Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Chapter 257

His blissful stroll through the corridors was with lungs filled of her sweet scent.

Captivated by her presence, Zeleskiaz went peacefully to his study, even when the matters of yesterday could inundate concern again in his soul.

Nonetheless, the enamoured man wished to soak in the sublime mood her existence placed his heart in... after seeing his love again in the light that was made to adorn her beatus figure.

’Although I couldn’t even graze her... How fulfilling it is to meet my woman...’

Watching the sunlight outside the windows of the corridor, he observed its shade impressed... for now it ceased to appear vibrant... Because it was devoid of her presence.

Entering his bureau, Zeleskiaz’s corners scoffed at the amusing effect the woman had in his world. However, the grin faded soon after, at the view of a familiar man standing in front of his desk.

"... Biel."

"Oh. Greetings, Your Highness."

"When did you come back?"

"I arrived this morning. Things are hectic at Latrishk and not to mention the near scoundrels that want to join the idiots."

The man with long brown hair spouted, annoyed at the events occurring in the bordering lands of the Empire.

Of muscly frame yet thinner, the tall man of bronze skin came to stand next to Zeleskiaz, whose height only surpassed him for a pair of inches.

"I figured it was time to come back since things will get messy around here... But... Did you cut your hair??"

"... That’s right." — He smirked at the reason behind him doing so.

"Hmph. Looks odd after all this time..." — Following with his eyes the pace of the Prince he mumbled, yet continued to engage in conversation. — "I heard the news... Even the Ninth appeared at these times... D*mn it. This will only make those idiots more eager to execute their stupidity. I just arrived yet I’m already feeling tired about the war that might come."

"... Mhm..." — Zeleskiaz ignored the man peeking at the report he had left on his desk.

"... Hey. What the f*ck is wrong with you?" — The confused Biel asked in disgust at the different attitude of his Master.

"... What...?"

An annoyed glare at the disrespectful words his right hand used, causing his good mood to fade made Biel shut his mouth, remembering he ought to watch his steps when in the Crown Prince’s presence.

"... You’re acting odd. I said ’war’ yet I see no flare in your eyes to rush there for the bloody heads you like to slaughter... Who are you?"

"Your master. So shut it, Biel. Or I’ll take your guts out instead."

"Tsk... At least you’re still deathly... Well. Things should get interesting from now on. You’ll have time to get in the mood to spread some blood. That Trashy Prince on the other side already started to move the people. It’s a loud hush the people keep in the kingdom. Now it’s up to the Umbras to keep in their shadows and give us the rest we need to know... By the way. I heard the Emperor sent word to a pair of them to return immediately last night, what’s that about?"

The relentless talk of the bored man kept going while Zeleskiaz glanced through the scripts Biel had written while in his infiltrated months over the different countries scheming to turn against the Empire. However, his last utterance took his gaze away from the sheets of paper, for he was aware of the answer.

"..."

Keeping silent, the conversation he disrupted at the need to learn about the woman’s circumstances flashed through his head, reviving the sour taste of awareness that some things were still being kept from him.

Nonetheless, Zeleskiaz’s eyes arrived at the talkative right hand that tilted his head back on his seat, too comfortable in leisurely wait for a response to his question.

"So? Do you know something? The Emperor wouldn’t hide it from you if you glare at him."

To his cheeky provocation, Zeleskiaz then smirked. Pleased. Since of what he knew... The return of Biel was truly timely.

"... It’s good you came back."

The flare of an ominous shade was sent to the man, causing a regretful shiver numb his spine as he could tell his demise.

*******

’He should be grateful Paige is still naive... If she knew how troublesome this Crown Prince is...’

"My Lady! His Highness was right, if we only leave the balcony’s glass slightly open, the current is not as strong! Now my lady’s chambers will not wake in stuffy air anymore!"

’.... If only she knew.... She would know it wasn’t because of caring for my health that he gave the balcony’s advice.’

I thought as I watched the innocent Paige cheerfully realising his tip was effective.

’Sob!... Stay as pure my lovely Paige... You don’t need to taint your mind with that pervert’s viciousness...!’

He must have noticed when visiting us for the voice sessions that the breeze would work that way... Such a scheming man...

"....."

’Sigh... Today’s been boring...’

