Chapter 217: Chapter 217 — For Tomorrow’s Piece.
His elation refused to cease.
No bite was allowed in his mouth as anticipation for the timely hour in the night kept roaming his psyche.
’Bless those sessions... My fair Lady waiting for me... In pure sleeping gowns...’
Zeleskiaz contemplated as his eyes observed the elegant fork empty of bite.
"... Sweets... My Lady likes them..."
’It may be the reason behind... Her flesh’s flavour...’ — Lustful, he thought. Only to pause before continuing.
"... I should investigate what she cannot indulge in."
A faint frown came down his countenance.
The image of her trembling disturbed his peace for a moment, causing him to stand as he stated his new intentions pertaining to any of her sufferings.
"She shall not ail again. I will not permit it." — He declared.
The silence of his room made his words echo although his vow was calmly told to then follow the path to the blessed window where the Prince was to escape through to land on her balcony.
Laying sight below, where she was to be found behind the glass door, he continued his vow inspired by the woman’s remembrance.
"As you looked surrounded by flowers... You ought to only beam with a peaceful spirit, My Lady."
His empty chest felt complacent at the thought, swollen in yearning.
The white light of the night was noticed gracing her whereabouts and its source, the unthoughtful moon, was then inspected by his impatient gaze.
Grimacing at its awfully slow travel in the night sky, The Crown Prince sighed helplessly at the remaining time before he could call on her balcony.
"... Will you also move slowly to bring tomorrow?... Will the daylight also tease me this way until you menace to emerge on the horizon?"
Zeleskiaz painfully asked the unresponding orb above him; thinking of the day that followed, in which he would not be able to meet her until the time for the scheduled event arrived.
"..."
"Haahh... A Ball once again... Yet I feel entirely different to it..."
The Prince’s lids lowered to lead his gems on the lonely platform once more. Flashing their elegant hue even when light was restricted by his lashes.
’Promises... Compromises... They are somehow worthwhile currently.’
"..."
’We made a promise to continue this morning’s conversation... A compromise to learn why she felt no fear for the I my Lady has heard of.’
"...Yet I don’t need it." — Zeleskiaz smiled satisfied.
His psyche was calm with what his sight had seen.
No matter the reason behind it... No fear was honestly felt for him by the sought woman...
’As long as she doesn’t fear me... My soul shall find relief.’ — Heartfelt, he announced in his deepest specks. Filling his lungs with the pure breeze coming from her direction.
"... How I crave further promises, My Lady..."
The scent of nature felt strongly as his impatience escalated.
"... Hurry up... And reach the peak of the sky vicious moon... Let me meet her sooner....."
A helpless swallow scrapped his throat as his displeasure was conveyed to the innocent orb.
"Hurry... So I can ask My Lady a promise for tomorrow..."
*******
Her Father had kept his promise and, although a bit late, Orland had arrived amid her lonesome dinner.
The Duke accompanied his child, happy to see no trace of repercussions from that morning’s incident in her lovely demeanour.
Being received by her Maid the Duke peeked inside only to be invited to take a seat by his child’s side as the perky girl ate a joyous bite.
A brief dinner for it was soon that he had to leave, for she needed rest to endure the day that followed.
Calm dialogues and soft good-night chants were given to his adorable child; Giving cue to her Maid to prepare the woman, so she could be blessed by the request to the gods her father had done.
"I shall retreat now... Let us meet tomorrow, sweetie... I will certainly prepare my heart to see your beauty this time." — Orland lastly said in farewell, honestly confessing as a kiss on her forehead was gifted, since he knew Marianne was to dress up further for the occasion and that his child’s splendid looks would impact his spirit once more.
The girl inwardly chuckled, agreeing profusely to his statement and waving as she closed her door.
Some grooming was done in her humble bath and then her attire had changed to the one she used for the night.
Left alone after her close Maid was done announcing tomorrow’s schedule and bid her good rest, Marianne remained seated at the edge of her mattress.
Slightly bothered by the overwhelming silence the girl felt as if the wait made its unheard sound more apparent.
’... He shouldn’t take long to arrive... Time passed more quickly since a few preparations for tomorrow were done in anticipation, so...’
Her back was turned to the balcony, nonetheless, her eyes still strolled in its direction although she was aware that nothing was to be seen by the thick curtains.
Marianne made time by caressing her treasure’s keepsake. Hearing the silent room and lit candles. Taking in the now comfortable and reassuring scent of her special chambers.
’It’s quiet... But it doesn’t feel that way when I think about who is here..... How odd... How cool, heh.’
