Chapter IV – In The Garden

After she left the room, the firm expression of Athena became softer. She went over to the cabinet and opened its doors. The hinges screeched and revealed was a little boy, cowering in the space.

Her face immediately brightened, flashing a smile.

''Hello.''

Athena greeted, with a friendly voice.

''Hello…''

The Prince hesitantly answered back. At this behaviour Athena smiled even more, showing her brilliant white teeth.

''Sorry to have kept you in there for so long.''

''It is fine.''

The boy replied, avoiding her gaze. His tiny cheeks reddened at this doting behaviour.

''More importantly, are you fine? My mother… she can be rather challenging to handle.''

She chuckled softly, parting her lips to speak.

''Who would I be if I couldn't handle her. To be frank, she is a simple woman.''

''Well, she has her wits together.''

''I know. She wouldn't have risen to this position without.''

The two fell silent, and an awkward stillness covered the room like a blanket. Athena looked at the boy, wo seemed as if he wanted to say something.

''Is there anything you wish to say?''

The boy pouted his lips, puffed his cheeks and faced the floor. At this sight Athena's heart melted away like ice cream on a sunny day, and as she couldn't contain her fondness she exclaimed.

''Aww!''

The boy startled by the sudden exclamation turned his head towards her and stared at her bluntly.

''Did you just…'''

The Empress who had covered her face with her hands, lowered them and started to laugh brightly. The sound echoed through the room, along the hallways, uplifting the spirits of her faithful servants.

The butler who was waiting outside started to smile, as he heard this laugh. It was a sound he hadn't heard in a long time, probably ever since she was forcefully brought here, after witnessing the bloodshed in her own kingdom.

''I don't know what you might be talking about.''

At her overeager reply, the boy's face lit up. He let out a soft chuckle as well.

''If you say so. I must believe you.''

''What a good boy you are.''

Unconsciously she reached out her hand, covering his little head with her big palm. Athena started ruffling the little boys head, and stared at her with her eyes closed, her lips raised. Her expression was as sweet as honey.

The crown prince muttered with a subtle voice.

''What a weird woman you are. Who would pet the Crown Prince's head?''

At his muttering she only grinned. 

''Sorry. There is nothing one can do when meeting such an adorable boy.''

The boy's eyes flashed in embarrassment. 

''No one had ever said something so embarrassing.''

''Then that's a first!''

''A first?''

''Yes, it is a first for you to say something like this.''

''Well yes.''

The both smiled brightly. Even despite this being their first person-to-person meeting.

''I have one question.''

''What do you with to ask me?''

''You said we could go to the garden; could we take a stroll?''

''Yes. I would love to.''

Athena got up and turned her back towards the boy, hands folded on the back, turning her head facing him now.

''Then let's head out. And when were there, you can ask all your questions.''

She winked at the boy and made a flip with her right foot. The boy was somehow surprised but at the same time he liked her open personality. 

As she turned her head walking forward, the boy followed glancing up at her hair, while deep in thought.

''Was she always like that? Even in my previous lives? Why does it seem like she has changed? If that's the case, maybe she would want my support?''

''So~ What did you learn today?''

''Ah. Imperial etiquette.'' 

''Oh. That's a boring topic, even for me, a lady of the house, it was pure boredom.''

''Really?''

''Yes. I never liked to stiffen my back, carrining books on my head.''

''…''

''Well, at least it payed off in the end.''

''Yes.''

The two were walking along the corridor, talking about this and that, just about literally everything that came to mind. And soon they reached a beautiful gold-adorned birch door. A maid in a red suit stood at the door, carrying a lance. She bowed and then looked at her majesties' eyes.

''I greet your honour.''

Athena gave a slight nod, and in the next moment the door opened without any touch. In awe the boy exclaimed.

''Wow! Magic!''

''He. He. He.''

''Why would you waste mana on something so simple as opening a door? Not even my dad does that!''

''I guess it is an old custom from my home country.''

''I see.''

''So ready to take a stroll?''

''Definitely! Do you have more magic here?''

''That, well you will find out sooner or later.''

As they stepped forward, the boy glanced back at the woman stationed to guard the door. 

His eyes widened when he saw the long pointy ears flashing up under the brown curls.

'A fairy? Did I see a mirage?'

Athena looked back and saw his surprised expression at which she just chuckled and said something to reassure him he was not seeing things.

''Don't second-guess your sight. I told you, you'll discover it sooner or later.''

