Disclaimer: I don't own Who Made Me a Princess?
WARNING: Contains spoilers up to webtoon chapter 102.
The magician of the tower was in love with his daughter.
The magician of the tower was in love with his daughter.
The magician of the tower was in love with his—
Claude's eyes thinned in sudden exhaustion. He couldn't properly express his anguish at that precise moment.
Because what the fuck?
A part of Claude always knew that this day would come; that suitors would begin appearing to vie for his daughter's hand in marriage and it wouldn't be long before she would choose one and start her own family, but he hadn't thought that the pests would start coming so soon—and from someone so close to her, no less. Someone Claude had allowed to be so close to her. He still remembered the day Lucas was brought in as Athanasia's friend after he proved his abilities when her mana first went out of control. Everyone, including him, had thought Lucas was a child genius… they were all clearly wrong. Lucas was generations older than her, and that reason alone made Claude's insides clench in fury. There were plenty of women in his empire; he wasn't even limited to choosing someone local anyway. Lucas could have his pick of women across the world! Why did he have to fall in love with his daughter?
And no matter what vile words came from that brat's mouth, Claude knew for a fact that he was in love.
Over the years, Claude had become an expert at reading others, but he didn't need to be one to see this ugly truth. The signs were obvious. Claude could see it as clear as day whenever the boy hesitated to go through with something because he was too concerned about Athanasia's safety. He saw it in the way Lucas' mouth drew into a thin line, the way his grip would tighten like he had a fist clenched around his heart, the way his posture would suddenly go ramrod straight when asked a pointed question—they were all minute telltales of worry that Claude was guilty of himself whenever it concerned Diana or Athanasia.
Diana… he thought with affection. The feeling quickly turned into one of dread as he felt like a stone was dropped into the pit of his stomach. Creator above, he didn't even want to think about Diana's squealing reactions whenever Athanasia interacted with Lucas. His dear wife's feelings on the matter had been so clear. It wasn't so easy for Claude to process his emotions.
Truthfully, after fury, Claude didn't know what else to feel about the magician of the tower that everyone else seemed to hold in such high regard. Lucas didn't grow up with Athanasia, but she grew up with him. Claude was loathe to admit that he knew parts of her that even he didn't—this was made apparent to him when they talked about things he could hardly understand as they debated ways they could save him from his curse. No one could deny that Lucas was immensely powerful. He was the only one that could keep Athanasia's power from spiraling out of control—not even Claude could do that. Well, not without devastating consequences at least. Claude didn't quite know how to feel about the fact that someone more powerful than him was interested in his daughter. It meant that he couldn't get rid of him if he were to displease her in any way.
Although he knew that Lucas was, indeed, the magician of the tower, a part of him still struggled to see him as such. The two of them hadn't interacted much, despite the years that Lucas spent in the palace. Frankly, whenever Claude thought of him, he still imagined Athanasia in front, leading him to some part of the castle where they could 'play' together. Looking back on it now, who knows what they had actually been doing back then?
Claude never considered Lucas as an actual individual; as someone that his daughter didn't lead around the palace when it suited her. This was, in large part, because Lucas didn't seem to have any aspirations for anything more than what he was. It was as if his entire being had been stripped of ambition. Unlike so many others, he was perfectly content with his position. Now, Claude understood why. The truly powerful didn't need to flaunt their strength.
Whenever he thought of Lucas, all Claude thought was that he was his daughter's unshakable shadow. There, when she needed him, but for the most part, simply satisfied to stay hidden. He wasn't involved in any scandals that would draw negative attention to his daughter and he somehow knew how to lighten her mood. It was all Claude could ask for from a friend of hers. As much as he wanted to give her someone to play with when she was younger, he also wanted to give her a confidante and a powerful ally that would die for her—much like Felix was to him.
What Claude didn't want was to deal with a godforsaken all-powerful man that was in love with his—
Claude's fists clenched in a hot mix of aggravation and wrath.
The former because as an Emperor, Claude knew that Lucas was more than qualified to pursue his daughter. He had pedigree greater than any blueblood. Magic power vast enough to shatter continents. Knowledge greater than what could be achieved in any single lifetime. A glance that could turn others to stone in both awe and fear. Lucas had no equal, and he knew it. No matter who else fell in love with his daughter, there would be no one greater. The next best thing would be, what, some noble's son? Claude wouldn't trust those spoiled snakes with a teacup, let alone his daughter.
But Claude didn't think Lucas knew what it meant to properly date his daughter—it meant earning the approval of her father, an immovable boulder of the empire. And if he wasn't certain that his daughter would not just be cared for, but cared for better than what he could provide, then approval just wasn't something he was willing to give. Lucas was a storm all on his own, but not even a damned tempest could keep Claude from backing down.
Claude rapped his knuckles against his temples in a vain attempt to banish the thought. At that moment, having a daughter suddenly seemed infinitely more difficult than having a son. Political reasons aside, all Lucas had ever been in the past and anything he would ever be in the future—none of it was enough. It would never be. He would always, always find a reason to refuse.
I'm getting ahead of myself, Claude thought. It isn't as if he's asked me for her hand or even permission to court her… would he even ask for permission?
Claude doubted it.
While Lucas still might not have wanted to own up to his feelings, Claude knew that it was only a matter of time before he decided to stop running away and actually make a move.
Lucas had already cozied up to her in that haven he brought her to. They had even slept together! What's worse was that he looked used to being so close to her; to seeing her sleep after a long night.
That was, in a phrase, fucking intolerable.
The rational part of him reasoned that they were friends, and so Lucas had likely seen Athanasia fall asleep on numerous occasions in her personal library or the many common rooms that they always dined together in. The irrational part of him though screamed that Lucas could have easily gone undetected into her room to visit her in the middle of the night whenever he pleased.
What the hell is Felix doing allowing a brat like that into her room? Claude thought scathingly. The loud, irrational part of him had clearly won. In the first place, she should've been sleeping in my room when she was a child. Does it make any sense for a girl that small to have an entire castle? If only I hadn't been so—
He swore he felt Diana's disapproving fingers pinching the back of his neck.
Claude banged the heels of his hands against his temples to dismiss his pessimistic thoughts. He'd been scolded enough times by his departed wife to stop loathing in his own derision… at least for now. Standing around clearly wasn't getting him anywhere. He'd even consider it the same as running away at this point.
I need to go to the cause, Claude thought, already halfway out the door to search for the cursed source of his annoyance. They were practicing magic in the eastern drawing room last time I saw. Athanasia should be walking with Felix now, so that means Lucas is…
Claude didn't know Lucas well enough to know where he spent his free time, but he had an inkling it was in many of the same areas that Athanasia spent hers. Despite knowing this, he was still irritated when he allowed his magic to fan out in search of him and found that he was in Athanasia's personal library. He really needed to tell the guards to restrict that area to family.
The stately double doors that led to his office shut behind him with a bang. Knights and maids alike skittered away as they saw Claude glide down the halls with a violent look on his face. There was an urgency to his movements that made their blood burn.
He would personally make that boy think twice about ever making his feelings public.
A/N: Please review.
