WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter ten - bonding.

"I DIDN'T GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO LEAVE." a voice from behind the curtains made its way to Arius's ears . Arius froze and turned back to see Claude opening the curtains with one of his hands and staring at him.

Arius gulped.

"Is there anything you need from me?" Arius questioned.

"You're too far, come closer." Claude signaled Felix to bring the prince near him.

"I can walk on my own." Arius said and began walking towards Claude.

"Ho... weren't you sick a few days ago?" Claude smirked and Arius flinched.

"If I hadn't already recovered, I wouldn't be standing here." By now Arius was close enough to Claude.

"..."

"Well? What do you want from me?" Arius said with an annoyed look.

"Mind your tone." Claude said in a cold tone as his eyes shone a bright blue whilst glaring at the prince. The atmosphere became tense and Felix became worried.

Arius stared right back at Claude with his usual cold eyes and blank expression. The staring competition lasted two minutes before Claude began

"As you stand before me , do you know who I am?"

"As I've said before, you are my fath–" Arius was cut by Claude

"Wrong." Arius looked at him annoyed.

"As of right now , you are in front of the Emperor of Obelia, and yet you dare show such insolence, boy." Claude said.

"Insolence? Hah! then oh so great emperor of Obelia , if you would please enlighten this boy as to what sort of insolence he has shown before you. " Arius said as sarcastically as he could. Claude frowned.

Claude had a pretty scary expression on his face. The atmosphere became tense and Felix was about to intervene.

Athanasia too had woken up because of the tension in the atmosphere, but no one noticed her. She rubbed her eyes and then analysed the situation.

"Arius De Alger Obelia. You are to reside in Jade Palace from now on, alone. Once you have reflected upon your behavior and realized your insolence towards me, I might change my decision."

'What??...'

Arius's face went pale. Athanasia from inside the curtains forgot to breathe for a moment and Felix stood beside them looking shocked. After gaining his composure back Arius said

"I refuse."

Claude's jeweled eyes became bright with amusement and annoyance. His boldness and lack of fear resembled that of his mothers' and at the same time his denial of Claude's orders annoyed him.

"Your Majesty, I have been meaning to ask you a question if I may?" Arius said politely.

"You may not." Claude said bluntly. But Arius ignored him .

"Do you have any interest in me?" Arius's curious jeweled eyes met Claude's cold ones.

Claude suddenly had a strange look on his face and his eyes had become wider at Arius's question.

Athanasia noticed Claude had the same look on his face when she remarked about 'Lippe Tea' a few days ago.

Arius realized something was off but ignored it and continued.

"I wish to leave the Palace. You already have Athanasia as your heir, therefore I believe my existence isn't quite needed here. And upon my observation, I don't think you have any interest in this insolent brat and so I will disappear from your sights."

Claude looked at the five year old before him and was a bit shaken at his words.

"Brother! you're gonna leave!?" Athanasia suddenly jumped out of the bed and onto the ground.

Arius and Felix flinched at her suddenly shouting like that. She hugged Arius and said

"No ! Brother don't leave Athy! Daddy! Be nice to Brother!" she told Claude whilst being on plan C.

'Be bold. BUT CUTE. Bold BUT CUTE. PLAN C!!PLAN C!!'  Athanasia kept repeating the same words in her head.

"Stop shouting, you're being noisy." Claude said as he moved one hand to massage his temples. Athy nodded and looked towards Arius.

"Brother, don't ever say that you wanna leave, if you leave Athy will be lonely." Athanasia said, holding Arius's hands.

Arius patted her.

The two were lost in their own worlds when suddenly Claude picked them both up and shoved them on the bed. They once again got back to square one, but this time instead of asking for a song, Claude asked for answers.

"Where would you go if you left here?....Where can you go?" Claude asked Arius

"I want.. to travel the world."

"...The world is a lot crueler than you think. You were attacked by Assassins "

'I know that. But then what else should I do? In my previous life my goal was to impress and gain my parents' affection. I studied for them but I hadn't exactly chosen a career path , I would've probably aimed for the most money making one. But in this world money isn't exactly a problem for me since I'm royalty. I do enjoy studying but for myself , to gain knowledge that is useful to survive. And I don't really have any hobbies other than reading...'

Claude and Athanasia stared at Arius who had gone silent and seemed to be thinking deeply.

"Funny you say that, seeing as how you just told me to live in the same Palace they attacked me alone. Even if I were to die , I doubt you would care about an insolent brat such as myself." Arius smiled sarcastically.

Claude frowned. He was annoyed by his son's use of specific words. Athanasia came closer to Claude and whispered something in his ears.

"Upon your sister's request, With generosity unbecoming of me I have decided to take back my order regarding your residence. You may continue residing in Ruby Palace." Claude said with his eyes saying 'Now, thank me'.

"Don't be generous." Arius said bluntly.

