Chapter 250: Chapter 250
The sudden mention of the bodyguard made me forget the doubts his attitude was giving me.
’Oh. Yes, you did say we would get a bodyguard yesterday...’
It was quite soon. But I guess the Duke is one who takes action immediately once deciding something. So... How can I do this...? Should I just directly ask if we can choose who will be the one to follow us around?
"....."
’Ouf! I don’t care. We have nothing to– No. Wait. Don’t say it... I will jinx it again...’
Being careful not to say we didn’t have anything to lose if we tried since it’s kind of a feature this world has to prove me wrong when I have said this before, I moved to write down the possibility of me choosing the person.
[ When are you going to choose this person, Father? ]
I first asked... Inducing the conversation into the path I wanted it to go so I could ask the question that I really wanted to ask later... Like the villain I should have been in this story, hehe... I’m sure I could do well. But at the same time, I don’t want to be Theressa–
"Your bodyguard... It has already been decided."
"....."
’Welp. There goes the plan. It failed quite quickly.’
I couldn’t even try in the end... Maybe just thinking about not losing anything already jinxed the plan. Or maybe it’s the principle of this world against schemes. That would explain Theressa’s continuous humiliations.
But you know what?
’Go suck some coconuts Sanguine Cinnamon Realm or whatever you’re called!! You d*mn like trolling my attempts quickly... Suck the whole palm tree and choke on it! Stupid laws of parallel worlds! F*ck you, Author! Not in the sexy way ’cause you like the dirty!’
Pissed at this world I flicked my middle finger on the inside to this realm, truly wanting to flick it at the author since they are the real culprits for creating such an annoying flow here.
"You will meet them once we are to depart."
’Oops. Manners. I’m in front of the Duke, gosh.’ — Becoming proper again I made my chaotic thoughts go away to focus on what matters.
"Since we are still in the Palace, there is no rush for them to start their guard yet. I am to introduce them to you at a later date. "
’Okay... But... Them? As in more than one? Or are we speaking of someone who needs pronouns?’ — I nodded as I conceived the idea.
The joke made me a bit curious to know if it was truly more than one person. But I also was curious to know if Theressa was going to get "they" too.
Call it childish, but I am The Ninth. If I get more than one, I’m kind of winning the imaginary competition Theressa will come up with because of this.
... Although I came up with it first... But! Just in preparation! Because I know she will do this!
’I can already see the annoyance on her face. "I am as important as a Royal, you dwarf wig" I will say, Hehe...’
"....."
Wow. I am indeed childish.
"... Umh, Marianne... Sweetie... I know I am changing the topic, but there is something I have been thinking about lately." — Interrupting the ready to go to the clouds mind of mine, the Duke timely spoke to change the topic.
He caught my attention immediately since he went back to being soft when speaking and leaning interested to discuss what he wanted to say, I also leaned to match his eagerness.
"I have been considering for a while... it would be nice to take you on a little trip into the inner lands of our territory."
’Oh?’
"I am aware that you enjoyed your evenings at the Empress’s Garden using your tools, so... I have had this idea for a while now that, maybe, it would be enjoyable for us to go there for a pair of days. So you can have new sights to portray with these lovely hands you have."
Grasping my hand, Marianne’s Father’s eyes beamed in expectation of what we could make wherever he wanted to take us. And I wasn’t falling behind his enthusiasm.
The idea was wonderful. I doubt Paul will follow us there, and if he does... There is a possibility that someone will see since I will have bodyguards. But most importantly...
’What type of scenery will we find there, Mister~?! I can’t imagine how beautiful it will be~! Oh gosh, I’m so impatient already just to the thought!!’
I was full of energy just thinking of what I was to discover there. Marianne has come to like our drawing strolls a whole lot, and I know this could make us feel better since, once away from the Palace, things could get nasty. More so as the start of the original closes in.
Therefore, I didn’t hesitate to write to the Duke about how much I liked the idea along with what I wanted to know about it.
[ That is a wonderful idea! When would we depart, Father? Could you tell me how it is where you want us to go? ]
"!! Yes! I was thinking we could take at most three days to prepare after we arrive at the Duchy. Summer is only beginning, so the weather will not be as stuffy at the Forest House."
’Gasp!! A Forest House!?’
