Chapter 244: Chapter 244
— Truthfully, there is nothing concrete that can support these thoughts of mine. —
The words of the young maid resounded in his head.
— Nonetheless, just as Lady Theressa, Young Master Paul has always requested my leave whenever visiting my Lady. —
"..... She never saw anything."
— Personally... The Young Master... when the time to dismiss me from their presence came... It felt ominous for some reason. —
The cautious eyes of the girl scowled as she told her beliefs.
— And... Although it may be this servant’s overthinking... Lady Marianne’s quiet nature felt as if vanishing whenever I welcomed her back..... If she already made no sound... then it was as if she was not there to emit any. —
"... Kh..!... Please... let it not be true...!"
His pace sped up to reach his friend’s lounge.
— Go back to Marianne’s side... There might be a need for another maid to help you. —
— Another maid, my Lord? —
— I can’t ask you to sacrifice your sleep to wait on her at night... I would ask you to choose the one to assist you, but... —
— I understand, Master... We cannot take the risk. —
The quick comprehension of the maid at the circumstances relieved Orland. However, the one he needed most to converse with was now probably waiting.
Closing into the door where the Emperor was to receive him, Orland met the eyes of the standing guards protecting their Monarch.
As if aware of his purpose, the men knocked on the door when few meters to arrive were left. And followed to open the door for him to enter without unnecessary procedures.
Stomping into the lounge, a nervous Francois in simple clothes paced around.
"Frois."
"! Orland!"
Pleased to see his friend, Francois came to look at him in a flash. Welcoming the man into the private stances where they would finally address the concerning matters surrounding the Duke’s Daughter.
"Sigh. Finally... You’re here... Take a seat. Let me hear all of it. There are also a few things I need to inform you."
*******
"..... Hum!" — Clearing his throat at the insinuating glimpse of the Crown Prince, Talmhach made his presence noticeable. — "Your Highness and Delitefull Ninth. I shall stand guard at the door for Deslys’s arrival, do rest in leisure and call me if any problem arises."
"!?" — ’Wait! You can’t do that!? Don’t leave me with this guy!!’
Alarmed, the woman glanced between the men. Uneasy to be left on her own with the unpredictable Prince.
"... Alright." — Satisfied, Zeleskiaz smirked at the intuitive physician. Ignoring the adorable halt of the woman, and watching with a content mood the learned medic’s departure, which finished with a polite clank from the closure of a door.
"....."
’... If you don’t see him he’s not here... Let’s turn blind. If he starts to talk let’s also turn deaf...’
Avoiding to glimpse at the Prince that had remained on his spot staring carefreely unlike herself, Marianne tried to delude her nervousness with silly thoughts.
Enormously conscious by the fact the Prince had told her father he still needed to address something to the Lady and slightly upset for his teasing and reckless actions as soon she opened her eyes, the woman felt conflicting sensations once left in his company.
"... It is a relief the Lady does not have a fever."
’Can’t hear a thing. Can’t hear a thing... Oh my! Look at that~ what a pretty bed sheet Paige used today~’
"... Is my Lady ignoring me?"
’.... Should I ask for a few sheets to be taken away? Summer’s temperatures might be too much to keep using thick ones...’
The soft shift of his motion was heard. Followed by consistent steps... Step... Step... That were too few to prepare for his appearance before the avoidant lady.
"My Lady? Have I disappeared from your senses?"
"..."
"... I see I have not..."
Grinning from below in one knee, imprisoning her legs with the placement of his hands on the mattress’ edges, Zeleskiaz stated with a gentle tone as her eyes met his in a forced instant.
"... Your stack... I return it to you."
"..." — ’Thanks...’
"....."
Receiving the useful stack she fiddled with it in silence, while he did not move from the kneeling position he had once again taken. Yet with different sights.
’... How marvellous it is... That your lids can move those fluttery lashes you possess, my love...’
"..."
’My beloved...’
The repetition of his enamoured chant caused his lips to flinch... Instigating the allowance of the dazed confession to slip through them. However, halting the motion before they could completely separate.
Swallow...
’... It’s frightening to say it...’
The flicker of his eyes wavered with an overwhelming anxiety he had never experienced.
Lowering his gaze again to cast it on the occupied hands that continued to fiddle with the stack he had just given, Zeleskiaz commenced contemplating.
’... Only a few minutes ago... She suffered some odd crisis... And yet... I am being this selfish...’
Observing the nail of hers trace the edges of the pages, he then recalled those words she had written days ago.
’Some things are indeed meant to be said with spoken words, my Lady... Hence... They are also meant to be heard properly.’
The possibility of rejection crossed his head.
The woman before him was lovely yet incredibly different. As different as she was... As honest and kind as she was...
’Was I to confess my devotion to you... Whether you reject me or accept me... I wish to hear it... And engrave it in my soul... Even if it is my soul’s sentence that I receive.’
Lifting to meet her eyes, the glisten of emotion shined in his conflicted hues from the dispairing possibility.
’... What–... Why does he seem so sad?’ — To the sight of the man in turmoil, her hand moved without hesitation.
[ Is His Highness alright? I am not ignoring you... ]
"..."
Reading the graceful lines her weak hand drew, he immediately softened to her influence.
’I don’t want to receive her response in these lovely letters...’
"It is I who should ask the Lady... How are you feeling currently?"
[ I feel weary. Nonetheless, I also feel fine. ]
’I love you.’
"That is a relief."
’I want you to love me.’
Zeleskiaz’s hands came to take hers, leaving behind the stack in them.
"... I hope... For your ailings to swiftly fade from now on, my Lady."
Caressing her hands, just like he had done once, Zeleskiaz did again. Slightly disguised in a new shape, with new resolved feelings to pledge... Nonetheless... it was the mythical rosy sunset kiss only she could acquire.
Tracing her middle fingers with both his long thumbs, the Crown Prince kissed each knuckle reverently.
’The feelings I held were those of immeasurable love... Now I am aware... So I pledge my soul to you... For such soul would be void if not for you...’
"If it is in my hands... I am to help not only your sound. Therefore... Please..."
’Love me.’
"Let me be the one you turn to for aid in anything you are to need."
’Let me be the one who can receive your affection... For I will always... Always love you, with a thousand times more madness...’
The smile he offered to his pledged beloved, was the pure manifestation of his sincere adoration.
"....."
The sole brilliance of his soul’s tenderness took the air from the young and entranced woman witnessing in a daydream.
The overwhelming vibration of his delightful voice and touch had turned her mind blank as her heart one-sidedly skipped beats at every sensation that implied this moment was part of reality.
Marianne’s adorable blush came to show her reluctant souls’ sincerity. And nodding shyly, no word in her inside was heard as well, for their body was the only one able to give an answer at the time.
"Will you look for me... Even if I do not have that stack in my possession, Lady Marianne?"
Again... A nod was given...
"... Although... you won’t ever find me, My Lady."
’Huh? But you said...’
"I think I am who will always find you first."
"..."
’That’s true...’
Marianne’s expression took the shape of the delight his playful certainty lited, forfeiting awe to respond sweetly in secrecy.
Adorably warm and timid. Moved by the lovely teasing he had chosen this time... Her gems sparkled as her corners shaped the lips in the smile he wished for the lady to portray forever.
’Surely you’re faster than me, Kinky.’ — She finished. Meeting with similar deepness of emotion, the mesmerizing hues of the Prince.