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All Claudia wants is to see the Silver Rose. It is said to be able to grant wishes and good health, and she wants to give it to her grandfather. He looks tired these days, and she wants him to feel better.
But here she is. Lost, alone in the dark. The seven years old tried to stay calm and looks around her surroundings, all trees, all silence. There's a reason Papa sealed off this forest near Topaz Palace after all. But she was curious and Lovell's story about the rose seemed real and convincing, and she's going to yell at him when he wakes up. If she ever returned to the palace, that is.
She stopped in her tracks and sobbed. She's scared. She wants her bed, she wants to see Papa and Mama. Claudia is just a child, no matter how she tries to be mature for her siblings.
"Oh dear... Little one, are you lost?"
Claudia looks up and sees pink eyes staring at her. A lady with pink eyes and golden hair. She looks like Mama, but she's not mama. She's supremely beautiful, like a fairy... Is that a dancer's clothes too?
"W-who are you Miss? No one can enter this place..."
"But you entered this place, little one."
"That's true..."
The woman smiled and extended her hand to her. Claudia took it and stood, brushing dirt and grime from her nightgown. Must not cry, must stay calm. Claudia is not a child and Claudia is a big sister. Big sisters must be strong!
"Dear, why are you here this late? Your parents will worry."
The woman guided her along, somehow Claudia feels safe with her. Like she can trust this woman with her life. She heard from Papa this forest has demons in it, and sometimes dimensional gates open here so he sealed it off.
"Claudia wants to see the Silver Rose."
"What for? It's not real, dearest."
"Ah! It's just a rumor?!"
"Yes. It is just a rumor."
I'll pinch Loveliss tomorrow! He must've known it's just a rumor but told me anyway because I'll fell for it! I'll tell Papa too!
"I see… that's too bad…"
She looks down. Claudia wanted the flower for Claude, so he'll feel better and not drink the horrible, disgusting, yucky, and super bitter herbal medicine Uncle Felix often drink. Papa Claude hates bitter, so maybe something he doesn't have to drink will be better.
"Why would you need it, dear?"
"Because it's for Papa Claude… oh! Papa Claude is my grandfather! He said to call him Papa Claude because he's not that old!"
The woman giggles. Did she say something funny? She thought not. So she continues talking.
Ah, this darkness is bearable with someone else with me… No demons too!
"You see, Papa Claude said his back is hurting from sitting too much in his office. Me and Lovell tried to make him walk with us, but he's so busy. He's helping Mama because Mama is getting weaker with my new sibling…"
Shoot! I should've brought the rose to Mama too! I'm sorry Mama, I only remembered Papa Claude! I'm sorry Claudia is a bad child!
"And you think the Silver Rose would've healed him?"
"Mmhm, my Papa is doing his best to keep Mama healthy. Asking Papa to help Papa Claude too will be too much for him… Claudia doesn't want Papa to overwork and get sick too…"
Papa Claude and her Papa is busy handling Mama's Empress duties afterall. She's the First Princess, so she must help! But in the end…
"You know, what he needs is not a rose. But the support from those around him. I'm sure Claudia's presence would help Papa Claude feel better."
"But Claudia is a child. What can Claudia do for Papa Claude, Miss?"
"Hmm, reminding him to take his meals, he often skips his meals right? And to take proper rest! Claudia can read too I believe? Maybe in sorting documents too. I'm sure Claudia can help him much more than some rose."
The woman smiled at her and it's so warm. Her smile seems to make this dark forest a lot brighter and it's emitting such warmth… What a nice lady.
"You're right Miss! Claudia will do her best in helping Papa Claude, Papa, and Mama! Oh… but how did you know Papa Claude's habits, Miss?"
"Because I know." She chuckled and Claudia heard noises.
"CLAUDIA!!!"
"CLAUDIA WHERE ARE YOU?!"
"PRINCESS!!"
"Aah! That's Papa Claude's and Papa's voice! And Felix! CLAUDIA IS HERE!!!"
Claudia drags the woman with her. Soon enough she saw her father, grandfather, and knight. Lucas and Claude ran to her the moment they spotted her. "Papa!! Papa Claude!!"
"Claudia!" Both grabbing Claudia by her hand, Claude and Lucas hissed at each other. She's my child/granddaughter, back off!!
"Where were you this time of the night?! Didn't Papa tell you NOT to go out after dark, and HERE of all places?! What if you got swept up by some demon or a dimensional rift?! Your mother was so worried, young Miss. You're grounded!"
"As much as I hate to agree with your dad, he has a point. You should've known better than to venture out this late, alone."
Claudia flinches when she got scolded. Papa can be harsh when scolding his children… but he's right. She's at fault too. "I'm sorry Papa, Papa Claude. Claudia wants to see the Silver Rose because Lovell said it can grant wishes and give good health… Papa Claude and Mama are in a bad condition for a while now, so Claudia wants to help…"
Hearing her reason, Lucas and Claude can't help but sigh. She only wants the best for them, so they can't really get angry. They're at fault too for making a child worry like this.
"Silver Rose isn't real."
"I know, Papa. The Lady told me!"
"What lady?"
"This lady! Huh? Where is she?" Claudia turns around to see no one behind her. It's still dark, without warmth and a trace of a person. But she's sure she was with a woman! The warmth on her hand is proof!
"She was there! A pretty lady with blonde hair like mama and pink eyes and a dancer dress! She was the one who guided Claudia to Papa and Papa Claude!"
Claude's eyes widen with shock. Lucas ruffles Claudia's hair, and for once allows Claude to carry Claudia in his presence.
"That lady was soooo pretty! She looks like Mama too! Where is she Claudia haven't said thank you…"
"I'm sure she knows. And she wants you in bed right now. I'll tell you a bedtime story… of your grandmother."
"Really?!" Claude smiled at her and Claudia beams. A story about Grandma! What was her name again? Right, Miss Diana!
"Tell me all about her, Papa Claude!"
"Of course."
Lucas stayed behind for a bit. He looks up to a tree, to see Diana sitting on the branches, smiling.
"Thanks."
"You can see me well, dear son in law."
"Of course. Who do you think I am? Well, I'll go now."
Lucas saw Diana disappear in the wind and he follows his daughter and father-in-law back to the Palace. Athanasia must want to hear this. Thinking to himself, he grins and left the dark forest.