?|THE LAST PIECE|?{Wmmap}

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[Diamond palace]

"Let's eat,I made them prepare things you'd like."
Claude, seated elegantly across the table, remarked.

"I prefer tender dishes."
Ashaya, tilting her head replied.

'Seriously? all meat?'
She thought.

'Don't say that out loud!'
Athanasia silently admonished, struggling to cut her own piece of meat.

Claude's deminour started to become cold.

"Nevertheless, it appears to be quite delicious."
Ashaya commented, taking a small bite from the served dish.

'You own me a 'thank you' Mr chef I saved your life.'
She mused inwardly.

(Author: Do you realize that you're the one who shortened the poor chef's lifespan?)

As Athanasia wrestled with her fork, it slipped from her grasp, only to be deftly intercepted by Ashaya.

"You need to learn more etiquette
I'll send someone to your palace.

Those you have been learning have no class , so it's time to receive proper lessons"
Claude who was staring at the two girls, remarked.

"Athy will do her best papa!"
Athanasia exclaimed with enthusiasm.

With a gentle smile, Ashaya nodded as she helped Athanasia cut her steak.

"......"

.....

[Emperor's bedroom]

Claude's thoughts drifted back to the two young girls.

One bore a striking resemblance to him, to the point it was annoying. While the other echoed the features of that wench.

"Isn't the younger one a bit brazen?
She must get that from Diana."
Claude remarked.

"Lady Diana was definitely the type to leave a lasting impression on anyone."
Felix commented.

"A year longer and I would have forgotten that wench's face"
Claude replied, his tone icy.

Felix stayed silent for a moment.

"Did you enjoy your meal with the princesses?

Aren't they lovely?"
He attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere.

"Lovely.
I lost such emotion a long time ago.

Besides.....the older one reminds me of my him.

She won't last long with that attitude."

Felix found himself in a loss of words.

"Leave me I am tired."
Claude commanded.

(Author: I don't remember you doing anything to make you tired!)

'Though you say such things that I am sure there's still some left.'
Felix thought as he left the emperor's chamber.

........

[The royal garden]

"Thank you for inviting us to tea."
Ashaya and Athanasia gracefully curtsied.

"Felix"
Claude called out.

Felix understanding the order gently guided the two young ladies to their seats.

"Good morning."
"Good morning, Papa!"
The girls chimed in unison.

Claude regarded them with a silent gaze.

As they settled into their chairs, Athanasia's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Papa was in my dream yesterday!"
Athanasia said beaming.

"Dream...?"
Claude inquired, intrigued.

"Athy was with papa, ashy, lily and Felix and we went to pick the stars and moon and had fun!"
Athanasia enthusiasticly exclaimed.

"That's a weird dream."
Claude remarked.

"Athy had so much fun playing with papa and ashy!"
Athanasia continued.

Claude's lips curled into a smile.

"That is good to hear..."
Ashaya who was sitting right beside Athanasia added, her smile soft yet warm.

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