Chapter 212: Chapter 212
The child’s arrival halted their tense silence.
Marianne glanced back at the child’s whereabouts surprised, nonetheless, she then recalled that plans had been made with the Third Prince the night before.
’Right... We had plans with the Little Prince today..... Sigh... It’s weird not to know if I’m thankful or not, haha.’
Dioclecià peeked shyly at the woman and his older brother, blushing at the sight of their hands still in each other.
’... Have I intruded on an important situation?... The Ninth and Older Brother Zeleskiaz...’
The nice conceiving of an idea that had roamed his mind ever since he learned the Crown Prince had personally sent an invitation to the lovely Lady lit ticklish joy in his cheeks.
’Is it true that brother wants to befriend the Lady?... Hihi... The Lady truly is wonderful!’
As these delighted thoughts wandered through his innocent mind, Marianne slid her hand away from the Prince’s, as she considered it was time to act properly in front of their new company.
Zeleskiaz lightly flinched to it, yet did not act on retaining her desired touch. Resigned to let go as the young child had arrived, his eyes looked downwards at his folded hand, trying to feel the remains of her flowery skin.
However, in his longing, he missed the current action of the woman.
Taking the stack on the table they dined in, she wrote a gentle message for the lost man.
[ We may converse further at another time, Your Highness. Hence... Please welcome the Third Prince. He will not step in here without Your permission. ]
Aware of the child’s habits, the woman requested the discouraged man.
A sensitive little prince like Dioclecià was clumsy in his shyness and ignorance.
On his every visit, it was not after receiving the permission of the highest nobles in the room that the child would take a step inside.
She had not inquired on the reason, but it was not difficult to imagine for her who had certain knowledge that the people surrounding her ignored.
’As the youngest in a Royal Family, it’s no wonder he’s so cautious.’ — She considered.
Her words were read by his eyes with a blank mind, and after a second of crossing gazes with her anthracite pearls, he comprehended that she could see his wish to continue their exchange.
Lessening the turmoil of having more to say left unsaid — although the man himself did not know the contents of what his spirit wanted to tell — his expression followed the appeasing handwriting that promised a continuation and nodded peacefully, immediately acting on her thoughtful request.
"Good Morning, Dioclecià."
"!! G-Good mor–! Moudning!!" — The child repeated, surprised by the soft expression on his Older sibling, biting his tongue out of fluster. — ’ng! So clumsy!’
"..." — Aware of it, the Prince scoffed discreetly, adopting his usual arrogance that showed the special treatment to the child. — "You haven’t greeted our Guest correctly."
"! Gweetings to tha Lady! Oud grazebull Ninth!!" — ’Oh gods of Izeneya! Why is it at this time that my tongue was bitten!?!?’
Ashamed of the way his words were said in hast, The child clenched his lids in pain at the embarrassment shown to the admirable pair.
’Fufufu~ so cute~’ — Marianne giggled, charmed by the adorable behaviour of the little prince.
’Hmm... I hope he’s not hurting...’ — She then thought concerned.
Writing a new letter she waved to the child to come beside her to read its contents.
[ Did you bite your tongue, my prince? Does it hurt? ]
Shy, Dioclecià only shook his head, embarrassed yet joyful for her kindness conveyed in her letters.
[ If so, good morning to you too, my prince. Was it difficult to find me? I apologise for not informing you of my whereabouts beforehand, although I was aware we had scheduled to meet this morning. ]
"!! It is no problem, graceful Ninth. It is delightful entertainment for me to search your presence in this Palace!"
Sincere in his enthusiasm, the child confessed.
The simple search was an entertainment forbidden to the likes of him who did not know other children, who also did not know of the games children played in the nooks of the town... A hide and seek game he enjoyed as the one to find was the elegant Lady.
However, today a new delight was found along her.
’Zeleskiaz is here, so...’ — Peeking with the big eyes the siblings shared in hue, Dioclecià smiled tight-lipped at the idea he was to express in happy whispers. — "... Ninth, is his Highness to join our stroll today instead of Lady Theressa?"
"..."
She had leaned to listen and blinked blankly at his suggestion.
Glancing at the man who had raised a brow since their intended secrecy failed, she decided on her own.
’That’s right. Since he’s already here he may as well get to know his little brother who always asks about him.’ — She nodded as she severely thought.
"!! T–Then! We ought to get your tools! Your– Zel– uh...uhm... o-older b-brother zeleskiaz... p–please come with us to get the Lady’s tools first..." — With a tiny voice, he asked.
