WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter three - prince.

A FEW DAYS LATER, Claude Invited Lilith for Tea in one of the Gardens. They discussed the topic during that time. At the end of their meeting they concluded that Lilith would be allowed to go sightseeing around Obelia with 2 Imperial Guards. Giving her temporary freedom and a new scenery to enjoy.

To Lilith's Surprise the reason why Claude did not allow her to wander the streets alone was because there can be many dangerous people in this world who might harm her because of her gender. Thus it is not safe for her to wander or travel alone. 

He assigned her 2 imperial guards and gave her permission to travel throughout Obelia. but she would need to let him know about her trips before time.

Lilith was touched by Claude's kindness. She never expected Claude to worry about her. Seeing this side of him , she couldn't control her expressions.

A big smile formed on her face as she said, "Thank you, Your Majesty." Claude froze when he saw her smile. He felt something in his chest.

'What is this feeling?' he asked himself.

A FEW MONTHS PASSED, Claude would spend his free time drinking tea in Lilith's company. Lilith would tell him about her trips. With time they became close.

Lilith then made another request from Claude.

"You want to learn swordsmanship?" Asked Claude in a rather annoyed tone.

"If it's not too much trouble..."

"It's not troublesome at all. But why ? I've assigned you 2 guards already. Unless they did something to make you upset." Claude said while glaring, at the 2 guards that stood behind her, with hateful eyes.

"Oh no no no , it's not that. it's just... I want to learn it so I can become more independent. I don't want to be protected. I want to protect." Lilith Said ,her eyes brimming with Determination.

And Claude can't say no to those eyes. Of course he agreed.

TIME FLEW BY AND NOW it had been a year since Lilith became a concubine, and she was also expecting a baby, in about 3 months. She had by now learned swordsmanship and she would often spar with Felix and it would end in a draw.

Claude was impressed by her talent in swordsmanship and often praised her during their tea. He was fond of her face blushing from the compliments and so he would tease her a lot.

Feradona heard news that their Princess had learned swordsmanship. Because of this many oppressed women in Feradona began to dream of achieving the same.

Women in Feradona were allowed to wield a weapon but nobody would be willing to teach them or let them buy any. But when the Princess began swordsmanship. The women began to dream about it themselves. And soon began to reach those dreams.

The Noble women in Feradona made their own Faction that began to voice the demands of women. Those women, out of fear of being beaten by their husbands , divorced them.

Divorce is a matter of Disgrace for the Family but they couldn't care less about being graceful anymore. The women had already started secret businesses and thus they had their own source of income to manage without depending on men.

All of the women in Feradona were slowly becoming independent and their role model was none other than Princess Lilith Vi Feradona. The Princess during her time in Obelia broke several Invisible Laws of Feradona.

Invisible Laws are laws which aren't actually illegal but because of the people's mindset of thinking women were inferior they prohibited women from doing several things which the law doesn't actually forbid them to.

Usually men would kill a woman if she dared talk back to him in Feradona and then make up some silly story at court. but because all the judges at court were also men.. of course whatever the jury decided would always favour the male more than the female.

That was the unfair society that Lilith lived in. Even her own Father did not see any wrong in all of this and only saw his daughter as a means of developing good relations with other countries by marrying them off.

Feradona was now in a crisis. The women had suddenly started to overpower men. And in their eyes the one responsible was none other than Princess Lilith Vi Feradona.

After a meeting with the nobles the King decided to send his daughter a letter, requesting her to visit her father as he was missing her 'precious' daughter's company. They were planning on Killing the princess or Publicly Torture her to make the women fear men again.

Unfortunately, Lilith is not as stupid as they thought. Lilith was well aware of what had been happening in Feradona over the past few months and upon receiving her Father's letter, she was utterly disgusted to be related to him by blood.

She took the letter to Claude and they discussed it during their tea.

"If they're being a nuisance, then I can kill them." Claude replied upon hearing her worries.

'Though killing them doesn't sound bad, with me being the role model for the women in Feradona. If Claude kills those pests for my sake then the women might get the wrong idea and believe that violence is the only way to settle things. It seems Felix has understood the situation as well seeing as how he's making that worried expression towards me as if telling me to say no to Claude.'

"I appreciate the thought, Your Majesty but I believe it would be better to approach this situation more peacefully." Felix gave out a sigh and smiled brightly towards Lilith. Upon seeing this Claude said.

