boom the doors opened reviling my energetic cousin, "Damian! Father told me that he needed you in his office!" I immediately snapped my gaze at my cousin, this kid just comes and goes as he pleases in this room. I'm spoiling him too much.

"Philip! Knock before entering!" I took a pencil and used it as a stick to to hit him on the head while I'm scolding him like a mother chicken that I was to him.

He only chuckled at me which made me even more annoyed, "What?" Philip stopped laughing and looked at me finally. "Nothing Brother, but did you do something weird to upset father?".

"No.. Atleast I think so." Philip shook his head in disappointment looking like a father dissatisfied with his son's grades. "Hey quit acting like your dad!".

"Your in trouble, Brother!" Philip ran out immediately after that little tease I only shook the my head and rolled my eyes just to shrugged it off. I closed the door and proceeded to head towards Uncle's office.

Did I really do something that might trouble him? But all this months the only thing I did was reading, playing with Philip, training, not to mention I requested for my studies to start already so I've been also taking classes, I may or may not sneaked out to towns but that's besides the point here.

What did I do wrong this time?

Yes I did cause trouble but always get away with it because I'm The crown prince, son of the tyrant emperor.

Honestly what did I even expect. No matter how many times I always remind them that they don't need to address me like royalty, It's still always the same, Royalty is still ROYALTY.

"Uncle..Philip told me that you called for me?" I entered the office, I saw Uncle Simon writing. Paperwork. (;¬_¬)

"Damian! Come here. I need to give you something, it came from the palace." I literally gagged. The palace?! Well we can expect both good news and bad news.

I walked forward to Uncle and he handed me the letter containing the imperial wax seal, "Did they say anything after delivering it?" I asked while flipping the letter checking every detail of it. "None Damian, but can feel that's the last letter you'll ever receive." I looked up at Marquis Simon with conflicted expression. "Why is that Uncle?".

"Read the letter and find out." Uncle Simon chuckled and got back to his desk to continue doing his paperwork. I tightened the grip on the letter and gave him the GLARE, "Just tell me already Uncle..." Marquis Simon just moved his hand to signal me to leave.

"Just open the letter Damian." He laughed for a bit and then focus on his work, what's with this both father and son laughing? and it annoys me..

I left the office and continued to walk through the halls while opening and reading the letter.

Your Highness Crown Prince Damian.

I rolled my eyes, I know who's writing style this is already.

I'm afraid that you can't come back just yet. The emperor is not on his right mind set right now and I thought it would be best for you not to return for the time being.

I hope you understand Your Highness.

That's it? But clearly I don't understand a thing on why should I not go back, I can handle Crazy Claude I'm not innocent..but...

Time to recap what happened on the book, Claude used Dark magic.

Dark magic was cause of Claude's wild and sudden change of behavior, he used it just to forget the 'bitch'. I would be generous enough to erase his memory all about Diana but the plot has to go on, not for Jeanette's sake but for the peaceful life I want to seek.

I stopped walking and immediately turn to ran back to uncle's office.

"UNCLE!" Marquis Simon flinched when I burst in. I smirked, Hah taste the annoyance your son always gave me every day!

"Damian?! Don't do that!" I stopped the my urge to roll my eyes, I looked at him with a sharp glare."Uncle... what's makes you think that this letter is the last one I'll receive?"

Marquis Simon tilt his head as an act of confusion,"Um. they want you back to the palace?".

I shook my head, "Well this letter says the opposite," I put the paper out and showed it right in front of his face, he abruptly stood up and took the paper to make a full review. "What? Why? what happened? They didn't want you back yet?" I shrugged my shoulder and mumbled,"Looks like it."

I took the letter from him and just looked at it while full eyes, "The letter didn't say anything why, I think it's for the best anyway..." Uncle patted my head and sighed.

I think this Uncle of mine already know about Anastasia and Claude's change of behavior and doesn't want to tell me to make me worry. His right, I'm not in the mood to handle a wild Claude so I'm going to stay here for 4 more years. "I'm going to stay here for five more years Uncle.".

"......Umm...Okay then..."

______________________________________

After five years.

Claude was now sitting infront of his Daughter. The girl born from a woman's stubbornness, Athanasia. Athanasia was now trembling while avoiding her father's gaze. "I didn't know you couldn't speak." Because of the intense atmosphere Athanasia can't help feeling that the tallest red flag in infront of her, she let out a squeak.

"Well, this is boring," Athanasia took his father's very casual words with a death meaning behind it. If she's not entertaining then is he going to kill her?!

"Not much of a talker?"

"Athy can talk." She started to act all cute it the only way right now, she wanted to be entertaining so that her father wouldn't see here as an eyesore, I guess we are going to get Claude's favor to avoid death.

"Finally, I get to hear your voice. Why did you stay silent until now." Athanasia didn't answer which made  silence tormenting, Felix decided to ease the situation a bit and came to inform Claude. "Pardon me, your majesty, But little girls around the princess's age are known to be very shy." Felix whispered to Claude.

