Chapter 280: Chapter 280
"Lady, you do not believe me, do you?"
’I do~’ — Shaking her head Marianne answered, high in spirits.
"...! A moment, please... was that a ’yes’ or a ’no’?"
’Mmm~ who knows~? I surely don’t, kinky prince~’
Elegantly turning her back on him, she gently lifted her hand away from his touch to walk away. Inviting him with the rising doubt to follow her to eventually take a seat in the lounge.
And as she intended... The Prince heeded her dreamy pace. Much entranced by her beautiful playfulness that transcended her hush.
"... Do you not believe me?" — He walked behind her, joyfully. Receiving the soft shaft of her fragrance elevating his steps into floating ones. As once again he asked dazed by her motion.
"....."
’What do you think?’
Standing before the seat she would take, Marianne paused and glanced at the man, seemingly innocent in her gaze. To then, lift her skirt to take her seat with evidently gracious manners as he observed... Not truly concerned anymore about learning the answer but on watching and continuing their exchange.
"Truly... my Lady–"
"Why!?" — Suddenly they heard.
’hm??’
"I’m telling you I can enter!!"
’... What’s going on?’
To the yelling voice of a youthful girl she had heard before, Marianne raised from her seat at the noise. Concerned by the ripping sound of the shouts that conveyed the sadness and overwhelming rage in the origin.
"Who-! Who do you think you are!? You serve my Father!! Let me in! Detrimental dofus!!"
’Oh, my God. What is she doing!?’ — Deciding to put an end to those screams, Marianne decided to step outside. Appalled by the horrifying sound and words of her little sister.
’What happened, Theressa–...?’
"I... I would suggest otherwise, my Lady."
The limb of the man gently lifted to halt her impulse. Aware of the lengths her little sister would go to, Zeleskiaz hindered the Lady’s path so hurtful words would not be spouted at his beloved.
"You dare stand in my way without remorse?!"
"May I take care of this?" — Hearing new yells, Zeleskiaz severely offered.
’Gasp! No!’
Nonetheless, she despised the idea. She, who truly shared blood with Theressa.
’You’ll hurt her if you do... Something must have happened–?!? stop!’ — Shaking her head she told secretly, going pale as she saw him walk without the intention of getting permission.
Marianne rushed behind him, annoyed at the slow speed she still had. Yet more concerned about the sibling outside, whose hurt in her voice reverberated til reaching both of her gentle souls, transmitting the ache for which the woman felt sympathy.
The conflict, however... Remained mixed with such concern... For the foreigner’s clear mind knew that her kindness would not be seen as such by Theressa, the ignorant and obtuse youngest... whose caprice was leading her many malicious actions.
Hence...
"Do not frown, my Lady."
"–!..." — To his words, she stopped dry in her steps.
"Tell this man to move, Royce!!"
"... At least not out of concern for this sibling." — Zeleskiaz continued as both stood a few steps from the door he had previously closed. — "I will keep my word... No humiliation... further than necessary."
From within, a wish to stop him continued. But her rush had placated somehow by recalling that kindness had to be measured, even if it hurt the belonging child of this realm.
The clenching of her hands hurt herself as the outsider also was upset for sharing the feeling of strongly needing to help the girl who had harmed her friend.
Therefore, she decided not to look at his approach to the door. Restraining the owner of her body.
For it was needed... For it was fair...
’It’s okay... I know how you feel but... Let’s hope her eyes open to reality. That’s all we can do for now, Anne... This is the best help we can probably give Theressa right now.’
The door opened and the scene of a flaring youth, unnerved with rage, quickly met his gaze along the distressing pitch she could take.
"What’s your name!? I demand you to speak–!?"
"What is this commotion."
"!... Ahem... Your Highness, this man is restricting myself from entering my Sister’s chambers without apparent reason–"
"I instructed him to."
"... Pardon? H–How come you request such a thing...?"
"How come you question my decisions? Not even the Emperor dares... Lady, your boundaries seem misplaced." — Glancing at the composed Vitor standing with demanded poise, Zeleskiaz then added. — "And your manners seem to be none. Is pulling a knight’s hair a proper show of respect?"
’!?!? She did what!?’ — Aghast at the words she heard, Marianne could not help but step up to make sure the Crown Prince’s sayings were true.
"... I reckon it wasn’t adequate. Yet he would stay quiet and not answer properly to my demands–"
"Does that mean you would do the same to your sister?"
"!? What? What does she have–... Ah... Marianne..." — Finally approaching so she would notice, Theressa turned to her Sister who would ignore her to look at the bodyguard.
’!!? Is she crazy?! She even scratched him!’ — Bringing her hand to cover her mouth, Marianne jumped in disbelief at her sibling’s doings.
"... Answer. Lady. If you don’t respect a silent knight or even I... What kind of behaviour can we expect from you when it comes to my Lady? It is concerning. More so, since this is not an isolated occurrence." — Giving a step forward to protect Marianne from her reach, Zeleskiaz rebuked Theressa.
[ Sir Vitor, are you alright? ]
"Yes."
"..." — Marianne silently stared at the sincere Vitor for a moment. Turning to look at Theressa, also wishing to hear the excuse demanded by the Prince... even if it was a lie.
"... I would not hurt sister."
’A Lie...’ — Saddened, the foreigner in Marianne stated at the obvious choice she knew the sibling would take.
"Then respect those around her. Your attitude is not one I would have expected from Duke Sylfinnier’s children... But in my eyes, not even your father you respect, kid."
"!?!? Your Highness, how can you refer to me like that!?"
"Just as you have the audacity to seek explanations from me, who does indeed have the authority to do so."
"!!? That is–!!"
’! No. Please, Theressa...’ — From behind just as her little sister did, Marianne gave a step forward, asking with her gaze to cease any further conflict from her little sister.
’Don’t say anything more... Vitor might have let you since you’re the Duke’s child... But don’t test the Prince! He’s actually saying he can!!’
"..."
To the concern in Marianne’s eyes, Theressa held back a deadly retort.
And seeing the way the youngest had restrained it, seemingly reaching sanity to her actions, Marianne got closer cautiously. Solely to speak with the young miss through the letters she possessed.
[ What happened? Were you crying? Why, Theressa? ]
Her eyes had discerned in the corners of her little sister’s lids that the red was the scorching one that tears would leave in the midst of rage.
Marianne’s concern was told. Nonetheless...
"....."
"..."
[ Theressa, are you alright? ] — She wrote again. As no response came from the young lady, who stood stoic while looking down at the letters her older sister showed her.
And as she saw it from the height she surpassed her by, Marianne instinctively reached her hand. Wishing to show support in a slight stroke, affectionate, to her little sister’s limb.
However...
"Don’t touch me!"
Slap!
... the sound of a scorning hand hitting her skin resounded strongly in a drowning silence. Demonstrating the bad choice kindness had led her to.