Chapter 185: Chapter 185
Orland had rushed in search of his youngest’s servants.
It was at times like this that he missed his upright Butler, Thomas.
The old man would have never left the entrance where he visited and effectively execute his orders methodically, exceeding his expectations and at times even giving a follow-up if any loose ends were found in his orders.
’Paul should get himself a right hand... Thomas won’t last for his time as Head of the Duchy.’ — The Duke contemplated as he regretted leaving his Butler behind to help his heir.
On his way, he had met a guarding knight and requested to look for the two maids in the servant’s building the Palace had for its workers as he searched for them in Theressa’s bedroom.
Time was precious. The Duke was not at ease leaving Marianne alone after what had transpired that evening. Furthermore, her chambers appeared lugubrious knowing what they signified and their history.
His instinct told him. He shouldn’t take long.
With skill, his fast pace took him to the doors where his youngest child rested and, as if fate had it planned, the doors opened on their own.
From the dim lited room the two women he sought came out.
The pair of maids, Louisa and Debra, along with another pair of the Palace’s servants, were leaving with the wide bathtub for guests and the respective pails filled with now cold water.
"Louisa, Debra. It is fortunate I found you."
"Your Grace!" — The two women happily answered once noticing him, stopping by his call.
"It is fortunate to be in thy presence. What may we be of use for, My Lord?" — Louisa continued on behalf of her partner.
"I know it is time for you to retire to your quarters, Yet, I ask you to pay Marianne a visit. She is to change her garments and as you may be informed..."
"Immediately, my Lord. It will be our pleasure to assist the Lady." — With no hesitation the woman answered, showing an honest soft expression at her Master’s thoughtful order.
"... I appreciate it–" — The profuse nodding of Debra in agreement with what her friend had answered, pleased him. Nonetheless, he halted his words as an unusual thing was noticed. — "Louisa?"
"Yes, my Lord?"
"... Did something happen?"
"... Lady Theressa cleansed herself and went to bed–"
"I meant to you."
"Ah... No, My Lord. Nothing out of ordinary has happened, Your Grace. May I ask if there is a problem I may be overlooking?"
"... No. It is nothing... Then, I am to get back. Please be sure to ask for the necessary object to enter Marianne’s chambers. The guards ought to provide it for you."
"Yes, we will head there as soon as we can."
Bowing to them he turned to leave. However, he did not speed up from pondering about the oddity he found on the Maid.
’It wasn’t much... But her neck was bruising.’
The high neck of her uniform covered most of it. Nonetheless, some shade was still visible.
His youngest daughter’s doings had been imprinted on the maid and, although he ignored the perpetrator, Orland could deduce from what type of actions the marks had been made.
’She was attacked... If not the bruise wouldn’t peek from all around her neck... Like a collar.’
"... It was not a guard at the very least." — He confidently stated.
The Duke’s experience told him so.
After all, when he intentionally mentioned to the maid to ask for the required object from a guard, no trace of linking to the trauma was seen when she heard the word.
’Who could it be that dares harm my people?’
"... I will have to see the root of this issue promptly... I only hope she has not suffered further harm..."
The possibility pained him, for the girl was still a young woman, not far from his daughters’ age.
"..."
Reminded by this, he speeded up.
His promise to return shortly was to be kept.
The concern was still vivid and the maid’s issue only made him more restless.
Marianne was on her own... At least, that was his belief until his trained senses became aware of the light presence of a dubious aura near his daughter.
His eyes darkened.
The Duke’s expression became a severe threat as he learned the intruder’s existence.
No thought crossed his mind. Orland hurried to Marianne’s side, prepared to cut their hands if any harm was done to his child.
Nonetheless...
Entering the bedroom, moved by his rush, after various steps had driven him inside, his sharp senses noticed that every trace was gone.
"Tch..." — Clicking his tongue, he rapidly went to his daughter to make sure no harm had been done. — "..... She’s sleeping..."
