Chapter 228: Chapter 228
The words of her sibling were barely heard by the child as the foreign soul tried to gain power over the shocked body that had lost freedom at the untimely appearance of Paul before her.
’I know it’s bad... But Marianne, please, help me out here!... If we continue to show this obvious difference in demeanour in front of these two madmen... this actually could get worse!’
Pained on the inside, she begged the natural of this Realm; whose fright was too strong after seeing the man of distorted beliefs in front of her once more.
’... I can do something about it if you let me, Anne... Please loosen up and let me help you...’ — Elizabeth requested, sure that at such a place, at such a time... With such company, a way out from Marianne’s tormentor could be found.
The hurtful squeeze to her hands caused an intern flinch of her body, filled with awareness of the coming danger.
"Now that I’ve found you, maybe as the ball has just begun its dance... Maybe I can have my first dance with my dear Sister." — His next words reached her as a gruesome order in the soft caring sound of his feigned tone.
"..."
Elizabeth felt enraged at her friend’s helplessness. Ultimately transmitting her fury to the fearful child in the coldness of a threat.
’... Do you want me to leave so you can take all his sh*t, Marianne?’
"..__"
’Seems like I should.’
A plain tone she had not used ever since she found the truth of her relationship with her siblings conveyed to the young soul her willingness to depart from her side.
The blankness of her body’s fright at her threat could be felt in the desperation travelling her vessels. Yet it was also too much of a shock for her to grant freedom to the foreigner in a short time.
".__.._"
"That won’t be possible... Paul." — In the midst of their inward battle, the Crown Prince stepped ahead.
"... Excuse me?"
"The Lady and I have agreed on only dancing with each other tonight... It is a shame... Yet I won’t forgive the break of such compromise... Even when it’s just her sibling requesting it." — Lying with evident wickedness, Zeleskiaz returned Paul’s glare, confident that at any cost he needed to maintain the frozen Lady away from her sibling.
The words of the Prince caused the woman to finally lift her gaze as his limb pressed on her brother’s wrist, whose hand refused to let go of hers.
"Won’t you let go now? Such a strong grip could hurt My Lady... Your Sister, lad." — The Prince added, displeased at Paul’s unalterable glare.
’... Are you going to cooperate now, Marianne?’ — The foreign soul insisted to the lost child with a harsh tone.
"... Such an unthoughtful and cold promise you made my Sister take, Prince Zeleskiaz..." — The freedom of her hands came as Paul responded. — "Has my Sister been under these types of threats from the very beginning in this Palace?"
At such an exchange the true Marianne understood her friend’s confidence, hesitantly loosening her stiff body from the suffocating fear the night gave her.
—... u..se...? —
Quivering in its sensation, the echo of her real sound was heard by the outsider; Who even in the slow gain of control did not hesitate to clench the Prince’s cloak before her.
’Yeah. We can use him... Somehow... I’ll make it so Paul can’t touch us with this guy’s help.’
Her confidence was baseless as no true plan had been crafted yet. Nonetheless, she believed in the ways that had helped her in her past. And, as uncertain as the outcome was...
— If I don’t try, nothing will be gained. Not even failure. —
She repeated in her soul’s nooks.
The soft weight on his back was easily noticed.
"..."
Zeleskiaz’s lids had lowered as he felt her hand grab him with frail force, as he listened to the boresome attempt of provocation from Paul.
"Abusing of Marianne’s kindness... Sadly, that makes the hearsay about the Empire’s Crown Prince plausible." — Paul spouted, unafraid of how such words sufficed to mark him as against the Crown.
Nonetheless...
"..."
Zeleskiaz’s eyes went to meet his in quiet calm... Only granting the Duke’s Son a condescending smirk, that certainly deserved an unsettling reaction on the intruder of the Prince’s promised dance.
"... Hear says..... Those may as well be truthful when it comes to the Lady... Foolish brat." — Zeleskiaz growled in excitement at what her reach could mean.
"What?"
"Hm. Unfortunately, tonight, Lady Marianne has many things to attend to. I suggest for you to schedule a meeting with her later if you so desire so... Your sister is busy, you see."
