Chapter 351: Chapter 351
The more pensive I become... I discovered that it’s then that more memories are shown by Marianne...
Probably... it’s because she has earned more confidence in me that now she can let me see bits of her past.
Although, those little fragments, sadly, are mostly with a tiny Anne crying. Feeling hopeless... alone, innocent and scared by ignorance...
’Paul used to manipulate your head... it’s easy for a child to not see the truth... don’t feel sorry. He was bigger and stronger than you. You believed in him since he was there to fill your ears...’
Thinking of those memories she showed me, I comforted her. Yet I didn’t really know what else to say.
From treating her well, Marianne showed me how he started to sow weird thoughts in her, convincing her that her father disliked how she was and behaved, punishing her every time she went against his manipulations... locking her up in that dirty room that I still have no clue where it is... that, when they were younger.
I saw the times when her father knocked on her door, worried to know how she was doing... But Paul was there to make it so he wouldn’t see her... and I felt as if they were my memories by how our body revived the trembles every time in stronger grief when the duke tried to come near, only to demonstrate his care and she would quietly refuse it, walking away, every time more stiffer than the last in demeanour as her heart withered believing an abusive brother.
’He didn’t hit you as much when you were little... but even as you show me this... His mumbles feel incredibly creepy. Like a brainwash...’
"....."
Marianne wouldn’t share much in sensations when I talked about what she showed me. But even then there was no need in the end since I was her now.
I can tell she is sharing what she can little by little. And I can feel she is ashamed and forcing herself while doing so.
...
Either way, the first month of the year, Adet, came to an end without many other eventualities. And I am greatly thankful for that since I needed a real break from the many problems this life has.
Busy and distracting myself with simple plans like my "jewellery" business... It is now the first week of Blexalt, and the hunting competition is nearing.
Having in thought that this event is a good chance to show my merchandise, I’ve worked hard along the moody Madame... so it’s time to make a fortune after all that struggle.
I’ll scam a few people and make a fortune. Hehe.
Preparing for it, I also thought of using the special bath in this palace: the resting waterfalls. Thinking I could take a bath there and make preparations a little more special since I couldn’t get to use it last time as they seemed to fear I would drown there as I was sickly...
Not like it’s not possible... but it’s slightly offensive how conscious everyone is about my frailness...
Either way, I asked Paige about it, yet sadly that bath seems to open temporarily every few weeks, specifically at special times of the month...
’These details are bothersome to ignore... but oh well. There could be something magical going on in those baths for it to be this complicated. The author kept many secrets, this isn’t that surprising.’
I won’t be able to use it before the hunting competition starts, but it’s not that bad since it will open during those three nights of the event.
’Hehehe... we should get ourselves real dirty so they send us there. Fufufu~ it might not be necessary but we should make the most of this event. Weapons are allowed... so we could have an "accident" and wound a few siblings we have... critically.’
Half joking, I’ve been trying to look forward to this event. And yet it’s still obvious... my peace will be shaken one way or another from tomorrow when the Hunting competition starts.
’I’m ready... Are you ready, Anne?’
"....."
’?? No no. No... this is when you give me a "~~!!" vibe, not a silent one, sweetheart. We’ve talked about this.’ — Now laying on our bed to eventually fall asleep and start a day that promises trouble just by the kind of event it will bring, I’m giving my last prep talk to my lovely little lady. — ’This event is a hunting event, and we are currently more than one person’s prey. I can sense death nearing on us... so we have to focus. We have to survive. We have to since the Autumn Ball will be here in the blink of an eye... And you know what that means.’
".... ~..."
’That’s right: Plan survival was successful. We won’t even notice and we will be witnessing the Female Lead making her entrance at the Ball... So stay focused, sweetheart. We prepared for this. We have our VitorGPS, our pretty tear, a protective curse from Fenrir and we even asked Kinky to choose a few knights he trained of our army to make sure that weird kid or Paul won’t try something... We got this.’
"... ~~"
’That’s right. And if that’s not enough, remember: Your Father will be there, he taught us that trick to ask for his help in case we need it, we have that hidden guard he gave us and... my genius. Yup. Everything will be ju~st fine~’
"~~!!"
’Hehe~ that’s the vibe I was talking about.’
Glad that she felt safer after listing (again) the reasons why we shouldn’t worry, I swallowed my real worry to protect Anne’s peace of mind... since I know that in the real world and more so in the world of a novel... plans never go as planned.
I shut our eyes tight to dismiss any bit of discomfort I felt because of this and made myself fall asleep, lulling myself by listing those same reasons I told Marianne, besides the words Kinky told us tonight which had me in more of a good mood and make me hopeful for more achievements.
— It was simply a suggestion, yet it is good I requested this attempt from my lady... Your voice, although very soft, can resound for a time we cannot measure as you appear to endure three repetitions of fifteen minutes with ease... your jaw’s movement is smoother, hence... it is the strength of your sound that is left to improve, Lady Marianne. —
’.... It’s...’
"... the strength... of our... sound..."
Contemplating on his sayings, I spoke for ourselves to listen... Happy... almost in tears... because even though I was so busy and focused on other things, this gentle Prince opened my eyes to the significant progress I had failed to notice.
Trying it out for the first time, on our own since I also need to train my mind to bring out Marianne’s personality with it... I now can think of the times nearing, when my voice’s volume will be good enough to out every single one that hurt Marianne... And... Finally, talk to those we care for.