"There is a stream near it, so I was thinking I can get some good river fish so we can prepare the ceviche I know you liked last night."
’Gaaasp!!! Ceviche!!’
"Oh! I remember there should be many curious meadows growing not so far... We could also go on a few strolls so you can see those unique blossoms. Although it is quite different to the arranged Garden of the Empress."
’Flowers!!! Oh d*mm! What’s that place?! It sounds like paradise!!’
"hmm~... what else...? It has been so long, I cannot think of anything more... mm..." — Struggling to think of more to tell, the Duke tilted his head trying to think of something.
"Oh... Oh~, I know... Haha..."
It was after meeting my intent gaze that he came to think of something. Caressing my cheek as he lovingly chuckled when coming up with it.
"There are many birds there, my sweet child... They flutter their wings and sing beautifully every morning. They decorate the sounds of the vivid leaves where their nests rest... Colourful and beautiful... You will love it, dear."
’... Birds..... Hehe~ He had to mention birds~ fufufu~ I already love it.’
Thinking of what he had told me, I was really expecting our return. It’s still a pity that we won’t be seeing those who live here at the Palace... But we don’t belong here to begin with.
Well... We do belong to this chamber... But not to the Palace since we aren’t actual Royalty.
"... Maybe I could tell you a little story now that we are talking about this?"
Probably noticing that I was going on the wrong track of thought, Marianne’s Father spoke playfully to tell a distraction that was sure to work on us.
’Not "maybe", Mister... Tell it. No need to even ask. I want to know eeeeverything about that story!’
Nodding profusely so my eagerness was transmitted, I pressed with profuse nods so he would start telling the story. Even wanting to drag the chair closer to him so he would know how badly I loved to hear stories.
"Hahaha, Yes, dear. I will tell you the story. But you have to drink your tea and eat what is left of your apples."
’Awww~ But...’
[ Can’t I snack on them as I listen, Father? ]
"..... But... Oh, dear. You won’t mind them since you focus too much on stories..."
’Ugh... That could be true but... Hm? Wait a minute. We haven’t done it before, so why is he so sure we won’t even bother?’
The tilt of my head as I pondered must have made him aware of what I was wondering. Because it was himself who answered my question by telling me about his lovely memories.
"You seem to be doubting your father, Marianne." — The Duke commenced teasingly.
"You may not remember. But there was a time that I struggled greatly by how much a little bird liked to listen to bed stories."
’Oho~? You don’t say~? A little bird, huh?’
Entertained, I listened as I teased the one bird he was referring to. Who I could feel shrinking in embarrassment aware of what he was about to expose from her childhood.
"The little bird would never, ever fall asleep. Even though bed stories were made to get them to sleep."
’Pff!’
"Your father would stay up, telling story after story, until even the sun would peek through the horizon... Yet the bird would still chirp at her father, wanting to hear more~ Even rejecting the snacks brought and taking them away so her father wouldn’t halt to eat some~"
’Oh gosh! Anne! Poor Duke! Hwahaha~’
The laughter had come to be expressed on the outside. And now, my shoulders were trembling from imagining how the Duke must have struggled against a young Marianne.
Knowing how soft he is when it comes to her, I am sure he kept doing it every time. Even when he was sleep deprived.
’Gosh! It really hurts since I’m stiff! Hahaha! Aaagh!’
"Ah~Ah~ Is the bird laughing? Let me see~"
’Ah! No, sir! Hahaha!’ — "k.. k...!"
Amused the Duke had tried to peek at us while we bent out of the laughter in our condition. Making us laugh harder as I felt as if I was receiving tiny tickles from his hand as he tried to see.
A nasal kind of sound left naturally in the form of our laughter and I knew our face was complying with what that needed.
"?! Hahaha...! Ah... Don’t look away, child... I want to see my beautiful child’s laugh again."
Standing so he could get a better look, I reflexively covered our face. Still laughing but shy that he was to see.
’ah~ but, haha! What if it’s not pretty– phff! What bull?! Hwa! Aha! Oh gosh! AHahah- I- I have– PhwaHahAha! I have nervous laugh now!? HehE~ Teehehe~ Ha?! No, Mister~!’
Like a child, I tried to avoid his hands. However... still after I fought so he wouldn’t... Thankfully... Marianne’s Father did get to see our laughing expression.