Chapter 173: Chapter 173
*******
’What’s wrong with her?’
The Youngest of the Sylfinnier thought as she watched the foreigner retreat from her side.
It had never happened before. Staying in the same place only the two of them without any other family member in a partially quiet ambience was not how their meetings alone commonly proceeded.
Theressa was uncomfortable from the beginning.
The moment she announced her desire to stay with her sister to accomplish her hidden intentions, her Father made an unsettling comment about the object she needed to enter the chambers of her Sister. And even before that, she had seen the pain in her Sister’s eyes as she honestly confessed to the Duke her concerns about failing as a woman and a Lady because she had witnessed the difference between herself and Marianne.
Although at times she found her Father upsetting, the child was most of the time honest with him. He had the ability to make her tell her concerns without many machinations... for his loving and honestly caring eyes were her weakness.
She could also see his affection in them and the child who searched for true love would always yield to him, timid for the demonstration caused itching delight. Theressa, although manipulative, feared to be hated by her Father. Consequently... Whenever his loving eyes changed to be ones that found reproach in her, Theressa would be truthful even if her distasteful Sister Marianne was present to witness the truth she wanted to hide from her out of useless pride.
Then, when she was to enter her Chambers, the Sister she had only yelled at for years, without showing reaction or intention to move in her statuesque posture, was acting in ways she had never imagined.
And what’s more... Her goodwill... Even in the selfish girl’s eyes seemed odd and baseless after the loathe the young child kept towards Marianne has been made apparent with their every encounter.
Theresa had lowered her hostility out of fear for what the Bestial Fenrir’s Chamber could hide. And it was the soft graze of her Sister’s hand reaching for her wrist to support her when in fright, that had shaken the child.
"....." — Letting her hand follow hers that wanted to draw it closer, she watched in silence.
’... Her hand is cold...’ — She thought.
Then...
’... She’s weak...’
"..."
’Has she always been this weak?’ — She realised as she observed the unique child try without success.
Her blunt comments did not take long to arrive. And once more, she realised.
"I guess Father was right."
’You can truly see it all in her eyes... Her gestures too...’
A wavering void opened in her chest. The child felt conflicted by the emptiness of resentment and someway disinterested eyes Marianne stared at her with.
Even though it would have been natural for them to be ones filled with hatred, sadness or might as well fear... She could sense no ill intent within her... Again.
’It’s these things that I hate... You never seem to bring yourself to hate me as I hate you, Marianne.’
It was always this fact that made her doubt Elenaide’s words. Yet, the child’s mother would always dissolve such waver with malicious comments that ignited jealousy and more displeasure towards Marianne.
With such thought in mind, she ultimately entered the Chamber noticing a mere servant was unharmed inside it.
Pushing the thoughts that had caused her to hesitate on disregarding her Sister, Theressa wandered around the Room, trying to find fault in the overwhelmingly Glorious Chambers; although her eyes had been captivated by its high-class arrangement.
Her Sister continued to behave indifferently while entertained with the "ugly coffer" she was carrying for a reason unknown to the youth.
And once her tour around had found no use for it to continue; once she took rest on one close couch... She received the first words in more than ten years from Marianne.
[ Did you like the Room? ]
The act was unexpected. Her question was also unexpected... Her willing approach when alone... Was again... Unexpected.
Theresa answered with contempt, not allowing the bewilderment before the uncommon, influence the treatment she believed Marianne deserved.
The following interactions kept shaking her mind in disbelief. The always dull Marianne was not being swept in her verbal attacks.
"Have you gone crazy? Are you testing my patience?"
What’s more, her lack of words, gestures and eyes; was transforming her into a difficult opponent she did not know how to oppose.
Feigning leisure, she kept responding with capricious and disrespectful sayings. Until...
[ GIVE BACK THE CLAW TOO. ]
The sight robbed her of air as her eyes widened horrified by the aggressive attitude she was displaying out of nowhere.
