7 The Past

"Teacher." Claude said while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Maximus Agreste, the Duke, stared at him coldly. "You have the audacity to hurt my child, Crown Prince." He said.

"I voluntarily chose you to become my daughter's husband because I know you wouldn't hurt her. How disappointing." He removed his gloves and threw it away because there's a blood stain on it.

'Disgusting.' Maximus thought.

"She provoked me. You know me more than my father. I hate people who are-"

"Stop that excuse. Its old. I thought you everything. You completed the combat training, sword training, defending yourself, etc. but you still lack in manners. Not everyone can stand your attitude, Crown Prince." Maximus lectured him.

Claude stood up and sighed. "I'm the Crown Prince. So everyone should-"

"Even though you are the Crown Prince, you must respect the others just like how they respect you. I told you that many times since you were a kid." Maximus coldly said.

"Its annoying." Claude complained.

They both looked at each other's eyes then a moment of silence.

'The Claude I knew is gone.' Maximus said to himself.

The Duke turned his back on him, "The next time you hurt my daughter, I'll kill you even if I ended up in jail." Maximus threatened the boy and left.

Claude's eyes widened because that's the same thing that Maxlilian said to her earlier. He tsk-ed.

"Annoying flies." He mumbled.

Maximus is Claude's teacher since he was 7 years old. The emperor, Nicholas De Ville, ordered the duke to teach his son some skills for battles. The emperor wanted Claude to be his weapon in battle but even though he's intelligence is enough, he still lack in fighting. The duke accepted what the emperor said and thought him together with his son, Maximillan. That's when Maximus treated Claude as his own child

After years and years of training, at the age of 13, Nicholas decided to send his son to the battlefield. The duke was bewildered. 'He's only 13. Why?' Maximus thought. Even though its against his will, he can't change the emperor's decision.

During the battle, Maximus was having a hard time protecting the kid. But unexpectedly, Claude can handle himself. Maximus saw him from afar how he dealt with the enemy's knights. If the citizens could see this, they will call him the 'Grim Reaper II'.

They went home victorious. The citizens were glad and welcomed them joyfully. But, the emperor was furious. The reason why he send Claude to the battlefield is to get rid of him. He wanted Claude to die there.

"I WANT HIM DEAD!" Nicholas shouted. He hired some assassins, two days ago, after Claude went home in one piece.

But, little did Nicholas know, Claude was at his door listening. He immediately ran outside the castle and went to the duke's estate. He jump out of the carriage even though it hasn't stopped yet.

"Duke Maximus!!" He shouted.

The gardener saw the prince, "What happened, sire?" He asked.

"Please, let me in. I need to talk to the duke!" He shouted, panicking.

"Claude?" He turned around and saw Maxlilian together with the butler, holding the umbrella for her.

"Why are you here? It's Sunday, you don't have training with father-"

Claude held Maxlilian's arms. "Lili! You have to help me." Claude exclaimed.

"Woah there! Take it easy. Open the gate Bernice." Maxlilian ordered the gardener.

"Father is at his office. Don't forget to knock. He'll kill you." She said.

Claude released her arms and ran inside. "Uh, welcome? Butler, guide me to the library." The butler nodded.

When Claude reached to the duke's office, he knocked. "Come in."

"Teacher!" He shouted as soon as he opened the door. "We don't have training-"

"Its about my father." Claude said, panting.

Maximus frowned. Claude told him what happened. After hearing those, Maximus was furious. He told Claude to stay here at the manor for the meantime. He called Max to tell him that Claude will be sleeping at his room for the meantime. Max agreed and showed Claude the way to his room.

Dinner time, Claude and Max headed downstairs together for dinner. Claude saw Maximus at the end of the long table with his wife, Duchess Leticia, and Maxlilian. "Oh! Love, why didn't you told me that Claude was here?" Leticia said.

Claude sat beside the duchess and Max sat beside Maxlilian. "He will be staying here until everything in the palace is fine." Maximus explained.

"What happened there?" Maxlilian asked while eating.

"It's too personal." The duke shortly said. Maxlilian just scoffed. She knew her father doesn't want to tell her because she's still young but, her mind is matured.

"Your Highness, don't be shy! You can eat all you can." The Duchess said.

The siblings looked at Claude with a deadly glare. They were jealous of Claude since he came to the mansion. Maxli and Max's parents showered Claude with love, while the two only received from their parents is nagging, strictness, no love, no affection, and many more negative.

The Duke and the Duchess is always strict to the two because they want their children to be the most strongest and powerful throughout the empire. That is why Maxli and Max are taught sword wielding, combat training, proper etiquette, and advance knowledge. The two already mastered all of it but of course, they weren't happy. They didn't received any praises from their parents for their hard work.

Claude noticed that someone is looking so he raised his head and looked around. Due to Maxli and Max's fast reflex, they immediately looked away and continued eating.

After dinner, they all went to their respective rooms. At the same time, the three kids were walking down the quiet hallway.

"When will you go back to the Imperial Palace?" Maxlilian broke the silence.

Claude didn't respond to her. "As expected, you wouldn't talk to us. Why? Are you proud that you are being raise by our strict dad and mom with love, attention and affection rather than us? What a bothersome. Bipolar princeling." Maxlilian annoyingly said.

Claude looked at her and pushed her. Max immediately went to his sister front and shielded himself. "The heck is wrong with you?!" Max shouted. His voice echoed.

"Your sister sucks." Claude shortly said and walked away. Max scoffed. 'Your attitude sucks more.' He thought. Max looked at her sister sitting comfortably at the floor while her arms are crossed. 'I helped him get inside and yet, he's attitude never change even though you help him.' Maxlilian thought.

"You don't have to defend me, my lovely brother." Maxlilian laughed. "I want to protect you sister. That guy is getting into my nerves. If only mother didn't chose him as your fiancé." Max pouted.

Maxlilian smiled and stood up. "Don't worry, sister is fine. You should take care of yourself more than me, okay?" Max nodded. "You can sleep at my room for a while. Go back to your room once the prince is gone."

They held hands and walked together to Maxlilian's room.