Looking around at our empty bedroom, I couldn’t help but sigh at how plain a day we’d had.

Besides mulling over the book, receiving the Prince’s short visit and having our meals with the nice Duke, nothing fun happened.

Although, I can’t really be so unsatisfied... I ought to say that, even though I didn’t get to have a stroll at the Garden with the Little Prince or have the tea time the Princess wished to have with me, their thoughtful letters made me feel quite happy.

It must have been the Princess’s idea. She’s strict but from what I’ve heard from Dioclecià she is a good sister in her own way.

Taking the Letters in my Hands again, I gave them a quick read since they were very lovely, more so Dioclecià’s.

[ Dear Marianne:

I was told you needed rest for today.

The news made me feel concerned since I wanted to see you between the flowers again. However, I prefer to see you around them once good rest has been gained.

Please rest plenty so we can play tomorrow and eat the dessert I asked to be prepared so we can share it at breakfast.

Heartful regards,

Your Friend, Dioclecià. ]

’~ Fufufu~ I can see he hesitated while writing "Marianne" and "Your Friend"~..... He even drew a heart~~... Sigh, he’s such a cutie. We should crawl tomorrow to breakfast if we need to.’

Turning to the one the Princess had sent... I couldn’t help but scoff at it.

[ Lady Marianne:

Get better.

Jasmine Frotschter. ]

’... Strict. Right to the point..... As blunt as she is, so... Haha, it’s troubling that I like it a bit too much, to be honest.’

The Duke seems to have met Dioclecià on his way here for lunch. He was pleased when handing the letters to me and even laughed mentioning how the Little Prince had rushed to reach him.

— The child was calling for me from the other side of the corridor. Even though I halted immediately to wait for him, his Highness kept on requesting me to ’Please wait’ while waving the letters on his little hand as he rushed, haha. —

’Hng~ Such a cutie~ I wish I had seen it! A little Dioclecià chasing the Duke~ hehehe~’

— He seemed concerned... Maybe it would be good to write a response so he finds peace of mind. The third Prince did not ask anything besides handing it over to you, dear. —

We think alike, the Duke and us. The idea had already popped into our head, so we wrote a response to Dioclecià on the spot.

It’s good the Mister offered to hand our letter to him.

’Although... We actually told him we would crawl to breakfast in there... I hope he understood it was a joke.’

I can totally see him freaking out thinking we would actually do that, hehe. He’s a really pure child after all~

"..."

I should train his cleverness when it comes to joking if he didn’t get it, though.

’... Oh well~ Even if he didn’t understand, now he will have a reason to really be concerned, heh.’

"____"

’... You also need more training. So I’m ignoring your glaring at me, sweetheart.’

I’m a bit disappointed she didn’t catch that one. We’ve been through this a lot. It’s obvious it’s a joke.

Sigh... And I had thought my baby red panda was on her way to surpass her great lovely genius big Sister~

...

Either way. I even missed Theressa’s company at lunch. But I’m guessing it was because she might be pouting at the Mister since his tone when I asked for her was quite depressed.

— Ah... Theressa... She will not join us today, sweetie... —

Sigh, such a troublemaker. Making the gentle Duke feel all down because of her caprice.

’Your Father must have reprimanded her to apologise for what happened the other day or something... I’m sure she refused and now is taking it out on the poor Duke... Ugh! Such an idiot! I swear I will rip her d*mn wig when I see her.’

So annoying a villain she is... But aaargh! She did kind of save us back then. If not for her drama we could have become a balloon and died with our face smashed into the pudding.

... Hmm... It– It’s not that bad a death... But I still think I should die more flamboyantly than that if I do. The last one was a car explosion, so I gotta upgrade(?)

Still... The day has been long. And I have yet to completely come to terms with the end of our stay here...

’I hope that our return to the duchy... Won’t also mean a return to the torture.’

"..."

’The Duke said the bodyguard was already decided..."They", it might be more than one we are getting... So if it is like that I have hopes that Paul’s path to us will be more difficult for him to surpass.’

I intentionally mentioned this possibility to Marianne so we could discuss a little bit on the matter.

Although I now know she’s looking forward to the future... Some more work should be done so her resolution won’t disappear as soon as we trip with the unavoidable bad luck this world has saved for our existence.