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Chapter 15 - THE TRAVESTY.

TWO WEEKS LATER .

RELIEVED SIGH escaped Persephone's lips , her trip to the magical academy had been a success . the new modifications in the training technique were implemented perfectly and the bill for allowing commoners education in the university passed without much opposition as well . month and a half passed in these preparations , and as per the empress' suggestion , the search for a new energy source for the mages was being carried out well .

with the changes being made , there was a significant growth in the number of aspiring warlocks in the university , which was a promising improvement for the coming years . even claude was satisfied with this progress , meaning her month's worth of hard work paid off . penelope was at ease , now that her workload was reduced significantly , she could concentrate more on her personal archaeological research .

this meant she got to spend more time with her new 'family' too , and more often than not , the empress found herself helping ambrosia out with her sociology and geology studies . discussions about her lessons at tea-time became an unspoken rule of sorts , and with time Persephone was promoted from 'miss empress' to 'mother' , much to Azazel's surprise . she had even brought in a pet , a divine beast called raven that the princess had summoned herself .

Persephone still remembered the first time athanasia had let the term slip in front of azazel ― whose was face was so hilarious , remembering it alone sent penelope into a fit of giggles .

not to mention , the emperor too had warmed up to her presence ― for he seemed to have stopped feigning disinterest in the conversations she had with ambrosia , and rather listened intently , sometimes even participating if he felt like it .

ironically enough ― the last six months were the most peaceful Persephone had experienced her entire life .

let's not jinx it ― she thought to herself , waiting for the father daughter duo to arrive at their new spot .

and there they were , with princess ambrosia in his arms ( a nice change from his usual manner ― which was grabbing the princess like one does a stray cat ) and ser Antonius . . . ten steps behind them ? she knew better than to question .

" blessings and glory upon the sun of the empire ― " she curtsied , extending her arms for the princess who looked like she was ready to jump off his grip any moment . at the action , Antonius gave a huff , choosing to not reply to her greeting .

suit yourself , Persephone almost said ― helping the princess on her seat whilst azazel mocked ser Antonius for having become a good-for-nothing substitute nanny for the princess .

Persephone didn't make an attempt to hide her amusement ―― lightly sniggering behind her cup of tea .

it was then .

" ― . . guh . " big , cerulean eyes ― wide with shock and confusion turned to glance at the emperor . blood was splattered down the princess' chin , and her hands which were held up to cover her mouth .

it was as if time froze in that moment , Persephone held her breath - horror slowly dawning over her , and instinctively , she turned to the emperor who had a similar look on his face .

" ambrosia ! " desperate call pierces through her shock induced trance , and she witnesses the princess fall unconscious as three of them rush to her side , panicked .

THICK WITH NERVES ― the air of the palace is practically suffocating . it is the worst feeling in the world , watching the royal mages give up one by one , not being able to do anything .

according to what Persephone had diagnosed , it was because the mana within the princess' body was far too strong to be contained by a frame as small as hers , and was hence flowing to and fro which had ended up in damaging her internal organs .

she had tried to take the excessive mana in ― but it was far too risky , considering her own mana clashed with the princess' and was not accepting to leave .

she felt helpless , and it was not a good feeling .

but her state was nothing compared to the emperor , who looked murderous with rage . it was almost as if the incident had given him unwanted flashbacks , and what they were .. Persephone wasn't sure she wanted to know .

hours passed , and Azazel did not budge from Ambrosia's side . in his stead , she took charge and managed the council affairs and handled his share of duties throughout the day to make sure he had nothing to worry about . and spirits knew she needed to keep herself busy and useful , sitting helplessly was going to drive her insane .

it was night by the time Persephone was finally finished ― and she chose to visit princess Ambrosia's chambers. antonius stood outside the door .

" is .. his highness still here ? " she questioned , and he simply nodded , looking just as defeated as she did . Persephone sighed , entering the emperor's chambers with light feat .

and there he was , sitting on the bed beside the sleeping form of the girl , his face gaunt and emptier than she'd seen before .

his eyes were bloodshot , as he gently stroked the princess' hair , away from her eyes . he looked like he was holding far too much ― that he would break the moment he let his composure slip even a tad .

Persephone pitied him . but most of all she pitied the child , who lay unaware of her own pain ; unbeknownst to her , she found herself tearing up , hand rising to cover her mouth to not let any sound escape . but unnecessarily perceptive as he was , he didn't fail to recognise her presence .

" i hate her " he murmured , as if talking to himself . his expression was hollow ― hand still stroking the girl's hair away from her forehead .

" she ate away at her life . ruined the one thing that was keeping me from drowning into the abyss ― " his words were disoriented , as if spoken in a haze .

Persephone stepped forth , her hand reaching out ― but stopping midway in hesitation . he continued , the emotionless façade breaking , a crack evident in angry words .

" i wanted to kill her ― i . . " words restricted by a choking sound , he stopped , clenching his jaw in frustration .

in that moment , Persephone felt her hesitation fade away with a replacement of bravado that wasn't like her . her arms wrapped around Azazel's neck , she promised in a whisper .

" she will be fine . " the strain on her voice simply grew when she felt another pair of strong arms coiling around her waist ― shoulders that she'd always seen upright trembling .

" she will wake up , i promise you . "