Chapter 201: Chapter 201
The Duke and the others had left. Tomorrow’s plans had already been decided and as with every day I’ve spent here, tomorrow would be a busy day again.
My night bath had been taken in my bedroom again since I’m kind of saving that fancy bath in the "Resting Waterfalls" for the night of the Ball.
’A fancy day has to end with a fancy bath.’
And now I’m waiting leisurely, admiring the pretty tear that belonged to us, lightly stroking it with my fingertips without lifting it out of its coffer since I’m still a bit scared of doing so and clumsily letting it fall on the hard floor since my hand’s hold is still so flimsy.
’You guys... Why are you kind of see-through? If not because you look like glass I wouldn’t be so scared of breaking you... I may not look like it but I used to burn the TV by only turning it on with the remote...’
Ugh... Remembering it hurts my heart...
Once I was able to work mom made me pay for the four I — who actually stopped watching TV because of this unfortunate power — coincidentally burnt because I was asked to turn it on...
"..." — ’... You are not a TV, though...Maybe a plasma?... Do you know what a TV is?..... I’m speaking nonsense again, ain’t I?’
There was no response when speaking to it, but it was still a silly entertainment I had every night to say some intrusive thoughts to the little dancing glints.
"..."
’Anne... Do you think it will continue as it has?’ — I told Marianne after a short pause.
"..."
’He’s... At this point, I feel like he’s just putting up with it as if he has no choice and it really bothers me.’
"~!"
’Right? I thought so too... it’s annoying.’
Tap tap.
"..." — ’Speaking about him... So the fellow’s here.’
The light taps on my balcony’s glass door were the signal.
The Crown Prince had come to honour his promise to help me with my voice’s development.
Secretly, he would come at night when no one could interrupt us or hinder the practice...
Closing my treasure, I sighed heavily inside before going to the glass door and opening it so he could come into my bedroom.
I appreciated his effort... But not the attitude he has been showing me while doing so.
Swish. Clank.
Drawing away the curtains I opened the door, and just as I was in my comfy nightgown, he wore a loose shirt, also comfy in simple clothes.
Giving a step inside while I still held the glass door open enough for him to enter, his hand helped me pull away the curtain that hindered his sight and greeted me... As dull as he could get.
"Good evening, Lady. I came as scheduled."
"..." — ’... Of course, you did.’
*******
Once the morning arrived, after a night of empty rest, Zeleskiaz made his way to her chambers when the morning light was yet to reign over the sky.
An extreme decision had been taken by the regretful Prince attempting to atone for the harm his hands deftly caused.
He knew the effort would be unbearable. Nonetheless, Zeleskiaz wished to satisfy his remorse... Even if the one he felt it for was ignorant of his intentions with this hardship he was placing on each of them.
The guards at her entrance were executing their duty as commanded. Regardless, he did not halt his steps and once arriving, portraying an aloof expression, the Crown Prince dismissed the men, uninterested in what their thoughts could conceive.
"Leave for a moment."
With no intent to question his order, the men quickly bowed and obeyed, taking stand meters away from the entrance to the Unique Chambers.
Restless, he stood before the closed door. Fiddling with his sweaty fingers, preparing himself for something he did not know would become so difficult even when nothing has been said.
Knock knock... Tap...
Two knocks, to then let his heavy palm slide on it as he called for her.
"Lady... It is I... Zeleskiaz."
His jaw tensed up as his own name was said. Devoid of Titles, as if nothing but the man was there to speak.
Heeding her presence, his eyes shut and felt the surroundings, waiting to hear any of her silent movements.
Her lovely waking had occurred.
’Nnnh... Zeleskiaz? I don’t know any–.....!!? THE CROWN PRINCE?!?!?? Wh– what–... what’s happening???’
Her deep slumber had her confused.
The dark of her room when the morning had yet to settle and the unexpected man at her doors who she never called by name were simple details that puzzled her thoughts.
Her numb limbs still managed to seat up on her bed thanks to the rush the surprise instilled. And listening to the silence... She thought in the dark.
’..... Was I dreaming? Lately, my dreams have indeed been a bit weird–’
"Lady?...If you are awake... I need to speak with you."
’Oh balderdash! It’s real!’
As if drunk by the revelation, she stammered to stand as her limbs always took their leisure to wake after her mind did.
Her toes recoiled slightly to the cold ground yet she still stood to his call.
Rushed to attend the door in her bewilderment, yet still slow in her pace, she took the light shawl she used to cover herself every morning and strolled to open her chamber entrance to the unexpected visitor.
