I think he used black magic to forget about athy's mother because he loved her mother before and he avoided athy at the novel because she reminds him of her ╮(￣▽￣)╭
he did have emotions and memories because the black magic didn't settle in. he mentioned before that if more time passed he wouldve forgotten about diana and ultimately forgotten athanasia. when he began taking care of athy, he begins to contradict with his resolve concerning diana and thats when the black magic stuck to him which is why he lost his memories after trying to heal athanasia
actually he didnt know athanasia in the novel. the black magic already took effect because he met her in the garden a few years late. he just took her in the palace grounds fsr so when he said in the first chapter how he never saw her as a daughter he was being literal cause he really didnt know she was his daughter
oh okie thanks for letting me know
So Claude had basically no emotions or memories when he first met athy? (under the black magic spell) but he still took care of her and eventually his love for her as a father awakened... Idk if I get that right but gosh that's so sweet but sad at the same time :(