The hand closer to where hers grabbed, moved to take hold of the slim palm as he still faced the unpleasant expression of her sibling that oozed a killing intent Zeleskiaz knew too well for his liking.
Nevertheless...
’That much is not enough, brat.’ — He inwardly declared, as he reminisced many he had ended when displaying similar menace.
"Then, excuse us."
Giving His back to Paul, the hand he took was smoothly wrapped around his arm without losing grip of the lightly trembling hand of the woman.
She had lightly bowed to her sibling as she also turned with the Prince, nervous since Paul’s eyes didn’t look at her in the least.
’Such a psycho... Will he try something against kinky now?..... Hmm... Well....That could actually work out for us.’ — She contemplated.
"... Allow me to take you somewhere else, My Lady."
"?"
"He plans to follow us."
’What?.....?!’ — Glancing back to watch Paul, the man had disappeared. — ’What the hell??! That’s so freaky! He’s not supposed to be a ninja!’
Unsettled, her lids blinked profusely looking around to see if she was able to find the distasteful sibling.
The Prince walked her calmly away, leading her into more private stances in the wide Hall... Where he would open a hidden gate, guiding them out of the guarded Ball Room that Paul wouldn’t be allowed to leave easily.
"Hurry, or he will see." — Zeleskiaz carefully pushed his hand on her back to make her cross the concealed gate.
’uh... Ye–yeah...alright.’ — Impressed by the new ambience they were in, she obeyed innocently observing all that surrounded her with curiosity as the inside was darker than the abysm.
... clank... — The concealed gate closed behind him.
A similar situation as in the secret passage of his bureau was transpiring. Only that... It was the darkness of the narrow space that differed.
"... Pardon me."
He then solicited, surrounding her waist with his forearm to bring her closer, ultimately making her body collide against his.
’uh? Hey, what– why–???’ — Confused by the obscurity she struggled trying to separate, obviously dubious of his intentions in such a suspicious place while her body’s heartbeat accelerated and shivered for reasons the foreigner still ignored.
His other hand searched on the near wall for the needed spot that would let him see the other side.
Once finding it, the light of the candles illuminating the contiguous hall dimly lited their obscure place.
"..." — His eye received the orange of the flames and he glanced at the now-visible woman, meeting his gaze with conflicted eyes... Sinking against him by his hand.
’... This place should stay dirty.’ — He mischievously thought, explaining the thoughtful motion that brought them closer.
Continuing to watch the other side along with his trained senses, he tightened his grip on her, enjoying her softness one last time before leaving the delightful seclusion.
’nnh... Hey!’ — She secretly reproached as she was further pressed against him.
"Now it’s safe." — He lied. Aware that no soul had passed through in his short guard. — "... But we need to hurry. Someone is coming."
Taking her with him as the other gate opened he rushed the Lady with fake motives, only to have her in his hand for longer.
’What?! Really??? How the–... Wait, suddenly, doesn’t this feel like I’m on a spy movie–wuoah...?!’ — Rushing her feet to follow his speed she ended up flying in his grasp as he took her away to another room. — ’No no, isn’t this a kidnapping?!! Hey!’
Ready to hit the man on his proud chest she continued to levitate confused, causing her unique sense of humour to arise.
’I’m not experiencing a second kidnapping!! Not in this life you jerk!!’ — The first soft attack reached the Prince, causing an entertained scoff to leave him in feigned indifference.
Creak... Clack...
Sounds of an opening door and its closure soon were heard, along with the sound of its key sealing its lock, only then allowing the woman to free herself from the selfish Crown Prince.
’Tsk! You better stay away now, mate. Or I’ll actually rip something of yours this time!’ — Stepping away, she glared at the man, annoyed at the sensation of being dragged around so easily.
"... I am sorry, My Lady... I did not–"
’Freeze right there, young man! You got your fill just now of closeness. Don’t think I don’t know you wanted to grope more of our hotness at that dark place! I’m not stupid!’ — Severely lifting her hand to stop his steps, Marianne told the amused man that still abided by her silent warning.