IF THAT CHILD SPLIT INTO TWO

Chapter Eleven: All Clear Now

"How bold of a you."

An angry and cold tone pierced through. Odette turned and saw-

Claude. A very pissed off Claude. Beside him Athanasia pointing at Fredrick. Felix next to him as the crimson knights eyes flashed in anger as well.

"He hurt them, papa!" Athanasia ran to Charlotte.

"This insolent peasant dared to hurt what belongs to me. Felix, throw him to the dungeons. We'll decide on what to do to him. Later."

"Yes, your majesty." Even Felix's tone was cold. He punched and kicked Fredrick. Two guards joined in and held him. Taking him away.

Odette coughed. Claude looked at her. The woman's throat was bruised as well as Charlotte was injured. Clenching his fists. If Athanasia hadn't seen them, that bastard would've-

"Odette." Claude kneeled to her. A gentle hand on her shoulders.

"Th-thank you." Odette said, her voice paining her.

"Don't speak-"

"Papa ...  look." Athanasia turned.

In that moment. All of Claude's suspicions were confirmed in that moment.

Charlotte's sky eyes were now jeweled. Matching Athanasia's and his perfectly. The confirmation he needed. Odette gasped, she pulled her daughter to her and sheilded her. The child was to her chest as she trembled.

"Mamaaaa." Charlotte cried.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, baby." Odette cried herself. Rocking her back and forth.

"Odette." Claude called her. The woman froze. Was he going to-

"I knew." He said in simple words. Odette's head snapped to him.

Her emerald eyes were watery as she silently cried. Green met blue.

"W-what?"

"I had my suspicions of her. Now it just confirmed them."

Athanasia heard her conversation with her father and Felix. So she did her own investigating and indeed the little girl who grew to be dear to her was her younger sister.

Charlotte sniffled. Still crying as she held her red cheek. Claude looked at the child- no. His child. He offered his hand to her and said.

"Come here, Charlotte." He said gently. His eyes soft on the little girl.

Charlotte looked at him before looking at her mother. Odette nodded with a gentle smile and with that she threw herself on Claude. Crying to his chest. Athanasia looked at Claude and said.

"Athy has a sister?"

"Yes, Athanasia. She's your little sister."

She beamed.

"Yay!"

"Your majesty, we have to get them checked up." Felix reminded.

Claude got up, Charlotte in his arms and helped Odette get up.

"How did you know what was going on?"

"Athanasia came across you and immediately informed me."

"D-didn't you have a Council meeting-"

"This was more important."

Odette looked down on Athanasia and smiled. Patting her head.

"Thank you, princess. You saved us."

"Your welcome!"

The royal doctor came by and healed the two girls wounds. Bandaging Odette's neck after placing a special healing cream. As well as on Charlotte's cheek and knee.

"Papa, since Charlotte is Athy's sister. Doesn't that make her a princess too?" Athanasia asked.

Odette tensed at that comment. Charlotte was sat down next to Athanasia who hugged her from her side. Claude standing close to them.

"She had the royal blood running through her veins. Of course that makes her the princess of Obelia. Sconce Princess at that."

"Does ... does that mean she has to stay here?" Odette asked. Claude sighed.

"You've hidden her from me for 7 years and now that I know she's mine. She has to stay where she belongs."

"But- but I have to go back! I can't leave my daughter here and grow up without me-"

"Then stay here."

"What?" Odette's mouth was apart. Confused at the offer.

"I'll order your own mansion not be built here. As well as a dancing studio for your teaching. I assure you teaching here will pay you a lot better than back there."

"... Hugo-"

"Will be glad to have his best friend form a family."

"... family?"

Claude looked away, his ears red.

"You're my daughters mother. As well as a high status noble from a duke family ... the throne for an Empress is still empty."

Yep. Odette almost passed out.

"MAMA!"

"ODETTE!"

"Y-you're joking." Claude held her.

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

"True if you did then the world could be ending."