Chapter 316: Chapter 316
"Lady, we have finished moving the goods."
"Haaah... You guys are fast, can’t even talk much with the kid... Aight. Wait here. I have something else for you." — Standing with difficulty, he went back inside... walking like a round penguin.
’... I must be really tired and out of it... I even think his way to walk is cute now.’ — Narrowing my eyes really curious about what might be wrong with me this time, I thought. Fearing for my good taste.
"... Sigh... It’s not much but... I made this little thing for you, kid." — Fiddling with something in his hand, he appeared again.
And I stood to receive it as we also had to leave.
"It’s a little thing you made me want to make when you first came with the youngster... Since you’re Fenrir’s protegee I thought it would be nice to have something resembling that crazed wolf around. It’s mere decoration... But this is the kind of wandering god protecting you, kiddo. Although a million times larger than this." — Handing me a delicately craved craft of a beautiful dark stone, the old man told me, frowning at it as I carefully admired it.
"... He’s a wicked one. I would tell you to be careful but I think since it protects you it’s everyone else who should tread carefully around you."
’Haha... Maybe. I want to think that too... Thank you, old man.’
"... Hmph... So your face’s not much of a statue anymore, huh? F**king hell awaits your Father with those noble youngsters you’ll meet... Get going, kiddo. Come back next time with more time. I want to know more of those clever ideas you have."
*******
He knew the Lady’s arrival... Was soon to happen.
Hence, he waited and surveilled the capital’s main entrance, during those days he knew she would cross its borders to guard her path to his residence. Escaping the duties of his position, because his wish to see her was much greater to his being.
Wearing a cloak to hide his distinctive features, Zeleskiaz stood at a hidden side of the principal road, eating the last of the bread he had bought as a quick breakfast at the busy centre of a market preparing for a coming festival.
"... It’s about time you appear, my love... Impatience is making me crazy." — He mumbled about to feel exasperated as every carriage that crossed the entrance to the Capital was not the one he awaited.
Nonetheless, his sights would be blessed when lost in thought he almost missed her ride. Finding by chance the gap of a window that permitted sight of a beloved’s visage.
"!?" — Almost jumping from the wall he was leaning on, the man’s eyes widened at the woman’s sudden appearance.
Quickly turning his surprise into a joyful smile, for his wait had finally ended.
"... My Lady..." — He whispered entranced. Sensing her essence as she moved into the city. Starting to walk and speed up to follow her presence inside a paced carriage.
The Crown Prince’s ultramarine hues watched her path from afar. Entranced to see her beautiful figure again while temporarily vacating her ride, that even in humble dresses appeared lovely and elegant... Sweet like her adorable character.
"I should go back... Once her carriage’s door opens... my hand..." — Inspired by the wish to welcome her, the enamoured man’s chest felt filled with dulcet pink... The same one spreading to his gazes that observed her board the carriage at the store she had visited.
Giving his back to the carriage that concealed her, Zeleskiaz moved again, faster than the carriage. Solely to guard the gates of the Royal grounds, to stand outside the Main Palace and eventually welcome her hand with the touch he promised on a letter the Prince struggled to write and leave at her table.
’I wonder... Will she reprimand my shameless letter?’ — He pondered as he rushed, excited to meet her upfront. — ’Will she grant some of those requests I regretted writing when it was already too late?’
"... Huff... Huff..." — Halting to look behind him where her carriage has been left behind, Zeleskiaz’s heartbeat continued to speed up causing his breathing to feel disrupted by the thoughts invading him.
’Will you feign ignorance... Even when I saw...’
The overwhelming scene mesmerized his soul with the lovely recall of a Lady... Falling on her mattress to hug a letter his hand had written.
"Marianne... My love... Whatever you do... However you behave..."
Lowering his gaze to fondly observe the impatient limb, a long and yearning breath left him. Useless, for his soul and blood, flesh and entire mind... Was filled to its fullest with stuffy elation and anticipation that would never calm down even in her company.
’My hand will take yours... For eternity... I will never let go, lovely... Mystical and ethereal love of my life.’
*******
[ Paige, what am I to do about my appearance? The etiquette I am to follow, I am not honouring it. ] — Preocupied the Lady had asked her maid about her outfit.
"Oh... I believe your Father, my Lord, must have forgotten to tell you, my Lady. Yet of what I am aware, this time an exception has been made for the circumstances."
"?" — ’Does that mean those at the Palace know I wasn’t home??’
"... Does the Lady recall that your wardrobe is to be sent from the duchy?"
’... Oh, right. The mister did say he would send my luggage apart... Sigh, my head really is a mess. I’m forgetting stuff.’ — The Lady nodded after widening her eyes, realising the facts she had forgotten.
The maid observed her ladyship watch blankly in ponder at the stack she often carries, taking a moment to consider the words to tell her as fine beliefs about Marianne’s concern were made.
"My lady..." — She commenced shyly, feeling comfortable at the kindness her lady kept in those worried slate hues. — "Do not fret, my lady. You look marvellous... No matter the dress my lady wears, elegance is forever to be in your essence..."
"..." — The silent lower of Marianne’s head occurred, and after a moment, her insides also spoke to the gentle words of her friend. — ’... I know... I’m this sexy and yet I’m worrying about clothes for the first time ever...’
A long sigh left the unique outsider of this realm, inviting the lift of her chin to meet once more the fond innocence of the young maid.
’Thank you, Paige... I’m probably becoming stupid now too...’ — She gave a glance outside, knowing there was still some time left so her anxiety could be tamed. And standing from her seat, Marianne sat beside the bewildered Paige.
"M-my Lady? I-is something the matter???" — Stiffening to the rest of the Lady’s head on her shoulder, Paige stuttered, blushed by the calmness of the elegant Lady.
’The matter is... I don’t know how to solve heart’s matters... Help me out here since I feel melancholic for some reason...’
Troubled she honestly confessed, wishing to calm down with the warmth of a close friend and ally.