Elise's story

Claude still trained and tried different theories but was not able to come up with a proper method to enforce his weapon with mana. Claude was not expecting to get any results anyway as this was his first day trying to accomplish the saint rank.

After 6o'clock Claude went into the palace. He firstly changed, washed his body and wore a normal set of clothes. He started walking towards the library and after a few minutes he reached his destination.

The guards blocked Claude asking whether he was Claude when Claude agreed they allowed him to enter.

Claude entered the library and he looked around with his eyes glittering. For a nerdy kid like Claude this place was heaven on earth.

It was your typical library with bookshelves and a place to sit. Claude started looking around the library when suddenly he heard a familiar voice :-

" You seem really excited, I see."

When Claude turned around Dante was standing there. He was holding a book in his hand, probably reading it.

Dante always wore a robe to symbolise himself as a mage. Well, this is considered old fashioned nowadays and Alex always nagged about it to him. Most of the mages prefer cape to symbolise themselves as mage.

" I am truly and humbly sorry for what I did yesterday as well as today." Claude said.

He was referring to the incident where he hurt Elise injuring her shoulder and when he kicked the boy's father today. Well, he was not sorry for any of them but an apology to someone who is not related to that matter but still had to face that problem is acceptable.

" Regarding today's incident I don't mind but yesterday's was a different case but don't worry I have forgiven you." Dante replied with a smile.

"What are you going to read ?" Dante asked.

"I was just going to check the library today. I didn't have anything in particular to read." Claude replied.

" You are going to apply for an imperial academy, that's why I might have a perfect book for you in mind." He said and started walking towards a certain direction.

Claude followed him and kept looking around the shelves from time to time. When he suddenly heard Dante's question :-

" How do you think Elise is ?" Dante asked while walking.

" Well, if you are asking about her apprenticeship then she is good but she can be better. There were many things she lacked but what she lacked the most was a partner. Even though she acts all high and mighty she is actually hiding her true thoughts." Claude said, causing Dante to flinch.

" What do you mean by that ?" Dante asked.

" Today while teaching her I noticed something in her eyes which reminded me of myself. She is naturally talented but you can't call her a genius. I saw a particular determination driving her to work hard and I knew that determination because I also have that. Determination to remain useful and strong which was caused due to fear of being left behind." Claude said, making a small smile appear on Dante's face.

" So you were also able to recognise it, huh ?" Dante asked a question which didn't need an answer.

" Elise is just like you, Claude. An illegitimate child." Claude stared at Dante with shock when he heard this.

" She is the daughter my son conceived by forcing a maid into the Duke's castle. To save his image my son made the maid his concubine and sended her here." Dante didn't want to dwell too deeply as he knew that Claude would understand what he meant to say.

" It was my late wife's wish to give her as much love as possible because the hatred she will receive can't be decreased. That's why I spoiled her but before I knew it I was infatuated by her to the point she became precious to me." Dante said with a helpless smile.

Claude and Dante kept walking in a certain direction with silence. They reached a particular shelf in the depths and removed certain books from the shelf and started walking towards the seating area.

Dante noticed that Claude was in such a daze that he had not even read the book's title. He asked :-

" Do you feel pity for her ?"

" No, I feel envious." Claude said while walking forward leaving Dante surprised behind.

" Why ?" Dante asked.

" She was able to hide these unwanted emotions and perfectly cover up herself. Even though I can hide my emotions I can't cover them under a smile like her." Claude said while looking at Dante with dead eyes.

Dante flinched for a moment but when Claude started walking again he saw that his palm was covered in sweat. This was a sign of how much he was scared by those dead eyes.

Claude kept walking until he reached his destination which was the table in the library. Dante followed behind him and sat in front of him.

" Would you like to marry Elise ?" When Dante said this Claude was pushed out of his thoughts and became completely flustered.

" Th-this came out of nowhere….." Claude in a flustered yet annoyed tone.

" What? Don't fool me by saying you didn't think that I would ever bring this topic. You should have guessed why I called you specifically here." When Claude saw the determination in Dante's eyes while saying this he sighed.

" See, let me get this straight. I am not just suitable for your granddaughter but also for any girl. I know that I can't change myself and in one way or the other attract trouble." Claude continued with a murmur.

" If it was only to leave behind childrens then I might have at least thought about it but I know that if I stayed with her I would fall for her….."

" And I don't want any more weaknesses than I already have. I am still fighting from the fate I was born with. I don't want any more chains."

PS :- Join the discord server link given in synopsis if you want to see illustration of characters or just want to chat with me about upcoming chapters.

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