Ahhh!!

Why is my room so messy?!

You tugged your [c] hair in frustration. Books were strewn everywhere, there food crumbs on the bedsheets, socks and clothes everywhere.

It seem like it was hit by hurricane.

Why was the room so so messy? Didn't you cleaned it up just yesterday..!

....Ah, of course you didn't. You end up sleeping on your clean up day. And when you did start to clean, you got distracted by a romance novel and the whole day passed away in a blink of time.

But Claude's gonna arrive here soon for magic training. He had promised to meet you here to train you since there wasn't any other private place, away from prying eyes. You had freaked out about it but hey who could say no to his deadly glares. And if he saw this dumping ground, he'd flip.

Claude was a organised freak, that came from your most trustee Tomato boy who had first hand experience of his organised obsessed self.

Ahh!! It's an emergency!!

Someone assemble a cleaning squard!!!

So you decided to clean the mess, clear the socks off the floor. Put the books back to the shelves properly organised. Clean the sheet off all the food crumbs.

Yeah it took hours because you were that messy of a person who loved to procrastinate cleaning. Cause it was boring, you could do much better thing than that, like sleep. Duh.

"I'm never doing this again... My body is screaming over the abuse done upon it!" You tiredly murmured as you slumped on the chair and round table set up near the window if you could call a square hole in the wall a window.

The cool breeze coming in from the opening in the wall helped your exhausted sweaty self.

Heaving a sigh, you waited for Claude to arrive. Feeling slightly anxious and excited. A boy in your room. God, if only your Dad could hear it, he would lose it.

"Ah, I miss home. Wonder how did they take the news of my death?" You mumbled, your head on the table, feeling nostalgic and lonely.

Clouds lazily floated in the clear sky, filling you with sense of tranquility. It was so comfortable you felt sleepy.

Before you knew, your eyes grew heavy. Try as you might you couldn't stop yourself from falling asleep.

"You never meant anything to me. You deluded yourself to think that I'd ever love the likes of you."

You shot up, awakened from your dream from the sheer fear and discomfort gripping you tightly.

What was that...?

You rubbed your eyes, trying to recall your dream. But only blurry lingering shadows remained until they too faded away.

"What time is it?"

You groggily mumbled before you eyes bulged out of your sockets.

Shoot!! I overslept!

You unceremoniously stumbled towards the door, feeling guilty.

Did Claude came and went away because of you were sleeping? Why didn't he wake you up?

God, you hoped he didn't feel like you were ungrateful brat who didn't value someone's time and generous offer!

You sprinted towards the Garnet Palace regretting oversleeping. You took a moment to catch your breath as you panted hard.

"(Y/n)! Are you alright?"

Hearing familiar voice you straighten up, facing a worried Felix.

"Ah, I'm fine. I just ran here." You took a deep breath.

Felix blinked. "Is there some urgent matter? You should be more careful. You might end hurting yourself in your haste!"

You smiled. Such a sweet worrywart. "I'm fine. I'll keep in mind not to run again so don't worry, okay."

You looked around. Normally Felix and Claude would be sparring at this hour. Seeing Felix alone was weird. Afterall both of them were glued at hips.

"Hey, Felix where is Claude? I came here to apologise. I overslept on our appointment meeting. Man, I feel so embrassed. I kinda stood him up in a way."

Felix expression tightened. "Your Highness isn't with you?"

"Huh? Yeah. Thats why I'm here to apologise."

"But he is not here either. I haven't seen him since this morning."

"What do you mean? He went missing?"

Felix instantly became worried. "I thought he is with you? He didn't show up for training."

"No. He isn't. I just woke up and run all the way here. So I have no idea where he is."

Panic started to seep in as you exchanged a uneasy look with Felix.

"Let's look around. He might be here somewhere. You suggested."

"Alright." Felix nodded.

After one hour of searching, Claude was nowhere to be found.

Where the hell is he?

Did he get abducted by aliens?!

...

No. Let's rethink some rational, reasonable explanation for his disappearance.

No aliens. No world domination villains. No secret organization after the secret of unique jewelled eyes.

God, you watched too many of weird animes.

You leaned against a tree, chewing on your lips as you racked your brain. A few feets away Felix was in his own way trying to interrogate the guards. Felix looked distressed as he sternly spoke with Lawrence, the shy kid you remembered meeting.

It was quite a sight to see Felix frowning strictly. You were so used to his gentle smiles and kind aura that it caught you off guard for a moment.

Where the hell are you Claude?

Meow.

Huh? You looked up in the tree to see Ether in the branch. He was stalking towards the bird nest with a predatory look his eyes.

"Ether!" You yelled to get his attention.

Startled he lost his balance, free falling but you were there to catch him in your arms.

