*

Athanasia's heart was in a big jumbled mess, it beats double time, which was ridiculous. On the contrary, Athanasé was in a perfect calm stupor with a little righteous smirk of his own. Claude was opposite them, sitting with an unreadable look on his eyes, Athanasia wasn't sure if she like that.

She felt so small while Claude was so tall. She was like a tiny bird and he was her scarecrow.

Well, a pretty scarecrow at that.

"I didn't know you couldn't speak." Claude snipped.

Athanasé's eyes narrowed. The ocean blue in his jeweled eyes was stagnant. "We didn't think you'd care."

Athanasia inwardly applauded her brother's bravado. If only she could be like that, but nope, a mere piercing gaze from Claude made her feel like shrinking back to her shell.

"That's my own right." He raked him from head to toe with a slow, calculating look.

Athanasia could feel the bubbled irritation building in Athanasè and she quickly, with a practised move, grab his hand in hers and enclosed it within her own tiny hand. Her thumb stroked the back of his hand up and down, giving a calming effect she knew she had over him.

"Well, this is boring." Claude flitted his gaze. He leaned backward with his elbow on the couch, his lean body straining against the perfect fit of his Siodonnia's robes, revealing his abdomen muscle.

Athanasia's eyes sank. Her head tucked as she wondered whether he would kill them because he think they were boring.

"Not much of a talker." His gaze halting to a stop at the sight of Athanasia.

"Athy can talk." The simple intimacy of their eyes meeting did a strange number on her... and a number on him, too.

"Finally I get to hear your voice. " Claude's pools of jeweled eyes amusingly slitted over Athanasia.

"Pardon me, Your Majesty." The crimson-haired knight couldn't stand their awkwardness anymore. "But, children around the Prince and Princess's age are known to be shy. "

"I bet." Athanasé muttered. "You'll feel shy if suddenly you were grabbed over by an unknown person." He elaborated when he saw Claude was staring at him.

"Felix, leave us for a moment. " His voice has an easily noticeable commanding tone into it, displaying the obviousness that he has been in control.

"Yes, Your Majesty. " Felix bend down and leave the room.

Athanasia was peering at him under her lashes, inwardly glad that she still have Athanasia with her.

"Do you know who I am? " Claude asks with a dangerously low voice.

Athanasia broke into goosebumps the moment she hear him.

"Father?" She tried with a small soft sound then she saw his contemplating looks. "Papa! "

Her lips parted. She grinned with the cutest expression she could muster, her eyes was swarmed by the warmest current of stars stream. She look utterly adorable.

Claude smirked darkly into her eyes.

*

Athanasia was being carried by Felix in one hand while the other holding up Athanasé. Both child was currently resilient. Somehow,  all of this didn't match up. This shouldn't be happening. And they hate feeling like something big, something out of control, was ready to hit them at the fastest speed.

By the time the sky was darkening,  both of them was huddled next to each other. Sharing their warmth and their feeling, as if with that physical contact, they convey to each other that everything would be alright.

"What was even happening? " Athanasia sighed,  her eyelashes dropped, her face the embodiment of melancholia.

Athanashé hold her hand in his. "I don't know. Honestly, I'm pissed. "

Athanasia look up at him, bewildered. "Seriously, did I just call him Dad? "

Athanasé was exasperated. "You do. "

She bit her lower lips. Her gaze searching for Athanasé's. "We must change the plan? "

"Whatever are you thinking about inside that pretty head of yours, Sis?"

"I mean,  it just happen, right? We couldn't escape from him as we wished to. " When she got a nod from Athanasé, she was encouraged. "Why don't we just go with the flow? I mean, we could try to be his children. In a literal sense. "

Athanasé smirked,  both amused and frustrated. "You mean,  we'll act docile and cute? "

"Right! " She grinned and he avoided her gaze. "What? We could try! "

Athanasé sighed a deep breath. "Look, " his index finger caressing his sister's tender cheeks. "I know you are anxious. You didn't know what to do because things doesn't go according to your plan. But, you have me. Everything will be okay. Don't overthinking things,  everything will pass. "

Without a warning,  he pulled her into his embrace. Her body cradled in his arms as he held her tight to his chest. Unconsciously, she synced her breathing with the lazy beating of his heart through her ears. Every three beats she would breath in the scent of him hesistantly, savoring the moment,  and breath it out a beat later just to repeat the action again, a heartbeat or two from then. During some point in those lonely minutes, her arms had come to rest around his waist. And that was where they had wished to stay.

"I love you. " Athanasia's words were muffled by his chest, barely audible.

They separated.

He smile down at her. "I love you more. "

She smiled.

He bid down a goodnight kiss on her forehead.

*

That very same night, Claude sat sluggishly on his couch. Remembering the short event that afternoon, one in which he had gained acknowledge of his children. Something about those children remind him of someone. Someone he absolutely shouldn't forget, there was a tingling in his chest, a fleeting name in his brain too fast for him to catch, a blurry figure dancing across his eyes.

