Chapter 18

Ah, that surprised me! I was surprised by Felix's voice coming out behind the bed curtain.

When did you get in here?

“Ye, yes.”

“This is unusual. His majesty is not the one to put his guard down in front of people.”

His giggles made me want to hide in a mouse hole. "Seems like princess's song was very effective.”

Ack! You also heard it? Uwu, I'm done for. How do I look Felix in the eyes from now on. Wha whaaa. I am embarrassed.

“Princess.” “wh~y?”

I rolled kicking cushions. Then Felix called me again. Sniff. Why? What now. Sure, speak if you have words to speak to me.

“I’m sorry about yesterday.”

He meant of the incident yesterday.

"I was not supposed to take action without the permission of princess. I was short in thoughts."

Ehh. Well, why are you apologizing? Now I feel more sorry.

“I just thought princess would be happy if princess saw Ms. Diana.”

No, that's a problem because only you and Lilly thinks that way. I was the one who said I wanted see Diana in the first place……. Anyways the two are taking care of Athanasia so they must be worried of Athanasia not knowing her mother.

Gasp. But I just screamed and abused them physically!

“Uh, umm.”

Kuuck. Now I know that I'm a trash. Wahhh.

“A-Atti is also sorry I hit you—?”

I was not going to get into this again but I just can't stay still hearing what Felix said. I heard little laughter when I hesitantly apologized.

“It’s fine. It hurts, but I’m fine now.”

Eek that's a lie! That soft push was not too hard! In fact, my hands were the ones suffering after the push! And the one being pushed back by force was me!

But I should stay quiet before another accidental word comes out from my mouth. Kuuckkk.

But Claude this brat is sleeping, right? I relaxed myself after seeing that there was no reaction when I poked his nose and made it look like a pig's.

"Honestly even though it is not like princess, I lost my mother quite early when I was a kid too.”

Go on. I'm all ears.

“My mother was also his majesty’s nanny. We could be described as a brother taken care by the same mother.”

Now I know why Claude was being a little soft on Felix than he is to others. Felix’s mommy is his nanny after all.

No wait?! This is a new discovery. Claude you, you weren't the one to go soft on people for those reasons! If I am wrong, be soft on me too!

“I didn’t really like mother back then. She played more with his highness than she played with me.”

Tsk. Your mom has been stolen by Claude. Now I know why Claude is a bit nice to Felix.

“So after mother passed away.”

Anyways young Claude. I can't imagine. I feel like he was emotionless when he was born to........

“I told people that I didn’t care about that women’s death. I didn’t miss her or didn’t specifically think of her for the next

3 years either. I didn’t need to for a mother who didn’t spare a lot of time with me.”

I think I knew why Felix started to talk about his mom. I mannerly sat quietly and listened to his story without cutting his lines.

“But one day, very coincidentally, the handkerchief with the sowing........ So the sowing my mom sewed for me herself...

When I looked at that,”

Felix was saying this as if it was nothing but to be able to do that, you needed a lot of self courage and hardships.

“I couldn’t believe it myself. Tears came from my eyes.”

With my mood set down, I pulled on Claude's soft hair. I didn't know if I was allowed to know this.

Since its Felix who told me himself, Claude won't say a word to me. but

won't he try to hurt me if he realizes that I heard a part of a story from his past?

“She was my mother whom I hated. She was just a women with a title mother for me but to be honest, I was missing

her.”

Honestly Felix's speech didn't really reach my heart too deeply.

“Even though I didn’t have much memories with her, she still was my one and only mother.”

I feel sorry to say this after hearing Felix's secret but I didn't have a family who I could hate in the first place.

Of course when I was young, I had a thought that it would be great to have mom and dad......

I lost that feeling a long time ago as I aged. And later when I found out that they abandoned me I wasn't even irritated or angry at all. That is because hating or missing your family is only possible if you contain at least a little bit of hope or expectation in them.

What would I think of if I was real Athanasia? What if I was that princess Athanasia who lives abused without knowing her mother's face, and meeting her dad Claude for the first time.

“You see. This is a big big secret.”

I whispered as if I was only going to tell Felix a secret. “Honestly it was a lie that I said I didn’t want to see mommy.” “Really.”

Felix probably knew everything but replied with a soft tone.

“But it’s not a lie that I don’t need to see mommy.”

