Chapter 178: Chapter 178
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Orland was resentful towards the Crown Prince.
The upsetting phrase Francois had uttered like the Devil’s whisper that morning had yet to be forgotten by his Protective Father’s heart. Hence, meeting the implicated man again...
— They will marry~ —
’B*stard... I won’t hand my lovely sun to this man. Over my dead body will my daughter get tangled with this barbaric Prince.’
As an annoying echo, Francois’s whisper repeated itself as he conversed with the Crown Prince. And then...
"... May I rob His Grace? I would like to escort My Precious Guest inside."
"... You ought to ask permission from MY PRECIOUS Daughter, Crown Prince." — ’Shameless brat...’
In his head, Orland believed his daughter would decline.
The Duke was convinced that his lovely daughter also would not feel inclined to accept after watching her lovely eyes avert from the Crown Prince’s without confirming his previous statement on her appreciation for his "geniality".
The wicked side of Orland had emerged with this in mind. Planning for the Prince to be directly declined by her, the Duke responded arrogantly.
’See for yourself that my daughter won’t accept...?? Marianne?!’
The swift slip of her hand from his arm, and then the scene of his lovely child doing reverence as a silent greeting, to then hold the offered arm of the distasteful Prince... drained his face of colour, for the unexpected had happened in front of him.
’Ugnnngh... Mister! Is this not your day?!? Why would you do this when this guy has the fame he has?! I’ve seen other sides of him but I still have to be cautious for various reasons here!!’
Forced to agree, the foreigner thought to herself.
The child’s choice was unavoidable.
The complicated relationship with the Crown Prince could become more troublesome if she were to decline now to later face him in a private meeting that was sure to follow.
Considering the guards and her body’s sister’s presence, the foreign child came to the most rational outcome.
’Theresa will hate me either I say no or yes. But those guards work for this guy! If I go and decline, I’m sure he will try to get something out of it!!’
As she frustratedly deduced how Zeleskiaz would use any means to take advantage, the man she had well deciphered watched her with entranced eyes.
However, the thoughts he had been developing in the concealed walls of his bedroom had him already on edge.
Zeleskiaz did not let the desire take true form in an outspoken idea.
Nonetheless, the wish for his blouse to disappear and stop being an obstacle for her fingers to touch his bare skin kept pulsating in a restless heartbeat.
Theresa watched the whole exchange. And in the midst of the outraging silence the Prince held to observe her Sister, she intervened to put an end to the unsightly scene.
"... It may be wise for us to go inside now. Sister was expectant at tonight’s meal. Right, Sister Marianne?"
’... Yeah... I can still see the hate in your eyes, Theressa... But whatever. Let’s move on. Wine is waiting.’ — Graciously bowing to confirm Theressa’s comment, Elizabeth considered.
"That being the case, then... Let me guide you to our table."
Not being able to detach his eyes from the Lady’s hand, Zeleskiaz indifferently began to answer. His eyes came to meet the Duke’s to recite his last sentence, lifting his head flaunting his status prominence with composed loftiness.
"..." — Clenching his jaw at Zeleskiaz’s attitude, Orland limited himself to nod in acceptance.
Men knew men... And it did not escape Orland’s sharp eyes.
’You better keep that restraint... Touch my daughter and the Empire will be left without Crown Prince.’
The eyes of a man’s desire were easy to discern. However, the Crown Prince had a glint that was far more dangerous in them. Not the natural fiery Pyrope that inhabited the Amethyst... But a glint his spirit granted to the deep hues, born from the strong roots of the burgeoning emotion it was developing for a special Lady.
The four nobles walked into the wide Hall, lightened by warm candles and the white light of the moon that slid into it through small glasses at the curved edges that gave start to the high ceiling; from which an ancient chandelier hung graciously, illuminated by big candles.
’... Every room I enter is so majestic..... Though it must be troublesome to lit that chandelier.’ — The witty child thought as awe widened her charming eyes.
The Hall was overwhelmingly vast for its purpose was to receive a great number of people on special occasions. Nonetheless, today a wider table was placed in its centre to receive the Guest and her companions.
