Chapter 199: Chapter 199 — Promising days that Follow.
She doesn’t seem to like beating around the bush so... That works just fine for me.
I can be quite shameless and... I can feel it... We may get along, this Princess and I.
[ It has been indeed difficult, Princess. I lack the energy all of them have as there is only one of me. However, I still enjoy their visits. My days would be as dull as in the Duchy if not for their constant show of interest. ]
’... Is this too much?..... Oh, whatever, I’m too lazy to care at this point.’
If she doesn’t like it, then she just doesn’t understand my honest discreet sense of humour.
A shame... But I can work around that.
Deciding to f*ck life by trying to be overly proper as I have to be with all the other Royal Family members, I took the gamble since we both seemed like "do it your way" kind of women.
Extending my arm to hand the message to the patient Princess seating on the armchair next to the couch Theressa and I was seating.
"..." — Silently, she read it. And dayum~ that slow lift of a smug face she made~ Just as I like it. Ten out of ten. — "Humph. At the very least they serve the purpose to entertain you."
’Yeah~... I could do without it... But, Yeah gurl~ they do~’
Hehe, so she gets it. Noice~
"Then? Do tell me about your strolls with the Third Prince. I am sorry if I seem persistent, yet curiosity is my weakness. I’ve been told you bring a curious tool with you every time. Tell me about it."
’Oho~? No problem. No problem at all, Princess~ If anything I wanna brag about it since great drawings are being made there~’
Delighted by her interest, I told her about our walks with the Third Prince in various notes. Theressa was glued to me these days so she joined whatever I did, but during our walks, the Third Prince would help me find the places he had thought most appealing and seat beside me to watch how the drawings were done.
He’s such a nice kid~ I really like him.
Those cute cheeks flushing are my weakness now. Even his reactions are nice. His eyes sparkle so preciously whenever a clear shape is finished in my drawings and his compliments are so lovely~
... But he persists in calling me "The Ninth".
’We need to work something out. It’s annoying since I feel the respect is too much to my liking when I want to be friends with the child.’
"Oh my... Therefore, that tool is indeed for your art, Lady Marianne?"
’Mhm~’ — I nodded proudly.
"How wonderful. It is not a common occurrence for a woman to develop such skills. I am impressed."
’... The Emperor said something similar before... Anne, is it that here women really can’t do whatever they want? Not even a tiny hobby like drawing?’
The partial confirmation was felt with a bit of hesitation. Which truthfully makes me think she’s not sure either.
And I’m guessing it’s because she has gone into the world recently only because I’m here... So we might be even in ignorance.
’... Oh well, it doesn’t really matter. I’ll keep on doing whatever I like even if it’s not common here, darling. No worries.’
"... Lady Marianne."
’Hm?’ — Suddenly, the Princess’s tone changed to one more severe, bringing my attention.
"Has Zeleskiaz been treating you correctly?"
’... Ah... Well...’
That topic is a bit... Complicated right now, way too curious Princess.
"... Apparently, His Highness has been busy lately. Today, three days are met from his last visit."
"..." — ’...’
That’s... yeah... That’s partially true.
"... Busy?... Hah. I don’t think so."
"..."
"You might just not have seen him, Lady Theressa."
"Is it like that? Then I shall pay more attention."
’Aaah~ don’t give her hints!’
Knock knock.
"Sigh... What is it? I asked not to be interrupted."
’Yusss! Saved by the unpredictable novel feature!’
"S–Sister Jasmine? Is the Ninth here?"
"... Dioclecià?... Come on in, she is here."
Bang!
"My Lady! I have finally found you!"
’Dude! The Door!! Hold your horses, little prince!’
He’s d*rn cute but, holy mother of barnacles! That’s some strength he has there when eager!
"Your Grace, I have found the Ninth! You may greet her now."
’Hmm??? The Duke is here?’
Watching the Little Prince pull on someone’s suit, I tried to peek at who this was. Intrigued since, if it was Marianne’s Father who he was talking to...
’He already knew I would be here so...’
"Third Prince, I greatly appreciate your courtesy. Thank you for guiding me here when you are busy."
"I– I also wanted to greet the Ninth... It is– it is no problem, Your Grace."
"Dioclecià. You ought to announce if you have company."
