Chapter 237: Chapter 237
"..."
"Marianne, Sweetie... Maybe it has been enough for today... I am taking you back to your room."
’Ah... No... No, I am fine...’
Seeing us shake our head as he already stood to take me back, I saw in the Duke’s eyes the conflict at my denial.
"... But you... You turned blue, dear. What if you faint from overworking yourself... I should not have told you about this... This matter must already be a burden to you..."
’It’s not... It’s not that much of a burden...’
Sigh... If only my legs weren’t as shaky right now...
’Sit down, mister... Don’t be like this...’ — Pulling on his hand, I asked with my eyes as I felt sadder with his demeanour.
"... Marianne... This is not a simple matter. I won’t force you to go back. You are smart enough to know your limits... But, listen well, Young Lady."
’... Y– Yes?’
Young Lady...?
"I will not let it slide if you push yourself only for duty’s sake. If I am to learn something happened to you because you did not listen to the warnings of your body... I will not.....!..." — The Duke closed his eyes tight, along with his lips failing to continue.
’... Y–You, you w–will not what..??’
I could see it in his expression. How it was so difficult for him to say what followed as if it also hurt him to even think of saying it.
His sudden stop when he was clearly serious trying to make a point here, made me nervous, even making my thoughts stutter.
This is obviously the reprimand I must have been looking for ourselves by doing stupidities without much thought.
... And it’s frightening. Parents will be parents, after all.
"... I will not...!" — He then repeated.
’You won’t–...(?)’
"I will not take you to buy desserts anymo– for a long time!"
’WHAT!?’
YOU... EVIL MAN!! This could actually make me faint!
I stood from my seat horrified at his words. To which he followed my motion and said. — "I have said it! I will not be lenient this time, Young Lady! This is definitive!"
’... Y-you wouldn’t dare...’
"I am not playing."
"..."
"..."
We stared at each other defyingly for a few good seconds... But.
’Pfft... Phwahaha!’— I couldn’t resist the laugh.
That would truly work out, I’m not gonna lie, haha!
"... I am serious..." — He said softly. Obviously not serious at all, as the hand I never lost hold of lightly pulled mine. While his voice was heard as in a far and longing whisper as I laughed with difficulty because of our inexpressive body.
’Hahaha~ you surely are~ hehehe!’ — "k....?!"
A little hint of my inner chuckle went through our sealed mouth. And I lifted my head quickly, pale again since this wasn’t supposed to happen.
But I should never worry about this man.
"..."
’... Such a nice expression...’ — My eyes opened widely, stopping the giggles. In awe, as we found him stay composed while gazing at us so... So lovingly.
"... I will not cry tonight, dear... Not when you’re laughing..."
"..." — ’How did you know...?... How did you know we feared that, Mister...’
Staring more intensely at him... I felt many emotions swelling up as I memorized the admirable eyes of the Duke again.
"Come... Your colour has returned a tad. That will do for now... Do be wise so I don’t have to extraordinarily enforce that warning... You will not be the only one who will suffer after all..."
Acting silly with his characterizing warmth, the Duke locked our arms together and gave us the lovely peck we are accustomed now to receive on our forehead from him.
’Okay. I will try my best...’ — I lowered my head feeling cosy by his shows of affection.
’Moreover, if it’s our desserts that are in danger... Hehe~’
Regaining the cheery mood as it should be, then I complied with the playfulness we share. Feeling much revitalized by the nice exchange he commenced.
"Have you eaten today? Did you manage to have a snack at the Hall?"
’Hmm... Not really...’ — I answered with a shake of our head.
Truthfully, I even think I’m a bit tipsy right now... Since I had a glass of wine on an empty stomach...
"Sigh... That cannot be... Women starve themselves for these events... I hate to even think of the struggle you endure, my gentle bird..."
’I know, right? If I knew where the kitchen is, I wouldn’t let this happen to us, Mister.’
"... Let’s go and get something for you to eat first. You are already so thin... You might disappear at this rate."
’Pff! It’s not that much! Don’t exaggerate~’
I’m even eating more for the bootie back there hehe~
"What would you like? I caught a glance at some of the dishes the Palace prepared. And I am certain many will be to your liking."
’Hm~? You don’t say~’
Walking side to side, the Duke kept making nice conversations about my favourite topic. Mentioning the dishes he had seen. And helping me forget again whatever was troubling me earlier with the lulling existence he is for us.
*******
"Did you have your Dance?"
As soon as he saw the aloof son that would inherit the throne he was seating on, going up to the platform from where he observed the scene, Francois smiled wickedly, teasing his offspring, already aware of the answer.
"..."
"My~ Look at that, my Empress~ Our son even wants to share the silence of his beloved~ Hwaha!"
