Chapter Text
Claude is 94 and dying. The doctors don’t say as much, but he notices the tense body language of the royal physicians. Athanasia, for all her attempts to put on a brave face, shakes ever more with every prognosis.
Claude is dying and he is fine with it. He’s lived a long life. He’s raised a wonderful daughter who’s grown to be a powerful empress and a loving mother. His grandchildren are all grown up too. All three of them have finished their education, emerging as the nation’s next generation of smart and capable leaders.
His eldest grandchild even just recently married in the spring. The bride and groom were so happy that day, so blissfully in love. Claude spent the ceremony wistfully recalling his time with Diana. Oh, how he wished he could have married her, raised a family with her, grown old with her. Even a lifetime later, memories of Diana filled him with yearning and regret.
Despite her tragic fate, Claude was not unhappy. He had lived a long, happy life, full of love. The love of his precious daughter, Athanasia. The adoration of his grandchildren, and the steadfast friendship of Felix and Lilian. Even the grudging respect of his son-in-law.
But Claude was tried, and as the years passed, he yearned to see Diana again. In the next life, she had promised. Perhaps it was a dream, perhaps he had imagined it, perhaps there was no next life, but something told Claude he would find her again. Please wait a little longer my dear, I am coming.
Thus, one calm Sunday morning, he knew it was time. He was surrounded by his loved ones. His beloved daughter, his life-long friends, his ever-growing family.
“Be good to your parents.” He directed to his grandchildren. Their faces were uncharacteristically sombre and teary-eyed. “I am proud of you all. It was a great joy to have watched you grown up.”
“Athanasia, I love you. He weakly squeezed the hand that was clutching onto him. “You’re the best daughter a father could ask for.” She immediately burst into tears.
“Daddy, please stay a little longer.” He studied his daughter carefully. By now, her hair had turned grey. Her eyes were the same shimmering blue, but they were rimmed with wrinkles, betraying a life well-lived full of laughter and overcoming hardships. She’ll be okay.
“I’ve lived a long and happy life as your father. It’s time for me to go, my dear.”
He shifted his attention to Felix and Lilian who were seated next to Athanasia on side of the bed. Sadness was etched on their features, but acceptance as well. It was time to let him go.
“Thank you for taking care of myself and Athanasia all these years. I hope you will take care of her just a little longer.”
Felix shot him a watery smile. “Of course.” He wrapped a comforting arm around Athanasia, and she leaned into his embrace, grateful for the man who had been a second father figure throughout her life.
“Athanasia, come find your mother and I in the next life.”
Claude then closed his eyes for the last time.