Chapter 288: Chapter 288 — Her days and nights.
The stroke of his thumb, caressing her cheek under the silky curtain her long and beautiful hair was... Simply kept feeling the soft skin as he watched her yearnful. As her lids closed gracefully, slowly calming down, yet maintaining the meet of their gazes with every lift of their long lashes.
Many times... A wish to speak... A wish to move... Yet the man hesitated gratefully to give in to the lovesome impulses... However, not strong enough.
Taking a gasp as his other hand selfishly placed itself on her back, Zeleskiaz softly told the woman. Nervously. For his heart was racing. Conscious of the fantasy love entailed.
"... I... May I–... our farewell..."
’..... our... farewell...’
It was maddening for the two.
As much as they felt levitating in each other’s closeness... Grief came over them as his words conveyed the end of each other’s company.
"..... A kiss..." — With drowsy thoughts, Zeleskiaz managed to utter to an attentive Young Lady. — "... o-one... May one be laid on your cheek..."
Leaning hopeful, Zeleskiaz begged with his soul for a little touch... One scarcely sufficient to the real one he desired.
He was overwhelmed. And Marianne also felt the warm stuffiness the anticipation she had lifted left behind with his last indications.
’No.’ — She answered. Moving away the cheek he wanted to kiss.
Making him look into her eyes again, she looked at him with elegant upset. Provoking the man to falter and intend to draw back... Yet graciously stopping him as she followed to meet his lips. — ’Do it right, Zeleskiaz.’
A peck... That could not be left as simple...
So she gave another to the man that could not believe the marvellous dream... Only so he would indiscriminately indulge in the permission and request she was conveying with this second graze.
"... Not on the cheek..." — He mumbled with closed eyes to act accordingly to her loveliness. — "... but your lips... haa... thank you."
His hand moved to pull her into himself, so his lips could thoroughly kiss her edges. Feeling the softness. Tasting the sweetness of the flesh before breathing out to forfeit the fineness, unlocking her lips with the help of an intruding thumb, permitting a new kind of meeting. One much softer, much tasteful... Much slippery by the moisture hiding inside.
"mph..." — Zeleskiaz passionately groaned as her taste was enjoyed enormously throughout his core.
"ah... Lady... *slurp*..." — A luscious sound he provoked with the greed of his tongue, meeting her heated eyes that only pushed him to feel her deeper. — "Mph... Lady...!"
"a... m..." — Little sounds she also made.
"my lady... *smooch* I..." — ’I’m already in pain from missing you...’
Separating he finished a thought. Coming back to kiss her once more.
"I will go..."
Yet kissing her again... sucking her lips strongly.
"... I am...*smooch* going now..."
*******
Two days went by after our return to the Duchy. And it’s been only because of the vacation at the Forest House that I’ve managed to feel less amiss.
Besides having Paige, Vitor and the Duke making the days more active for us, we are usually on our own. Marianne and I.
Neither Theressa nor Paul has come by our bedroom and clearly, in Paul’s case, that’s the very best thing that could happen. But... Theressa...
I had thought she would come. I don’t know why I assumed that but... Well, I just... did.
We had our family dinner the day after we arrived and it was only at dinner that I get to see the siblings.
Maybe I was wrong thinking Theressa would be more approachable or something. I mean, maybe it was only us who thought we had a bit of a nice connection when I hugged her to protect her from Paul.
’... Thinking about it, she could have been weirded out... Also... would I have been able to keep him away if not for Vitor and Kinky’s presence?... I doubt it... But I still would have tried my best...’
During our dinners... I glanced at her many times.
I’m still worried.
What if Paul got to her and I just don’t know about it?? And... The fact that her head is mostly downward and she’s not as energetic or even talking as much as she did before during family meals, avoiding looking at me... I can’t help but feel more restless.
Dinners have still become less stressful in a way though.
Marianne’s Father changed how we are supposed to seat, and somehow, this new arrangement makes things better for baby red panda and me.
Since I’m always the last to arrive at the dining hall, I only got to hear a bit of his exchange with Paul who was already seating where I used to.
"Why this sudden change of arrangement, Father?"
"As you are aware, Marianne has a unique Title now. It is only proper etiquette, for those who have earned a name ought to receive the according treatment. The place on the table, you certainly know it is given by the members’ place in society. If not because I am the head of this Household she would be seating in this chair I am currently seating on, isn’t that right?"
"... I do not think her title should overshadow our household’s–"
"Marianne. You have arrived, dear."
The Duke had already spotted me but somehow decided to interrupt the Duchess to greet me. In both dinners we’ve had so far, the mister would stand from his seat to escort us to our seat.
It’s quite a relief. But I still feel off about it.
Either way, these days could be said to be peaceful.
I’ve gotten to have more company thanks to Sir Vitor and Paige, who doesn’t leave my side. Paige has not left the room at all and since I knew Sir Vitor was outside I asked her to make him stay inside with us.
The feeling of guilt from repeating what I did with Paige when I just arrived made me not wait to invite him to stay in my presence. Besides, being as quiet as he is and his role for being here in the first place is enough of a reason to make him feel comfortable and gain his friendship.
It’s obvious that having your bodyguard be your friend is the best option here. But even without that as a motive, I still want to befriend him.
’He’s quite gentle, contrary to his appearance... And he’s the quiet type which I truly like since we are alike in that way for now.’
Marianne was also fond of him and if I’m honest, his presence is not bothersome at all. Quite the opposite. I think his presence is very soothing... Maybe because I know his purpose is to protect me, and that in itself makes me like him. Hehe.
Even so, as much as I’ve tried to change my amiss mood... Doing and thinking things to distract myself...
’Sigh... I keep feeling empty in some way...’
It’s difficult to do.
And more so since he comes to mind every time I reckon this fact... Not only his existence... But more specifically... Our farewell.