"Is that so? ....I don't remember Damian in her age ever being shy around me, he can even slap me without shame." Felix and Athanasia both flinched at what Claude concluded, Hahaha Damian really is bold since young huh..

Felix was even surprised that Claude can even remember his son after 4 four years of not even a single person mentioning about Damian. Athanasia however she's just shocked at this person named Damian, she didn't knew any character close enough that Claude doesn't seem to mind Damian to fucking slap him. 'Is he a hidden character?! Then I better hold on to this character for backup!'.

Either way Athanasia still keep up her smiling facade while thinking of how to meet this hidden character.

Claude leaned forward and Athanasia somehow saw a fierce dragon behind Claude, growling at her being a weak little bunny.

"Felix."

"Yes, your majesty?"

"Leave." Felix didn't reply, he knows the relationship between Diana and Claude before all of this so his quite worried about Athanasia. Felix didn't hesitate to obediently follow Claude's orders. He took a last glance to the slightly trembling princess before he fully shut the door.

"Athy is it? Must be a pet name." Athanasia took full caution when she heard that.

"Athanasia. What a name."

Seeing Claude's lied back calm self didn't help Athanasia feel comfortable. "Do you know the meaning of that name?"

Athanasia didn't break her innocent act if she did who know what'll happen, she had to act like that inorder to convince Claude she doesn't know anything, like a  innocent she had to be, I mean she is still a child that is still ignorant of the world.

My name, The name of the "King".

Athanasia.

"To dare give her own child such name, and a girl at that, She would have had her limbs ripped of if she had survived the labor." Diana, a woman who was titled as the emperor's concubine dares to name her child a name was that supposed to only present the heir and ruler of an empire.

Something that Claude, the emperor, couldn't receive.

Obelian emperors are granted names that mean eternity or immortality. The names are given only to the official "first heir to the throne".

In Damian's case, He received a name without the meaning of immortality or eternity, His grandfather thought that since Anastacius is going to be the next emperor he would have his own heir eventually so they didn't thought much about Damian being the next heir.

But it was too late to change his name when they received the message from the priests.

Nevertheless, his name is still quite intimidating. Damian, it's meaning is To Tame or Subdue.

Damian liked his name, the tone and rhythm of the name just had a click that made Damian feel more ambitious.

Claude, who was not the empress' son could only take the throne by force, by killing his brother, but he would never be granted the name of an emperor. Athanasia and Claude almost had the same title over their head when they were a child. But it was different on Athanasia's side, she was granted the name fitting for an emperor.

Athanasia felt that Claude would get irritated by her name, and maybe even kill her.

What she didn't know is that Claude wasn't a bit annoyed by her but to her mother, Diana. Diana naming her daughter that had the same value of those past emperors just made him more insane, she couldn't care less about Damian already having the title as the crown prince since birth. The disrespect.

Is she really expecting for her daughter to be the next ruler after she found out that Damian left to visit his mother's family? Oh no, Claude still value his son more than Athanasia, even if Damian hated him for some unknown reason.

And Damian will most likely have more supporters than Athanasia, Damian's mother is a noble whilst Athanasia's mother is only a concubine and a commoner at that. Damian is born prodigy, his talented and is rumored to be great ruler someday. Everyone is expecting for Damian to take the throne.

Though there's one problem. Some noble isn't sure if it's really a good thing that Damian will be the next emperor. Under the watchful eyes of Damian they couldn't even manipulate him to there advantages. It's proven by some nobles who encountered Damian that he is more hard to deal with than Claude.

They need to be fully cautious if they are serving under Damian.

Yah enough about Damian.

Claude doesn't need worry about Athanasia taking the throne, she has zero interest in the throne, her goal is to live a peaceful life and quiet death, She has the same goal as Damian but Damian still not sure about his goals yet.

"Why are you just sitting there? Go ahead and eat." Athanasia remained calm but her hands can't help to tremble under her father's intense gaze."I told them to bring out something kids would like, If you don't eat I will have no choice but to punish the cook."

Before Claude could make more threatening words Athanasia quickly answered, "Thank you for the food!"Athanasia picked up the desert fork, she was trembling as she made many cursed words in her thoughts towards her father.

"Yummy!" Athanasia force to let out a smile hoping that her father wouldn't suspect any of her adorable performance.

Athanasia can't help but to thought about her missing Lily her personal maid, She's scared just talking with Claude and also of him looking at her.

"Who taught you manners?" Athanasia took a few seconds to answer. "Lily taught me." Ironically she just thought about Lily a few seconds ago, is this a jinx?

Claude began to tap his fingers against the table, "I see, You are talking about Lilian York."

Athanasia was startled and wondered how he knew Lily.

Claude began to subconsciously inform a child about all Lilian York did over the years. Looking at Claude, it obvious that he doesn't care if his daughter understand it or not.

He informed that five years ago she begged infront of him to take care of Athanasia, and by that she also took charge of the Ruby palace.

Within Athanasia, she was moved to the point she was crying invisible tears for Lily.

