Chapter 241: Chapter 241
’kh! "A pity" my a**!!’
Infuriated and in bewildering shame, the woman glared wishing to stand on her weak legs to no avail.
"It’s gone." — The Duke’s voice announced as he entered. — "! Marianne! Sweetie, you–...!!..... Fuhh..... I–I’m sorry... Are you alright? How are you feeling?... Please don’t tell me you have a fever, dear..."
He had rushed to his daughter’s side, alarmed because of Fenrir’s selfish barrier on the entrance that the Prince had used to an unexpected advantage.
The blushed cheeks and her hand fixated on her mouth... Made him assume things... Mistaken beliefs on what concerned the Father most.
"Do you feel dizzy? Any nausea?..... Tsk! Did I not tell you to be careful, Prince?!"
"... It was implied, yes... I was truly careful, your Grace. Very."
The glare Marianne had given to Zeleskiaz as well as her fixed-in-place demeanour had been the culprit of Orland’s angered reproach to the Prince.
’Oh~ No... You didn’t just say that! Beat him, Mister!! This guy is a repeated molester!’
Glaring much stronger, exaggerating as she grabbed frailty her Father’s arm, the foreign child felt frustrated at her current situation and the infamy of the man feigning innocence.
’D*rn luck I came to- Agh! F*ckkkk!!!! I can’t–! hing... I can’t even take my hand away since... What if my lipstick IS smudged?! D*rn it... D*mn it! I can’t be sure! He said it on purpose! B*stard! I hate you, Kinky Crown!’
"... Sweetie..."
’! Oh no... He will get more worried if I keep this up...! I know!’
Concerned for the sensible man her Father was, Marianne forced her clever mind to work up a way to disguise such smudge if present.
And so, putting her acting skills to work... She used the vulnerable state of her body to move her hand purposely with difficulty, to smudge her remnant tint if any. To then feign regain of breath, with clever gestures of weak head and limbs.
’Ah~... Oh no... I. I felt like puking... Fuhh... But I am fine, mister... Don’t mind it..... Especially any stain there might be... Don’t mind it.’
"... Talmhach please make a quick revision... She has a little temperature."
"Yes, your Grace... Pardon my lady, please excuse me so I can see your vitals."
"..." — ’Are we safe?’
According to the physician, she peeked at her father standing a few steps away so the learned man could examine her state. Placing himself next to the wicked Prince, who was the main culprit of her current fever, when in comparison to the difficulty her soul went through during her dissociation.
Pausing to observe Talmhach commence his procedures, Orland then discreetly started a conversation.
"... Why was there a barrier at her door?"
"... I do not know."
"Young Prince... Don’t try to fool me."
"I am not trying to deceive you. I have no archaic tool with me to raise such a shield."
"..... Then?"
"..."
"Did you... Prince, did you even try breaking it?"
"No."
"...."
Orland’s hands cracked in fury as his teeth clenched to pop his veins. Trying with desperation to hold back the desire to beat the man standing next to him with a heavy inhalation, since it was his daughter who was in clear need of assistance that had been deprived of the possibility to get it sooner. Although currently, the lady was not ailing as she was supposed to.
"... I did not want to leave her and make a fuss using force. It... It has not been long since she opened her eyes."
".... How long?"
"... A minute or so before you got here."
"..." — Always observing his daughter being treated, Orland loosened up, relieved that not much time had passed since her eyes opened. For if that was the case... She had not been on her own for long without her Father to protect her.
Glancing around in curiosity, Marianne met Orland’s gaze. Gifting the pure blink of her lashes to transmit a lovely message, with hues moving in carefree leisure that ended with a strong yet elegant wink of both lids.
’We’re fine, mister. We’re even obedient to the doc, see?... But if you would do me a favour... You could hit the guy next to you and I will feel and behave even better~’
The child was beautifully wholesome to the father’s eyes and soul. Even when mischief was hidden in her clear gems.
Hence, he smiled... Happy to see such lovely essence remain untouched on the girl’s everything.
"... When she opened her lids..." — Orland yearnfully commenced to mumble. Speaking to the man beside him with a filled chest of inspiration provoked by his loved child.
"In her eyes... What did you see, Zeleskiaz?"
Nonetheless, Orland’s question... came in the shape of his concern.
For fear would always hunt him if the brilliant shine of her stares were to show suffering.
However, his yearning to hear it was the sight of life he found could not last...
"Beauty."
For the answer from the Prince took away the pleasure her adorable gestures had brought.
"Tsk. Of course you saw that. Brute brat. Why do I even ask... Like father like son." — Orland grumbled for him to hear. Completely indifferent to the consequences that could cause. Annoyed at the blunt answer devoid of the deserved contemplation her image needed to the Father’s taste.