Umm. Even though I don't know, if I were Athanasia she would probably say...

“There is papa for Atti.”

If I was actually this age I would say the same thing.

"Even though there is no mommy, I can do sleep well sleep well with papa so Atti won’t cry."

Kyaa. Claude you bad bast*td. Even though you liked Jennet, how could you kill Athanasia who loved you alone like a sunflower that cruel way?! You! Get cursed!

“And if I go to Ruby palace, there is Lilly, Felix, lots of other maid unnies, and there’s chocolate!”

And there's no Claude! Ahh, so great. Sob sob. I wanna go to Ruby palace. Can't I go now?

Claude is asleep. Now, fellow Felix. Quickly pick me up!

“Does princess Athanasia have a wish?”

“A wish?”

“Like, what princess would say ’it would be great if’.” Is that even a question? My wish is definitely! “Eighteen …….”

Is there other thing to ask other than Claude not killing me when I'm at the age of 18? To make that happen, of course I don't need to die before hand. Sob sob.

“Pardon?”

Fortunately Felix didn't seem to hear me. I switched my wish that a 5 year old would wish for.

“I wish papa would like Atti even more and more than now!”

So he won't even think of killing me! Even when I'm 10, even when I turn 18!

“Thiiiiis much like how much Atti likes papa! Very very much!”

Even though I don't contain nice feelings towards you, but at least I don't think of killing you, hmm? Consider of basic logic and please just care for me. Then you'll know that you don't need to get rid of me. Sob sob. Wahhh!

From my touching wish, Felix finally smiled weakly.

“That wish, that wish will surely come true.”

I wish, too. Even though he is asleep and unconscious, I hope my wish breaks through his unconsciousness, and that Claude hears my wish in his dreams so that he would please leave me alone. Please, my lord.

Thinking this, I once again pulled on Claude's hair. Then I couldn't help but laugh 'Kekekekek'

feeling a bit refreshed seeing these golden hair getting messed up.

Surprisingly I fell asleep on Claude's side. Probably because I couldn't sleep well yesterday from the big fight.

Also, since Claude was sleeping, I let down my guard and my eye lids kept on moving down.

I didn't know what Felix was doing being this quiet. Also isn't it a great time to take a daytime nap? That is why I set my body between these soft fluffy cushions and let go of my consciousness.

And I had a dream of a women.

The first thing to catch my interest was the clear singing melody like a dew at midnight rolling on the shiny plate. I became happy just by listening the sound and that got me curious of who possess this voice.

But my curiousness didn't last long. When the sight became clear like a fog disappearing, it was a women visible on a lively grass.

Light blonde hair strings likely of a sun swayed in front of my eyes. She was facing back against me, walking bare footed as if she was dancing. That movement was so similar to one butterfly and it gave me a feeling that the butterfly was going to fly away any moment.

I, without thinking, reached my hand at her. But before my hand touch, she turning her head to look at me was a bit faster.

Ah. She is smiling.

The curved bright sunset like eyes was very attractive but there was still a bit of young teen feeling with her which also gave an aura of innocence. She was a women unbelievably beautiful that everyone would see her holding their breathes.

Hulll, an extreme beauty! Unnie, soooo pretty! Totally my style!

(Hull is an expression in Korea when you see or experience things that is surprising or unbelievable.)

I became excited as it was first seeing a beauty this beautiful. Wow, I feel like I could become a shoe cleaning towel if I get to see her smile like this all the time.

She is a goddess. A fairy. Unnie is my destiny…….

Her smile was so warm and gentle that I became happy just by seeing her. So happy that my chest faintly hurt.

“Seems like princess is having a nice dream.”

This familiar voice tried to bring me out to reality again, but I didn't want to wake up right now.

“Of course. She sang a song to shoo away bad dreams several times.”

“True. It probably was a gift from a fairy who was listening all ears to the princess 'till now."

“Meaningless words out your mouth these days.”

“Haha.”

It's too noisy. I wanna sleep more.

“Euung…….”

The conversation between the 2 stopped when I let out the sound of discomfort. I'm allowed to sleep more? It was then when I felt warmth on my head. It was very faint touch to barely feel anything and with it, it patted my head a few times.

“This is annoying. Sleep.”

Since the dream I was having right now was so beautiful and made me happy, I took that voice as an 'okay' and fell in a deep sleep again.

