Ariston's POV:
Months have passed by. I haven't seen that brat(Athanasia) ever since I came back here.
Ever since the Emperor forcefully brought me back here, he became...well, overprotective and affectionate with me, which made me confused. Why is he doing this when he clearly despise my presence? The one who used to give me a cold glare now give me an affectionate look. Just like how he looked at Athanasia before.
As usual, a maid would come to my chamber to clean and arrange things. I decided to ask her what happened to Athanasia, and as soon as she heard my question, her eyebrow quickly furrowed. She then looked at me and kneeled to my height.
"She's dead." The maid, which is Lilian York, said as she squeezed my arms making me yelp. Hearing my scream, Lilian retracted her hand and whispered an apoloy. Hearing her pained voice made me felt something...after a whole minute I told her to leave my room which she immediately did.
'Athanasia is dead? But why? Is the whole reason why the emperor is giving me affection is because she's dead? Is he thinking that I'm Athanasia now? Is that it? He's going to pretend I am her? But why?' Thoughts filled my brain on why the Emperor gives me affection. So that's the reason?
An hour passed but the thought still bothers me. A part of me wants to forgive father already but a part of me tells me not to....Does he really loves me or does he pretends I'm her?
As I was busy thinking, the door opened and revealed the Emperor with a tray of food. Our eyes locked, at that moment, I felt my breath became unstable. I tried looking away but It seems that my body does the opposite. A part of me want to hug him and ask him why he's doing this but a part of me also wants to get away from him. Before I even knew it, My feet are moving on their own and is taking me to his side. After seconds, I found myself tearing up and hugging him. At this moment, I just can't hold back anymore. I want to know the reason already.
"Why are you doing this to me?! Is it because Athanasia is dead already? Tell me! I never understand you!" I asked as I held tightly on his chest.
3rd Person's POV:
After Ariston screamed, whimper and hiccups filled the silent room. After not hearing any response from the older, Ariston was about to retract his hands until Claude's hand held him. At that moment, Ariston felt a liquid dropping on his shirt. He looks at his father's face and saw regret, sadness and anger written on it.
"Ariston...I didn't know I was making it hard for you...I know that I'm not a great example of a father but believe me...I regret it. I regret everything I've done to you. I didn't meant to hurt you physically and mentally...I didn't mean to make you suffer...You might not know this but I've been watching you from afar since I made a mistake..."
5 months ago; Chapter 1: Failing test.
Claude's POV:
I got back to my senses as soon as I heard the door closed. Gosh, What did I just do? Why did I pour that? I really didn't meant it but...I just got a bad day with so many reports about the citizens...As much as I want to go to his room now and apologize, I remembered about the rule..."
'Rule 483: Don't show any affection:
Emperor's shouldn't show any affection to anybody, may it be a relative nor a family member. Keep your heart closed. Don't let a mere human stop you. Don't be close with anybody'
Nobody but the Emperors know about the rules.... If only I knew...
Present: 3rd Person's POV:
After telling Ariston why he did all of this, The lad couldn't help but to feel betrayed. Who the fuck in their right mind even made this rule?
(....yeah...who in their right mind even make a rule like this...totally not the author...)
"Wait...All the past Emperor's know this...right?" Ariston asked as he looked straightly into Claude's hand; which held the rule book. Claude just hummed in response as he put the book into the nightstand table. As soon as Claude replied to him, Ariston's eyes went wide.
"T-then....Anastacius knew...?"