"Felix. 10 Steps back." Felix walked back with imaginary tears running down his cheeks.

"Lilith, You need not worry about this matter. I will deal with them."

"Deal with them? How?" Asked Lilith with her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Claude averted his eyes and ignored her question and began sipping his tea. Lilith kept staring at him for a while before Claude stood up and said.

"As I said , Don't worry about those pests. You shouldnt get stressed for the baby's sake." said Claude while smirking.

This made Lilith blush uncontrollably. And before she knew it Claude had gone back to his office.

MONTHS HAS PASSED and Claude had increased security around the Ruby Palace. Lilith was still unaware of exactly what Claude was planning. He was getting busier and had less time to spend with her but he would still make time for her in his busy schedule by sacrificing his sleep.

When Lilith noticed the dark circles under his eyes. She scolded him and forced him to sleep while singing him a lullaby and then she began coming every night to sing him to sleep, instead of having tea.

Feradona had been very quiet lately which made Claude all the more annoyed.

Claude had listened to the advice of Lilith and wasn't making any bold moves but he just needed a small excuse from Feradona to begin the war. So he was waiting for them to move first. To make Obelia seem innocent.

Arius was born soon after. A healthy baby boy, who inherited his mother's hair and father's eyes. Lilith was beyond joyous on his birth.

Lilith was moved to the Main Palace for the time being , so Claude could keep her safe from any harm during her pregnancy.

Unfortunately, Claude was overwhelmed with work so he couldn't come see his child or wife but he was going to visit soon, he relayed from Felix when he dropped by with a bouquet of flowers sent from Claude.

Lilith knew this would mean sacrificing his sleep again. She told Felix to tell him that there is no need to rush , and that he should take care of his health as well. She is a patient person and she can wait until his work subsides so he can visit them. Felix smiled brightly upon Lilith's kindness.

3 DAYS HAD PASSED and Claude was now finally free to visit them. It was sometime before midnight, he knew it was late but he didn't mind.

As Claude was walking towards Lilith's room. An unknown feeling came into his chest. He thought to himself.

'Strange. What is this feeling? I feel ..... happy? I didn't think I could ever feel this way. Lilith is safe. And I'm...a Father now...'

Though he tried to control his expressions , he wasn't able to make a blank expression like he usually does but instead a more heartfelt and jolly expression.

Lilith's room

Lilith's maids , Olivia and Bella, were both taking care of Lilith and Arius. Bella was in charge of Arius and Olivia, Lilith. The maids would sleep inside the room so they could assist them if Arius began crying at night or Lilith needed help with something.

They were all asleep when suddenly Arius began crying. Lilith awoke to the cries and glanced at the crib. She said, "Olivia , Bella... Arius--"

"A-Ah y-yes my lady please don't worry, I'll see what he's crying for." Bella said.

When Lilith rubbed her eyes , she saw that Bella was wide awake and already standing a few steps away from the crib. The room was dark so she could only see a shadowy figure of Bella approaching the crib .Arius started crying even louder

'Something seems strange Bella sounds nervous ... and she was already awake...'

"Bella , Bring Arius to me."

"E-Eh!? but my lady--"

"What is it? "

"Diapers!!"

"I-it seems i just need to change his Diapers." said Bella while forcing an awkward smile. Lilith didn't notice because she was still half asleep.

Bella then picked Arius up and began walking to the bathroom.

"Wait."

Bella Flinched and turned around

"Yes My Lady?"

"Bring Arius To Me"

"But !?-"

"He is my son." said Lilith in a demanding tone. It was still too dark for Lilith to see clearly but she was now slowly regaining her clear sight.

"AHHHH!" Screamed Olivia , Who had woken up from the conversation between the two and Arius's cries.

"BELLA WHY ARE YOU HOLDING A KNIFE AROUND THE PRINCE'S NECK!!!" shrieked Olivia

Lilith immediately stood up from her bed and held the sword which she kept under her bed in her hands.

"Bella... Calm down.. I won't hurt you if you put Arius back in his crib."

"NO YOUR MAJESTY, YOU DON'T GET IT , THEY , THEY'RE HOLDING MY MOTHER CAPTIVE. THEY SAID IF I DO THIS JOB THEN... THEN THEY WOULD LET HER GO . I'M SORRY YOUR MAJESTY BUT! I HAVE TO DO THIS." Bella shouted as she shoved the knife towards the prince's neck.

