Chapter 213: Chapter 213
A peaceful morning between the flowers where he observed her at a certain distance.
Often approached and invited by the little sibling to watch from closer how her strokes were done.
Not desiring to intrude on her entertained figure, Zeleskiaz had denied the child’s suggestion, ultimately having the child seat beside him at the near dome elevated for better engagement in the pleasant sightings of the Empress’s garden.
"... B-Bother Zeleskiaz?" — The child suddenly broke their silence; cautious, curious and happy to have this opportunity.
"What is it?"
"... I h–have been w-wond–dering..."
"... Breathe. Talk comfortably, Dioclecià." — Zeleskiaz roughly told the child, intending to calm the little Prince as nervousness was apparent in his speech.
"Y–yes... fuuu..." — Obeying, he exhaled, glancing at his brother, preparing to continue. — "... W-when was it that... Brother discovered the beautiful Ninth?... B-Brother i–invited her shortly after her debut... I have asked the Ninth... yet she does not know w–why..."
"..." — ’Discovered...’
The Prince’s eyes went to watch her again.
’Can she even be kept hidden?... From the beginning... Weren’t my eyes aware of her existence?’
"... If it is the reason why I invited her here that you are curious about... I believe my youngest sibling Dioclecià will have to wait... since I also don’t know certainly what the source of such impulse is."
"? Brother doesn’t know?"
"... I solely know that... Fortunately, I noticed her."
"... I see..." — The Third Prince eventually accepted without inquiring further. However, the sharp youth illusioned a reason his brother could not arrive to, as his mind had thought his personality was not one to hold such emotions.
’Brother... As I thought. Hehe~ Brother does not know it all. But I know... brother likes the Lady! So much that his eyes soften like clouds before her!’
Thrilled by what his older brother seemed ignorant of and also innocent in his youth to use such a limited word to express the big emotion the Crown Prince felt for the lovely Lady, the child giggled, peeking at his older brother fall entranced by the sweet Lady’s concentrated figure.
’... I wonder when will brother learn of it... The Lady also does not know... Perhaps... Gasp! Could it be that the Lady does not like my brother!!?’
Pale at the realisation, the child looked downwards, aghast at the possibility his older brother could be rejected.
’H-How!? Gasp
!! She said they were "merely acquainted"!! Does that mean she doesn’t notice my brother as he notices her?!?!??’Alarmed, the little prince stood from his seat like a lance to be shot.
’It cannot be.’ — "Lady!"
Determined to unveil the truth, Dioclecià rushed to the Lady’s side.
His call made her lightly jump in her place, turning in his direction to see the little prince pace towards her and also meet the curious yet serious expression of the Crown Prince that was left alone at the sightseeing dome.
’What is it? Did I do something wrong while doing nothing???’ — The surprised woman jested.
"Lady!"
’... I heard you the first time...’ — Marianne told him with curious eyes as her inner expression pouted at his loud tone that also sounded severe for the sweet child.
"Does the Lady not like my brother? Is that why you don’t want to say you are friends?"
’!? What?? Why is this child asking me this?!?’
Tilting her head she conveyed her confusion at the unexpected topic.
"You said you are merely acquainted! I, the Third Prince recall clearly! Why is it so?!?"
’Pff! Gosh, he’s cute using his title for answers...’ — She inwardly giggled at the eager child, whose cheeks puffed in great offence. — ’... Why he says...’
Unsure, Marianne glanced at the involved, meeting his deep stare expectant for her answer to his young sibling.
’... It’s because of that smug face... Male Lead buffs can be truly annoying, little prince.’ — She thought sarcastic yet amused, before writing on her pages.
[ I remember my words. Yet, my Prince, do you remember when they were said? ]
Eloquently the woman asked the ready to discuss child.
"Uhm...That... It happened the morning after your arrival..."
[ That is right. From then, I have spent some time with His Highness, have I not? ]
"... Does that mean... The Lady has changed her mind?"
’... Heh, he’s been calling me Lady instead of Ninth... He must have forgotten.’ — Marianne noticed, glad at his way of addressing her. Nonetheless, she also paid attention to what he inquired about.
’Hm...’ — Her eyes strolled beautifully to glance at the intrigued man watching them. — ’I don’t think I’ve changed my mind much, but...’
