Chapter 171: Chapter 171 — The Hindrance’s Consequence.
"..."
"..."
We stayed in silence for quite a while.
She seemed lost in thought, so I kept staring at her, looking downwards, making an upset expression for reasons I ignore.
’Soooo..... Will you come inside? If it will take a while, then I’ll go over there and close the balcony’s glass door... It’s a bit cold here, darling.’ — I told her. Bored by the wait.
Bringing my hands up to cover my arms to warm up a bit, I glanced at the balcony which’s curtains were being lifted by the strong wind coming into the room.
It wasn’t only the fact that the place was getting cold... But the scent that the wind was enhancing as it flew around, grazing the furniture covered in the dust that now I know was the First Empress’s hair’s powder...
’The blood’s scent seems stronger than this morning... I wonder if it’s the wind that is clearing the flowers of the guardian...’
... Tap... Tap...
’? Oh...’
"My Lady! You have arrived!"
The steps I heard, along the looming shadow from the balcony, turned out to be my lovely maid, Paige.
"~!" — ’Hehe!’
Seeing her wide smile as she came back inside with an old broom, brought me out of the boredom and made me also smile, even giggle a tad in delight at her adorable energy.
’Ah~ Paige~ my lovely frie–’
"Ah!"
Ta– thunk– tan!
Paige suddenly jumped in surprise, dropping the broom on the floor.
’W– what is it–!?’
"L–Lady Theressa... W–welcome..." — Greeting Theressa from her spot, she bowed deeply in respect, yet with a nervous voice.
Turning to look where Paige was bowing to, I found Theressa standing one step into the room.
’Oh... So you decided to finally come in?..... What’s with Paige’s reaction, though?’
"... So this is Empress Calla’s favoured Chambers..." — She asserted, ignoring Paige.
’Okay. Now we have a problem. You won’t even say hello to Paige? I’ll have to teach you some manners later...’ — Glancing at her with displeased feelings, I went to get my treasure; also ignoring her since I had better things to do.
Taking it into my hands, I immediately forgot her unpleasant attitude and felt excited at the tiny rustic yet oddly delicate box.
’Hi again~ hehehe... Pretty tear, guess where you are~’
I became immersed in my own world without minding anything out of enthusiasm. Turning in delight with the box in my hands and walking as quickly as I could to my bed, all my eyes could see was the box keeping the beautiful treasure I now owned.
Seating on my bed’s edge, without letting the outsiders bother me, I opened it to show it the place. Never taking it with my bare hand but lifting it with the coffer’s lid widely open since I feel a bit nervous to touch it directly.
’Look! It’s the bedroom you were made in! Does it look just as you remember it??... Heheh... So silly... but wouldn’t it be cool if it did, sweetheart?...’
I had thought it would react once it came here... But I guess not every fantasy plot-like thing is to be fantastic, haha...
"..."
Although nothing happened, I still feel happy it’s here.
The Empress, her guardian and Fenrir... I feel as if the three of them are here, all together again... Only something that represents the Emperor is missing... But I guess since this is the Palace he raised to live in when he conquered the Empire, it could be said he’s already here.
’... I wonder... How close you four must have been to make all this entanglement I’m in right now?... You guys are so annoying...’ — Talking to the Guardian’s Tear, I smirked as I sarcastically addressed the four old friends. Even if my words could be felt as rude... I only meant it as a joke, because... Although it’s troublesome, isn’t their story inspiring in a sense?
’You guys had to go and make a complicated pact~...’
"What is that, My Lady?"
"!!" — ’You can’t!’
Closing the lid immediately as I saw Paige approaching, I took the box to protect it in a reflex.
"I! Pardon me, My Lady! I was out of line!"
’Ahhh!!! No! I’m sorry!...’ — Seeing her bow deeply, even deeper than when she greeted Theressa, I felt sorry for my impulsive reaction.
However, thinking about the people here at the moment... It’s better to leave the issue like this for now and apologise and show it to Paige later.
Theresa could do something stupid, so it’s better to be cautious this time.
’Sorry, Paige... I swear I will show it to you later, but I have to keep it safe for now.’ — I thought as I carefully placed the box into my night table’s little cabinet, so it would stay somewhere safe.
And... Being the proud binge reader I am...
’... Fenrir... I don’t know if you’re actually here but... Please keep it safe(?)’
I honoured my fanatism with a fitting request for the feeling this whole "Promised Ninth" thing gave me.
"..."
’No?... Nothing?... No halos or anything?...’
Oh, well~ It was worth the try.
