Chapter 172: Chapter 172
Puff!
My seat made a small deflated noise once I sat down. I was in a single seat, while she was on the lengthy couch beside it. And so, sensing her silent glare at my arrival, I began my attack.
Taking my post-it notes out of my inside pocket, I began writing the first thing that came to mind.
[ Did you like the Room? ]
Quite a normal and fitting question. However, I must admit that I hesitated a little before handing it as it was.
I kind of wanted to add "My Room" there to brag since the best room in the Palace is mine, but I figured it would only light up some dynamite that could be laying around unnoticed, and abstained from doing it for safety measures.
Reaching out my hand to her so she would take the notes, I watched her looking up and down at me with that charming contempt She specialises in and waited for her to deign and take it.
"... Sigh..." — As if already tired, she sighed heavily, taking her time to take the d*mn message. And quickly reading it, She spits. — "No, I didn’t. It’s perfect for you since it’s so ugly. Anything else?"
Throwing away my post-it notes she averted her eyes from me, bored.
"Ah. Let me get it, My Lady." — Hearing the thrown notes fall on the floor, Paige immediately came to pick them up.
However, it’s not her who I want to pick it.
’D*mn mother f*cking dwarf. I’m nice enough to try to begin a conversation with your annoying self and you do this? That’s it... Stay put, Paige.’ — Lifting my hand to stop Paige’s intention, She instantly froze in place. — ’Give it, Theressa.’
Extending my hand, I looked straight at the troublemaker, demanding two things.
’Pick that up. And give the claw. Let’s see if you still want to act stupid.’
"... What. What do you want now, b*tch?"
"!!!?" — From the corner of my eye, I saw Paige covering her mouth in disbelief, horrified by what she just heard.
"..." — ’I assure you... You don’t want me to be a b*tch.’
Taking a moment to stare at her with dead eyes, disappointed at how she didn’t manage to restrain her tongue in front of Paige, I pointed with my finger at the post-it notes... And the claw. And once again, unfolded my hand demanding for them to be returned.
’Give them back~ while I’m asking nicely~’
"..... Hey, why haven’t you picked that up? Hurry up." — The idiot began after meeting my gaze, turning to Paige to try what I wouldn’t let happen.
Turning to Paige who was standing right by my side and poking at her to call her attention, I made a gesture with my hand so she retired to do her duties.
"Ah– huh... T–then, excuse me, My Lady. Do call me if anything is needed..."
’Go on~’ — Turning back to Theressa I held my unfolded hand in front of her... Again. — ’... Now, where were we?’
"....." — Completely mute, Theressa stared at me strangely and dumbfounded by my dismissal of Paige.
’That’s right~ I’m not a pushover, kid. Act as surprised as you want but I’m not letting you off. I might add, it’s even fun seeing you confused.’
Although Marianne seemed to be going crazy in anxiety by the feeling she was giving me, I don’t care.
’Pay attention, Marianne. If she’s to act this way, we don’t need to be kind.’
"You... You don’t mean I have to pick that up, do you?? Have you gone crazy? Are you testing my patience?"
"..."
Sigh...
Taking the spare post-it notes, I wrote a short message to make things clear.
In capital Letters and highlighted by writing over the letters, I showed from my place the message to her as if it was a sign board.
[ GIVE BACK THE CLAW TOO. ]
’In other words... Leave.’ — I added, giving her a fake smile on the inside.
She could have had a hard day after the Crown Prince’s incident and all, but I don’t pity her enough to let her do as she wants when she invited herself here, planning to stay and act rude.
I may have let her be at the Duchy because she would make it quick. Like a passing tornado, she would come, make an unnecessary rumble and leave right away as if nothing happened; without the need for me to do anything.
I never even listened to her ramblings since she was annoying.
I would just look at her face distort in rage and then watch her leave very calmly.
But this is different. I was actually trying to communicate this time.
"Hah. Receiving that useless Title must have played with your head. Do you think you are less pathetic now? Don’t delude yourself, Marianne. Now go away and stop being a bother, your face upsets me."
"....." — ’Okay.’
It was quite interesting to hear her say that as she clenched the claw so tightly.
If I didn’t know better, I would say she is scared of letting it go~ but how could that be~?