Crouching to stroke her peaceful poise, he found slight displacement in her...
The caring Father paused to contemplate the possibility of his panic deluding himself to find an invisible anomaly... However...
’Who was it?..... Who dares irrupt here, into my child’s chambers...?’
"... Umbra’s members are not meant to leave their positions..." — He began to discard.
Orland already had an inkling of who it could have been.
He had sensed his wildness earlier, yet it had subsided.
The essence of the recent tone his aura had adopted was not deathly or menacing as he had continuously witnessed lately.
It was apparent to his competent sight... That a skilled knight was the trespasser.
No common man would have perceived his concealed approach so effortlessly.
"... Haaaahhhh..... It was probably that unpleasant brat... He has the same audacity as his useless Father."
Weary from the high probability, Orland lowered his head as his noisy sigh left his lungs.
"..."
His eyes opened finding calmness once the heavy air was expulsed and brought them back to look at the sleeping Marianne.
The innocence of her everything was palpable in her surrounding air and in his eyes, that was the greatest treasure.
His fingers combed her loose strands knowing she was beautiful and men would pay attention to her whether he liked it or not.
’It would be impossible to ask for men to not notice you, isn’t it sweetie?... I witnessed it at the Ball when you made your debut... No men kept his eyes away once they found you...’
It saddened him. For although her outside was gorgeous, her spirit outran it as the highlight of her existence.
External beauty was easy to attract bad men towards her. Orland was aware of the dangers that meant for his two daughters.
"... Only be sure to remember what I told you and your sister..." — He then told her, with a soft volume that wanted her to hear yet not wake her. — "Do not be lead by superfluous men, Marianne... I cannot intervene in your privacy... Yet make sure that any man who wants you for himself earns your favour by demonstrating their compromise to honour you. Not even a god should look down on you, Dear... State your ground, Marianne..... I know that even in your kindness, fairness takes first place..... Be fair to yourself too. That is all I can ask of you, precious child of mine."
*******
My eyes opened sluggishly.
I could tell it was early morning because from some gap I do not know where it came from, the sunlight entered like a defined line to crash on the opposite wall to its entrance.
’Guuuuhhhh... I kind of "died" there... Please, please, please..... Pleaaaaaaase tell me I wasn’t comatose for long...’
My first thought after waking was already tiresome. But as weird as it was, my body felt fresh.
I could tell I had been washed and changed into my nightgown. However, it wasn’t the freshness of a recent bath I felt.
’Anne~ what the hell are we going to do? This body is so random... Not even my thoughts are this bizarre.’
"..."
’... Can’t you just lie to me? Are we starting today like this?... Alright, my thoughts are worse but, do you know what a hyperbole is?.....’
"~~"
Tsk. Smart red panda getting all picky from early morning...
’Whatever... Don’t we feel healthier? I mean... Oh.’
Moving my joints without a big piece of the usual heaviness that made us stiffer, my shoulders moved much more smoothly than yesterday.
It felt great. However, I stopped fidgeting, lightly moving every bit of our body, once the curious movement of my head to the sides found Marianne’s Father seating in one of the big white armchairs from the lounge at my bed’s side.
’Hmm... That’s a unique sight... He’s sleeping...’
With his arms crossed as well as his long legs, his head was downcast and tilted a tad to the side.
’... Men here are cool even when sleeping, huh... As expected of a grown-up’s novel.’
Appreciating the sight I remained laying down for a few moments, but then, not only the pleasant new sight made me joyous.
It is a good thing I was lazy to seat and stayed down staring at him. If not, I would have realised much later that my sleep hadn’t lasted long.
’That outfit. He wore it to dinner, Anne. An ocean blue velvety vest with leather laces and that beautiful brooch... That bone-white stone with golden bolts, haha... D*mn gurl~ I’m happy I got distracted by its pretty shape when he came to get us.’
If it’s only morning right now... then...
’We haven’t lost breakfast, sweetheart~’