Eventually going away in displeasure. Only to avoid hitting the man in front of his daughter who deep inside did wish for Orland to strike the man in her stead.
"..."
Meanwhile, Zeleskiaz glanced briefly in hush at the Duke that went to Talmhach’s side. Yet turned quickly to continue watching the entrancing lady.
"... Nonetheless... it’s true..." — He whispered for no one to hear.
’Unimaginable beauty... Her appearance is just... A mere speck of dust compared to what she holds inside...’
"Truly Beautiful... Wonderous..." — ’A daydream for my soul to live in.’
The lift of his corners never lowered from then on... Not as long his gaze had sight of her presence and furtive gifts of her gaze peeking cautiously to see him.
’... He’s really not going anywhere...’ — Marianne thought slightly bashful.
"... Excuse me, My Lord... May I speak with you for a moment?"
"Of course... Sweetie, I will be right back..." — Composed, Orland reassured his child. Catching the Prince’s eyes that stayed fixated on his daughter. Provoking the sum of a last whisper in overprotective nature. — "Remember the trick, child, I will come running."
’uh? So suddenly..?... Oh!’ — Marianne’s eyes followed as he raised, witnessing the glare her Father sent to the Crown Prince. Understanding his meanings with eagerness. — ’Yes! I will, Mister!’
"This way, Your Grace..."
"Talmhach... is something amiss with my daughter’s health?"
"Uhm... Sir... I cannot truly say... I think it would be wiser if I could discuss this matter with Deslys..... I– My Lord, the Lady’s body is quite mysterious to not say curious..."
"... What do you mean?"
"... My Lord... With how little presence the beating of her heart has, I am impressed she’s still awake... With such speed, the Lady should be in deep slumber. And it appears to me that... the reason for her pale and cold demeanour even when blushed... I believe it is caused by the lack of rush in her vessels... It is not only her outside motion that is slow... Her heartbeat... It is also faint, my Lord."
".... Is... Is that a b–bad thing?"
"... I cannot say, My Lord... I... I believe Deslys can tell us more about this issue. He has treated the Lady for longer... As I said, her body is mysterious. Maybe it is just her inherent constitution...." — Concerned, Talmhach watched his words as he told them to the Lady’s Father. Who’s demeanour darkened at the uncertain state of Marianne’s health.
"Aside from that, her reaction to stimuli is good considering her slow motion. The Lady has no issues with the works of her mind. She manages to answer as quickly as a common person–"
"She is a common person."
"... Yes... What I meant..."
"I know... I–I know. It’s just... Send word for Deslys if you have not done so yet... Thank you, Talmhach..."
"... I am sorry I cannot say more, my Lord..."
"..."
The deep bow of the sorry physician sent a helpless throb to Orland’s heart.
The girl further inside fiddling with her fingers was a source of concern for many. However, for him, the girl had never stopped being his life’s drive as his family was his everything.
"It’s alright... It has always been like this..." — Orland mumbled to himself.
’hm? He’s looking at us...’
Feeling the gaze of her Father, she waved. Innocently to the man with his heart in his hand.
Waving back, Orland smiled at his child as his following words were stated in the secret of his mind.
’But it will not stay like that for long... I will not let it be... And... I do not think my sweet bird will permit it either.’
The hints he had found, the sights Marianne gifted and the sound he had been praying and begging to the high in Izeneya to listen were enough of a reason for him to believe it.
Things were changing and the people on the earth could feel it.
"Talmhach. May ask a favour of you?"
"Whatever it is, please take it for granted, My Lord."
"Stay by my daughter’s side while I am gone... I need to take care of a few things..."
"No need to ask my Lord. I am to stay here until Deslys arrives so he can see the Lady himself."
"Very well." — Bowing to the attentive physician, Orland paced to Marianne’s side.
"Marianne."
The lift of her eyes to meet him caused the Duke to tremble in pain. Reluctant to depart such a lovely soul. Yet forced to do so. For her better good was what would be gained in his absence.
"Dear..." — Kissing her hand as he sat, Orland pledged to the child in his deepest. — ’Dear bird that fills my sky... I will do the impossible... So keep as strong as you are. I won’t let your soul suffer anymore... No matter what I find.’
"Dr. Talmhach will stay until Deslys arrives. Paige is also outside impatient to see you...But give her some time to compose herself, haha... It pains me, but... I will have to leave your side for a moment."
’uh..... You’re leaving...?’
"... I will come back soon... You won’t even notice and I will be here..." — Grasping her hand harder, Orland gave another kiss, this time on her forehead. — "Rest calmly in the nest, my sweet bird... I love you. I promise I will come back soon."