Chapter 302: Chapter 302
Grampa Thomas was around and as soon as he saw us enter he rushed away to come back once I was already seated to serve me just made tea.
"Lady Marianne, please have this tea as refreshment." — He said, sneaking a little plate with biscuits on the side. Giving me a gracious wink before standing prominent.
’... Thank you grampa... Sigh... I should change my mood already.’ — Feeling sorry that I couldn’t rejoice as usual at Grampa Thomas’s cuteness, I told ourselves trying to actually do something about it.
I took the cup of tea and even though I was feeling out of sorts, I still managed to see how the Duke and Grampa shared a not-so-secret stare with Vitor, who shrugged ignorant.
"Dear... Are you alright? You seem down."
Lifting my head to look at the three concerned men, I sighed at myself, learning it’s a waste to keep depressed over this matter I have no power over.
I shook my head, trying to do it with more energy and searching for the post-it notes I hadn’t used today since I had Pockachin with me, I wrote some letters to these kind men that worry about us.
[ Today has been rare. I feel more tired. It may be because my stroll was longer. Please, do not worry. ]
"I see... It has also been hotter today. The weather sometimes also hinders our energy."
"That is true. Little Miss, do drink your tea calmly, it will aid your fatigue." — Lovely Grampa said, bowing solemnly at us.
"I wanted to discuss our departure to the Palace, but if you are lacking energy we could leave it for later."
"....."
[ It is alright, Father. As Mister Thomas said, this tea shall help me recover. ]
Taking my notes in his hand, Marianne’s Father smiled softly at me from his seat and returned them to tell a nice tease before continuing our conversation.
"Hmm~... And what about more biscuits? Will those suffice for my child to recover?"
’..... Actually... No. I would like to ask a few more if it’s not much trouble~’
I had stared at him for a moment and immediately afterwards I took the little plate to lift it humbly, asking for more quantity.
"Hahaha~ Could you bring more bisc– huh? Oh, he already went to get more." — Turning to ask Grampa Thomas to bring more biscuits, the Duke’s eyes opened surprised to see his butler had already vanished to obey a future order. — "Hmph... He isn’t as fast when I ask for something..."
’Pfft... Mister, are you jealous? This is the power of your daughter... Truly frightening isn’t it?’
Teasing Marianne that felt shy at my joke we giggled at the sight of a frustrated Duke, who came to look at us and erased the grumbling expression with a pleasant one.
"I see my child has fun at my trouble. How mischievous a bird I came to have."
’It’s because you are funny, mister.’ — I shrugged playfully at his comment. And he stared fondly for a moment... before speaking again.
"Before we talk about our departure, will you show me today’s drawing? I am curious about how it turned out."
Leaning forward, showing his sincere interest, Marianne’s Father asked to see our sketches as he does every day.
When we arrived here, we went to find him each of the initial three days we had spent here to show our drawings and from then on, we didn’t need to look for him since he would wait for our return just like today and ask us to show him as he did just now.
Vitor came forward as soon as I gave him a glance and handed me the portable canvas, even helping me move the seat nearer the Duke only so I could show him those details I wanted him to notice.
"Hmm~? Oh, today it is not a full sketch, isn’t it? I see you drew the different mushrooms each with its own space."
’Mhmm. I wanted to have them all together since they all grow in different places. But look.’ — Pointing at the wood one of the drawings had below the mushrooms, I secretly told the mister that was an expert at understanding us.
"...mm... These details... The wood seems to be part of the roots... Hm?" — Meeting my attentive eyes, I blinked on purpose, already knowing the idea he got. — "My! Is it truly? So you found roots similar to the House’s furniture, my dear?"
’That’s right~ The colour was slightly different but I’m sure it’s the same kind of tree.’
"My~ isn’t that wonderful? Perhaps you could take me to see it later. I had thought these roots were so old its tree might be very deep into the forest."
’Oh~ that’s a deal, mister.’
Happy that he was as amused as I was when I found it, I proceeded to look for the next thing that had picked my interest to show it to him...
But his curious eyes were faster than mine.
"Oh? Sweetie, you found Turkey Tail mushrooms? You drew them so well I recognised them immediately."
’Is that what they are called? They were all together looking like petals one over the other... I thought they looked pretty.’
"These are good for medicine. Maybe if the forest allows us, we could take some back home." — Stroking carefully the page, the Duke softly said. Smiling at the drawing. — "Sigh... This brings back memories... I used to read books with these kinds of pictures a lot..."
"....."
[ Does Father like mushrooms? ]
"... Ah... No, sweetie that isn’t... Haha. It is a thing of the past. Don’t mind this Father’s mumblings." — Reading my question, he froze for a moment before saying a word and ultimately laughed, caressing my head to make me think it was nothing.
... But it’s obviously not nothing.
[ Why, Father? I wish to learn what I do not know about you. ] — I wrote at first, but it was now or never... the perfect time to also ask about what I’ve been dying to know but he always works his way to slip around it. — [ Which reminds me, I have been meaning to ask but... Father, why are you known as the Lucid Warrior? ]
"... Uh... S-so suddenly, dear??"
’Heh. Got ya, mister... You now have been surrounded. You have nowhere to go!’ — Leaning forward so he would see my seriousness about this matter, I made it so the shine in my eyes made that nervous drop in his forehead wouldn’t make up an excuse to bail out on me this time.