Chapter 170: Chapter 170
"Our walks become so short... We are already at Marianne’s room and I did not even notice." — The Duke announced.
’Hmm? That’s a given. That happens when you have good company, Mister~’ — I inwardly replied, aware that this man would always feel this way if he had this much joy while hanging out with his daughters.
"Does Father have many matters to attend to?" — Theressa intervened, tilting her head curiously.
"Indeed... His Majesty had prepared many other documents for me to revise... Sigh... If not for Marianne’s Banquet in honour of her naming I might have not seen you today, dear."
"... Oh, Father..."
"There is no way around it..." — He said after arriving at my chamber’s entrance, turning to me and letting out a short huff before continuing. — "Sweetie... My gorgeous bird..."
Freeing his hands to hold my face in them, I met his fond grey eyes as his brows curved upwards together in a yearning expression.
"You have earned a unique Title today, and I cannot be happier about the meaning of your new Surname... How you appear in my life from the moment you were born... Now it has become the name of your value... Pristina Pars... Such lovely name for my little bird..."
"..." — Our ears tingled in happiness. Marianne was ecstatic at his praise.
He then leaned to give my forehead a peck, and sliding his fingers to see my face better, he spoke after appreciating it for a moment.
"Go inside, sweetie. Take rest and I shall come to get you for dinner..."
"..." — ’Oka–’
"I want to stay with sister."
’–Huh!?’ — I reacted to her unexpected interruption, quickly turning to look at the dumb girl suddenly saying nonsense.
"You want to? However, dear, Your sister needs to rest..." — The surprised Duke answered.
’That’s right! Also, YOU want to stay??... I did say there is hope for you, but that doesn’t mean I trust you, lil’ sis..... This is suspicious... What are you planning??’ — Doubting her intentions, I looked at her with squinted eyes on the inside.
"I want to see The First’s Empress’ beloved chambers... I won’t bother Sister Marianne..."
’... Wow... I really... I Really do think there is hope for you... But I can’t get myself to believe that.’
Although she said she won’t..... I feel like she will bother the hell out of me.
"... Is it alright with you, Marianne? Theressa seems curious... However, there is no need to force yourself..."
’... Ugh..... These people give no truce... Think about my low resistance, d*mn it!!’ — The troubled request of the Duke made me frustrated.
There is just no stopping to problematic stuff here.
Relentless b*stards. If it’s not one it’s the other. There’s always someone that will get in the way of my lonesome peace.
And I know Theressa is doing this on purpose. She knows Marianne has a soft spot for her daddy...
Tsk... Sly wig of a dwarf...
She’s really good at making me doubt my resolve.
"Sister Please~?"
’Ough! You f–... Aaaaagh! Annoying. I know Marianne, I know! D*mn it...’ — Disgusted by her cute attack, I almost cussed at her. But then again, soft-hearted Marianne wouldn’t let that happen since her attempt was effective on her.
Sighing on the inside for being a sucking coward for Marianne’s soul’s strength, I shoved the Tear’s treasure box so the Duke could hold onto it while I took out my dear post-it notes. Also remembering that I had yet to tell the Duke I found the first one he had given us.
[ I do not mind if she wants to stay. However, I do not have the object she needs. ]
Thinking that because of this little detail her improvised visit could be avoided, I handed this first note to the Duke.
"Oh... Do you mean this claw?"
"..." — ’.... Maybe.’
Tsk. D*mn it, Mister. Be less efficient.
"Here, Theressa, do not lose nor separate from it while you are there. It won’t be good if you do."
"... What happens if I do?"
"... Fenrir won’t be happy..."
’Heh. Like I am now?... I doubt it...’
"!! I– I understand..."
’Sigh... Whatever, at least I tried.’
Oh, that’s right.
Remembering to tell him about the other post-it notes, I tugged on his sleeve so he looked at me and showed him the two stacks laying on my palms.
"Oh, dear. So you found the lost one? Haha, That’s good to know, sweetie." — He said giving my cheek a soft pinch with the back of his fingers.
’Hehe, I know, right? I felt really bad when we lost it.’
"That reminds me... Let us discuss it at dinner, it is time I get back to work."
’Hey~ Don’t leave it like that~ making me curious~’ — Tilting my head sharply to the side and closing my eyes, I pressed for an answer tugging on his sleeve again.
"Hahah... It’s about Pockachin, sweetie."
"!!!" — ’Phwa–hack! Mister!’
