?|THE LAST PIECE|?{Wmmap}

"Not much of a talker?"
Claude inquired.

"Athy can talk."

"Finally I can hear your voice.
Why did you stay silent until now?"
He's gaze focused on Athanasia.

"Pardon me your majesty but little girls around the princesses age are known to be very shy" Felix learning in interjected softly.

"Is that so?" Claude mumbled drifting his eyes to ashaya who was blissfully eating a cupcake, not a single hint of shyness.

Claude again stared at Athanasia for a moment, his gaze lingering.

"Felix leave us."
He commanded.

Felix, taken aback silently complied, casting a brief glance at the girls before leaving.

"Why did you make him leave?"
Ashaya inquired, a hint of curiosity lacing her voice.

"....."

Inside, Athanasia was screaming.
'Stop talking to him like that!'

Understanding Athanasia's distress Ashaya offered a cupcake to Athanasia in a gentle 'here' gesture.

"Thanks."
Athanasia's trembling hands accepted the cupcake.

Ashaya returned back to eating her cake.
Which she enjoyed very much, it wasn't too sweet yet not lacking in flavour it was perfect!

'I never ate anything like this no wonder athy praised it so much on the novel!'
Ashaya mused to herself.

"Athy is it? Must be a pet name.
Athanasia.
What a name.
Do you know the meaning of that name?"
Claude inquired reclining on the couch.

Athanasia maintained a facade of innocence, choosing silence as her ally.

"To dare give her child such name,
To the second child at that.
Does she want to wage a war between her children?
She would have her limp ripped off if she had survived the labor."

The older child's name means eternal will and the younger child's name means king.
Giving two girls that was supposed to  be only given to one heir might cause a fight for the throne.

Athanasia contemplated whether she would face consequences for possessing such a name.

"Are you aware who I am?"
He paused before questioning.
His question weighting the the air around.

The already tensed room's atmosphere grew heavier, as Athanasia wondered how to respond.

Athanasia casted a pleading glance at Ashaya, who seemed utterly indifferent, and blissfully ate another cupcake.

'I hate you!! How can you ignore me right now? you traitor!'
Those words echoed in Athanasia's mind, a tempest of betrayal.

Ashaya mused seeing the changes in expression of her sister.
'where do get to see novel stuff happen in real life? Here!'

Ashaya's encounter with Claude was anything but a mistake.
She has metaculously planned this encounter for a long time.
'Following after my sister, thinking she might get lost is a good excuse.
isn't it?'

"Daddy."
Ashaya called out.

Claude paused for a slight moment.

'Father dearest definitely did not expect that.'
Thought ashaya.

For an instant, Athanasia felt rush of fear before exclaiming.
"Daddy!"

"...." Claude remained silent.