Nonetheless, just as he did, she hesitated when the moment to open the gates came.
’Uh... Huh? Why am I so in a hurry??... It’s so sudden I just didn’t realise. But it’s obvious I would take long to answer if he comes this early... or late... What time is it anyways?’
She took a deep breath and regaining the composure the surprise took away, Marianne peeked through the gap meeting his waiting figure right before the door.
’... Password.’ — She secretly demanded.
The Lady’s wit returned along with her calmness, as well as her unique humour.
To his eyes, the hidden figure of the playful woman was devastating. Her usually clean appearance was the start of a heavenly fantasy, yet now... The just awoken Lady, in unkempt nightgowns that did not enclose her body in eternal layers... The cruel silk it was made of caused his spirit to throb in the desire he desperately came to give an end to.
’... Fuuu..... Tempting woman... Have some misericordia, Lady Marianne.’
"..." — Her head peeked further outside, curious about the men who were supposed to protect her as no words came out from him. — ’Oh there they are~ good. Then you’re staying here kinky. You’re dangerous to be alone with at this hour, fufufu~’
She was perky even when her dream had been interrupted. Hence, she did not notice... That the slight lean to look outside was torturing the man before her.
Gulp...
’Insufferable woman!’
Her neckline was too generous... And Zeleskiaz fought his urge to curse the gods who were testing him with this dainty existence before him.
"Lady... Uhm..." — Flustered, his hand lifted to cover his sight, even when his lids had closed themselves to support his will.
"??" — ’hmm?... Oh! Whoops..... So you got lucky, huh?..... Hehe... Oh Goodness, am I stupid? Sleep deprivation is not good.’
Aware that she should pay more attention to these things, she covered herself properly and shyly combed her hair with her fingers, realising her attire was not the one she usually wore in his presence.
"....." — Zeleskiaz watched her, dazzled in her beauty yet depressed about what he was to inform her. — "... My Lady... I am here to apologise."
"..."
"I... I will not– spend time with you in the following days."
’... Oh... O–okay... You must have become busy if you came at this time to say this...’ — She agreed after a pause.
Zeleskiaz felt troubled... The woman’s dejected glint was brief since she lowered her lids, nevertheless, he saw it in her gems that... She did not expect such news.
".....how–..." — His mouth gaped hesitantly.
Wanting to say something that would relieve both of them, his throat became dry trying to come up with an excuse to meet yet still be able to atone for his sins. As it was the difficulty to say anything that conceived the needed plea, his voice did not come out for her to hear until the only option came to his mind.
"However..."
Leaning so the men couldn’t hear, he continued, properly.
"If... If the Lady is alright with it... At night..... I will call on your balcony..." — The sudden lift of her visage almost killed him from the shudder her scent sent to his unstable heart. — "... And... If you let me... I shall honour the compromise to help your sound."
"....." — His eyes refused to meet hers out of desperation.
Ignorant of his reasons the girl also averted hers, slightly troubled by his obvious escape and lightly nodded. Accepting his offer.
"..... Rest well, Lady."
Severe, he shortly finished the fortuitous visit.
Dryly, completely opposite to what his soul desired, Zeleskiaz’s demeanour adopted the coldness he dedicated to any other that wasn’t her as a shield to protect his determination.
Now... Their third meeting in discretion was to commence.
His days had become eternal and the precious time he had agreed upon was his torment.
Frivolous exchanges to prevent his urges; only committed to developing her dulcet voice as she requested, Zeleskiaz avoided meeting her eyes desperately in every meeting they had.
The Lady’s cheerful reactions whenever an improvement was accomplished or an important detail was realised to upgrade her exercises were all coldly ignored by him. Selfish, the Prince focused on behaving with extreme correctness.
Hence... Her enthusiasm gradually withered...
"May I come in?"
"....." — ’... Sure... Whatever.’
Turning away, she walked to the lounge where their session would be done. Downcast, for she knew his coldness would be evident again. No interest in her well-being nor attention to her impressions of the improvement achieved.
Only a silent practice, dull as she does every step of the routine while he seats away, seemingly indifferent, solely seating with closed eyes to instruct her as the exercise was done.
’... Might as well end these sessions... It’s obvious something changed that day.’
Depressed, she recalled every farewell between them.
From the one she taught him her likes... The Prince had made a huge mistake.
Leaving out of nowhere after she was honest about something she felt deeply... Was an act the foreign soul despised greatly.
For it showed disregard for her person and what she had to say... Which was an experience she had had her fill of in her past.