Felix, stood near the door as he observes His Majesty. The crease on his eyebrows and the downturn of his lips didn't went unnoticed.

"May I ask something, Your Majesty? "

"Of course. " Claude does not bother glancing at him. Ever since the appearance of the twins, his focus are always elsewhere.

Felix, ever the perceptive one,  studies his serene face. "Is there something wrong? "

He remains rigid. "Bring those twins to me tomorrow. "

"Yes,  Your Majesty. "

The Emperor rises from his couch and head towards the bed, hinting that Felix should be gone.

"Then,  I shall take my leave now. Blessing and glory upon the Sun of the Obelian Empire. "

*

The next morning, both of the twins were risen earlier than usual and groomed to match their statuses and as formalities as they are to greet the Emperor.

In the audience chamber,  Claude sat upon his throne rightfully. His sharp jewelled eyes scrutinising the twins as was a predator scrutinising their prey. Athanasia and Athanasia was ushered in with Lilian a few steps behind them.

"Blessing and glory upon the Sun of the Obelian Empire. " Both of them curtsied.

Athanasia's own jewelled eyes were full of light. She was beaming when she look at Claude, reminding herself to always get on his good notes. Claude rested his chin of his hand, amusement flitted his eyes, darting his eyes from his daughter to his son.

"As the eldest Prince of the Empire, you are to have your education and etiquette revived properly since an early age. I have already arranged for courses and teacher on behalf of you and your sister. " Claude tells them, his stance relaxed.

Athanasia look up at him, his gaze weary and calculated. "Thanking father for his thoughtfulness. "

Felix step to Claude's left side. "Would both of you like to accompany His Majesty in his afternoon tea? "

Words couldn't describe Athanasia's feeling right now. She wasn't ready yet for things to escalate this quickly. Hand gripping tightly to Athanasé's own which he stroke gently in return.

"Yes, that would be great. " Athanashé glances to her.

*

Under the shade of the tree, a round table was set up, tea and deserts was served exquisitely. Athanasia raked Claude up to notes his likes and dislikes. Made eye contact. She watched him. Observed him closely.

"Anything? " Claude murmur against the rim of his tea cup.

"Papa is very elegant! " She beamed, making sure to sound both cute and sincere with her praise.

When Claude heard that, his only reaction was to pause as he held his cup midair; it was almost impossible to detect any emotion in his eyes.

Seeing that he didn't react, Athanasia was not dissatisfied. She already know this man was a rigid one.

Athanashé whispered softly. "Oh, I didn't expect that the father who has neglect us for five years suddenly become familiar with us and start arranging our lifes. "

Claude didn't react, but Felix who wasn't far behind Claude was sweating already.

Was this Prince here to accompany His Majesty or to agitate him?

Athanasia hurriedly look at Athanashé to make him stop before Claude go ballistic and decided to bash their head.

"Papa, I know it was because you are busy with your duty. I understand,  I'm proud to have such an amazing Papa! " Her eyes glittered like stars in the galaxy and we're filled with life and vigor as she said so.

The cloud of gloominess around Claude that arose from Athanashé's comment immediately dissipated.

Indeed, a daughter is the most sensible one. Felix murmur in his heart, glad that Princess Athanasia is here to fix these tense guys.

*

That night, the twins are stand close to each other against the window overlooking the starry sky.

"What was it with you that afternoon? Don't you know how unpredictable that guy was? How could you even say that to him? What if he do something–"

He silences her with a finger to her lips. Then his hand cup her cheek, thumbs brushed against the soft and delicate skin. "I'm uncomfortable."

"W–what? "

Breath hitching in his throat, he murmurs, "I don't want to see you act cute, buttering up to someone, always on your edge, I don't like to see you like that. "

"I'm sorry. " She whispers under her breath. "But, we are not strong enough now. We wouldn't be able to bear his anger if anything ever happen. You are the only one I could lean on, I don't want anything bad to happen to you. "

"I know. I've been rash. " He lift his dark jeweled eyes to her lighter one.

Not wanting to talk and think about this anymore, he focuses on his hand on her cheek, basking in her warmth. He flinches when he feels her hands on his cheek, returning the gesture.

Cupping his cheek, she whisper. "We should sleep now."

She tugs him towards the bed and he follow obediently. They comfortably curled up on the bed.

"Good night, sister. " Athanashé kisses her closed eyes, too tired of today's episode to keep them open anymore.

"Good night, brother. " She sigh and indulge on his calming presence.

To be continued.

Okay,  I know I've promised you guys to update every single month,  but I have a lot going on in my rl that I never have time to write. I'm sorry,  I hope you guys could be understanding. I have ever much fun reading your comments and encouragements. Stay safe,  stay healthy and stay pretty!