Chapter 166: Chapter 166
Elizabeth had purposely distracted herself from the main point successfully.
The child had used a technique that long ago, amidst times that caused her soul grave stress, she had come up with to maintain her mind detracted from what disturbed it.
Facetious attitudes in the mid of terrible situations that were experienced... She kept her mind out of the dreadful misdeeds she had to endure in the inescapable reality she was temporarily chained in.
As carefree as it could have appeared to others; Sometimes her silly thoughts did not act up as a mere display of her cheerful personality.
Instead, it was forced to emerge intending to protect her optimistic side.
Not fronting the cruelty of her reality... was the child’s only option at times.
Now — although it was not a traumatic event — the accumulation of many incidents lived from her recent arrival at the Palace were causing her composure to lose stability.
When said stability... Is the most essential element she requires to act accordingly when facing the people surrounding her in this world.
’So many unexpected things keep being said that I’m forced to lead my brain into stupidity... Ugh! Makes me feel like I’m stuck to that woody floor again... How revolting... But it doesn’t matter.’ — She thought, bringing the anew served water to her lips.
Her indifference to how she had treated the young servant was observed with amusement by the Royals surrounding her.
As the Emperor applauded her uniqueness, the Third Prince left behind all the confusion that his Brother’s aura had caused in him, replacing it with wonder about the lovely Lady who continued to behave in ways he had never seen.
’... To show appreciation like that... Why would she do that?? Hihi... The Lady is so mysterious in her kindness...’ — The Little Prince inwardly pondered, leaning slightly over in his seat to watch, intrigued by the oddity.
And... As to who stood by her side...
"..."
He couldn’t believe what had happened.
It was incomprehensible to him, her every movement, her every action, what she provoked in him... Everything seemed out of his hand’s grasp.
Zeleskiaz was once more finding confirmation at his previous deductions. Unpredictable as she is... No use would there be in planning ahead.
Bothered by the demonstration of gratitude she gave to the young servant, Zeleskiaz felt misplaced in the room. Unable to conceive any thought about it, for jealousy was an exotic sensation he was yet to know in its full magnitude.
"Sigh~ haha... Oh, child... My days are promised great mood now that you are to stay in this Palace." — Francois eventually declared after his laughter defused seeing her tranquillity as she drank, and lifting his hand asking for wine in a smooth gesture, he resumed. — "This reunion has turned very unique, and I couldn’t be more delighted for it shows the Lady’s impact in her surroundings... As expected of Fenrir’s protege and Calla’s confidant."
The Emperor declared, watching a new cup be filled with wine, pleased that the boring days he had accustomed to live, seemed to come to a marvellous end with her appearance.
"Alright. As most indispensable matters have been dealt with by now, I believe the time for the private accolade has arrived."
"..." — ’Ah... He said ’private’. That means–’
"The public ceremony shall be scheduled to an appropriate date for the subjects to witness."
’Ugh. I knew it.’
"Alright! Let’s do this, for a second banquet awaits us after this." — The happy Emperor said, gulping down his cup and standing from his Throne.
Fixing his rings and refined outfit, he began to descend the tower his Throne crowned, walking the steps with outstanding eminence, inducing the Hall into a refined and almost holy ambience.
Following behind, The Little Prince also walked attempting to imitate his Father’s stature, so the admiration Lady Marianne upholds in her existence could be honoured.
She observed intensely the Emperor’s approach, feeling the change in the air as soon as he locked eyes with her before giving his first step to reach her.
Nervousness was an obvious sensation to feel at this time.
The Lady swallowed in reaction, for things had changed abruptly again.
Nevertheless, she was collected.
Continuing to remain in her seat, she straightened her trunk, and lightly lifting her chin, Marianne also emanated the splendorous grandeur she easily carried.
No thought would cross her mind.
Marianne silently, as on the outside and the inside; awaited peacefully in the deferential pose.
