Chapter 169: Chapter 169
"..." — ’Oooooh~ that’s what you meant?... Before answering that to you, Mister... Could you not scare me like that?’
The scare made me remember that time my brothers stole mom’s savings to buy ten boxes of chocolates and blamed me saying I gave it all to a passing Lady that told me she needed money for the hospital bills... I did give her ten bills of an unknown amount... But they used most of it!! I didn’t deserve a month without TV for that! It was a good cause!... Although later I learned she was arrested for scamming people...
But I was a naive ten-year-old!
Hng... Those b*stards... If I get ejected from this body, I’ll go back to my world to get revenge... I’ll pull their legs while they sleep... That will teach them...
"Marianne. I asked you a question."
’Ah. Um, no, Mister. I do not agree...’ — I answered with a sharp shake of my head the instant our eyes met.
Curse my distracted brain!
"... Very well. Although Marianne does already not agree... Daughters of mine, Listen carefully.
The two of you are indeed respectful Ladies. Nonetheless, being a proper Lady does not mean you ought to entertain men.
Remove from your knowledge what your mother told you, Theressa.
Over my dead body... will my daughters lower their value to be mere entertainment of useless men.
If you want to fulfil a Lady’s duty... Protect your dignity with elegance and intelligence. Let the men be the ones to entertain you, my flowers... Because no man who expects a Lady to ’entertain’ them is worthy of your attention."
The conviction with which he instructed us, was unwavering.
He was imposing the authority of the Duke he is... Mixed with the severity a caring father needs to convey to their children at times.
Even when being serious on the matter, with firmness in his speech, the Duke never failed to show his honest affection as he expressed himself.
It was incredible to me, who has no Father... To experience this kind of approach.
He was escorting us again with each of us holding one of his arms... And in the midst of his lecture, Marianne’s father smoothly came to hold our hands in his and gripped them tightly as he told us it was men who should entertain us.
"Please crave this in your memory, my two jewels... You cannot be simple decorations... You are much more than that.
Even jewels have a long story; an elaborate foundation that turned them into treasures..."
After telling us that, he lifted my hand and added:
"Understood, Marianne?"
"!" — Nodding energetically as I was in complete agreement, I answered.
And gifting me a sweet smile, he kissed my hand with his forehead.
"Do remember it, sweetie..." — He whispered and then turned to Theressa. — "Theressa... Did you understand?"
"... Yes, Father... However..."
"... What is it, sweetie?"
"Will that... Not become an obstacle?... What I mean to say is... Uhm..."
"... Are you... Perhaps preoccupied on finding courtship, Theressa?"
"..."
As I watched them, I noticed Theressa glance at me for a second... To then lower her head at the Duke’s inquire.
Somehow... Seeing the honest concern in her golden eyes made my heart ache for the girl.
I am not interested or rushed, or even thinking of finding someone... I’ve never been... But... That might not be the case for this girl...
Theressa might truly be worried over this. More so now that she already has a crush on the.. Crown Prince...
D*mn...
"Theressa... My lovely child... You are so Young and Beautiful... Your path has only just begun. And though it may worry you now... If you followed those mistaken ’duties’ you spoke about... Sweetie, you would come to regret it."
"B–but Father... I... I– I am not special like... Marianne..."
’.....’
"Is that something you were told? Or something you came to believe, Theressa?"
"... I... I can see it, Father..."
"Hmm..... Marianne is Indeed special."
’!?’
At this point, only my emotions were reacting to the scene. The way Theressa had avoided meeting my eyes and how she admitted the difference between us had me speechless... Because, although it was dubious if she was being honest... I can’t help but think of how maybe a part of what she’s saying is truly felt by her.
"!! See!? Even Father–!"
"Yet, so are You, Theressa."
"!... Lies. I am a mere commoner by her side..."
’..... Anne... Stay calm... Let’s listen.’ — I told Marianne who was starting to share her concerned emotions about Theressa’s thoughts. Feeling conflicted about how she was expressing herself about us... Seemingly honest in her low self-esteem.