The silence continued to reign after taking their seats. The food was served and yet, the hush continued.
As one only focused to observe his guest uninterested in small talk, the other man bit his tongue to suppress his rage at the forthright gala of attraction from the first man towards his daughter. And as to the pair of women...
The youngest felt nervous to commence a topic of discussion since her love interest seemed difficult to approach.
In her ignorance, she did not see as far as her Father did in the attention the Crown Prince paid to her sister... Yet, the fortuitous glances he only dedicated to the pure souls had her restless in jealousy.
’Sigh... My Prince... That interest in her odd existence will fade. You ought to look my way... For I am to love you like no other.’
The young child recited in her flowery adorned head, comforting herself with the thought of the Prince’s interest being a fleeting trance.
Lastly... Our protected child...
’... Life hates me...’ — She lamented, consistently filling her mouth with the savoury meal at her table.
’The stares, cringe and scary are all here. Even the silence is, but not the type I can relax in... If it were fresh butter... I could cut right through it and even melt it a bit..... Once again... This is a wonderful reminder that life sucks.’
Her dejected mood was not only born from the uncomfortable ambience.
It was the fact that the only option she had found as a lifesaver in this situation had been denied to her from the very beginning by her caring Father.
The Duke had lifted his hand to the servant who was to serve her the awaited drink and told her with affectionate yet sorry eyes.
"Marianne, let them serve other juice this time... I believe we still should be careful and follow Doctor Deslys’ advice."
’Twice... Maybe thrice if we count Pockachin’s, Mister..... Three times you have betrayed me today...’
The pain she felt was being dramatized by her unique essence. And although she held no true resentment towards her body’s Father, she felt like crying out of frustration.
’Nnng... And these dishes would go so well with a good wine too... Sob... This meat is not reaching its tasty peak because I lack my wine~~ hinngg~... Mister~ You meanie~~’
Pouting on the inside her outside demeanour continued impassive to her true emotions. Time proceeded to pass. And it was the Crown Prince who uttered some words after some period, ending the stillness.
"... Lady Marianne... Was your afternoon peaceful?... I believe your Chambers have a nice view to find peace in."
His comment was abrupt to the listeners. Yet, also quite specific for the Lady.
’... Are you kidding me? It wasn’t – why is the nice view being mentioned??’
For a moment, her ears perked at the irruptive voice. And as she responded inwardly, Elizabeth noticed the oddity in his observation.
Turning to look at him in wonder, their eyes crossed and while casting a deep stare upon her, Zeleskiaz continued.
"I have heard Calla’s chambers have a balcony attached. One truly comfortable to relax in."
"...!" — Realising what he intended by mentioning such a matter, she averted her gaze. — ’Son of a–!! Why mention that?! Didn’t we get to an agreement?!?’
It was only for his own satisfaction that the Prince had mentioned the balcony.
The Lady’s lack of lovely blush was disappointing and the long hours he had spent by his window begging to the vast skies to get a glance of her figure in that sacred platform had impulsed him to remind her of the balcony’s existence.
"That is indeed true. This afternoon I noticed the balcony in my Sister’s Chambers. It does seem to have a nice view of these lands." — Theressa answered instead of the flustered Marianne. Attempting to showcase her elegance with great manners.
"... Did the Lady’s younger Sister make her company this afternoon?" — The Crown Prince asked, disinterested in making further small talk with her besides answering his suspicions.
"!! Yes! We shared a delightful afternoon together." — Enthusiast to be talked to by the yearned Prince, Theressa answered with obvious joy.
"..." — ’So it was this girl’s scent that tainted my Lady’s... Her presence deprived her of freedom.’
Finding the possible culprit of her absence in the dreamy balcony, the Crown Prince rolled his eyes to watch the Lady attempting to distract herself with the other dishes at her disposition.
’Uh... Th–that one looks good!! I haven’t tried that one~~.... Ignore him. Ignore him!’
"... So that is the reason..." — Zeleskiaz mumbled, loud enough for everyone to hear.
"Pardon?" — Theressa shyly asked.
"... It is solely an assumption. Yet that ought to be the reason for the Lady’s tired aura."