''I guess.''

''You know; you are very mature. Do you know?''

''… I guess.''

''But that makes you not in the least less likable. You are just as cute as a cream puff!''

The boy flushed red. 

''That just what I think, so don't worry.''

''I won't.''

The boy uttered, covering his mouth with his small hands.

''You know, Noah, I really like you. And I wish you happiness.''

''…''

The boy kept quiet, but under his skin he was overflowing with emotions.

'Did she just call me by my name? The Crown Prince, by my name?'

''Name…You just said Noah to me!''

The boy raised his head, tucking at the hem of her dress, with a disgruntled face. Athena stopped.

It was true that she did it out of habit and of course because he was always referred to as Noah in the story. She unconsciously said it.

'Oh no! I am screwed. We aren't close! And in the book… Whoever called him by his name without permission was… How do I put it… dragged into misfortune…?'

In the book there was a maid, who was planted as a spy by the Diamond Empress, who got relatively close to him by playing, helping and nursing him. It was just that that after one incident, when she met her doom.

''Your highness, I wanted to ask if you wanted some cookies?''

''Cookies? Why should I?''

The boy faced her boldly. Glaring at her with distrust.

''They might taste good!''

''Too sweet.''

''Oh come on~''

The maid held out her arm, poking the cookie at the princes face. 

''Come on, Noah~''

Suddenly the already cold gaze turned icy. He faced her with cold eyes, clenching his hand. He then took his sword from his mount. And slashed her throat.

Blood splattered onto the boy, who just scoffed and called for another maid to clean up.

And it was not only the maid, there was the cook – simmered in his own stew-, the gardener – poked to death by roses, and of course… every single Empress.

I instantly began to shiver. Tuning around, my head contemplating on what to do.

'If I cast a spell here… He won't be killed no matter what I try. He is invincible until he has chosen whom to support. So maybe if I teleport away? No! I could never come back, what about my underlings? No.'

She was slowly reaching a conclusion, but before her mind had grasped what was to do her body moved. Falling to her knees, clenching her eyes and lowering her head.

'I have to plead for my life. I don't want to harm him. I want wo support him, like he did every life.'

'Yes. I'll support him. I will help you find you happy ending, after all I had mine already.'

''What- ''

But before the boy could finish, she interrupted him, desperately pleading for her life.

''Please. Show mercy. I didn't mean to… I have committed a grave sin against you! I will accept any punishment! Just… Please!''

The boy raised his hand, stopping over her head, because she went on.

''I mean it! Believe me, I mean every word. If you wish-''

Now the boy interrupted her, in a harsh manner.

''Stop! How can you disgrace yourself like this? Don't you have any pride?''

''Yes, I'll accept- ''

''WHAT?!?''

Athena looked up, the little boy was angry. It was noticeable because of his stare at her.

''Get up. What if anyone sees you like this?''

''Yes? Yes!''

So she got up from the gravel road and brushed of the dirt. 

''Don't ever call me by this name again! Or else. Do you understand, Athena~''?

Startled by that cute threatening tone and her name she couldn't help it anymore and blurted out jet another inconvenient thought.

''Aww! You are just so cute! I could squeeze you!''

At this remark the boy's face flushed as red as a tomato.

''Well you know, you are downright rude right now. But if you wish so, I will grant you the right to hug me…''

The last part was more whispered, so that a normal ear couldn't hear it. Athena also couldn't get it, so she just resigned to asking what he just rambled about.

''Excuse me, what was that? You grant me the right for what?''

''To hug me…''

The boy said in a very quiet voice. 

'Did he just said to truck me? What did he say…'

''Excuse me, come again?''

Now the boy who was already overwhelmed with embarrassment, shouted out.

''You may hug me! Okay. You can!''

Then he crossed his arms and pouted in a cute manner. But before he could turn away, a tight squeeze was felt from the back.

The Empress pulled the little boy close and embraced him in her arms, letting his head rest on her shoulder.

''You know prince; I have to thank you. Truly. You are amazing, never forget that, your life depends on yourself. You don't lie for anybody else.''

At her words the little boy's eyes welled up, and a tear rolled down his cheek, wetting her graceful dress's fabric.

The sky was tainted red, by the sinking sun. And while the two just stood there a rustling in the bushes could be heard. Somebody was spying on them.

The person in the bush just stayed silent and watched, feeling betrayal rise up within.