Chapter 221: Chapter 221
"..."
’... My Husband...’
"... Madame? Do we–"
"I’ll answer myself."
"Ah, Madame your gown..."
One of her servants commenced, startled for the Duchess was in the middle of preparations for the event. Nonetheless, Elenaide stood from her seat to welcome her husband who she longed for deeply.
Creak...
Her door opened, finding the kind man who took her as partner years ago.
Clean in appearance and handsome with his admirable stance stood the Duke outside, outstandingly proper as the great man of the Empire he is.
’... My Husband...’ — She repeated, moved by her sights.
"!... Wife... I suppose it is not a good time..." — Orland gentlemanly told her as he noticed her appearance of a Lady in polishing.
"No... I... Husband, it is good to see you." — Fixing the silky thin peignoir, she gracefully greeted him giving a step back in a gesture to invite him to step inside.
"... It is good to see you too, Elenaide."
"..."
"... If I have arrived at a bad time, I shall come back at a later time... I ought to take my wife to the Ball so I should not stand in her way of preparations..."
’Oh... Husband... Orland... How I’ve missed your presence... This sweetness of yours...’ — The Duchess thought, knowing that The Duke’s consideration was unmatched in this Realm.
"There is no need..." — She commenced.
"... What?"
"There is no need for you to come back..." — Her words said with a tone that did not convey her intention.
"I see." — Hurt, Orland replied coldly, after letting the harsh silence settle in his mind.
Step.
’No need, huh... Wicked woman.’ — He thought, pained, giving his first step to leave.
"!! Where are you going?!"
"I have greeted you. And was sent away. I am granting your request."
"?! Husband, no! I wanted... I meant for you to stay!"
"kh... How–?" — Orland had gritted his teeth in disbelief, yet his words shut off before approaching his wife. — "... Elenaide?"
The confusion by her words caused him to turn and face the woman.
In her simple gown, his wife stood gasping as tears fell from the eyes that watched him leave.
Orland was shocked at the scene, yet his kind heart was not to delay to show his care.
"Wife... What is it? How come you are crying?"
The hands of her yearned Husband finally were felt on her skin, holding her visage with delicacy after closing the distance between them to none.
"... I missed you..."
"..." — Orland’s eyes widened in surprise at her hurtful whisper, watching her visage, and hands that came to take his.
"As expected... I am never able to understand you, Elenaide... Yet... I missed you too, honey..... I confess... I was nervous to meet you again."
"... Dear... I had been waiting... I almost thought you wouldn’t come to greet your wife..."
"That would not be your husband then, wife. When have I disregarded you so?"
"... That is true..." — ’oh... Sweet husband...’
Taking a glance at the blushed women witnessing their exchange, she did not mind the audience watching, for she liked that they learned her luck of having such a lovely man...
Nonetheless, Elenaide held the yearning wish for them to leave, although it was not possible.
’If only I could ask for your cuddles right now...’ — She lamented with void hope in her chest.
"... Will you stay then?"
"The wife I missed requests it... How can I not grant it?"
Flushed by his handsome smile, Elenaide shyly lowered their hands to tangle their fingers. As if rejuvenated by his kindness she acted timid to his agreement, preparing to softly inquire on what she needed most and missed the most of him.
"... Will you also rest by my side tonight...?... I... Husband, I have missed your warmth..."
"... Uhm... Wife... That..." — Struck by his wife’s sweetness, Orland felt flustered at the unpredicted utterances of hers.
His chest felt tight at the sight of the woman he had married alive like the first day in front of him just as he remembered. Nonetheless, he was aware that, although her words were sincere...
’What happened to you, wife?... For you to seek me again... Hopefully, your soul is not aching as I fear...’ — Orland thought, appreciating the visage of the Mother of his offspring, concerned yet touched by the honesty she was showing.
"That should not even be inquired... If my wife is near... I am to rest by her side."
*******
The sun kept its course, hiding completely from the people’s eyes and giving the moon full authority on this awaited first Summer night.
The Emperor was only a few steps away from arriving at the Ninth’s chambers to properly escort her to the fascinating Ballroom where she would make her first appearance.
