Chapter 349: Chapter 349
Sweet flutter invaded her chest as she received the paper he had brought for her to use.
Once again, softly like the roses in her bouquet, her cheeks were decorated by emotion, and with a glimpse of a thankful blink from her eyelashes, the frail lady’s delight at his thoughtful preparations was conveyed.
[ Your Highness, your attentiveness moves me greatly. This ambience, I do like it.
The lights were truly captivating... You have my deepest appreciation for these sheets, these flowers and this invitation, Prince Zeleskiaz. ]
"... I am genuinely glad that is the case, Lady Marianne."
"..."
[ So... as you have mentioned, it is too soon to make our way back... ]
Making use of her pure grey eyes, Marianne added to her notes, requesting innocently from the prince to continue their stroll as he had suggested. Inwardly hoping to look adorable in his eyes, not only for her wish to stay in the festival tonight would be granted but also so her beauty would charm the man whose actions have been fascinating the lady on this night.
"Yes... It is indeed too soon for us to go back..." — Mesmerised by her refined allure, Zeleskiaz nicely replied, offering his arm again so she would take it, fond in expression. — "A stroll around the square, shall we take the long path back to the palace, my lady?"
’!! Haha! Yes, my prince~ Let’s–... let’s do that...’ — Her eager answer quickly made her feel shy, for the turquoise hues of the man intently watched her... so lovingly she sensed the overwhelming feelings of the man, becoming confused as how to face him at that moment.
Nonetheless, his considerate attitude continued to treat Marianne so comfort would come back to her psyche, allowing her endearing and youthful behaviour to bloom further the more interesting sights she found.
’This is so cool~... everyone seems to be having a great time...’
Walking up a wide street crowded by citizens, interesting stalls and activities could be found every few steps. And yet, there was something else taking her notice.
"Darling, do you want more flowers? I can buy more for you."
"Dear... this one is enough, I love it since you searched for this last one... Only because it’s my favourite... thank you."
"....."
’... This... this festival... does it have a lover’s motive?? I- I never got to the festival arch in the novel...’ — Blushed by the many couples they had passed by, Marianne shrunk slightly to hide her nervous smile behind the flowers. Tingly inside as she tried to convince herself not to think much of it... even as her hand clasped the Crown Prince’s arm stronger the more conscious she became.
"... Is there something wrong, my lady?"
’!? No. Nothing at all (?!)’ — Denying with her head she answered a gentle Zeleskiaz, whose different appearance continued to feel odd to her sight. — ’W-why?!?’
"Truly? The lady’s visage appears-"
"Come join us!"
’Uh!?’
Suddenly, the group of dancers they could hear far ahead had reached the tranquil stop they had stood for a short exchange.
"No, we–" — Zeleskiaz started to answer to the group dancing around them. Confused as many swirled with no one to directly talk to. — "We are not–"
"Come dance with your woman, win her reward, young man!"
’?! Wait! Wait! My flowers!’
"I’ll keep these safe pretty woman~" — A skinny man singsonged to Marianne, taking away the flowers she refugee herself in.
"! Wait– uh?"
Being pushed by the many dancers that brought more people to join the energetic dances, the prince and lady became more confused as they were made to hold hands by the group.
’... Uh...’ — Staring at each other, Marianne then looked around, finding the other couples already dancing to the vibrant songs of the parade.
"... My lady... it is a fast dance yet..." — The moment she glanced around Zeleskiaz managed to decide. Stepping closer to tell Marianne his desire to join the group. — "Do grant me this dance."
’Uh?? B-but..."
"Here, your feet..." — Pushing her closer by the waist he invited the feet of the lady to stand on his. Smiling fondly at her, handsomely and warmly, with a charming tone. To warn the woman her hands should stay on him. — "Hold on to me, my lady."
’! O-okay...’
Bewildered by the closeness the prince allowed with this chance, Marianne’s hand grasped his strongly... while her other one held onto his waist, starting a fast and joyous dance, following the melody of vibrating music the dancing bards sang.
Slightly scared, the more speed they gained, Marianne’s lids then shut tightly, enormously entertained by the thrill the more they jumped to the frantic music. Holding as strongly as she could onto the man, while laughter commenced to scape her mute mouth.
"khkh!" — ’Waaah! Haha! Woah! This is so-! Waah! Kinky! Don’t go so fast, hahaha!!’
Smiling widely to the lovely laugh of his beloved, Zeleskiaz continued to lead their dance, careful of not causing harm, sometimes swirling with her in his arms so she would not lose so much energy.
"My Lady! Is it fun?!" — Within the loud music, Zeleskiaz asked aware of the answer.
’It is! Haha! I love it!’ — "~~!!"
"....."
’... Uh?’
Receiving the most vibrant smile he had seen on the lady, his motion stopped dry. Provoking wonder in the lady who looking up at him only received an unnecessary apology... Unnecessary for she would gladly forgive the man.
"I’m sorry, my lady... I can’t be a gentleman..."
"??"
The hold he took of her visage was as soft as a petal’s caress and his lean did not allow for any resistance... although none would come as she had been waiting for this moment to arrive.
*Peck*
’! aah... That’s fine...’
A first graze only made her hand take those of his, ready to receive the next kiss.
*Smooch*
"Haa... Forgive my manners...*smoo... ch* my lady..." — Going for a slow third, Zeleskiaz requested in a state of drowsy daydream.
’I already did...’
Letting herself be kissed, Marianne paid no mind to his mumbles. Delighted by the kiss she had been expecting to receive on this summer night.
Lost in the nice touch their lips daintily engaged in, it was later that to the woes of the surrounding crowd, the couple woke up.
"A young man was rewarded! He did well tonight, hahaha! Give back the girlfriend’s bouquet, Ahahaha!"
"!?... Ah... thank you." — Retrieving his hands from her countenance, Zeleskiaz was handed the bouquet they had kept from Marianne. Feeling shy by his impulsive actions. Returning the flowers to the sweetly embarrassed lady. — "Umh... Your flowers..."
’Th-thanks...’
"Well done! Well done!!"
Their embarrassment was enhanced by those cheering the pair. Their gazes could not meet for a moment by the loud cheers... and it was at the continuous merriments of a happy festival that the Crown Prince decided to take her by the hand and finally drift away from the loud parade.
"... My lady, I apologise... that was not my intention..."
At a quiet corner he managed to find, Zeleskiaz once again apologised to the lady.
’It’s... It’s fine if it was, though...’
"..."
The timid glance she gave, pushed Zeleskiaz to become hopeful. After a while of understanding her essence, and calming down a racing heart, it was then that the prince softly suggested an option that would please both guilty souls.
"... They said... I was rewarded..."
’... Mhm...’
"Should I... believe such is the case?"
’Yeah... lets... let’s excuse it with that...’