If she was indeed scared she wouldn’t have exhausted my patience, right~~?
’As you like, shitty wig. I did my best, sweetheart. You know I did...’ — I told Marianne.
However, even if she understood I had been nice enough, she still gave me a "yeah, sure" kind of sensation...
Which is why I can’t be as shameless with her since she does know I didn’t do my best.
’Yeah, maybe I didn’t, but whatever. I have no energy to deal with her.’ — Letting her know I didn’t really care anymore, I stood from my seat.
Watching her from above, I stayed looking down at her for a while with my emotionless face, this time intentionally making it more emotionless for a better impact.
’You f**k. Do you think you can mess around with me? These matters were resolved in a human catfight back in my world. If not because I’m impersonating a Lady, those honey-like eyes would be offered to the bees to take out instead, you bloody excuse of a dwarf, f***ing rookie, eff*** snail’s poop, not even a stupid slug..... @#&$+&#%@+$&@’
"... Wh– What?" — She asked, maybe feeling my killing intent.
"..." — ’... Do you truly not know?... Should I continue? Ugly f*got, retarded kid, they call you goose? Better said goosebumps!"
? Hey, this is fun.
"Ugh, go away!"
’Heh. Okay... I’ll make it fast then.’ — Shrugging not only on the inside but lightly on the outside, I agreed since I felt very satisfied after all those "compliments" I gave her.
Turning on the spot, I bent over to pick up my post-it notes and left them on the white centre table.
And now...
’Excuse me~ but give me that claw~ I’m inclined to see if it’s dangerous~ and you earned the lucky ticket~’
Extending my hand to hers that still held onto the claw, I took the loose leather string attached to the hidden claw that peeked out from her closed fist and began pulling it to retrieve it.
"?!?! What are you doing??! Let go! Do you want me to die?!"
’Uh..... No(?)... I’m not really sur–EH!!? I’m joking!!’ — Controlling my reaction over the electric shock Marianne sent to my rib’s side, I continued to pull on the string.
Although I have no strength, I guess the fact that I wanted to take it away from her, frightened Theressa.
"S–stop pulling on it!! W–What if something happens after you break it!!! Marianne!!"
She must have been scared of it actually happening because she didn’t pull on it to get my hand off of it. Maybe she was so scared that she was even being careful for once.
’Oh~ so you are scared it could brea–...k?’
Thu–thump
—... It could break?..... That makes it more interesting, Elizabeth, my love... After all, your hands look good in red ~ Hahaha. —
Ah... I... F*ck.
"..."
The remembrance of him brought a heavy headache without delay. To think an innocent teasing would end with this disgusting memory...
D*mn it.
"Ah~! That’s right! Stop acting stupid, Ma–... Marianne?"
’I don’t care anymore. Do whatever you want. Just don’t bother me.’
"...?" — Even Marianne made me know she was confused at what suddenly happened for me to abruptly turn and walk to our bed, stopping the "fun" I was having.
’... It’s nothing, sweetheart. I just... Uh... I just lost interest. That’s all. I’ll leave your sister alone now. I want to take a rest before dinner.’
"..."
"My Lady? Is there something that hurts? Would you like me to inform His Grace...?"
Sigh... When they should give a blind eye they don’t... I appreciate it but...
’Thanks, Paige. But that would make this more troublesome. I just need to lay down for a bit.’ — Shaking my head, I declined her nice disposition.
The only thing I find to be a relief is the fact that Marianne’s body doesn’t seem to be suffering. This headache is more like my soul being pressured by the unpleasant feelings my memory recalls.
It’s truly a relief...
If anything, I don’t want to be the one to make Marianne feel sick.
She has enough to deal with the restrictions her original condition and my arrival puts on it.
’Let’s try to get some sleep... Or just not think... That will do.’
Closing our eyes more tightly, I felt my soul... Maybe what amount’s to my own invisible heart, shrinking and suffocating.
Because, somehow, the sensation I felt that time... Of those red drops... Slowly and disgustingly crawling down over my skin to reach my fingertips he liked so much to see red on me, made my true self tremble by how desperate and helpless I felt back then... Hanging, like the decoration he wanted to play I was.