Chapter 355: Chapter 355
Silence proceeded his tease, while a proud prince condemned him with a gaze Francois knew well was not taking him seriously.
"A man in need should be able to say ’please’ to a wise father. Am I wrong?"
"You are. I am not in need."
"Oh? And is it proof of such that you are before myself... the Emperor and father you look down upon... asking for ’explanations’ or may as well say... looking for guidance?"
"... You like to talk a tad too much. I thought it would please your bore. I shall ask the lady herself."
"Wait! You madman! How can you inquire from the person herself how you are to behave??!? And it is no less to charm her! Do I have an idiot as an heir!?"
"Stop dramatizing. It’s unbecoming."
"Goodness, my... Haaa, come seat already. I cannot bear this any longer. I don’t want to even imagine how you have interacted with that poor girl until now..."
Resigned at his useless attempts to shake his son into his schemes, Francois waved his hand for him to sit on a near couch. Extending his limb so his grail would be returned and, making it clink with the aid of his ring made of thick gold, he then requested with the gesture for a glass to also be filled for the prince to drink.
"To act adequately... you have experience with women yet not in love, right?"
"... If you are asking if I have tangled in sheets, I have. Although it has been for manly urges only."
"Of course. It’s for cute Marianne that you discovered you have a heart." — Pleased, the Emperor turned away the servant filling his son’s cup to continue speaking. — "You must be confused... not knowing how to treat her correctly, wishing to care for her but those manly urges just keep getting stronger since she looks more beautiful every second that goes by~"
"... I... although that is not far from truth... more than that, I want her to be happy with my company and make her feel slightly as strongly my being feels for her."
"..."
"Therefore, how do I act adequately?... Even if the emperor did not expect my sincerity, don’t show your surprise so evidently." — At the baffled expression of his Father, Zeleskiaz warned turning his honest demeanour back to a grimace, for it brought displeasure deep within.
"Aah... I... son, I just could not believe my ears–... Contrary to how you do with me, I do take you seriously." — Taking back the hand that had attempted to pat his heir’s shoulder, Francois’s voice lowered in energy. Aware that the sharp glare Zeleskiaz gave to said hand was one to warn this was not them getting closer.
"Therefore?"
"... Women like romance... in courtship, you are to praise their neverending beauty, protect the frail petals of the flower they represent... respect them and demonstrate their worth in your eyes... become the man they can rely on and feel safe with, Zeleskiaz."
"Alright."
"Wait! That’s not all... A man needs great restraint. Never let your urges win while courting a woman. Their every first is a treasure they keep for only one chosen partner. If you take it without permission a woman will despise such a man."
".... Without permission?"
"That’s right. If a woman is stolen such things without any show of previous interest or gifts to demonstrate a man’s feelings, they will probably think of the man as a cunny hunter or a rambler. It would be obvious they only wish to satisfy their craves to then get rid of their ’entertainment’, do you understand?"
".... I do."
"? Slow with the wine, or I’ll have to ask for more to be brought."
"... How to make sure she doesn’t misunderstand? Is there a strategy...? When... how to be romantic..."
Aided by the alcohol, his severity was forfeited to show a hint of the distress ignorance caused in Zeleskiaz. For what he has done until this day could be conceived as the emperor told in the worst of the chances and for he also doubted his amendments had been valid as his craves did win against his will to behave.
"... Well... you have in your veins the charm to seduce women. I had my share of problems when I was your age because of that, hahaha!"
"..."
"Ahem. Therefore, focus on demonstrating manners, graceful and elegant... oh! Invite her tonight to the lights!"
"? At this time?"
"Do it! Let her experience the thrill of a brief escape! Show it to her since you are so good at it! Make her heart race with the fright of being caught and care for her so she feels your reliable side!... Be a man! Take the reigns of your craves and make her feel special, you idiot!"
"..."
"... Go and try. You can come back for more advice later if you think things went well."
"... Alright."
"If she wants to stay longer, accompany her. Nights at the festival are special for the couples~ use this well, brutish heir of mine."
"Tsk. I understand. Don’t follow me."
Focused on the vague explanation his progenitor had given, the Crown Prince stood from his seat, determined on trying to follow his suggestion.
’I suppose I wasn’t far from correct in my beliefs.’ — The young man thought, convinced now that his ways had been mistaken from the beginning with the Lady.
"Be thoughtful!"
*Bang*
Watching his heir leave the room, reticent to his continuous advice, Francois then remained standing... drinking the rest of a cup of wine he had barely touched while talking with his son.
"khaaah... I never thought I would see him like this..." — Drinking tastefully the strong juice, the Emperor smiled with conflict in his stares. Grazing the cravings and gems on his grail while blank in ponder. — "He is serious... hah, of all people... he asked me for advice..."
A short chuckle left his nostrils, pleased by the sadness the awareness of his child’s dislike brought.
"I wonder how it will turn out... Zeleskiaz unexpectedly has pure feelings for the cute child..." — Going back to refill his drink, Francois then paused... turning severe immediately at what his son had previously informed. — "Something haunting her... he better investigate quick. I can’t say such vague a thing to Orland."
*Gulp gulp gulp*
"... ’the least of her problems’... Heh. At least he’s conscious he’s troublesome...... Lad!" — Summoning a young servant, the Emperor then decided. — "Bring sheet and ink. I need to send a letter."