Getting a better grasp of her quill, she continued to write, leisurely, although she knew Zeleskiaz could probably learn everything she was to say.
[ I wouldn’t call his Highness my friend.]
"!?!! Why?!" — Alarmed the little Prince interrupted her handwriting.
’Woah! I’m not done!... Chill, my friend...’ — Jumping in her seat, she blinked displeased.
[ My Prince. His Highness is not someone I can call a friend so easily.]
"....." — The boy silently read, saddened on behalf of the Crown Prince. — ’But... Brother likes you, lady...’
[ Nonetheless, I am in debt to him. ]
’... In debt..?’ — Dioclecià silently read as she wrote.
[ He’s been aiding me lately, and I sincerely appreciate his kindness. ]
"..." — Stunned, the boy turned to observe his older brother. — ’Brother is helping the lovely Lady??’
Of what he knew of his brother, Dioclecià could not believe what the Lady told him.
The man who tilted his head as if indifferent to their exchange was not one known for aiding people.
Dioclecià pondered blankly, lowering his eyes only to lead them back to the Lady’s tool after detecting the soft touch of her fingertip calling for his attention.
[ Third Prince, it seems you have misunderstood.
Saying that we are not friends does not mean that I dislike His Highness. ]
"!" — The child’s eyes lightened, lifting them to directly meet her gaze. — "Then–!!"
The intermittent portrayal of new yet light expression was seen by the child halting any intent to continue his words.
Soft like the petals of the flowers she was drawing, Marianne’s visage adopted a hint of the fondness she was staring at the little Prince on her bottom.
A child’s mind was adorable in her gentle eyes... for it did not see the complicated world of adults. Marianne was aware of the conclusion Dioclecià would possibly arrive at, nonetheless, she let it happen.
The woman knew that no good would come from confusing the child. And even though her words were too simple to tell everything she considered, the Lady did not lie in her statements.
’You are too small to understand these things, little prince~ Even I whose soul is one of a woman almost in her thirties don’t get much of it... But I can’t deny that I don’t hate him... I feel like, if not for him, my progress would have stayed stuck in an endless cycle of losing our efforts to these conditions.’
The Lady’s soft visage was fascinating to the child who had only seen her expressionless countenance solely lited with her soul’s gleam transferred by her eyes.
"... Lady..." — Diocleacià softly mumbled, confused. — "How is it that you can become more beautiful??"
’... Pf– Aha! I know, right?... Marianne becomes prettier with each passing second~’
The delight at his compliment also took form in the adorable shut of her eyes, as she joyfully shrank in her shoulders as her corners flinched trying to synchronize with the wide smile of her inside.
Dioclecià watched fascinated, also smiling at the adorable Lady that honoured the Surname he had helped to pick.
Instinctively, the Third Prince rolled his eyes to peek at his Brother, finding him gazing at the Lady... intensely trying to hide with his fingers the lift of his corners that failed uselessly... for his eyes betrayed any attempt of his body containing the smitten soul of his.
’... Was it this?... Did brother discover this beauty back then?’ — The illusioned child pondered, certain. — ’If so it is no wonder he noticed the Lady...’
Dioclecià shyly thought, as his brother continued to get lost in the Lady’s sight.
’So Zeleskiaz can make such soft expressions...’
The Little Prince had started to notice the dismal difference between the man he had been cautious of for so long and the one at the dome.
Somehow, the view was the confirmation he had been looking for to stop his hesitation towards his admired older sibling.
— Zeleskiaz is not evil —
The sentiment resounded inside the eleven-year-old prince. Evoking a fluttery thrill in his tummy, for now, he could leave the fear behind.
However, a new touch of her fingertip was felt on his childlike arm.
A new note was given in her tool, as her eyes looked at the little prince playfully inquisitive.
The Foreign soul wanted to make the most of this exchange in which he had reminded her of what she wanted the child to leave behind.
[ So, my Prince, may I believe that you are to address me as "Lady" once more? ]
"!! Gasp! I have been disrespectful!"
The child initially said, however, her patient denial with an elegant shake of her head, Marianne leaned to write her thoughts.
[ No, my Prince. Instead, I prefer it.
When I am addressed as "The Ninth", it is then that I dislike it. ]