The child had taken the unfolded hand of the Lady naturally. Their friendship had evolved adorably and she had made sure the little prince’s comfort would be first when with her.
Feeling the squeeze of his nervous hand as his tone lowered, Marianne knew that Dioclecià wanted to do well so his brother wouldn’t leave upset while doing as she had suggested in one of her notes during their strolls.
"Ninth... I have a question..."
"..." — The lady had tilted her head curiously, leaving her drawing on a halt to listen to the quiet child.
"I... I have noticed Lady Theressa calling you ’Sister Marianne’... I– I know you also have an older Brother..... Does she also call him ’Brother’?"
’uh... I think she does(?)’
"..... The only sibling I call like that is Sister Jasmine since she says I ought to remember we are family..."
’Heh... That’s... That’s actually quite a nice gesture of hers.’
"... Truthfully... I want to call Zeleskiaz like that too..."
’..... Not "Sister", right? Cause he has and lacks a few things...’ — Her mind that processed everything so literally, nested shortly. Until seeing the child’s serious expression once more. — ’... Nevermind.’
"He told me not to call him ’Your Highness’ and call him by name... But... Do you think brother would like it?... It’s scary if he doesn’t..."
"..."
At the time, the woman listened to his words blankly, honestly not knowing if it was alright or not. And so, she answered in a sheet.
[ I do not know, my prince. ]
"... ah... Then... Maybe I shouldn’t..." — Saddened he mumbled.
[ Why won’t you? ]
"Uhm... Zeleskiaz is... I don’t know him much... And..." — ’Unpredictable..... I–I probably shouldn’t mention that his thirst’s nature exists...’
"..."
[ Try it once. If he doesn’t like it, he will most likely say it.
Do not be afraid, His Highness is surprisingly gentle when approached properly. ]
"...ai...."
The unsure whisper of the little Prince reached her, accepting her suggestion.
The woman had written those words half-certain since her view of the Crown Prince was a complicated one. Yet she knew that, at least, the Crown Prince’s honestly would be told without restraint whether it was positive or not.
Her eyes softened, pleased at the child’s adorable wish and brave attempt. The time to learn the answer to the little Prince’s fear was to come shortly. Therefore... Marianne squeezed back his slightly smaller hand and waited to hear the feared Brother.
"..... The Lady’s tools?..."
’Yeah. My tools. Big bro.’ — She inwardly shrugged as she gracefully nodded.
"Alright."
’!!? Is it alright!? He doesn’t mind!?’ — The child thought frightened to joyously look up at the Crown Prince that had not mentioned anything.
"... However, Dioclecià."
"... Y–Yes?"
"..."
At the child’s new stutter the Crown Prince that decided to forfeit his eyes from their joined hands stared at the anxious child, briefly pondering.
"It is nothing. Shall we be on our way?"
Ultimately, he dismissed what he initially wanted to say. Only secretly saying it to himself.
’It took him long enough... Almost three years have passed and only now he calls me "brother"... Children are truly odd.’
He aloofly thought, reminded of the source that pushed him to treat the little prince properly: The filthy child’s image that had provoked him on the battlefields...
’... Annoying brat... I can be called brother too... And this one shares my blood unlike yours... That weak brother of yours that died before you.’
A headache was menacing to emerge at his reminiscent... for it had been himself who killed the man...
War is war... And he was one who was overjoyed in the blood’s appeasing scent. Nonetheless, that death weighed on him.
Zeleskiaz who was deprived of randomly saving one life had learned one thing along that life’s disappearance:
’I can choose what and who to kill... I had chosen not to kill that kid... yet he still died.’ — The Crown Prince understood displeased.
Now, he chose to become a brother to enrage the deceased child’s wandering spirit... But also...once being called what he intended to be...
’It’s pleasant... Was this why the unrelated to the child’s brother became his family??... It is oddly nice to the ears...’
Unaware that it was his expectation being met after years that brought him gratification, Zeleskiaz pondered on the motives of the man he killed in those red lands to aid unknown children, as he walked to stand next to the short sibling of his.
"..."
Looking from his height at the child’s head he then thought
’... No matter.’
His hand went to rest on the child’s golden white hair and scoffed uninterested in finding true understanding of this nice achievement of closeness.
"Are you to escort us, Dioclecià?"
"...yes... Brother..."
With his head downwards, the child answered, boosting his satisfaction further with the repeated word.
And so, Zeleskiaz ruffled lightly his head to praise him as the shy child deserved.
"Very well, little brother."