?|THE LAST PIECE|?{Wmmap}

[Ruby palace]

"There."
Ashaya declared, revealing her artwork.

It was a simple  but beautiful drawing.

"Wow!! You draw so well!"
Athanasia exclaimed, her eyes wide with admiration.

"Thanks. But i'm sure mommy's more beautiful than this."
Ashaya responded modestly.

"It doesn't matter princess you tried your best didn't you? that's enough."
Lily reassured her gently.

'Well I didn't.'
Ashaya laughed dryly.

Athanasia stared at the drawing.

"I wanna see her too..."
She murmured softly.

Ashaya glanced at Lily and Felix, who wore expressions of concern, and she felt a twinge of guilt.

Yet, she quickly regained her composure.

"........ I'm sure you will one day....."
Ashaya assured her with a bitter smile.

Her small lie came to bite her back.

Athanasia sensing the tension in the air and immediately changed the subject.

"Is there anything you're not good at?"
She inquired playfully.

Ashaya played along.

"Guess?"
She smirked.

........

[Emperor's's study]

Ashaya ate a cupcake while Claude observed her intently.

"What brings you here alone?"
He inquired, a hint of amusement dancing in his voice.

Tt is  unusual to witness separation of the inseparable twins.

"I have a request to make, Father."
Ashaya replied, her tone steady.

"..... and what might that be?"
Claude leaned back against the plush couch, curiosity piqued.

'A request...?'
Claude regarded Ashaya with an amused glint in his eyes.

Ashaya finished the cupcake and turned her full attention to Claude,  her face showed a serious expression.

"...I wish to have instructors for martial arts and swordsmanship, and perhaps magic as well, if you would permit it."
She went to point not beating around the bush.

Claude stared at Ashaya for a moment, pondering something, a long silence hung between the two.

"Are they not fulfilling their duties?"
Claude inquired, gesturing toward the attendants he had assigned to the Ruby Palace.

"That is not the issue,"
Ashaya responded firmly, not to cause any misunderstanding.

"Then why the sudden interest in those?"
Claude asked, his gaze languid.

"....I do not wish to be weak, father."
Ashaya declared, Her eyes giving out an ambitious glint.

She had contemplated how to broach this subject for quite some time but ultimately decided to be forthright.

The world is a fantasy one just because the course of the novel was relatively peaceful does not mean it'll always be that way.

Survival of the strongest, that's the rule this world has.

If she wishes to fulfill her ambitious then she must not rely on others.

"......Fair enough."

Claude found the situation amusing, yet it was also reasonable; his daughter should not be vulnerable.

"Felix."
Claude called out.

"Yes, your majesty."
Felix stepped forward with a respectful bow.

"Do the nessecery arrangements."

"Understood."

That....was easy.

"Thank you papa!"
Ashaya exclaimed, her face lighting up with a radiant smile.

"......."
Claude gazed at her, it was the first time he had witnessed such a luminous smile from her.

(Author: She's expensive to please ('-_- )

      (The chapter was rewritten)