Chapter 283: Chapter 283
It was odd to their eyes to watch and unbelievable to their ears to hear.
The youngest of the Sylfinnier household suddenly cried out her faults, holding carefully her sister’s hands to show her guilty doings to their father.
It was now Theressa who trembled and who held her head low. Ashamed to look at her baffled family eyes for she was aware of the misbehaviour she had committed.
"... Will you also tell me why you have done this, Theressa?" — Without letting surprise divert his attention from the matter at hand, Orland questioned, lightly softening his voice’s harshness.
Solely so his child would talk further whilst feeling bewildered.
"... I..." — Lifting her head to peek at her Father and then her sister, Theressa mulled over what to say.
The reason was clear in the young child’s head. Nonetheless, when meeting her sister’s eyes, so similar to her father’s, clarity became cloudy... and her certainty about the motive couldn’t be found to answer.
’I don’t know.’ — Shocked at herself, Theressa thought while she felt Marianne’s hand squeezing hers with deep support showing in her hues, where something so different to what she believed there was had appeared.
’To her... Why do I keep... Behaving like this against her...’
Many thoughts crossed her head before stating such doubt in an echoing mind.
The words of her mother, the concealed treatment she knew Paul gave to Marianne, the hate... She now did not know from where it came from, nor why it was born...
Theressa in her confusion, dealt by the unexpected reactions from Marianne... was now deeply perplexed by her contradicting feelings.
"I..." — She repeated lowering her head again, unable to put her words in order.
"..."
A shared silence was held by Marianne and her Father. And it was at the shake of his eldest daughter’s head that met Orland’s gaze which made the Duke become more confused... Just as well as Theressa, who heard a little jingle of the chosen child’s hair decorations as the supportive weight of her forehead leaned on her head.
’Don’t say it now.’ — Secretly Marianne told Theressa. — ’You seem to not even know why it is... Shorty.’
Giggling to herself she called the youngest sibling by names, trying to lift the mood of the tense situation.
’Why...’ — Puzzled the youngest thought.
’Why Marianne?’ — Her father joined. Glancing at his youngest who was as confused.
"... Alright. It seems it is not the time... Theressa. Stand and return to your chambers as you were told... Clean your fair visage, child... Even if I am upset, your tears will always pain me."
"Yes... yes, Father... I am sorry..."
Lifting her chin, Orland observed the shut lids that released more streams. Restraining from further affection as he still held suspicions over her truth, and continued to look at his eldest daughter.
"Marianne... I want you to go inside and rest. Tears also fell from your eyes... Whatever happened, we will discuss it once both of you are truly calm."
’Okay... I’ll have to come up with something.’
Aiding his children to stand, Orland caressed their arms and glimpsed at their youthful hands... that kept hold of each other even after standing with difficulty.
Releasing her hand from her father’s, before Theressa gave the step to leave as he had instructed, Marianne dried the tears her Father didn’t from her sibling. Mesmerizingly calm and gentle as she observed the surprised youth.
’... I’ve been too nice already... I’m even helping you look less ugly, Theressa... You should start changing your mind at this point.’
Making fun of herself and Theressa, the foreign child did as she never had. Caressing the cheekbones to dismiss the drops and lightly fixing the hair of stronger red her little sister possessed to say a warm... Yet also wicked and secret farewell.
’Alright, your wig is ready to go, hehe~... Sigh, she’s very short. It’s bad since it makes her look cute... Annoying too... I was right calling her chihuahua.’
"...Um... I-I shall retire..."
"Go on."
"Miss, let me escort you." — Theressa’s bodyguard offered.
"Ah-ah... Yes."
Bowing to her Father and sister, Theressa started her way, glancing back nervously. Only to see the woman staying behind watch her steps warmly as she drifted away.
Apparently rude in her words, Elizabeth hid her real kindness from Marianne who still felt conflicted about letting her little sister go on her own. However, giving Theressa a light push on her back, gently so she could resume her steps and break her outstruck, the whole of Marianne watched her leave along with the other silent bodyguard and prepared to write in the notes she carried, something that would surprise her father further.
[ Father, Theressa was truly shaken. Please, I ask you to be lenient when talking to her. ]
"... Yes... I am aware, dear..." — His gaze left the stack to watch her, stroking her cheek as he continued. — "Yet you are too kind, Marianne... Your hand... Let me see it, my child."
Taking her hand carefully as she reluctantly showed it, Orland saw how red had settled in her white skin. Even welcoming a bit of rash over its smoothness.
"Sigh... How strongly did this child hit you?! This can’t... Goodness, I...!!"
’I am enraged! These children... Just how much am I to learn about them from here on?!’
Pained by how dark the future looked at these first sightings, Orland did not know what to do with himself at the irritation.
[ I am fine. ]
"... No... No, you are not... You shouldn’t be, Marianne... You shouldn’t..."
Unable to restrain a deep frown to emerge, the Duke told his child.
"Your siblings should respect you. Hence, this is not fine..." — He then added, to conceal his real meanings.
’I know you’re not fine... You keep lying... You keep hiding it from me... You shouldn’t..... But... It is my sole fault.’
"Go inside now, sweetie. Let’s not talk about this now. Yet the Prince... I shall take him with me. That tea... He is to drink it with me as you need to rest."
"... Is his grace not in need to rest? As it is I believe I should take my leave–"
"You’re not going anywhere." — Glaring at the Prince who didn’t even care to look him in the eye while he spoke, Orland interrupted Zeleskiaz in front of Marianne, whose eyes opened wide at her Father’s indifference to the Prince’s authority.
’Really, mister. You–’
"You will take your tea... And have a nice talk with me as I told you before. Prince Zeleskiaz. MY GUEST."
’Uff... blessings to you, kinky. Mister is in a bad mood and he chose you, I guess. To lash at, heh.’
Mischievous as she witnessed the fake smile her father portrayed, Marianne forgot her awe at the Duke’s bluntness and mocked the Crown Prince who was now to endure the rage Orland has been indubitably controlling.