The Emperor had drunk his share of wine in happiness at the events witnessed tonight. Influencing his precaution to the beast his son was, to be thrown away thanks to the numbing effect of the alcohol.
"Hic! Come on! I saw you over there~ Hiccup! Such smooth moves even though you never danced in any ball before~!"
"Your Excellency. Behave."
"Mmn~... Yes, Empress..." — Drowsy, Francois still obeyed his composed wife, who seemed terribly accustomed to such behaviour of her Husband.
"Bring something to eat."
Asking a servant for food to lessen the effect of his reckless drinking had caused, Francois gestured with a lazy hand.
"..."
Glancing back at his Father, Zeleskiaz stood indifferent near him. Relieved that his question was not about why he had come to the Emperor’s side. When, usually, he would evade such a place at all costs.
Nonetheless. The reason...
Was what his hand clasped on his back.
That unique stack she had left for him to hold onto with dreamy letters.
"..."
The image of the woman rushing away after he asked something he knew was not the case... That she would never act on obligation... Had been painful at the time.
Yet, she had departed only after giving him an answer he couldn’t get to react to.
Because of such stillness the bewilderment had caused, she was moved to write new words and leave as soon as they were given in the stack he held.
The entire scene was craved intensely in his mind and body. For a disillusioned feeling his heart had felt the more steps she took to leave.
However, the turmoil was fated to subside the moment his eyes laid sight on the handwriting she had lastly dedicated to him.
[ Keep this stack.
If the Prince will not be who joins me, then it is I who will come to join you. ]
The lovesome flare of his hues seemed crystalline, indescribably moved by the woman’s decisiveness and confidence conveyed by the unwavering letters.
’... I love you...’
His heart reverberated with emotion from his strong feelings, making it take shape in a yearning repetition of his love for her.
From the platform the Emperor watched, Zeleskiaz could see more of the extensive Ball Room.
Therefore. His purpose was obvious.
’I am who should come to you... Always... That is the honour I get to possess as I amass these feelings.’
Such a night truly seemed a wonderful dream in the man’s sights.
The dance he had asked from the Lady had been the moment to appreciate with infatuated delight her charming elegance. Their unplanned escape had been the optimal time for him to enjoy the rush of holding her hand... And their hiding...
Their hiding had been the last drop he needed to let his love wipe away any thought that worried him. To finally lose himself in the delicious dance their lips engaged in.
’... Kissing her... Has never felt as thrilling and delectable as tonight...’
The mixture of fright and joy was mouthwatering.
How the man wished to have her all to himself at that very moment, yet the terror to ruin the beautiful path their relationship was taking, had him chained in conflict.
... A need to treasure the woman only kept increasing, outstandingly, as seconds continued to pass.
’You disappeared so fast from my sight. Even though your motion does not allow it... Where are you now, Marianne... My Beloved...’
His eyes searched the place. Slightly conscious of her whereabouts since his instincts allowed him to keep track.
Zeleskiaz knew everything. That she was in her Father’s company, close to where they had separated, still in their spot... Probably conversing.
He knew yet he did not follow... Obedient to the requests also written in the stack he held in his back.
A flash of an idea had crossed his head at that last message she delayed.
’Making it so you find me after the Ball... I cannot. For that is too long of a wait for my heart to handle.’ — He commented to himself.
Disposing his mind of such an idea immediately, for he was conscious his soul would not endure such a plan.
’I will make sure to join you again as soon as you become visible.’
Zeleskiaz kept alert, yet his eyes found someone else that brought his attention as they strolled through the assistants.
"... Noverrne..."
"Hmm? What are you mumbling to yourself, Crown Prince?" — The Emperor eating with leisure questioned. This time more composed. — "... Don’t tell me you dislike the new Duke of Noverrne. The Young Man is quite remarkable to lose because of your bloody whims."
"... Your hearing is quite good, Your Majesty... It makes me wonder if it is your memory that is failing."
"My memory is quite good, Prince. Do not worry."
"I wonder. Since... You seem to be forgetting your Heir’s character... How is the restock of the beasts for the coming hunt proceeding?"
"... As I said. My memory is quite good... Brutish Heir of Mine."
"..." — The roll of his eyes at his father’s retort quickly returned to the man he had mentioned in disgruntle. Transforming quickly into a disgusted frown, for the man... Held the meet of their sights from the distance.
’... This man...’
"Either way, if you want to cause disaster change your target. Clemente Noverrne is a fine man. His intellect is fascinating. It has been a while since I have seen a Young Man who is close to Orland’s standards.
They had great discussions during the last assembly. And he seems to admire Orland to the point the Young Duke is eager to learn from him.
I have high expectations for this New Duke of Noverrne."
Francois objectively told his Heir, placing rationale in his mind. Even when enmity was pulsating in the Crown Prince’s eyes.