Olivia during their conversation managed to get close to Bella. Right before the Knife slit the prince's throat she pushed Bella. Olivia got her hand slashed by the knife. Bella lost her balance for a moment but she still hadn't let go of Arius nor the knife.

Lilith let go of her sword and ran as fast as she could to snatch Arius from Bella and she succeeded in securing him. Bella upon seeing Arius not in her arm panicked. She closed her eyes shut and just began swinging the knife around her.

The knife got stuck somewhere while she was swinging it....she hesitantly opened her eyes..

"MY LADY!!!!" Olivia shout in horror.

Dodging a knife would've been easy for Lilith as she has learned swordsmanship and knows fast movements but due to her body being weak from giving birth.. she accidentally stumbled and got stabbed from the back in a vital point.

Arius throughout these moments kept crying and by now he got tired and slowly fell asleep.

Claude suddenly barged into the room after hearing Olivia's shout. And upon seeing Lilith bleeding he shouted.

"SUMMON THE IMPERIAL PHYSICIANS! IMMEDIATELY!"

Claude then ran towards Lilith who was bleeding profoundly while curving her body towards her stomach as if hiding something.

It was Arius. Bella's legs gave up out of fear of the emperor, Olivia dragged her out of the room, away from Lilith and Arius afraid she might do more harm.

Claude began healing her using his magic, but the bleeding wasn't stopping

"LILITH! LILITH! Stay with me ! Please ! Hold on ! Hold on! WHERE ARE THE IMPERIAL PHYSICIANS!?" he shouted while glancing at Olivia , who was taking Bella out.

Olivia stood there silent. shaking in fear.

"...Claude.."

Claude shifted his head towards her and looked at with all his attention. 'This is the first time she called me by my name.' thought Claude

"..Say..Hello..This is Arius...Our son." she said, moving her arms towards him.

"He has the same.... beautiful eyes... as yours."

Claude looked at the baby which she held beside her chest.

'So you're hurt because you were protecting him..' Claude Thought

"...Claude...I'm..not going... to make.. it."

"DON'T SAY THAT! I WON'T ALLOW IT ! YOU CAN'T DIE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION! "

"Hehehe...listen..to..me....I won't.... be able to ....give this child the... love.. he needs ,... so in my stead.... Claude." She said in a slow and soft voice while putting her hand on his face

".... I hope that you.... will.... take... care of him. .... , love... him..,... cherish him.. and protect... him and....... Cough! Cough!............ Please tell him that I .....Love Him.... and that.....I'm sorry for......being so..... weak. " She lost her strength and her hand that was on Claude's cheek slowly dropped on her stomach.

"Lilith...." Claude had this painful expression on his face.

"Why does everyone always..leave me.. Lilith you're leaving as well..?" Lilith Smiled at him and said

"You won't....be alone.... Arius will be.... here... in my.... Stead." She said, and Claude nothing but kept looking at her with a painful expression that made Lilith feel sad.

"I'm glad...I get ..to die.. in... the arms of the...one ...I love...Claude...Thank you...and ...I'm sorry..."

"YOUR MAJESTY THE PHYSICIANS ARE HERE!" Felix Shouted as he entered

A crowd of Imperial Physicians enter the room and gather around Lilith to heal her. Olivia enters as well and holds Arius while they heal her. They wait outside while the magicians heal Lilith.

After quite some time, the magicians come out and nervously say, "Your Majesty, I apologize but it is too late for her highness... she lost too much blood and she was injured in a vital spot so-"

"Enough" Claude said With ice cold eyes.

The Physicians bow and then leave the palace. The only ones left in the hall were Olivia, holding Arius , Felix and Claude. Arius suddenly starts crying. Claude looks at him with resentment.

"Take him to the Jade Palace. Felix has 30 maids head over there."

Felix was quite shocked at this. Jade Palace is a Palace for royals who are viewed as disgraced or unworthy of their royal blood.

Olivia did as he said.

Claude without a second thought waged war with the Feradona Kingdom. He brutally killed all people he suspected to be involved with Lilith.

He kept Liliths wish in mind and made sure that the aftereffects of the war would not affect the women of Feradona. He conquered Feradona and it became a part of Obelia.

The war was rather one sided so it ended quickly, and upon his return another banquet was held for formalities. To celebrate victory in the War.