It was a nap I didn't want to wake up from if I could.

“Felix, chocolate.” “No princess.” “Just one.”

“I'll be the one to get in trouble.” “Hiiingg.”

I frowned at his strict disapproval.

Even though, you should've given a little time to think about! Bad Felix, just ignored my desperate gaze. Ha, I didn't see oppa this way, but you are one cold oppa. Sob sob.

“Sorry, princess.”

He seems to feel pity making a sorry face at me. So what. You're not gonna give me chocolate anyways. Hmph!

“Atti could't sleep because Atti really really wanted to eat chocolate. ”

But of course, I'm not giving up yet!

I saw Felix flinching as I mumbled. Great! There are some effects. “Just one, really just one. Pleaseeee?”

I did aegyo to my chocolate provider and appealed my cuteness. Then I saw his gaze shake, a proof of his mind changing slightly.

Felix and my maids Hanna and Seth were some amazing snack provider.

But Lilly had ordered specifically not to give me any chocolates so it was a bit hard to gain.

Sure sure, I understand your troubles so just give, give, give... giv-.... “I really can't this time… ”

“Promise. Really, just one.” “If Ms. Lillian knows… ”

“I won't tell Lilly. She won't know if both of us don't tell her!”

I begged with my best cute and pitiful face. Now, look at me. Am I not pitiful starving for chocolate? Really, just one.

I mean, one could always turn two, and two can always turn three. “But…….”

“Atti suffered depression for the past few days because she didn't have chocolate ……. The world is pitch black.

Wanting to cry…….”

From my mumbling with a big deep sigh, I saw Felix starting to change his mind. Taking advantage of it, I made a face that showed even more pity than before.

“And I think choco will fix it all.”

Just giveeee! Chocolateeeeeee! I looked up at Felix with teary eyes.

Kuckkk. In the past 2 years handling Claude, things that improved was only this pitiful acting. Felix handing out his both hands with a chocolate in it was the proof of how hard I lived these days.

“Then it's really just one.” “I love Felix the best!”

I hopped in joy. Then he smiled back.

Now, quickly offer Atti, your majesty the chocolate! Ai ruv chogolit! Gibe meh uh chogolit! The chocolate Felix reached for was shining so brightly like the gems I hid back then.

However, I failed to succeed in my touching scene with my chocolate. “I knew it.”

“Gasp.”

Lilly who appeared out of nowhere suddenly took away my chocolate

"Sir Robin, I asked you to take care of princess for me well.” (Meaning no choco)

“Haha. I'm Sorry.”

Felix started fidgetting, captured by Lilly. Oh gosh. This oppa was useless facing Claude but these days, he was also being weak against Lilly. You mola mola ocean sunfish oppa! You are even more of a mola mola ocean sunfish than I am!

“Princess, I told you that if you eat lots of chocolates, you'll have ouchy ouchy on your teeth.”

“Uwuuu.”

I could only frown at Lilly's strict words and expression.

Grrr. This is all because of that chocolate thief! I could only try to take a hint because of that thief. It kept on stealing my chocolate when I was about to forget about him.

There was this time when I was going to sneak for some chocolate, but came out empty handed by how little there was compared to last time I got some.

I heard sounds of rustling quite a few times, and I had to be surprised every time when I heard about the ghost in Ruby palace.

O-Of course! It doesn't mean that I am scared not even a bit of ghost at this age! And there is no way there are ghosts! *clears throat*.

Anyways, it has been 2 years now since that thief stole my choco, and it was annoying. I tried my hardest with all my efforts and energy to find that maid unnie but I failed.

Felix, whom I sent for my chocolate chores instead of me told me he hadn't heard a thing which really got on my nerves. Am I just hearing things?! Crowl!

“It's all for you, princess. Princess doesn't want to be hurt. Right?”

I have experienced cavity last year to be honest so I could understand chocolate banishment. But I wanna eat my chocolate. Sob.

Lilly fail, Felix fail. I cannot count on Ruby Palace maid unnies. You cold hearted main unnies. Wahjh. I miss Hanna and Seth who I last saw more than a year ago. Sob sob.

Sh*t. Fine, time to activate my final move. “I wanna go see daddy.”

Now I'm 7. I sneakily switched papa to dad or daddy.