Don’t call it that! Hahaha! It just– pfff HaHAHA it doesn’t suit you, Mister! GwahaHahaaH –I! What kind of sneak attack is that!! HAHAHA!!!
"Hmm? Pockachin?? What is that, Father?"
D*mn it, Theressaaaaaaaa!!!
Ahhhhh!! It hurts! Marianne’s body can’t cope with my laughter!! I’m just trembling in pain right now! Ack!
"Pockachin? That’s Marianne’s–"
’Staaaap!!! Go! Haha! It’s funny but I don’t want her to actually HAVE something to poke fun at meee!!!’ — Stoping him from exposing me to our Little Sister, I began pushing him into the Hallway to make him leave.
"Huh? Marianne?!"
"Sister!! What are you doing to Father?!"
’I’m throwing him out!! This happens when trying to expose your adolescent daughter!! You looked for it, Mister. Now put up with it!! Phff haha... Ahh, this is funny..... Now, give that back and leave.’
Pushing him a little further into the hallway, I intentionally made the gesture of shaking the dust off my hands to then ask for the return of my new treasure and lastly wave a lovely goodbye to the Duke.
"Uh– Uhm... T– then I– I’m going now(?)"
"..!" — Giving him a determined nod as I crossed my arms, I sent him off in my head. — ’Yeah! Keep walking! You should have known better, Mister! We will talk later!..... And don’t give me that judging vibe now, Marianne! I felt how you had fun pushing him over. You can’t deceive my soul!’
Sigh... I swear~ no time for leisure with these people~
Turning back, tired of the chaos I had to create to save some of my prestige, I met the wide-eyed Theressa, who didn’t seem to believe what just happened.
’Heh. Surprised? Yes, I’m crazy enough to throw off the Duke. So take it into account now that you want to enter my bedroom lil’ sis... I’ve had your wig as a target for some time now...’
Holding her gaze as I said this, I then fixed my dress to show her how much I don’t care about kicking him out.
Walking to her side, I then pushed the closed door and opened one, feeling playful after the refreshing reactions, I made a gesture to invite her inside.
’After you~’
"..."
Holding the claw tightly she glanced into the room and back to me multiple times.
I don’t know if she was hesitant to enter or still in shock at seeing us act this way, but...
’I don’t have all day. If you’re not coming in, I’ll leave you behind. Stay outside all the time you want~’ — Dropping my hand inviting her into my room, I singsonged as I crossed the entrance feeling bored of waiting for her to make up her mind.
"Ah! Ahh... M–Marianne... W–wait..."
’Tsk... What now...’ — I told her as I turned back to see her hesitate to reach out to me, stopping her hand from crossing the entrance out of what I believe was fear.
"I–Is it... Truly safe?..."
"!!..." — ’... What the hell???... Hey! Why does she look cute all of a sudden??? Don’t play tricks on our eyes, Marianne! I know what you’re doing!!’
Sigh... These sisters are so troublesome...
I love it.
Being in between is kind of charming, I’m not gonna lie.
"Fenrir... Will he truly let me in if I have this claw??"
’Ugh! Marianne! I already decided to help her come in!! Don’t add nonexistent glitters!’
She has too much power for useless stuff...
Quickly leaving the box on a nearby piece of furniture, I went back to the entrance and reached from the inside to take her by the hand.
Only managing to grasp her wrist, I pulled her inside.
... At least that’s what I intended.
’Hey! Are you glued to the floor!!?? Why won’t youuuu uuuugh budgeeeee!?!?!?’
I came to grab her with my two hands but NOTHING. She won’t move!! What’s more!! She doesn’t even seem to be making any effort to stay placed!!
’What in the–’
"Seriously, Marianne... You’re too weak."
’Huh?’
"How did you even push Father away? I don’t even feel you’re pulling on me..."
"....." — ’... You’re kidding.’
"I am not lying."
"!!" — ’You read my mind??!’
"... I’m not reading your thoughts..."
"?!?!" — ’Anne!! Your sister is scary!!’
Letting go of her wrist in surprise, I felt a shiver go down my spine for how strange this was. Blinking profusely in confusion about how we were somehow communicating, I stared at her terrified.
"... I guess Father was right..."
".....?" — ’... Okay... Now you lost me, darling. Did she go coo coo?’
Changing the subject so abruptly made me instantly lose the creepy feeling this situation was giving me. And lowering my hands that were up as a defence measure... I tilted my head unable to follow what she was talking about now.