"You just found me in the most desperate of time, Ether. Please help me find Claude. He is nowhere to be found?!"

Ether huffed glaring at you. Meow!

"...Are you mad at me for interrupting your hunting?

Ether nodded.

"Ah, sorry. I'll make up to you later."

Ether shook his head.

"C'mon Ether. It isn't time to be stubborn!" You exhaled through your nose. "Okay fine I'll give you my share of cookies, how about it?"

Ether instantly brighten up, nodding. The offer of free food was too tempting to let go. He easily took the bait.

He definitely takes after you.

"Felix! I found a way to find Claude. Come here!"

Felix turned to ravenette boy, dismissing him whose eyes flickered to you before he face went red and bowed to Felix dashing away quickly.

Like a eager puppy he was beside you looking at you with hope filled eyes.

"I can ask Ether to teleport us to Claude. Bam! Problem solved!" You beamed at him.

"We could do that! Why didn't you suggest that earlier?" He instantly brighten up. Just like a sweet adorable puppy.

"Honestly, sometimes I forget my Cat's insane ability." You laughed. You practically squeezed your brains out wondering where Claude could be when Ether popped up..

"Okay Ether. Do you mumbo jumbo and take us to Claude."

You swore your cat rolled this heterochromic eyes at you.

A bright light engulfed you and you found yourself infront of a wooden door that looked worn.

"Where are we? Are you sure this is the place Ether?"

Ether rolled his eyes, digging his claws into your arms.

You flinched. "Ow! Sorry! I won't doubt you again. Let go!"

"It's Claude's old room back when he was a kid." Felix mumbled to himself in low voice.

You stared at the door with new curiousity at the revelation.

"Maybe he casted a barrier so no would trespass without his permission? He often does that when he wants to be alone." Felix reasoned.

You nodded, looking at the foreboding door with a cold dread.

The suspense was killing you! Felix open it already!

As if hearing your mental plea Felix pushed the door open. The moment the door swung open, you were hit with wave and wave of animosity.

You held your breath as you sensed thick, dark hostility radiating off Claude. Coming off in waves and the atmosphere around him was cold and suffocating.

"C-claude..?" You shakily let out.

A lone figure stood middle of the room, eerily still. Gazing at his clenching and unclenching fists with intensity that sent a shuddering chill down your spine.

He turned around and more chills went down your spine at the dark empty look in his sapphire eyes overshadowed by his golden bangs.

"Your Highness?"

The malicious aura dispersed, making it easy to breathe. Claude blinked slowly as he registered Felix and your presence.

"What are you both doing here? How did you even found it?" His voice was calm with undertones of coldness. His cold gaze flickered to Ether who flinched in your arms before he clicked his tongue. "Of course it's him."

Felix took a brave step forward. "Your Highness, we were looking for you everywhere! You shouldn't go off like that, we were so worried."

"Are my Mother now, Felix? Did you promoted yourself to be my nanny? Should I write a detailed file to tell you about my whereabouts from now on?"

Felix flinched back at his dry tone. "Of course not, your Highness. I was just worried about you."

"Don't treat me like a child, Felix. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

His cold attitude didn't deterred you. You knew it was a mask to push everyone away. His walls didn't allow anyone to see his vulnerable side.

It was fear of being taken advantage. Fear of his vulnerability used against him.

Your fists clenched and unclenched trying ease off the feeling of helpless and frustration. Your heart twisting within your chest painfully.

But you masked it away. It wasn't time to waste in your feelings. No, now the boy infront of you needed your attention more than ever. He was struggling on the edge so close to giving it up. You could see it in his forlorn gaze.

Putting aside the feeling of unease, with determined look plastered on your face, your feet thundered in the ground, startling Felix.

"Claude!" You threw yourself at him, causing him to stumble back with a sharp hiss. You hugged his lithe waist, holding him tightly. "You idiot, do you know how worried we were?! Going off without a word, you really are a moron!! And then scolding Felix for worrying, you jerk!"

Claude was dumbfounded, stilling as your small body latched onto him. His muscles stiffen to the point of being rock.

"Wha-- You...Get off." He stuttered, shock running through his veins.

"No! What's with your cold attitude, huh? Tell us why you are here alone when you've Felix and I are racing after you! Looking for you!"

Claude let out a shaky breath at those words, rigid and uncertain under your grasp.

"I don't recall telling you to look for myself. You brought it on yourself."

"Shut up! As if we need your permission to worry for you. If something is bothering you, why would you go off acting alone like a emo?! Talk to us! Talk to Felix your most trusted bosom brother, childhood friend, playmate; who is always at stand-by ready to help you in any way."

You looked dead in his bewildered sapphire eyes. "If he's not enough talk to me! Yeah, I might a girl you just met but you can trust me to lend you a listening ear to vent off your problems!!"

