Her heart would shatter whenever she would find Claude wandering in Y/n's section of the palace. His personal garden, bedroom, everything reminded him of the missing boy. It eventually grew so bad to the point where Diana had to block off the section, which angered Claude greatly, but he soon understood why.
  "Would you like to have tea?" she proposed to Claude and was happy to gain his attention, "Amane would accompany us as well."
  Though with some hesitance, Claude nodded his head and relaxed when Diana held his hand gently, taking him with her to the garden. 
  The walk was quiet with a comfortable silence.  Neither of them spoke, but it was nice in a way. Claude couldn't help but stare at the back of Diana. She had always been there for him even when he tried to isolate himself, promising to be by his side through the tragedy of Y/n.
  His heart softened.
  "Lady Diana!" Amane's voice broke the quiet atmosphere.
  Without even realizing it, the two had been in the garden and met up with the prince, who was patiently waiting at the table set out with sweets and desserts. 
  "Hello, your highness," Diana laughed softly at the smiling boy, "I'm guessing your tutoring session has ended?"
  Amane nodded his head vigorously and looked over to his father, who just stared at him. 
  "Y/n..." 
  He paused at sound of his brother's name from Claude. Amane saw the pained expression on his father's face and looked back at him in confusion.
  "No, it's me, Amane?" 
  Diana turned back and frowned at Claude's out-of-it behavior, "Let's sit down, yes?"
  The family of three all sat around the table: Claude and Diana sitting together while Amane sat on the other side. The boy glanced over to the empty chair beside him. 
  He hadn't seen his brother for a long time; it's been a bit over four months. Diana said that Y/n was going to be back soon, but she never said when and from where. Amane was never told the sad truth on how his brother went missing, completely off the grid. He was only given false-truths and prolonged waiting, only fueling the hope that his brother would return to play with him once more.
  He went back to taking bites out of a f/do donut, his brother's favorite, "When is Y/n coming back?"
  Both Diana and Claude froze up at the question. They didn't have an answer, though they truly wished they did. 
  "He's..." Diana started but trailed off when she heard quick footsteps towards them.
  It was Felix.
  "Y-Your majesty!" he was out of breath, as if he ran all the way to them, but had a wide smile on his face.
  "What is it, Felix?" Claude opened his eyes and met eyes with the knight.
  "It's the second prince," the trio payed close attention, "He's returned!"

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          

  Y/n hummed a melody as his feet kicked back and forth on the couch. He wore the same clothes when had worn on the day of his fourth birthday, though slightly messy. It was silent in the room, after all, he was the only one in there.
  His eyes were fixated on the large doors of the room before they were suddenly busted open. 
  Claude rushed in with Diana and Amane by his side, looking around in a frantic manner before spotting his son.
  "Y/n!" they all simultaneously called out and the said boy ran over to them.
  "It's a miracle," Diana wiped the tears away from her eyes as she grinned in relief.
  "Father, Amane, Diana!" Y/n exclaimed and and jumped into Claude's arms.
  He held on tightly around his son, scared to lose him again. It had only been four months, but it felt like it was an eternity without the bubbly boy.
  "Where were you? Are you hurt?" Claude immediately questioned Y/n.
  Though his voice was somewhat monotonous, it was clear that he was worried for him.
  Y/n shook his head no to the last question, "I'm A OK!"
  Amane looked up to his father and Y/n, having a big smile on his face, "I missed you, Y/n!"
  The boy paused for a moment, staring at his brother in silence, before leaping down to him. The two fell, with Y/n laying on top of Amane as he embraced him tightly.
  "I missed you too, Amane!" Y/n cheered and smushed his and his brother's face close together, ignoring his displeased groaning.
  The two adults looked at each other before lightly laughing. They were happy that the youngest prince had returned safe and sound. 
  Yes, they were happy.
  Diana's eyes drifted from Claude to Y/n. She inwardly flinched once she saw his stare on her; his eyes were pitch black, as if they were a deep void of nothing. His unsettling smile had chills crawl up her spine.
  Her grin faltered.
  "Diana?" Claude called out to her, making her whip her head around, "Are you alright?"
  "Yes, of course, your majesty," the blonde woman fixed her expression and rubbed her hand to reduce its trembling.
  Something... was different about Y/n. 
  Something daunting.