'DUDE HERE I AM RISKING MY LIFE TO SAVE YOU AND YET YOU KEEP STEPPING ON LANDMINES!!' Athanasia sweat profusely.

"Ahh! Brother, Daddy said he was tired from the meeting with Mister White, Let him rest!!"

"Precisely why I tried to leave first but Dad was the one who stopped me! Well? You still didn't tell me why you stopped me!!" Arius exclaimed in annoyance.

Claude massaged his forehead with his hand. He then moved his hand towards Arius's face. Arius moved back. They began starting again, But the competition ended soon as Claude eyed Athanasia to hold her brother.

Athanasia jumped on Arius.

"I've got you! "

"UWah! Ath--ATHY! You're really heavy you know!!"

Smack!

"Jeez , brother! Manners! You can't say that to a Lady! "

"Lady? Where?"

Smack!

Claude then pulled Arius's Legs and Athanasia pushed him forward. Claude then finally put a hand over his face and the young prince fell asleep. He did the same with Athanasia.

When the two siblings were both finally asleep.

"Having children...is a nightmare." Claude stated.

Felix chuckled at him.

"But both their highnesses are so mature and well-mannered for their ages. Normal children tend to be more mischievous "

"Well-mannered?" Claude mumbled as he placed his hand on Arius's head.

In Arius's Dream

Huh, who is that...

A woman with long ebony hair sat on a chair gracefully sipping tea. She wore a flower crown on her head and simple yet elegant green dress. Her face was wearing no makeup. And her ears and neck holding no jewelry. She was in simple dress, yet she emanated grace and nobility.

She's....mom...wow I thought Olivia and the others were exaggerating but damn my mom is so beautiful, I know Diana was pretty and all but how come nobody mentioned my mother in Who made a Princess or Lovely Princess , Jeez how rude.

The dream ended soon but I was glad to have at least seen her. I'm sure Athy saw her mom as well. Turns out that jerk Claude did mean it when he said I'd keep on residing in Ruby Palace. He still hasn't answered my question. I decided to annoy him about it, so the next time he invited us to tea, I gladly went. Arius's thought as he smirked.

"Good Morning, Daddy! Athy's here! and my big brother came as well!" Athanasia smiled Brightly.

"Good Morning Dad!" Arius Smiled Brightly.

Claude was a bit surprised but kept a poker face. Athanasia's head snapped towards her brother who was smiling standing behind her. Felix beamed from beside.

'His highness is finally opening up.'  Felix thought while beaming.

'Is brother... okay?... he's smiling...at Claude..and Called him Dad....uh....did he eat something weird?'  Athanasia thought as she examined her brother from all sides.

This time they were invited to a garden to drink tea. Claude sat at the table with Athanasia on one side and Arius on the other. Athanasia simply drank milk as she was too young for tea , previously stated by Claude, and ate sweets. Claude drank his usual tea. And Arius.... was served a glass of milk.. and he hates milk.

"I don't like milk."

Athanasia shoved a piece of cake in her mouth and stared at her brother. Claude looked at Arius and sighed.

"Tell the maids to bring whatever you want." One of the maids came near Arius to hear his request

'I want to say Coffee. But Claude told Athy to drink milk instead of tea.'

"I want a Coffee. Caffe' Mocha."

"You're too young for coffee."

'Ughh, My parents in my previous life never stopped me. I'd need coffee to pull all-nighters to prepare for exams or tests.'  Arius pouted

"Mango Juice then."

"Anything else, Your Highness?" The maid standing beside him asked.

"No."

"Brother! you should eat some cake!" Athanasia was about to shove a piece of cake in Arius's mouth. Arius thankfully dodged and said a blunt.

"No."

"Brotherrr , don't you like cake?"

"I don't like eating anything in the morning."

'In my previous life , I wouldn't do breakfast or even take lunch for school.'

"Dad, which one of us will be your heir?" Claude looked at Arius with his eyes saying 'Not Again'.

"..." Claude remained silent.

"Brother! since you're older than Athy, The heir should be you!" Athanasia said cheerily.

"I don't want it, Athy you're taking that job."

"Eh! but no brother--"

"It is far too early for you to think about such things." Claude cut Athanasia.

"Dad! Do you have any interest in me?"

"Felix. Take the prince back."

"Yes, Your Majesty"

"Wha-Wait , Answer me first! Hey!! DAD!" Arius shouted and struggled as Felix picked him up and took him back to his Palace.

5 minutes later

The maid brought Arius's mango juice and became confused as to where the prince went. Claude and Athanasia stared at the juice in silence.

Arius was now mad. Of course with Felix and Claude. After Felix brought him to the Palace Arius got some books and went to the Garden again. But he didn't give up, everyday he would ask Claude the same question and be kicked out of their tea time.

At one point Claude even stopped inviting him, But did Arius care? 

Nope! 

He would just go there and start annoying Claude. Even when Claude didn't invite Athanasia and was doing paperwork, he would go into his office and start annoying him.