Although unsettled by the lack of response received after sending word to his old and difficult friend about his duty to take their child to this event, Francois tried to put aside the concerns over the outcome it could have when found on his own later by his friend and proudly shrugged what may come with the clear victory this signified for him today.
’He can beat me all he wants... But I’m the one taking the cute child to the Ball and I’m the one who will make her shine as Royalty... Heh, serves him right... He made a fool out of me exaggerating her ailing... I swear... What am I to these people? Not only my knights but even my physician obeys that b*stard!’ — Upset, the emperor scowled at the obvious dismissal of his authority when his servers were against the Duke of Sylfinnier.
"Greetings to his Excellence, The Emperor."
"... Has the child finished preparations?"
The admirable Monarch inquired as he was greeted by the guards protecting the Especial Guest in the Burgundy Calla’s Chambers.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Lady Marianne Sylfinnier, The Ninth Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars... She is waiting for your hand to guide her to this delightful Event."
"Then there is no need to continue making her wait. Announce my arrival, Lad."
A deep bow from the sturdy guard was given to his Emperor and proceeding with the sharp turn in their spot, their weapons stomped on the rough ground, to then state with admirable and profound tone the Ruler of this Empire’s arrival.
"Announcing his Excellence, protected by the fearful deity whose claws and mattress find rest in these authentic Palace, the Emperor, Francois Maurice Di Frotschter, is now at the Ninth’s Gates. Let Fenrir permit their reunion!"
As the fancy introduction was told, Francois felt ecstatic about its grandiosity.
With a puffed chest he stood expectant for the door to open and give tonight’s Ball a different beginning from the others.
Once the path was opened by the guards, he stepped inside and found the child he came to retrieve, elegantly seating in a lonesome yet fancy white chair.
A glint of pleasure flickered in his eyes, causing the paint of a playful smirk in his countenance once her eyes met his.
"... What a sight... Oh, Cute child... I shall approve only your beauty to overshadow my presence in this Realm."
The woman stood gently, gingerly to give a respectful reverence to the nice man’s compliment as a confirmed thought crossed his mind.
’If not... Izeneya’s fury could fall on this Lands... And I could not debate against their source of rage.’ — Without doubt he grinned at the fact, and waiting for the rightful pause to admire her prominence to pass, his hand unfolded.
"Come, Cute Child... Tonight the honour is mine. Let me walk you to this Ball."
*******
’I cannot believe it! How could Mother not tell me beforehand?? To think I was told by the dull guards that I was not allowed to meet Lady Marianne before the Emperor!’
"Ouf!... How displeasing an encounter to start this entertaining night..." — The young Princess mumbled as she walked irritated with her flustered servants on her tail.
Looking ahead with a bit of a grunt expression, Jasmine then lifted one brow with elegant curiosity at the sight ahead.
Her chin shifted upwards as her head tilted to consider the fresh scene, pausing her slightly rushed steps and causing the tiny speck of a playful spirit inhabiting her blood to lit a fine change of mood in the girl.
’Hmm... Well... At the very least, I am right on time to share some minutes with my two talkative brothers... The Emperor should not take long to arrive, therefore...’
A smirk that resembled her Father’s, yet fully instilled in the serious child by the awakening of the spirit in her vessels arose in her fair visage for she found this a good opportunity to convey a pair of things to her siblings.
Her steps resumed and as she closed the distance her refined voice greeted the two men, standing side to side yet not exchanging words or gazes.
"Delightful to find I am not the first to arrive this time... Is it not a wonderful occurrence? Today truly is to be remembered as a special event to the Empire~... Or am I mistaken? Dear Brothers of mine?"
"..."
Silence reigned on the two impassive men as only Prince Sverre cared to return the Princess’s challenging look.
"... What is pushing your tongue to spout useless sarcasm, Jasmine? Are you perhaps upset at your siblings?" — The Second Prince responded, aloof to the girl after a moment.
"Upset? What a curious question you ask Sverre... Indeed... I believe there is something I must repay to you later... Nonetheless, I am not upset at you, brother."
"... Is that how it is? I do not recall wronging my wise oldest Sister..."
"Oh, do not feel concerned... You know what they say... After all, what you currently enjoy of is of great intellect."
"..."
"There is more delight in giving than taking... I find such words truthful and wise, brother."
"..."
"I am to repay you. With profit. Second Prince."