IF THAT CHILD SPLIT INTO TWO

Chapter Nine: Bonding on the ice

"You heard her."

"Unbelievable. Hugo wrote this much and couldn't come himself? Lazy bastard." Odette grit her teeth.

Claude watched in amusement as she criticized the Emperor of France. He knew the two were like siblings but it was entertaining for him to see her cuss him out.

"We'll need to leave to visit the ice skating range."

"Wait, we're really going? What about your work?"

"I have some business to attend in the south so might as well let the girls have their fun."

"Alright."

As planned all four of them were by a big carriage. Odette was confused. Why was there only one carriage?

"Err, where is our carriage?"

"We're going by this one." Claude said in a 'duh' tone. Odette stared at the man who looked away and thought it was nothing.

"You- jeez you haven't changed at all. Let's go already."

Athanasia and Charlotte jumped inside the carriage. Claude offered his hand and Odette took it as she stepped inside the carriage as well. Uh oh. Athanasia and Charlotte sat next to each other. That means-

Odette and Claude sat next to each other. The Emperor had wore a nice outfit with a black cape hanging off of his shoulder and black pants. His coat had golden lines at the end and three medals on them. Odette wore a yellow and green halter dress, the design was all of spring and her hair was down with a braid on the top of her head. Her back had a U shaped open back. The dress was until her knees. Wore a pair of yellow sparkling high heels that made her reach to Claude's nose.

Athanasia and Charlotte wore similar dresses in different colors. It had a s spaghetti strap tone and the skirt was an A line. Athanasia's dress was green whistled Charlotte's were blue. The two had the same hair bun style. It was adorable.

They reached in the ice skating range three hours later. The two little girls ran off inside, leaving the two adults to walk there. Two men in suits came to them, bowed and had work to do with Claude. Odette went inside to help the two girls get ready.

Charlotte showed Athanasia to how to wear the skating shoes and how to tie them tightly and well.

"Now be careful, ma chérie." Odette said to Athanasia.

Carefully placing her on the ice. Charlotte in front of her.

"Hold my hand and I'll help you."

"Okay."

Odette skated behind Athanasia as Charlotte pulled her around. Teaching her how to move her legs and how to balance her self. Successfully Athanasia started to skate but Charlotte held her hand just in case. Odette smiled as she watched the two little girls skate together.

Two sisters. Odette exhaled.

"This is fun!"

"Wait till you actually get better!"

"Can you show me what you can do?"

"Sure." Charlotte placed Athanasia to the side where she held on to a pole.

"Make sure to warm up!" Odette yelled.

"Yes, mama!"

Minutes later after warming up. Charlotte sped up her skating and made a twirl, then one leg up in 90 degree angle. Athanasia clapped, watching her in awe. Charlotte made a few turns before making a jump and twirled in the air. She also told fell but quickly got up.

"Isn't that dangerous?" Claude asked. Odette turned to see Claude behind her, a frown on his face as he watched Charlotte attempt another jump.

"She had a few sprained ankles when she started but now it's normal. It's all about the timing on when she should jump and twirl. She'll be fine." Odette waved. Claude hummed.

Wait-

Was he worried? Odette made another glance at him.

"Would you like to skate was well?"

"I'm fine." He answered immediately. Odette smirked.

"Oh? Is the great Emperor afraid he might fall?"

"You-" Claude grumbled and took a pair of ice skating shoes. Angrily wearing them and Odette started giggling.

"What's so funny?"

"You wore them wrong, your majesty."

"..." Claude's ears were red.

Odette offered her hand as Claude stepped int the ice.

"Careful, papa! It's very slippery!" Athanasia yelled. The two little girls came to them hand in hand.

"I am careful-"

"Woah!"

Claude also the fell backwards if it weren't for Odette holding his hand and Charlotte placed her hand on his back as she pushed him. Athanasia was holding back her laughter as she hid behind Odette.

"Told you." Athanasia snorted. Claude glared.

"I can teach you, your majesty." Charlotte said. Claude looked down and nodded slightly.

"Okay so. Repeat what I'm doing."

Odette watched as Charlotte showed Claude how to skate. Minute later Claude and her were slowly skating around the ice range. Athanasia following them.

"Come, mama!"

"Would yo unlike to hold my hand?" Odette teased. Claude rolled his eyes but he did hold her hand.

They had a great evening. After skating they went to eat at an expensive restaurant. Eating dinner and drinking. The girls had gone to play at the playground with Felix and three guards guarding them. Leaving Odette and Claude alone. The two talked throughout the whole evening, enjoying themselves. Once night came by there were walking in town and purchased a few items and outfits.

Later that night they went back to the palace and said their good nights. Claude and Felix watched Charlotte and Athanasia have their own sleep over at the garden in a tent.

"The princess seem to enjoy Lady Charlotte's company a lot."

"She's tolerable."

"I've heard she taught you how to skate."

"... she made it seem easy."

"Hehe ... how was she?"

"Her mana storage resembled mine. So now ... ."

"There is no way she is NOT yours."

"Indeed."

"Her necklace had mana stored inside of it. Could it be the reason her eyes were not jeweled?"

"I'll look into that later."

The next few days were great. Charlotte and Athanasia were constantly together, playing, drawing, dancing and etc. Claude was always with Odette. Asking about her whenever he didn't know where she was. The palace becmae brighter and more relaxed then it ever was before.

Claude was now used to Charlotte's presence whenever Athanasia came with her. The little girls shyness melt down as she spend more time with him. She was a good friend to Athanasia and Felix liked her a lot. Claude had his fatherly feelings grow for her as well when he thought she could possibly be his child as well.