WHO MADE ME A PRINCE
chapter thirty two - almost die.

ARIUS AND GUNTHER were running towards the Garnet Palace. The assassins shot daggers every time they got, but Gunther would surprisingly deflect each and all of them.

'They really were training hard' Arius thought.

Suddenly two of the assassins jumped in front of them and took out their blades. "Keep running!" Gunther shouted as he ran up in front of Arius to take care of them.

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Clang!

Arius ran ahead amongst their clashes. "Don't worry about me! Just run!" Gunther shouted as he saw Arius hesitate. Garnet Palace was right in front of them.

Gunther was fighting off two of the assassins while the other two were now running behind Arius. Their daggers were visible in their hands and they were almost a step away from Arius as he was running in the halls of the Palace.

Arius took a few turns and lost one of the assassins but the other was right behind him.

"Help! Someone! Felix!" Arius shouted.

Garnet Palace didn't have any staff. Claude preferred it that way. So no matter how much Arius shouted, no one could hear him.

"Felix!"

Felix wasn't there.

'Why! Where is he!'

"Ah!"

The man suddenly grabbed Arius's collar from behind. The moon shone through the windows in the hall. The dagger in the man's hand sparkled in the light.

The assassin lifted Arius up from the collar of his shirt and pointed the dagger at him.

This is it?

He's gonna kill me?

I'm gonna die ?

Arius closed his eyes.

That's... okay.

I've died before too.

It's fine I was an extra from the start.

It's okay.

Suddenly, memories of the past five years flashed through his eyes.

When he met Athanasia.

The fun they had.

Olivia tucked him in bed.

Him teasing Felix.

His time with his friends.

Cadell.

Gunther.

And then finally.

Claude.

When they met.

When Claude forbid his coffee.

When Claude hugged him and told him that...

That he...

That Claude loved him.

That he wanted to protect him.

Unknowingly tears streamed down his cheeks. It felt wrong.

Why, I'm just an extra.

I was never a part of their story.

And yet I got attached.

And now.

I don't wanna leave.

I wanna stay.

Athy and Dad.

I want to stay with them.

I love them both so much.

I'm scared.

I don't wanna die..

I don't...wanna die...

Dad...

Help me.

"...Dad! " Arius cried out as his face was red and tears fell down without any hint of stopping.

"Dad! I'm scared! "

"Dad!"

The assassin suddenly stabbed Arius in the chest. Or at least that's what he thought. But there was no sign of blood.

Click!

Click!

Click!

A figure approached them from the shadows of the hallway. His icy blue eyes made the assassin drop his dagger and Arius.

But Arius didn't fall. He floated. Mana surrounding him. His eyes were shut close and tears were flowing all over his red face.

Claude stepped out of the shadows.

"How dare you touch my son with your filthy hands."

The assassin ran away into the hallway to try and escape. Claude didn't bother with the assassin and instead went and grabbed his floating son.

Arius suddenly opened his eyes to see him in Claude's arms. "D–Dad..." his tears stopped for a moment.

Jeweled eyes met each other. Claude patted Arius's head and said, "Don't be scared, Sleep. It's gonna be okay." Claude was about to put him to sleep.

Arius suddenly clutched on to his night robes. "Dad!" Tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Dad! "

"Dad!"

"Dad!"

"Yes... I'm here, Arius." Claude spoke softly as he caressed his trembling son's back. And Arius kept sobbing on Claude's shoulders.

"I'm sorry, Arius. I'll let you go through that." Claude said as he patted Arius's back. Arius only cried louder.

Arius looked up at Claude and noticed his pained expression. It wasn't the same blank one, instead he looked genuinely worried about him. He could tell that Claude seriously felt bad. He tried to control his tears for a minute and spoke.

"I–I was so scared...I thought I was going to die..." Arius spoke as his voice cracked from the tears which he kept trying to control.

"Dad...I love you." Arius said as he formed a smile through his tears.

Claude's lips drew apart slightly and his eyes widened at the words. Arius gripped Claude's robes tighter and tried to smile wider this time.

"I love you."

"I love you and Athy so much."

His smile slightly began to fade.

"I ... don't wanna..hic!...die " Tears once again flowed through the porcelain skin the young prince possessed.

Claude placed his hand on Arius's head and slowly the young prince's body leaned on Claude's shoulder.

The sound of crying soon stopped. Claude lovingly held Arius in his arms, and kept caressing his back.

Click!

Click!

A figure approached from the darkness. Claude narrowed his eyes as he looked through the darkness.

"Blessings and Glory upon the sun of the Obelian Empire." Gunther greeted as kneeled on one leg.

"The Assassins?" Claude asked as he turned and began walking outside. Gunther followed behind, while answering.

"Six of them. Four Dead. Two were left at Ruby Palace. Another knight was fighting them and protecting Princess Athanasia. "

"Make sure they're dead and go get Felix, I will send him to the prison cells."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Gunther ran off to do as he was told.