Saving a careful distance, Francois ultimately arrived before the woman. The Crown Prince smoothly moved to stand behind him and following his lead as she indicated a desire to stand in adequate regard to his authority, the Emperor lifted his hand in a dry halt to her movement.
"Do not stand, My Lady. It is not accustomed, yet I allow you to remain seated in my presence." — Displaying a severe expression, he started, and changing elegantly to a grinning expression in his characteristic confidence, he conveyed to her the reason to infringe the protocol. — "This shall be my manner to rely upon you the acknowledgement and plaudits I keep towards you, sweet child."
"..." — In complete hush, the girl bowed from her seat, feeling a fluttering pressure in her chest for she saw in the Emperor’s Amethyst hue: true fondness and certain meaning in his words.
"Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier... Although this event was arranged in spontaneity whereas of my enthusiasm, I ought to convey the glorious moment this is to our and your Household.
Four centuries have passed since the Last rightful Calla’s Confidant was chosen.
One attempted to succeed after them... Yet to no avail, they did not attain The Ninth’s Title...
It has come to be in my reign that the awaited Ninth has appeared... And as entrancing the legend was passed down, filling every descendant of The First Monarchs with the dreamy expectation to meet the chosen... I am proud to declare that the scripts fall short in conveying the precious reality of your person.
Fables are Fables... And our imagination this time could have never conceived the wonderous existence The Ninth would be."
A fabulous introduction was said in honest prose by the Emperor.
Fighting the shyness these sentiments invoked in her strained cheeks, Marianne only lowered her eyes for a second, impressed at how poetic the Emperor turned out to be.
"Young Lady Marianne.
From now on, you ought to be named as the glory that befalls you requires.
As proclaimed by Fenrir, from now You are to be referred to as:
Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, Daughter of the Sylfinnier’s Dukedom and Protege of feared Fenrir. The Ninth Calla’s Confidant...
whose Role shall become her Title’s Surname.
This has been decided upon you and is meant to convey the nature of your nomination.
...
Lady, Your Surname is now to be: Pristina Pars."
"...?" — ’Pristina Pars?’
"Pristina stands for your pristine essence, unique and pure, innocent and lovely like the peaceful and beautiful nature the Gods have crafted in these Realm’s Planes."
’Oh...’
"Pars, on the other hand, means ’piece’. For your sophistication resembles the elegant melody music blesses our beings."
’... Mn..gn... That’s so–...’ — She began to say, overwhelmed by the meaning they had put into her new Surname.
However, it was not the end.
"These two are to combine in your special Surname and become the following message:
The Ninth Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars... whose soul is the innocent mouthpiece of a promise."
The beauty of the meaning, as well as the thoughtful consideration, were gentle ballads in the serenity of a poem. The child who had conceived the Surname along with the man who has translated the modest original words into an ancient language to heighten their impact were thrilled by the apposite Title of the Lovely Lady.
Standing with their upright chests, satisfied by the exquisite choice, the Little Prince and the Emperor smiled widely; because having Marianne in front of them as she was called by her new name, granted the poem the expected daydream of an unheard piece.
However, the one receiving it felt conflicted.
’... So that’s... How they see us...’
Their impressions were accurate, she was a special woman for various reasons and her warm energy was palpable to any who was blessed with her presence.
Yet... Her conflict was not born from discomfort, for she, the foreigner, was aware that the sweet child’s body deserved such praise.
The woman’s conflict was different...
It was one that came from her notions of who she was... And what she became weak when hearing it.
’... "Pristina Pars, whose... Soul... Is the innocent mouthpiece... Of a promise"..... I’m... I’m part of that soul too...’
She was delicate. Even if she did not want to admit it.
Elizabeth, the special child brought to this world, had begun to feel again what she unconsciously was refusing to acknowledge...
That even though she was in this Realm as the companion of her body’s owner; Her existence was also felt by the people who met her.
It was unknown to her, that if not for her light within Marianne... The host’s value would have gone unnoticed, for she would still be drowning in her everyday misery without her.