"How dare she.." Claude said in a harsh tone making Athy startled at the suddenly twist of tone, Claude looked down at Athy with his blazing eyes that could kill you at any minute. He continued, "The only two people who survived after getting in my way we're your mother and that wench."

Athanasia awkwardly munched on the desert pretending that she doesn't understand a single shit Claude just said.

After a bit of intimidating moment with Claude and Athanasia calling him Papa for the first time. Claude soon got bored and called for Felix to bring Athanasia back to Ruby palace.

"Felix, Bring this filthy bug back to Ruby palace." Once again Athanasia was held by the collar and Felix quickly take Athanasia from Claude while also making sure that the child is fine.

Felix nodded but before he could turn around Claude told something. "Felix..Send a letter to the Don Folmier Estate."

"Letter..what kind of letter Your majesty?"Felix was still confused. Surely Claude wants to send a letter for Damian to inform him to get back.

Claude didn't reply and just went on his way.

On their way back to the Ruby Palace, Athanasia can't help remembering Claude's order to Felix, 'Don Folmier Estate?'
______________________________________

In a quiet room inside the mansion there resides the crown prince of obelia, sleeping like a dead log he is. Just like normal, it's 6 o'clock sharp and he was still sleeping.

Well not until, "Damian!!Brother! Brother! BROTHER!" His human alarm clock arrived. He rubbed his eyes and sat up after that he looked at his 8 years old cousin, his wearing an excited smile on his face. This is normal 눈_눈 .

"Brother! Let's go train!"

Ever since he defeated the Head captain of the knights, Sir XXX serving under the Don Folmier family. Philip has been pushing Damian to train him almost every day.

Damian being only 6 years old at that time defeated a full experienced soldier. It was really a shocking news to hear. Bet the palace knows about this the moment he defeated Sir *****. Who knew that news travel fast even without phones.

"Not now Philip! I want to continue my beauty sleep." Damian covered himself again but only for his blanket to be pulled away by his stubborn cousin. "Brother! You promised!" Yeah Now his asking to himself why he even agree to this..oh yeah this Child annoyed him to his limits

Why did he even agreed to make promise with this stubborn kid even knowing the consequences today.

Damian rolled on his stomach and let out a silent scream, venting his frustration out on the pillows.

While all of this is happening Philip just stood by and didn't interfere he knew how frustrated his cousin is right now, once Damian is done Philip asked, "Are you done brother?".

Damian got down from his bed, and placed both of his hand on Philip's shoulders and looked at him dead on the eyes. "Yeah, now go change for training-" "YAY!!".

Damian can't help but to let out a sigh. What has he done! He clearly made Philip go through his hellish training, Even if he is still a child and his cousin he will not let his strictness pass. Well he didn't really expect for Philip to resist all of those... training.

Damian again changed using his magic. He took a last glace at his room before leaving, Damian fixed the sleeve of his clothes as he walk towards the dinning room, His not going to start the day without any breakfast.

He swiftly opened the door, He saw Philip sitting alone along the long table. Were used to this already, Dalia and Simon have their own businesses to be done, they eat together during dinner and sometimes lunch.

When he passed Philip's chair he quickly noticed Philip's belt, it's slightly titled, 'Did he rushed changing into his training uniform again? Honestly this kid is hopeless,'.

"Philip, Your belt is undone again." Philip fixed his belt quickly with a tomato face, his embarrassed. "Sorry, I just rushed-"," Then next time don't rush. I would like to see you all prepared and all things checked. Checking your equipment before battle is important, you don't want any casualties during fights,"

Damian took his seat and let the servants serve the food. They started to eat, and what can I say a child is still a child. Philip always skip his etiquette class just to train with Damian so his table manners is quite.. low. "Eat slowly, time is not your enemy Philip."

Philip nodded and followed what his older cousin said.

After breakfast Damian let Philip stretch his body first before moving on to his daily exercise routine, then after that is swordsmanship training time. Damian was there sitting and sharpening his sword while he just listen to the bird singing a melody in this lovely morning... though it seemed perfect but he had this feeling that it wouldn't last.

They started the training.

"You know Philip...I think your going to be more excel in archery..those long range attacks." Damian suggested while they were fighting, Philip didn't even flinch at his suggestion but Damian think that it was good sign. It's good that Philip doesn't get distracted while being in a fight.

"How did get that conclusion brother?" Damian actually don't know. He just had this feeling that Philip should just pick archery. He just shrugged his shoulder and rested the sword on his shoulder, stopping the fight. "Just my guts again, forget it your doing great on swordsmanship.."

Philip look at Damian with a calm expression, Damian thought, 'He didn't took my suggestion seriously right??'

"I mean it..Forget it." After spending a whole day training with a few breaks of course, Damian was then again got called by Marquis Simon stating that a letter has arrived. From the Palace. 'Wow who knew, wow what a surprise. Fuck y'all.' Damian thought sarcastically.

The whole family was in a sitting room waiting for Damian to open the letter, Damian looked at the letter he was holding silently.

He didn't feel any emotions when this shit was handed to

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