Chapter 343: Chapter 343
Somehow we became serious and actually practised my voice development. Which makes sense since that was the deal... but I’m starting to wonder why is it like that.
The conclusion, obviously, resides in that my thoughts are becoming weird. So in the end, I tried to forget it and continue with the session.
"Hm... my lady, has your sound lowered its intensity?"
’Uh?! No way, it shouldn’t have...’
"... Perhaps it is because few days were missed... we should continue to do these exercises regularly."
’O-okay... I can’t let it slow down. I need to say the truth... the sooner the better.’ — I said inwardly, unknowingly giving a hint to Marianne that I planned to talk it all out at some point. I felt slight reticence... but no manifestation against it. Which honestly thrills me.
"Excuse me, my lady." — Then, I heard him say. — "I am aware this matter may make you uncomfortable, yet there is something I believe I should ask about today’s events."
’?? Uh- t-today’s events?? W-which one would that be??’ — Already earning heat in my cheeks, I asked. Taking a strand of our lengthy smooth hair out of shyness.
"... About the time I lost you in the crowd... Again, I apologise. It is a matter that continues to bother my spirit as I found you in grief."
’... Oh... You were talking about that...’
"I do not wish to cloud the lady’s mood by mentioning this... Yet as much as I think about it, I would like for the lady to tell me what happened that made you rush against the crowd. Why did you leave the place we were at... and who was it that sowed fear in the meantime I was away from your side."
"....."
"... If the lady does not wish to talk about it, I will understand."
’Uh... no, I mean... I do kind of want to tell you, but...’ — His good intentions were apparent. But as stupid as I can be... there was something really idiotic making me hesitate to start spilling the beans. — ’How to tell him... I got lost because my nose drove me to the chicken we ate after he found me???’
"....."
"I understand. I am not going to pressure the lady any further."
’Aaagh!! No. Sorry. I–! AaaAhhh!!!’
The concern on his face made me go crazy looking for my notes, moving my hands incredibly quick to write about it.
"My Lady, please, it is alright."
’Shut it! I’m telling you, alright!?’ — I said, shoving the post-it notes... with a little too honest a confession since he made me rush.
[ Since you were taking longer than thought, I drifted away because I felt a nice scent coming from a stall. ]
"...."
"..... I-... I suppose I should have offered something to eat instead of refreshments..."
’!?! Argh! No! Wait!! What did I even write there!?’ — My brief intent of feigning composure ended right away after he said that. Making me jump to get the notes back since I basically puked the truth.
"Ah, Lady Marianne it is alright, I am aware something to eat would have been better... haha..."
’... Y-yeah... hehe... really, something to eat would have been better, kinky~...’
"So... ahem. The lady went away because of that... I wonder if you got to eat it. I was who had the coins at the time..."
"....." — ’Hmph, trying to act smart.’
[ Of course, I did not! ]
"Haha, I thought so."
’Ouf! This guy is such a teaser!’
[ I inadvertently searched for the source and realised I had done wrong immediately since I had no way to buy it from the stall... ]
"I see..."
’Tsk. He’s restraining his laugh... handsome idiot...’
[ I did eat it later. The Prince and I ate it together. The chicken sticks. ]
"... Haha, my lady, so that is why you wished to go back the way I found you?"
’You bet!’
"My lady truly is unique... any other would not go back where they found danger."
’Heh... hihi~ Y-You can say that. I know I’m quite awesome myself, you know~’ — Fuzzy by what I felt was a compliment, I became proud from the pout. Feeling nice since his laughter was sweet to the ears. But then again, I should continue to tell what happened.
[ Since I had no way to buy it, I simply stood on the other side of the road for I realised I was lost... My sense of direction is, truthfully, not developed. Therefore, I did not know where to turn to meet His Highness again. ]
"... The lady did walk far from where we separated..."
[ Hence, I decided to wait there. I had faith His Highness would come in my search. ]
"..... I did." — To my last message, his tone deepened, so serious it made me tremble as his dreamy eyes came to meet mine with a shade of ferocity. — "Once I noticed, I rushed to look for the lady... it was... Sincerely, concern was deep within me, my lady... Like never before."
’... R-really...?’
"The thought that something had happened to you... or that someone might have taken you away..."
"..." — [ I am deeply sorry, your Highness. For causing unnecessary concern. ]
"... And yet I was not mistaken." — He frowned more at my words. — "I should have never left your side. If I had... I would not have found the lady running in grieving tears."
"....."
[ I am sorry– ] — My hand commenced to write again. Guilty since it was my fault... but he stopped me from doing it.
"What happened then, my lady... why did I find you in such a state?... Would you please tell me that... instead of an undue apology?" — Softly, his deep gaze looked at me fondly, while his hand that I noticed hesitate a bit remained covering mine. Nicely gaining grasp of it to request something different from what I was currently trying to write.
My sharp nod came right after, admiring the determination in his ultramarine hues... intense with a beautiful glint of red turning fuchsia in them.
And so...
[ While I waited for the Crown Prince, a person approached me.
A person in the shape of a child. Who started a seemingly common conversation with me until I realised I could not make up a picture of their face, and their voice did not sound like anything I had heard before.
Doubtful if a male or female was the one behind the words told to me. ]
"... Is it alright if I ask... what were the words?"
"..." — [ Because of my lack of answer, they asked if I was under some kind of punishment. ]
"....."
[ As they had the shape of a child, I nodded thinking it was their innocence talking. And then... ]
— Punishment... but, how come? I didn’t get to reach the emblem. —