From then, the interaction became menacing yet oddly interesting to the young girl. Although the threatening stare Marianne was casting on her from above and the malicious intent to retrieve the demanded claw, was causing great turmoil and fear to the unknown outcome it could lead to... At a tiny corner of her spirit... Theresa felt strangely entertained and held expectations as to what more she would do to keep this unique exchange they were in.
However, her expectations became shadowed by the sudden change in demeanour Marianne portrayed in her profile once she looked at her joyous to gain mistaken victory.
"... Marianne?"
The little colour she already had was turning blue and although her steps seemed steady and proper... The warm energy she was emanating a moment ago vanished.
Now... After time has passed since their short interaction, the sunset was painting the sky with passionate palettes. Drinking the lemon infusion Marianne’s maid had brought her after commanding it, Theressa continued to seat at the parlour, occasionally glancing at the woman resting on her bed... Without closing her eyes to find true sleep.
"..."
’... Did she get sick again?’ — She wondered, seeing that even when warm lightning was able to illuminate her countenance, the blue shade did not seem to flee her skin.
Casting her gaze on the half-empty teacup in her hands again, fresh conjectures emerged in her head. Nonetheless, she did not let them seize real shape in honest concern nor thoughts.
Recalling her nonexistent grasp on her wrist, the low vitality in her figure as she walked away... And the image of her laying in bed without coming to her senses weeks ago... These quick flashbacks that crossed her memories placed slight tension in her subconscious.
As it was within herself, she was aware of the presence of the puzzling sensation. However, the ignorant child misinterpreted the restlessness for other motives.
’I hope this won’t interfere with my plans... She should get better so I can use her.’ — The Youngest Sylfinnier declared in secrecy. Adding to her inner turmoil the concealed weight of guilt.
*******
’...’
"..."
’Is it that weird? For me to not say anything?’ — I asked after hours of inward silence.
It has been obvious for some time now that I was not going to fall asleep.
Anne could also discern that fact, and although she had been restraining the presence of her curiosity — most likely out of thoughtfulness since I did imply I wanted some peace before — I couldn’t resist to break the already forceful stillness we had inducted ourselves in.
"...~"
’... There wasn’t a need to directly "say" it... It was a rhetorical question, darling.’
It’s obvious it’s weird. More if I’m wide awake.
It was at times like these that people usually asked "what’s wrong?" And I would say "nothing" to not make the issue more troublesome by being unnecessarily honest.
But, it’s fortunate. She doesn’t seem to be planning on asking that. It would actually be stupid if she did ask.
I think she knows me well enough to know I’m not in "good shape" and just want some... Nothingness.
"..."
Sigh... She’s so cute. Can’t even hate her for a second.
Feeling how she gave me a sorry vibe when not truly sorry, almost as if resembling my type of naughty sense of humour, lifted my exhausted soul’s energy a little.
’Mnnn~ how is it you are this lively after all that happened today? I still can’t believe we’re not in a coma yet. Even as healthy as I was before coming here, I would have fainted at the door from exhaustion.’
"~!~!"
’I’m not kidding. We’ve had so many conversations today that, back in my world, I would avoid talking to people for the next week since I kind of had my fill of socializing.’
"....."
’So you don’t want to believe it even if you know it’s the truth?... Very well, it’s good that you have such a great but wrong impression of me, sweetheart. Admitting it will be a good step into adulthood for you.’
After all, once you’re able to admit reality, that’s when adulthood begins.
Since you realise how shitty life actually is.
"..."
Agh... But I don’t want her to grow that dark side we all have... She’s too adorable in her ingenuity.
...
D*mn it. I’m suddenly feeling the need to fangirl over her...
The difficulties of being biased are showing themselves shamelessly. If that wasn’t the case... I wouldn’t be so inclined on hiding some of the reality she needs to learn.
’... So this is what being "overprotective" means... You have some skills to make ME, of all people, feel that way, Anne.’
"...?"
’Tsk. You’re good.’ — Imagining her cute face tilting without comprehending why I said that, I inwardly glared at her, recognising her good skill since, in my imagination, her response was way too adorably effective.