WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter fifty six - what?

ARIUS SIGNALED FOR ATHANASIA to go back inside and he himself was led by his knight to the reception room.

The doors opened wide and in came the little prince, carrying himself with an aura of authority and grace as a royal should. Gunther entered along with him.

"Ah, Prince Arius! I heard you haven't eaten anything since morning, your father was worried about you!" Vivia started lecturing him.

"Ah mother! Manners!! I apologize for your highness, Blessings and Glory upon the future sun of the Obelian Empire." Vincent bowed.

Arius quietly came up to and sat on the couch opposite to them.

"Greetings to you as well."

Vivia stood up and went to sit beside Arius. Arius didn't say anything at her actions since he now knew that his dad didn't like this woman at all.

"I heard about your sister. I know this must be quite a sudden and surprising incident for you and your father. But you have to stay strong, okay? She'll get better, have hope." Vivia tried comforting him before patting his head.

"...Thank you for your concern, Countess. And you needn't worry, I have full faith that my sister will be up and about in no time." Arius fake smiled, this was so awkward for him, considering Athanasia had woken up.

"Ah, Your Highness, if I may ask, where is His Majesty?" Vincent asked.

"He wanted to spend some time alone, in Athanasia's room." Arius spoke in a fake sad tone.

"Is there a reason you were looking for him? " Arius asked, smiling brightly.

"Er, Well..." Vincent went into a spiral of thoughts.

"Might you take us to the princess's room? we simply need to stand outside the door."

"What? If you have any message I can convey it to him." Arius asked , confused. I mean, why in the world would they stand outside the door?

"If not outside the room , then maybe in a hallway , anywhere close to him." Vivia spoke.

What.

Anywhere close to him.

What is the actual what?

ATHANASIA HAD ENTERED THE BEDROOM AGAIN. Surprisingly, Claude was still asleep. Athanasia went up to the bed and layed down.

She felt her chest get lighter after hearing that Claude didn't like that woman.

Athanasia took a deep breath and began smiling while facing the ceiling. Arius had told her Claude was worried about Athanasia when she fell sick.

He rushed here when he heard she had collapsed.

Athanasia was happy. She didn't know why. Why is it that this man she calls daddy affects her emotions so much?

She already gave up on him. She thought she didn't care. But then why? Why, when that countess got closer to him, when that countess took more of his time than she and her brother could, why? Why did she feel sad? Why did she feel lonely? Why did she feel the need to gain his attention back?

She hates this man.

She hates the man who abandoned his daughter once.

She hates him.

And yet, she craves his attention and love.

She hates him,

And yet, she wants to have tea with him everyday.

She hates him,

And yet, she wants to talk to him everyday.

She hates him,

But he's the only father she has.

She was an orphan before as well.

Knowing not the love of mother, nor a father.

Athanasia's eyes became blurry from the tears welling up inside her eyes. She tried to keep them inside her eyes, but what caused them to pour out endlessly was but a single word.

"Athanasia..." Claude, who was laying beside the girl, spoke. His voice sounded so gentle and affectionate. He looked surprised as well, his daughter was awake.

Claude extended his hand to check for certain whether his daughter had awoken or was he simply dreaming.

But before he could peacefully check, Athanasia jumped on her dad and hugged him. "Uwah! Daddy!" Athanasia cried as she squeezed Claude's robes tightly.

Claude sat up straight and tidied his hair a bit before embracing his little princess.

"You...you're awake..." Claude mumbled. Athanasia was sitting on Claude's lap while sniffing.

"Daddy!" Athanasia hugged him tightly.

Claude carefully stood up with Athanasia in his arms and began to observe her.

"You're awake. Does it hurt anywhere?" Claude asked while rubbing her back.

Athanasia shook her head while maintaining her tight grip on her dad.

"Athy's fine! because daddy came to see Athy!" Athanasia spoke in her bubbly voice, but she was feeling better thanks to Claude's visit. She smiled brightly at her dad.

Claude sighed in relief and placed a hand on his daughters head before hugging her. "I...I'm sorry."

Athanasia pushed back from the hug and tilted her head. "What for, daddy?"

"Arius told me. It seems I neglected you both again...I'm sorry."

Athanasia widened her eyes at the scene. Claude was apologizing to her.

B-But why is he apologizing? Me going into a coma was due to the divine beast and the thing with Vivia Lennox was just me and brother overthinking... we were being too inconsiderate, Vivia is Claude's friend from the academy. Brother and I were overthinking it too much. We should be apologizing, not him!

"For now, let's have a magician check you up." Claude spoke as he gently placed Athanasia on the bed.

"Uh...Okay!"

ON THE OTHER HAND, Arius is currently with the Countless. He stared at her with an irritating glare, the Countess didn't mind that as she smiled.

"Why do you need to be close to Dad?" Arius asked the Countess.

"Oh well...You're too young to understand adult things!" Vivia said in a teasing tone.

What?