Praesidium (WMMAP Fanfic)

Chapter 14

After a full month of recovery Ambrose insisted to be allowed to return back to boarding school. His parents were wary of letting him return but after thoroughly speaking to the staff and letting them know the consequences if something happens again, they eventually agreed.

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you to the school?" Rabia said as she worriedly fussed over Ambrose's travel coat, which she has straightened out over five times

"Mama, I can handle myself. You don't have to worry anymore" Ambrose removed her hands from his coat and held them in his hands before smirking at her, so identical with his father it made her sigh "...besides I think they'll surely die of heart attack if they see you again this year"

"This boy, when did you learn to be so cheeky! Don't pick up your father's bad habits" Rabia said as she pinched his cheeks before hugging him tight "Be extra careful there, if something bad happens let your dragons bite their heads off... your father and I will take care of it"

"Mama..." Ambrose let out a tired sigh, his parents were becoming overprotective but he can't complain since he brought this upon himself

"Send a letter once you arrive" Claude patted his son's shoulders seriously before smirking down at him "don't forget what your mother said, we'll take care of them"

"Yes father"

Their identical smirking faces sent shivers down Felix's back, he was silently praying for the people of Arlanta for they don't know what kind of people they have let into their door.

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After a few days it was Rabia's turn to go back to Gaudin and a grumpy Claude is sending her off

"You don't have to go back to Gaudin" Claude said while glaring at the Carriage with the proud Royal crest of Gaudin, willing it to burst into flames by itself because burning it with his mana would certainly lead to a crisis between nations. It was sent with a full knights escort to make sure Rabia returns back to Gaudin

"We've talked about this, I need to go back and take care of some nobles and spend time with my father"

"Your brother's incompetence is unsurprising" Claude announced, completely uncaring that delegates from Gaudin were around them and can hear every word he says clearly

"You really love giving me headaches... I'm leaving now" Rabia said with a huff before turning back to board the carriage. Before the carriage door can close behind her, Claude stops it with his hand

"Remember your promise" Claude stared at her intensely as if daring her to deny, like what she did after the 10th time he asked for another confirmation that she accepted

Rabia sighed before leaning towards Claude, she finds him adorable and frustrating at the same time and she wouldn't have him any other way

"Yes I will... I'll try not to forget" Rabia said teasingly before giving Claude's cheek a good bye kiss and pushed him slightly so that the carriage door could be properly closed, she tried to look away quickly but Claude had already seen her reddened cheeks through the window

Claude stepped back away from the carriage and the  knights of Gaudin took that as a signal that they could finally leave and marched towards the palace exit

"You finally wore her down, Your Majesty... your tenacity has been rewarded, congratulations" Felix said solemnly with a deep bow

Claude glared at him before starting to walk but suddenly stopped at the palace stairs and looked back at Felix who was naturally following a few steps behind

"Finish the work on my desk before tea time, I'm going to rest"

"Before tea time? B-but... That's just an hour away" Felix said dumbfounded

"Then you better get started, the stacks of paper are waiting for you" Claude said before continuing inside and ignoring Felix's sputtering

"Wait, your Majesty! I didn't know what I did wrong but forgive me! Please, no more paperwork"

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The moment Rabia arrived at Gaudin, Azrael were on her heels nagging at her

"Sister, why did you just disappear like that?! Don't you know how worried I was? We sent a search team out, thinking you got abducted... I was—" Azrael angrily said as he followed Rabia from the door to the front of her rooms

"Azrael!" Rabia cut him off sharply with a glare and sighed when she saw his suprised face "let's talk tomorrow, I'm tired"

Rabia was about to enter her room but Azrael grabbed her wrist and forcefully made her face him

"I'm not done talking to you" Azrael coldly said as he tightened his hold on her wrist, Rabia met his gaze head on with her own angry ones

"Don't forget Azrael, I am still your older sister. I will not stand for this disrespect" Rabia said sharply as she removed Azrael hand on her wrist and pulled it close to her chest, when she saw that it was starting to form a hand shaped bruise

"I-I'm sorry sister... I didn't—" Azrael stuttered guiltily as he saw the bruise on his sister's wrist and was about to reach out to her but had his hand slapped away

"Leave, Azrael. I'm in no mood to talk to you"

With one last cold look towards Azrael, Rabia entered her room and the sound slamming of her door close echoed around the hallway making the eavesdropping servants who were hiding around a corner wince

Azrael clenched his fists and angrily turned around and walked towards his own rooms. The servants he comes across the hallways bows lowly to avoid his eyes, because they know if they make eye contact or breathe the wrong way when he was this mad it wouldn't end well for them

The moment Azrael reached his room and sat down on his work desk, his anger exploded along with his mana which led to everything in his room that is made of glass become broken beyond repair.

"Those Obelians... I'll get my revenge on you soon, enjoy your time with my sister while you can. I'll take back what you took from me"