Chapter 354: Chapter 354
*******
It was a month of strenuous restrain for a man overwhelmed with pure love and strong craves for the one and only woman in his eyes.
The dreamy night at a brilliant festival had been played many times as treasured memories for as of that day... no such graze like the charming one at the end of a fast dance had occurred between his and the lips of the lovely lady.
’Haaa... being compliant and a gentleman... my spirit won’t last.’ — Aching for even a slight touch, Zeleskiaz’s soul hurt, craving for the woman’s closeness. Always remembering the advice the Emperor had provided after coming back from the Grand Summer day... besides the tardy yet expected reproach at his gruesome doings.
"It was more than a third part of the beasts, Zeleskiaz!... You injured my knights... but not only that! You also made it so the few shadows available won’t be able to disperse properly!! Are you this Empire’s enemy?!? Is it that!? Sh*tty brat I have for an heir!!! Am I making the Empire’s enemy my heir!? Is that it, Zeleskiaz!!!?"
"... No."
"Elaborate, d*mn it!!! Show a f*king expression, aloof idiot!! How come you appear so alive in front of Lady Marianne and in front of anyone else you appear like a psychotic madman of a Prince!? Explain!!"
"... Emperor, your voice’s pitch is heightening in an annoying tone."
"I. Don’t. CARE!!" — Exasperated at the nonchalant attitude his heir continued to showcase, Francois threw his grail at him out of angered frustration. Becoming speechless, short of air, as the Crown Prince effortlessly caught it to drink the drop of wine left inside. — "HaaaAaHAHhhh... what am I to do with you? As it has come to be, I regret giving you opportunities with the cute child on this day... you truly make it so I feel you don’t deserve anything relating her..."
Falling back on his favourite seat at his royal lounge, Francois held his head that ached greatly at the mere thought of the work he would fall into to recover what was lost at Zeleskiaz’s savage whim.
"....."
The silence was palpable, and yet... the Crown Prince had listened to the Emperor even if disinterested.
"About such opportunities... although it is unpleasant to say, I appreciate it."
"..... What?"
"..."
"Say that again."
"No. Once suffices."
"Tsk! That’s right, you’ve never been cute at all. None of you." — Francois’ awe was quickly shut by the strict Crown Prince, starting to regret getting his hopes up at a miracle. — "... Well... even if for a moment, you did behave as I told you. Those bloody instincts you have would have messed everything up."
"... That is true."
*Clank!*
"Say that again! Haha! You said it!"
"Yes."
"... God d*rn it Zeleskiaz, why are you like this?? Not even your mother shuts my spirits down this much!"
"The Empress has a thing named pity. Especially meant for her husband. I lack such a thing."
"Effing brat..."
"... Your Majesty." — After taking a moment, Zeleskiaz commenced to pace closer, holding the Emperor’s grail behind his back, touching the delicate cravings and gems as he came to stand before the exhausted Francois. — "It is true my madness is out of control at times, yet it is because I let it be."
"... Hah. So in the end every chaos is on purpose?"
"... You may think such is the case. I don’t mind."
"Haaaa... Good lord..."
"There is a reason why I mention this, nonetheless. I have controlled it fine enough before... right in front of my lady Marianne."
"... I know. Orland told me."
"Yes. It was obvious he would tell." — Already aware, Zeleskiaz continued. — "However, there is indeed danger surrounding the Lady... That is besides the one you are already aware of. Those siblings of hers and Fenrir’s presence within my blood is the least of my Lady’s problems."
"... What do you mean? How come you know of the siblings–"
"I’m not blind when it comes to my woman."
"..."
"Something else is haunting her. I am to investigate this matter, yet you ought to tell Sylfinnier... My lady’s grief this afternoon... whoever incited it, I ought to disappear it from this realm."
As if he was the incarnation of "the calm before the storm", Zeleskiaz stood impassive before the Emperor, reviving the fury of seeing a tearful beloved, running clumsily in her unfair condition, pale and scared... helplessly trembling in his hold.
The Emperor’s bewildered hues trembled at the sight of the composed threat his son had evolved to, and adopting the severity Zeleskiaz’s demeanour portrayed, his first answer followed.
"Why don’t you tell Orland yourself."
"The Duke and I don’t seem to have the trust."
"Hah... No one does if it’s you."
"Are you going to collaborate or should I do things my way? Emperor."
"..."
Certain that if the Crown Prince’s aura was able to keep sane when boiling in rage... Francois took in his threat, forgetting the chill his gaze just sent to continue the conversation.
"As soon as you learn something, let me know. If anything wants to harm that child, we have to make sure it ceases to exist."
"... Of course, we have to. She’s to be the next Empress."
"... Hah... haha... You... I truly doubted the day would come... yet look at yourself. You have made no less than a woman the purpose of your life Zeleskiaz."
"She excels the worth of my life, though." — Smirking proud and shameless at the straightforward assortment, the Crown Prince agreed with his progenitor, frowning slightly as he was to say more. — "... About what you said after the public ceremony..."
"? What about it?" — Drinking bitterly from the base the wine was contained as he lacked the grail Zeleskiaz held, Francois grumbled to his son’s neverending retorts. — "I say many things, you know?"
"... I refer to what you said about acting adequately."
"Oh... that. What is it?... And don’t glare at me. It makes me not want to answer, selfish brat. I’m furious because of what you did at the dungeons."
Exhaling strongly to the Emperor’s chatter, the Crown Prince searched for patience to help his pride. Grinding his teeth before letting out an unpolite demand... that his Father would not easily grant.
"Elaborate yourself this time. What is ’adequate’?"
The squint of Francois’s eyes followed instantly at his son’s words, sneering gradually at it to try and have his share of entertainment with a man fooled by love.
"... Pardon?... Son... Sigh~ I believe you are missing an important ’please’ in that request of yours."