Chapter 279: Chapter 279
For the first time... Both thanked the big distance between each other.
If not for it... The enamoured Prince would have done as he had been avoiding. Submitting to the hands’ desire of wrapping her preciously, to never let go of her lovely waist that fitted perfectly so he could hold.
And on the other side... She... weak to the passion he kept caressing her souls with his sweet ways... She would let herself be grasped by such hands and lean on him. So the race of their hearts would tell what her mouth couldn’t.
"..."
The quiet... it was delectable for their youthful souls to keep hold onto their rationale... against their upcoming imminent separation.
But then. A step of the man was given, to which her heart jumped. Starting to accelerate the more steps were given in her direction by those beautiful eyes decorated with light lashes. Which refused to let her gaze drift away until he arrived a step before her.
"At this place... You have spent most of your days, my Lady." — Zeleskiaz said, staring anxiously at one hand of the woman, that he restrained strongly from holding.
"I wanted to see it... The place where you are to rest your head and have those teas with strong honey essences... The place that guards you in this manor."
"..."
’This way I can picture you in here from outside... for I will escape the Palace again... solely to feel you near, my Love.’ — The man confessed as he watched the bewildered silence she emitted in the deepness of his hues.
"I am selfish." — Zeleskiaz then softly uttered so she could hear. — "I ought to admit it. And I am apologetic because of it... My Lady... many times, many mistakes I made against you because of it. Hence, I ought to apologise."
’... I think you have apologised before already...’ — Marianne answered inwardly, lowering her gaze. — ’I don’t think you have to do it again...’
The silence of both had let her say as the Prince observed her clean visage.
He had let it happen. Aware that in her quiet a response was said. And whether it was heard or not by his hearing, it did not matter. For he was preparing to continue after letting the gentle light of noon paint her more beautifully.
"Although. It is not because of what I have done that I apologise now." — To the correction, their eyes met. — "I have already been repenting for such doings for some time. And I shall continue to do so with this apology. Because I am sorry to tell you... That I will continue to act selfishly. Although, differently."
’... How?’
"I shall not tell you how."
"....."
’... Haha!... Thank you for answering...’ — Her chuckle reflected on her visage, lowering the lids that had opened curious to ask. Responding to the gentle smile of the man, also feeling the sweetness of their company.
Yet as he had said. He was selfish. And also sly in his schemes.
"It is a relief the lady gave into my selfishness this time... On your stack... You said ’Solely this once, his Highness’s scheme I will grant’... You are aware now, my lady... It was merely a scheme to be shown this place by you."
’Heh... It’s quite a useless scheme if you ask me. There’s nothing much to see here.’ — Looking around again she answered pleasantly. And he who noticed her gaze continued to speak... With previously planned conversations she would deem as the progress of his ability.
"Your chambers. They have a nice view of your family’s territory." — Looking outside the window, Zeleskiaz said. — "It is unique. Not many manors have humble forests as scenery."
’Humble? It has many trees... But perhaps there are much larger forests than that one... Probably like the Forest House.’ — Following his gaze she scrutinized the nature outside, feeling excited to see that other Forest her Father would take her to.
"If I were you... I would look at it more often, my Lady."
’... Hmm... If you say so... At some point, I stopped looking outside this window. Marianne did it for a long time, right?’
Talking to her soul mate, the foreigner conversed while in ponder.
’But you did it blankly... Maybe we could pay a bit more attention to it. If he says it’s unique... It should be true. Since he’s seen more places than us.’
"However, you have a table here. Right beside the window. Does the Lady usually enjoys her tea at this spot?"
’That’s right. It’s been like this since I arrived. Hehe~ I think it’s quite–’ — Nodding, she answered enthusiast. Being interrupted by the man.
"Ah... That is not good."
’–nice? Huh?? It’s not???’
"May I move this?" — Suddenly, he asked, referring to the table, where he placed his hand just like hers leaning on it.
’??? Why?? It’s... It’s fine there?! Wait I haven’t said yes!’
While in her ponder he only moved the table far enough from the window so one could pace between. And coming back to her side, his fingers smoothly took her fidgety ones and walked her to the window.
"If you stand before it the view will be better."
’... It’s not... that... Different...’ — She thought in a lie. For the man had stood before the window, leaning on its edge as he has always liked to do and now had come to enjoy further while guarding her chamber at the Palace.
His silhouette against the light of noon was delectable to the woman’s eye. Yet she looked to his side where a piece of the natural view could slip his frame to tell the lie that would mislead her heart into calmness again.
However, it wasn’t only Marianne who concealed lies in her words.
Zeleskiaz’s intention was solely one. And it was to plant a thought, although untrue, in the woman’s mind.
’Please... remember this lie, my Lady.’ — He said in his core. Softly playing with her fingers on his hand that she did not have the intention to retrieve.
"I hope you will see what I mean if you rearrange that table."
’... I think it’s a lie, though...’ — Marianne replied as she watched their hands. Nodding, contradicting her beliefs.
"... Alright."
"..."
"... Your chambers. They are different to how I imagined them."
’?... You imagined it?... Oho~ you kinky man~’
To the tilt of her head that later emitted mischievous essence, Zeleskiaz then quickly straightened from his seat on the window’s edge, alarmed by the misjudgement his Lady could depict at his words.
"! I–... Umh. Compared to the chambers in the Palace where my lady stayed, I simply thought a shade of burgundy was to be present at your home."
’Haha~ Yeah, sure. I’ll act as if I believe that.’ — Laughing at the fleeting alarm that was visible in the Prince, Marianne gently shrugged to his sayings, entertained by the unusual shade that has always been invading her cheeks appearing faintly in Zeleskiaz’s demeanour.