"Haha... Oh, Theressa... If only you could see how special you are, dear... You would be overwhelmed by the striking dream you are, my goose." — He gave me a glance before speaking in sign to release my hand, and turned to hold her chin with the same delicacy he never failed to demonstrate.
"... Father is not taking me seriously..." — She said, trying to restrain a pout.
"... Your Eyes, Theressa... Did you know they are of a darker shade than your Mother’s and Brother’s?"
"..."
"Did you know that when sunlight falls on them... Bees would be at your mercy for the fresh honey they resemble?"
"... D-do they?"
"... They do... Did you also know... That I’ve heard you play the piano in secrecy?"
"!! Father!!"
"Hahaha... Don’t be upset... I couldn’t resist curiosity, sweetie.
However... Did you also not know that the little wandering nature stops to hear you play... And that trees seem to dance to your melody?"
"..."
"There are so many things, dear... The lovely way your eyes smile, how cute you look whenever something interesting happens, how you gently fix your dresses, that gain true beauty in that petite body of yours..." — The Duke continued fixing her hair, affectionately. — "Sigh... I hope you have a lot of obstacles if anything, my child..."
"... Father... That is mean..."
"..." — ’Heh... Just look at her... Fighting her smile, the dumb brat...’
"You ought to know that my greatest grief is to part from you two, my lovely girls." — He said turning back to me, to hold my hand once again.
"... What about Brother Paul?" — Theressa inquired.
"... Um... In your brother’s case... If I am to be honest with you... I’m more worried about him not being able to find a partner."
"!? Why is that?!" — She asked in surprise.
’... Because he has some screws loose, lil’ sis.’ — I secretly answered, smirking at how true it was when the Duke said her eyes were beautiful like honey.
"He’s too structured... You know your Brother, Theressa..."
"Hmm... That’s true... Huhuhu, Brother Paul might stay single, huhuhu"
’..... Hey Anne... Her eyes truly smile..... haaah... What to do? I’m...’
I’m having second thoughts about her... I want to help her for some reason... But I can’t shake my first impressions so easily either...
As she was speaking, the Duke resumed our walk to our chambers.
Unlike yesterday, only the three– the four of us were walking down the hall, without servants to guide us since the Duke knew the way.
"Sweetie, don’t say that... What if it does happen? Ah... I want grandchildren too..."
’But you have–’
"But Mariane and I can also–"
"Ah! No more! I should never have mentioned that. My heart withers to the thought of giving your hands. Do not be malicious with your Father, Theressa."
"Huhuhu, oh Father..." — She sincerely laughed and added later. — "Thank you, Father... I understand now."
"... That’s good... Take your time growing sweetie... Your youth cannot be wasted with such concerns."
’That’s right... See, Marianne? We just needed to listen this time.’
Feeling how Marianne calmed down her anxiety, I told her in relief.
The same conflict I felt yesterday was revived, only that this time I felt like tearing up at how vulnerable Theressa seemed to be for a second.
Being cautious of her is still a priority, but I’m slowly thinking about removing my unwillingness to help her.
I could blame my d*mn kind personality for this... But I can’t seem to hold a real grudge against her now.
It would be nice..... If I could learn more about her... About her and Marianne’s relationship.
"..."
"However I cannot wait long, Father~"
"Oh, dear~ just long enough for me to prepare~"
"Huhuhu"
Glancing at her and the Duke share some nice interaction, I felt Marianne smile at the scene... However, I also followed for how glad I was to see this once more...
Yesterday, I came to notice these people are a family; even if a dysfunctional one. And seeing it again with these three...
I’ve decided that there might still be hope for it to not crumble if the truth comes out.
Theressa is not pure evil.
If she were... She wouldn’t gleam when her father shows affection or emanate such pureness when she laughs.
There must be something that did trigger her malicious side... And... oh my~! It just so happens I like playing detective~
’Fufufu~’
Letting my mischievous laugh be heard by the oblivious Anne, I began to get excited about my new goals.