For once Claude's composure faltered as he stared at you with empty eyes and blank face, his heart skipped a beat without his permission as if moved by those words.

Those words cleared away the malice clouding his eyes, only lingering darkness remained in those dazzling blue eyes.

Felix vigorously nodded to your bold statements. He wasn't brave enough to voice out his resolve before. But hearing your earnest, heartfelt words, his own resolve hardened.

Gazing at his shell shocked brother, he said his own earnest words from bottom of his heart. "She's right, your highness! I would be always ready to help in you any way. You don't have to go through anything alone! I'll always be your side, to guard you, to shield you from anyone's harm. It's my vow to you!"

Claude gritted his teeth, silent anger replacing the icy numbness. He didn't want to listen to those words. Liar, liar liar, his mind echoed the word. His bruised mind too hurt to believe it. He had believed his brother once and he was painfully reminded that his trust meant nothing to anyone. Only to be used it as a conventional tool and throw it away once done. It had been drilled by someone he considered close. He got the message loud and clear. He learnt to mask away his emotions, bury it deep within him.

Claude didn't like the way you were probing those closed doors. Hated that he felt like giving in.

"Claude, you are not alone. You have us. You don't have to go through anything alone. We always be by your side. Believe us." You tried to get through, his numbness, his instinctive habit of pushing everyone away.

A light shimmered within his empty eyes as those kind, gentle words resonated within his soul.

Could he believe them? Could be trust them?

"I, uh.." He continued to stammer over his words, unable to form any coherent words. Only pained sounds emitted from back of his throat.

His head lowered as his muscle continued to tense up. You heard his heart thudding uncontrollably as his arms trembled slightly.

You softened your hold.

"Claude talk to us. Don't hold it in. Even if we can't help you with anything, letting it out will help you immensely. So let it out. Voice it out what's troubling you."

He stared at your worried face, eyes that were filled with kindness and worry for him, his cold mask cracked and emotions flooded out. He gave up resisting the soothing words. For once he fought against his instinctive to shut them out.

"I went to see mother. It was first time she didn't smile. I didn't know what was happening until tears ran down her cheeks. She cried. I never seen my mother cry but she.." He choked out. "She was suffering all this time in the hands of other concubines all alone, hiding it from me for so long."

His voice cracked as his forehead lowered on your head.

You rubbed soft circles on his back, encouraging him wordlessly. He trembled, his hands clenching into tight fist by his side. Your heart constricted at the pain in his voice.

"But today she couldn't hide her pain. She cried. She broke down in my arms. Today I saw the extent of her silent suffering. And I'm helpless to do anything to help it. I'm so pathetic. I can't even ease my mother's pain. The one person who cares about me so much. I never felt so helpless and frustrated. Such powerlessness."

You frowned at his words. The weak image he had of himself you didn't like it. But you didn't intervened. You let him vent out his true emotions.

Felix gave a pained smile as he lowered his head, feeling the same helpless as his brother.

"I swear I'll become strong enough to protect her from anything including those wenches." Claude shut his eyes tightly. The image of his mother's empty eyes flashed before his eyes, her haunting cries echoing within his ears.

Being hurt wasn't bad, you could overcome it, deny it, bury it but watching your loved ones hurt was worse. Being unable to do anything about it was horrid.

The crushing despair of helplessness almost drowned him. Creating a dark void filled with malice and bloodlust. The dark urge the hurt those who hurted his Mother. Hurted him still ran rampant in his veins.

The only think keeping him from sinking back to the dark void was the warmth of another latched on him.

His fist clenched tightly, trembled by his side. He wanted to wrap it around the warmth encompassing him but he was still afraid. Afraid that if he moved even a inch everything will shatter like a dream.

Claude took deep breaths, composing himself. "You can let go now. You are crushing my ribs with your tight grip."

His blue eyes were glassy and red. But no tears left them even if they looked desperate to escape. He had a embrassed look on his face as he tried to keep his poker face.

You couldn't help but snort. "As if my lanky figure can crush your rock solid muscles. Who knew you were hiding all this ripped guns beneath your clothes."

Claude blush that had faded returned with vengeance as he glared at you with a flustered look. "What nonsense are you spewing? Do you want me to parade around shirtless? No. Now get off!"

You just smirked coyly ticking off the flustered boy more.

The playful banter broke away the despondent aura and Felix sighed in relief to have his brother back.

You tightened your grip playfully and opened your mouth to retort but....

Something distracted you, a thick wetness pooling on Claude's back.

"What..?" You slowly let go of him and stared at your hands.

Your breath hitched, ice filled your veins, you heart stopped as your eyes widened,

"....B-blood?"