Chapter 317: Chapter 317
Settled on her shoulder, Marianne closed her lids to breathe out the exhaustion making her overthink. While the busy sound of people could be heard as the carriage moved through the streets of the Capital.
The buzz was louder than usual and at a tired sigh of the Lady, Paige, the maid who had stiffened awkwardly at the Lady’s actions, after a while told composed the motives behind the noise.
"... Preparations for the Festival are currently being taken care of. Please do not mind it, Miss."
’... I see... Gosh, I don’t even want to take a peek if that’s the case.’ — She inwardly said to the young maid, sighing once again, this time longer since the event also concerned her. — ’I might actually develop stage fright if I get a glimpse of some stage or the square...’
Truly light frown could be seen in Marianne’s visage thanks to the little distance from the servant. Hence, considerate to the exhaustion of her Master, Paige also sighed lamenting the efforts she would need to undertake during the Summer Festival, coming to speak one last time, softly to comfort the Lady.
"People has been joyful solely to think you have appeared, my Lady... No matter how the event unfolds, the mere sight of the Chosen Ninth will please their hearts. Rest during these last moments of our travels... I am to guard thou peace and support for thou crown, dear Master."
"....."
The trouble softened in the Lady as she comfortably rested with fond content in her friend’s shoulder. Closing her lids with the calmness this time Paige allowed.
’Thank you, Paige... Though, just "Lady" is fine... Since I know you would faint if I ask you to call us by name, haha.’
The carriage moved unbothered by the leisure lived within its doors, taking the passengers surely to their royal destination... Completely unharmed. Thanks to the tear the chosen child wore at our warning.
*******
An admirable man stood gracefully at the entrance of the Main Palace. From where he could appreciate the opening of the tall gates to the Royal Grounds, letting the distinct carriage he knew contained a frail beauty march into the paths that would take her to his presence.
"... Fuhh..." — Zeleskiaz breathed out trying to control the anticipation as the distance was steadily decreasing at the gallop of the horses... That eventually halted their elegant walk a few meters before him.
"..."
’... Vitor. ’
The knight of the Lady nodded to him in remarkable silence, causing him to frown amid a pained smile as he recalled the interruption in a marvellous forest.
’You’ll be d*mned.’
"Announcing! The honourable guest blessed by the indolent Fenrir and our prestigious First Empress Calla! Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, The Ninth Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars has blessed the Empire’s Royal Palace with her visit!"
"May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again!"
Unified attention was expressed with the hit of lances the row of guards carried to welcome Pristina Pars.
The following silence was inundated by the opening of the Carriage’s door by the hand of a royal servant. Yet his hand moving to honour duty was dismissed from offering help to the guest once the awaiting Crown Prince came forward... solely to accomplish the wish once written by his hand.
A reddish-brown crown peeked from the inside and lifted to the hand immediately offered in front of her, coming to meet amethyst gems of his eyes describing the delight the soul inside them experienced to her appearance.
"My Lady Pristina Pars... May my hand be honoured to take your pure one in this welcome to ou Palace?"
"..." — ’Don’t even ask, silly Prince.’
The awaited touch finally happened, gifting its warmth along a bashful yet soft expression.
Paced steps went down the carriage until her feet solidly stood on the same ground he stood.
"....."
A moment of contemplation was given, so her essence could be accepted by the entranced Prince. The hand of the woman was stroked affectionately faint and it was as her gaze met his after the quiet felt lengthy that the light tilt of her head signalled Zeleskiaz something should be said.
"!... Lady Marianne, it is the grace from Izeneya that led you here. I officially welcome thee." — Bending deeply to greet her with utmost respect. Grazing the woman’s knuckles sneakily so others wouldn’t notice, by placing his own thumb in between as thoughtful consideration towards the Lady. — "To my understanding... The road must have been an ordeal... Do follow me inside, My Lady."
*******
’God, oh god, gooood! What do I do, what do I do, what do I do!?’
Am I going to die? Why does my heart suddenly feel like it’s going to explode even though we were all nonchalant a second ago?!
’This is no good Marianne. Act normal. Don’t say a word. You hear me!’
"..."
’Right. It’s not like we can...’ — Walking along with the Prince in complete silence since he also didn’t say a word, I got slapped with the reality I had forgotten because of anxiety.
The Prince receiving us as soon as we got down the carriage felt wonderful. And the seductive gaze he stabbed our maiden’s heart with when offering his arm to escort us was probably the one last thing I could stay composed at.
The more we walked, elegantly by his side while the respectable eyes of the Palace’s Knights, the more I recalled we had not interacted this normally in a while...
’All I can think of is how I just threw sanity to another galaxy when we said goodbye and- and... EFFING HELL!!! ME AND MY HORNY A**!!!’
Why couldn’t I just–!! Hing! Elizabeth, you stoopid biatch!... This is what one gets when acting crazy because of our feelings! I knew! But I didn’t really know since this is a first!!
"... Open the Gates."
While I judged myself with slight regret, I heard the Crown Prince say to the guards, letting the sight of the Palace we had left surprisingly thinking it would be long before I got back entered our eyes.
The rows of knights continued and the Prince guided me as if it was the first time through the Royal Main Hall... Until the sight of two very familiar people appeared before us, actually making me relieved since my heart was in my hand with how conscious I had become of this Male Lead escorting me.
"It appears I arrived just in time..." — I heard the cool and blunt one say. — "How shameful it is, brother. For me to learn of a friend’s visit by the slip of Dioclecià’s tongue... His Majesty and yourself owe me an explanation."