Reading so many fantasy books did make me suffer from eighth-grade syndrome... Twice.
Ah~... I feel the third one coming... The cool Title surely won’t help my rehabilitation.
I already have a nice introduction speech in mind too...
’May the darkness not fall upon you! I! Pristina Pars, the promised one, shall fulfil my ancestors Calla’s and Fenrir’s Pact!!’
...
D*mn~ that sounds good... My brain is as fast as ever with its foolishness.
"Ugh... This place is covered in dust! Do you not clean this place?"
’... Gosh..... I’m speechless.’ — I said as my mood was ruined by Theressa’s comment.
If only she knew. Heh.
This girl is so blunt. If not because she doesn’t know the whole story, the revolting sensation I felt for a moment after hearing her comment, would have resulted in me yelling at her with my barely existing voice.
So many cussing words would be puked...
’Oh! How pitiful~! To be in ignorance of such a romantic legend! Oh, my poor little sister!! I! Your big sister, the ninth, forgives your thoughtlessness–!!!!... Oh, f*ck, it’s happening.’
I need to change my track of thought before I fall completely into the syndrome.
"..."
Should I... Act like a Sister?? Paige is here, so I doubt Theressa will act rashly in front of her.
’I was the only girl of three and the youngest in my family too... How do you even interact with a Little Sister anyway?’
For a second I thought of asking Marianne, but I quickly realised she also wouldn’t know. I mean... Until now her way hasn’t really worked — if there was one — to begin with.
Following my brothers’ example wouldn’t be wise either... Those d*mn jerks...;
Ah, d*mn... And she even is difficult to deal with, with that personality she has...
’... Should I tease her? I think she doesn’t like the "goose" nickname... What do gooses look like again???... Agh~ hey! Don’t try getting away from this! I’m who’s doing the work but you help too. She’s your original sister to begin with!..... Hmph. That’s right, come back here, young Lady... Unbelievable.’
Anne must have sensed how troublesome this would become. She’s not stupid. But I think she’s too great a student.
’I would have let it pass if the two of us were to escape. But you should know I won’t let it happen at times like these. You were the one who bugged me to let her stay too... If not for that, you know I would have said no to her obvious manipulation.’ — I reproached the sneaky Marianne who was caught red-handed trying to minimize herself.
... Ugh, I feel like my mother now.
Okay. Let’s try something. She’s in my territory now. The scare the Duke gave her must serve for something.
Even if nothing might happen, this is Fenrir’s chambers and I’m his protege. Theressa will have that in mind after being warned about the claw.
I stood with this in mind. Very energetic at that. And once I turned to look in her direction...
’... Uh... Sh– She seems busy... Maybe later!’ — I sat back down on my bed as I found her looking over the furniture giving herself her own tour around the place.
"..."
’I–I know! I’m just nervous... We haven’t really talked to her in all this time... It’s usually her doing the talking; better said bullying.’ — I told Marianne who went from feeling sorry to judging me again.
Call me cynical if you want, I did reproach her for trying to leave me alone and acted a bit high and mighty. But I’m not really a "mother"(?).
Capricious children in the bloom of their adolescence are not in my expertise area, even if I seem so capable.
She has a character too. And I certainly don’t want to be yelled at any soon only for existing.
It’s not really one of my hobbies.
Therefore, trying to find the right timing, I watched her do her thing for a while.
One must have a nice approach with volatile children. So as my prey, I observed her roam around my bedroom.
I won’t let her go without saying anything, though. I have to mark territory by showing authority~
...
’... Ahem!..... Here, dear viewers, we have a rare specimen in her natural environment... The creature is a female at the peak of its youth. Its scientific name is Theressalus Dwarfalus Wig... As you may appreciate, it is a curious creature.’
"What is this?... Looks like a rag..."
’... It appears to like inspecting its surroundings and doing unpolite comments about it...’
... That’s my favourite shawl...
’... Oh? Ohoho~?... The specimen seems to have had its fill of recognising the unfamiliar place! And... Ah! Whatever!! Let’s stop the documentary. It’s now or never!’
Theressa had finally taken a seat at the ostentatious parlour the room had attached, and seeing the opportunity I was stalking her for, I jumped up to go for the prey.
’A–Alright! For instance, let’s seat with her and think of what to say later. We’ve got this! Clench the tummy, Marianne! This might end up in war if she’s looking for a fight!’
Talking up my roomie who was now the nervous one while I was the excited one, we walked towards the rare Theressalus ready to give being a Sister our best shot.