"!! I– I am sorry Sister Jasmine..."
"Greetings Princess Jasmine, I ought to beg your Pardon. His Highness was not supposed to bring me along. Please see it in yourself to excuse the mistake."
"... It is not a problem for you to be here Young Duke Noverrne... I only want my brother to mind his manners when our important visitors are present."
"... I understand." — Bowing respectfully, the man known as one of the main characters appeared before me again.
His gaze fell on me as soon as he straightened his pose. And out of reflex, I stood from my seat because of the still pause that followed.
’Male Leads are dangerous... It’s obvious something troublesome will come out of this.’
This principle has been too clear to feign ignorance at this point.
"... I offer respectful Greetings to the Chosen Lady. It is a pleasure to meet you again Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, now the chosen Ninth, the confidant of Empress Calla, Pristina Pars.
’... So polite...’
"Let me introduce myself as the Title has officially been granted upon me... I am Clemente Noverrne, Duke of the Noverrne’s Household. Once again, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"..." — Granting him a deep reverence after hearing such a polite greeting, I observed him as I thought. — ’So he already got the Title?... Talk about coincidence.’
"E– Excuse me, Your Grace... Uhm.."
"... Yes, Third Prince. I have not forgotten. Thank you for your kindness, I have memorised the way. You may go without concerns."
"!! Alright! Uh–uhm my– Ninth! I– I shall visit you later, for I have lessons to at– art – attend to!!"
’Ok– Hey! Don’t just run off!!’ — I frustratedly tried to nod in agreement to the child but he went off without waiting for my response.
The flustered little prince seemed to have gone out of his way to simply bring this Male lead here. It’s a shame since he could have joined and told his sister how awesome my drawings are... But, oh well. There are other things I should pay more attention to right now.
"... Congratulations Duke Noverrne."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Congratulations, Your Grace." — Theressa then bowed.
"... I appreciate it, Lady."
’... I would join but... I’m kind of a mute so... Sorry little Duke.’
If anything, I want to know what actually brought him here.
"However, Young Duke, I ought to inquire on what brought you here."
’You go Princess!!’ — Happy I rooted for the Princess who was asking what I wanted to know too.
"As you may see, the Ladies and I were enjoying our afternoon with a cup of tea and..." — She said, looking at him with haughtiness.
"I am interrupting." — The Male Lead bluntly said without flinching.
"Yes."
Hmm... the tension of two serious people colliding... This could be interesting.
"I do not intend to stay for Long. My intention was strictly to greet the graceful Lady, as the last time we met her Title had yet to be gained. Lady Marianne, I congratulate you on your wonderful name. As I have gained the Title of a Duke for my own, once I heard the Third Prince was disposed to take me to your whereabouts, I conceived the belief that it was a must to show my respects to the Lady on this joyful news."
’... Dude... Thank you but... What I lack in expression you lack in energy when speaking...’
He has such a nice voice but he speaks so formally that I can’t really stay focused on what he’s saying...
"Also."
’Uh? There’s more?’
"I want to take this opportunity to personally invite you to the celebration to be done at our Household a few weeks from now in honour of my naming.
A proper invitation will be sent, however... I believe it to be appropriate to invite you personally if the occasion permits it."
"Very thoughtful of you, Young Duke Noverrne. We will be waiting for the official invitation. Thank you."
"Yes, Your Grace. We appreciate your kindness. We will surely assist this joyous celebration to your name."
The women said.
As I heard them give such mannered words to the Male Lead, I took my notes to write my answer too.
He has been so polite it’s only fair I do.
I mean... He’s so polite he took the trouble to come all the way here to greet, congratulate and even invite me to a party.
And I love parties.
Parties equal booze and food. My favourite combo. More so, knowing everything will probably be nine stars cause five stars might just be what barons have here.
"Wonderful. Then, I am to leave now so you may continue your afternoon. Farewell, Ladies."
"!?" — ’Hey! W–Wait! I’m writing something for you here!’
He was as fast as the little Prince to announce his withdrawal and as impulsive as I am to say my mind and appreciation — more if I’m halfway done with the message — I honestly panicked as I saw him turn his back to leave.
Thankfully his pace wasn’t rushed like the little Prince’s... So in my impulse... I went after the b*stard that wanted to leave me with the notes in "unread".