Tap, tap...
"!"
The awaited sound was heard and placing the coffer on her night table she told it in the concealed walls of her mind.
’I’ll stop bothering you now. Sleep tight pretty tear... Wish me luck so I can actually tell you this sooner.’
Hasty in her slow movement, Marianne went to the curtain, lightly opening the gap to peek at the man outside.
Golden hair that solely appeared white in the moonlight flickered, seemingly damp and combed backwards... slightly unkempt. Yet she could not wonder about it.
His eyes requested with passion the opening of her balcony’s door.
... Click...
Marianne opened slowly and he waited for their gazes to meet again.
"... I have... No. I apologise, My Lady... Could you excuse me for not greeting you and... Let me raise a question that cannot wait?"
’?? Uh. Umh... Sure... (?)’
"....." — Her nod gave him permission, yet he still struggled for a moment to say it.
"...."
Her eyes cautiously observed his silence.
"..... I wish a promise for tomorrow."
"...?"
"... Your hand... I want your hand to be promised for a dance with me at the Ball."
"..."
Her breathing halted after hearing his request only leaving as a strong whiff, surprised that what she had wondered about earlier was being conveyed this way.
’... He did ask for a dance, Marianne... What kind of witchcraft is this? Hahaha...’
"... Is that... a rejection... my Lady?" — The conflicted man weakly inquired at her gesture.
’No...’ — She nodded, confusing the order of her answers. — ’! I mean, yes... Yes to the dance. No to the rejection... Ugh.’
Taking his hand, frustrated that she unnecessarily made it complicated, Marianne brought Zeleskiaz into her room.
Taking her now almost out of pages stack she wrote her answer.
[ I am sorry. Surprise affected my orderly response.
I accept your invitation to a dance, Your Highness. I did not mean to reject you. ]
"..."
[ Thank you. ]
"... It is I who..." — He commenced. Yet no more words could come out at her appearance.
’Ah... why such charming visage my Lady... How am I to concentrate on showing gratitude...’
"...?"
"... How many pieces can we dance to, My Lady?" — He inquired, enthusiast by the stuffy warmth in his chest, giving a step closer.
’uh- w- huh?? Doesn’t "a dance" mean only one??? What’s this about "how many"???’
"May I have more than one?"
’... I–... I don’t think we can dance to many songs... Our resistance is not...’
"... If not tomorrow... May I have one in another event?" — Zeleskiaz inquired taking her fingers carefully in his hand.
’?? Why is he... Why is he reserving a dance??? Pff...!’
"..."
The woman felt strange at his unique request that seemed slightly desperate. She giggled at his somehow innocent intent and observed her slim fingers be held by the Prince with a hint of nervousness.
Nevertheless, the thought of future events made her spirit a little downcast.
’... I cannot assure him that we can... We have to survive until that time first. So...’
[ For instance, let us dance tomorrow. ] — She wrote, taking her hand away to do so.
... Yet he had seen it all.
The mystic woman’s spirit was palpable in their distance. Zeleskiaz felt her conflict... Regardless... He also witnessed her lovely flush conveying sweet shyness.
"... Alright..." — He agreed.
"..."
Appreciating their stillness, he struggled once more to say new words.
The crown Prince felt tense, however, before she lowered her hand displaying her message, he grasped it to make sure she knew.
"... I... I will come to you for our dance, My Lady... I shall not make you wait..."
’mn... Okay. Just... Let’s leave it at that... You feel dangerous, kinky.’
Retrieving her hand she turned, with heated cheeks, to take a seat in the near armchair.
’... Sit down, vocal coach. There is something else you came here to do, remember?’
Gesturing with timid elegance, she unfolded her limb to offer the man a seat next to her.
Zeleskiaz followed, combing his hair back in solace after achieving the desire his heart demanded while waiting for the moon to signal the time for their meeting.
The damp touch of it, caused him to give his hand a quick glance... solely to return his eyes to lay on her.
’... I suppose... It was wise to refresh myself..... The fever anticipation brought... My Lady would have been taken aback by it, would she not?’
He thought, scrutinizing over her timid fiddling with her stack, meeting her gaze as she waited for him to begin their practice.
’... If I hadn’t... Maybe my thirst would have deprived me of this picture... It was wise...’
"certainly..." — The mumble escaped his mouth, calling her attention.
"...?"
"... I guess tomorrow we are to skip practice." — He improvised.
’Right. The Ball will run til late...’
"Should we commence?"
Taking his seat, another fruitful practice began.