𝟏𝟏

                                    

                                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
flashback

“ This is L/n Y/n, Your Highness. She will be studying with you from now on.”
The cold eyes spare the girl a glance before he only nods, “ I’m Claude.”
The second prince’s nanny just smiled at his aloof personality. She gave Y/n’s shoulder a gentle pat, “ I shall take my leave now, Lady Y/n. Please enjoy your stay and do call for me if you require something.”
Y/n only nods, watching as the nanny left before taking a seat on the couch, patiently waiting for the tutor (who she assumed was late because the prince beside her seemed extremely agitated, clicking his tongue every once in a while and glancing at his watch).
She couldn’t help but be amused. He was two years younger than her and yet he acted so mature and grown up. She held back her laughter, clearing her throat. 
The sound garnered his attention, his face twisted into an annoyed look, “...you have some audacity sitting beside me when I didn’t even tell you to.”
She blinked, facing him and tilting her head to the side, “ Oh. Would you like me to stand up and request? ”
Claude stared at her blankly, “ Tch..” He looked away, rolling his eyes. She held back another smile, was he disregarding etiquette and rolling his eyes so rudely in the presence of a girl?
“ Your Highness, what are we studying today? ”
“...how would I know when the damn tutor is late?” He grunted, shooting her a glare, “ Don’t talk to me.”
She kept smiling, “...I heard you were very smart….I guess not..”
“ What? ” He asked sharply, letting out a scoff, “ Do you have a death wish?”
“ Not at all.” 
Claude felt irked that her polite smile never fell. It felt even more disrespectful because her eyes flashed with sharp sarcasm that annoyed him even more. 
“ Stop smiling.”
“As his highness wishes.”
He scowled, glancing at the tutor who ran in, panting. “ I apologize for being late!”
“...just start the lesson. I wish to leave early today.”
“...yes, yes your highness! Lady L/n, I expect you have caught up to the chapters I have already taken before coming here?”
“ Yes, sir.”
–
Another week and Claude felt his patience thinning. Why was this girl following him around? His nanny told him she will be staying in the palace from now on because she is training to be the Empress….