How much did I cringe and kick my sleeping blanket after calling him 'papa' to be seen an impact. Acting like a child is not something anyone can do. Sniff.

“Princess…….”

“Yeaaaa? Atti wanna see daddy.”

Anyways! I was very happy now that I graduated 'papa' generation! Atti is now a free Atti! I'm freedom!

(I'm freedom does not make sense but shows how bad Atti was at english in raw.) But Lilly was now staring at me with the eyes that seemed to catch something. I just pretended I didn't know anything as I looked at a distance.

But I felt this for a while now. Doesn't this give you an image of a family? Naughty dad and his daughter, and a mom who looks after them.

“Hold me. I wanna go see daddy!”

Eek, let's leave! I pulled on Felix's cloth. Then Felix picked me up, knowing this is what I wanted.

“No can do since princess wants to see his majesty. We'll be back.”

“But shouldn't we inform first?”

“His majesty always likes whenever princess visits him.”

Yes yes. Lilly, this kinds of worrying is not needed. That bast*rd treats me like a pet instead of a daughter, but he won't kill me through these little things.

“Then have a nice trip.”

“Will do.”

“Lilly, bye!”

Eek. Let's run away from this mother, father and daughter roleplay. I insisted him to go by pulling on his arms.

“You've come.”

Ahh, my hard work was worth something. Claude spoke right away as soon as I appeared.

Haaa. Did you hear? It's not 'why did you come' but 'you've come'. Of course it was a tone seeming to say

'You've come again' but its progress. There it is, my reward for doing aegyo every time I saw him. Ahh, I'm going to tear up just thinking about my hard work during thise 2 years.

“Dadddd!”

I got off of Felix's arms and ran to Claude with a big smile on my face. “Now you are visiting my palace just as if it's your house.”

……it's a nonsense. That couldn't happen unless the sky divides in half.

Claude tried to shoo me away while lying half way on the sofa by doing a hand motion like he was being lazy.

Sigh, i hate you too. But I wouldn't have come here in the first place if I was going to back down just by this little thing!

“Daddy, Atti have arrived!”

I ran with these short legs and put my hands on his legs. Finally, S.M.I.L.E. “I came here because I suddenly missed daddy thiiiis, thiiiiiis~ much!”

I could do this without cringing anymore as this was now one of my daily routine. And today I wanted something for him so I acted even more cute than the other times.

“It's too noisy early in the morning.”

Claude was still being Claude, not saying a single nice word to me, but he didn't push me off himself when I hug him like today. I'm not sure but I think he doesn't full heartedly hates me visiting suddenly without any warning.

“Hehehe.”

I heard Claude made a tsk sound looking at me who was smiling like an idiot. Look at this. See? My danger signal isn't ringing red yet.

“Felix.”

“Yes, your majesty. I will call for the maids.”

Felix answered like he knew what he would tell him to do. Then my eyes became so bright and sparkly like a dog wagging her tail as if I heard a golden bell ring.

Woof woof. My cuties just as precious as my beauties!

When the maid unnies came in through the door, my heart began to pound as if I just met my first love.

Ah, this is a touching scene. Those things on the white plates the maid unnies are carrying! Kyaaa. What a masterpiece. If I had a tail, I'd probably be wagging it violently.

“Looks like you are more happy to see the cake than you see me.”

Claude said as I was staring beautifully at my cake. Ahh, why do you have to be so sharp on these useless things. Can't you just pretend you don't know? Making a person embarrassed is a thing you're good at.

“It's more delicious eating here with daddy. Hehe.”

I said the words empty-heartedly and smiled. Of course I was shoving my cake in my mouth as I did so.

Claude always provided me with sweet snacks whenever I visited. Things he very unlikely does. That is why whenever my chocos are banned to go in my mouth, I always come here and ate snacks like right now.

If it was 2 years ago, I wouldn't do this but being able to visit Claude like this, wow flowing time really is scary.

“It is surprising how your cheeks don't explode when you eat like that.”

This bast*rd calls me chubby but always remembers to give me snacks. Maybe he wants to see the cute me eating…… would be too unreal. Well, I don't care. Yum yum yum.

I raised the sweetness I craved for by shoving those sticky chocolate fudge cake in my mouth. Seems like Athanasia has blessed DNA seeing that I'm not getting fat far eating this much.

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