Chapter 193: Chapter 193
*******
"..."
’... I’m... Such a shameless b*tch.’
Walking like this. So impassively after... Ugh... D*mn it, Elizabeth. Where did all the cautiousness you have go?? Even inciting him for more...
’... I’m becoming more and more weird thanks to him and this crazy life.’
I’m sure the blush from the air deprivation and...
’Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it now or you’ll become a juicy apple...’
Sweet tears of shame can surely fall from me now.
Hing... I truly cannot believe myself!
"....."
Yeah. I hate myself. More since I became so weak from his...
—..haa...lady...—
Ngggg~....!.. Uhm... Anyway! Our pace is too d*mn slow! When are we going to fu**ing arrive at my cursed bedroom?! I know for sure he’s not taking me the wrong way this time!!
Having to wrap my hand over his arm to support myself is making this more difficult with every step. The tension just refuses to leave and my body can’t stop feeling the warm yet bothering sensation flowing through it.
’I shouldn’t have let the amusement and... The excitement of the ambience drive my actions.’
"... Lady."
’Ah. No. No. Stop recalling it.’
"My Lady."
’Aaaaagh! D*mn that sexy voice of his!’
"Lady Marianne... Have my actions upset you?"
’!!’ — My whole insides shivered as I heard him while his hand covered mine placed on his arm.
It wasn’t in my head. He was actually talking to me with that... unfair voice he possesses.
So firm, rough and warm... Ugh. I’ll be d*mned for life now.
Recoiling slightly my hand, I shook my head to deny it.
I wasn’t upset at him. I was only too stunned at myself.
To think I would be so straightforward when I know how things are... He’s also driving me mad.
But it’s all on me. He asked... and I accepted. That’s... What honestly happened.
"... If so... My Fair Guest, we are to meet your Father shortly."
"..." — I turned to him immediately.
How does he know? I always wondered when reading the novel. But, He always knew where to go to avoid people interrupting him when... When he was with Karina.
... Twinge...
’...??...’
The prickle I suddenly felt was very strange. Seemed to be from Marianne but it was also felt in my soul like a tiny needle falling on it out of nowhere.
"I believe it will be brief..." — He added.
Lifting my eyes, I found him looking ahead composed as ever, and then, a group of four was approaching our way.
"...Do not forget to send word to the borders, we must take precautions... Hm? Dear!" — At the head the Duke walked, eventually meeting my gaze. — "Marianne, is it not wonderful to meet my lovely child at this time?"
’Ah... Haha... He seems so lively... Am I rescuing him from something bothersome?’
"..."
’Hey. Don’t you see him?? Take your hand away!’
Watching his beaming smile and how he speeded up once he saw me, leaving behind the other three accompanying him, I felt happy yet conflicted by the one who wouldn’t retreat his hand from mine as our "Father" approached.
"Good evening, Your Grace."
"... Good evening, Crown Prince."
’Oh gosh... Nosebleed. Work on it, Marianne! The Duke’s eyes definitely glared at kinky’s hand just now!!’ — I immediately told Anne, recalling the adorable dinner we had the other day as I slipped my hand away.
"..... Sweetie, what happened? Your Sister came to see me twice, ultimately saying you weren’t at the Crown Prince’s bureau once she returned."
’Uh...’
"Theressa told me she couldn’t find you. Yet I wonder... Why was she told I had asked for her presence at first...?"
’... Sir. Please excuse me. But I do not think you are truly wondering about that with that decisive glare you’re giving the culprit right now.’
Anyway. A reaction. We must show one.
Lightly, I shrugged my shoulders as I tilted my head a bit to show innocence as well as ignorance. Because if he gets to know I know what he seems to know... D*mn why am I so complicated with these analogies? I have more vocabulary than that, but am I just dumb??
"Greetings, Your Highness. It is an honour to cross paths with our Heir on this day."
"... Indeed. Quite the coincidence to meet you here, Marquis."
"A lovely coincidence, if I am permitted to say. Duke Sylfinnier, is this young Lady the one who has brought not only delight to your household but to the whole and glorious Frotschter Empire?"
"Marquis Restu Trelles... Pardon me. This is my eldest daughter, Marianne Elise Sylfinnier... The–"
"The Ninth Calla’s confidant, Pristina Pars... I have heard and now seen... Truly a Surname worth of her Glamour..." — The man in awe said before bending to give the appropriate greeting the Emperor had told me. — "May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again."
"..."
"An honour. Lady Marianne, the Ninth. An honour to meet your beauty."
I bowed in reflex, however...
’This guy is a bad guy.’
His stare felt disgusting. Not only because of the sick depravation they were looking at me with, but because I could see greed and sinister convictions on his every movement.
Somehow, he gave me the vibes of the typical creepy and villainous extra that was easily used by the real evil and ended in shame. I even think he had a tiny cameo in the original, but it was so irrelevant that I can’t even be sure if it was him or not.
"It ought to be an inevitable honour for you to even interrupt Me, her Father, Restu Trelles..." — Giving no lead to further shows, the Duke dryly pointed at his disrespectful act, obviously displeased, but giving him the glance of contempt a character like him surely deserved before changing to another topic. — "Marianne. Were you going back to your Chambers?"
’Heh. As expected of Marianne’s Father. So cool~’ — Satisfied, I nodded.
"... You seem a tad flushed..." — He noticed.
"..." — ’..... Mister... Please...’
Not now! I swear I’m not sick! I’m just–!
"The Lady and I went on a truly... Pleasant stroll."
’Huh??’
What is this guy suddenly saying??!
’So THAT’S a "pleashant strwol" for you!?’ — Frustrated, I mimicked him childishly.
"We basked on the warm remains of sunlight and so... I am taking His Grace’s daughter to her quarters."
’WE BASKED?! WHAT KIND OF HINTS ARE YOU FREAKING GIVING OUR FATHER!?!?’
Am I getting paranoid!? Why is it that all he says seem to imply what we were doing is everything but what he’s saying!?!?!???
"... Is that so?... Marianne, tell Paige to bring fresh towels so you can appease the shade... Your skin is frail, and the sun has always been greedy when reaching you."
"Indeed... Any would be greedy once noticing the Ninth." — The resto guy spoke to ruin it.
"... We should leave. The meeting is soon to commence." — The Duke said, knowing the man meant his words. — "... Dear... I shall come to you at dinner. Have a nice evening, my precious bird."
His hands went to touch my still-warm cheeks and gave an affectionate peck on my forehead, unbothered to showcase his care in front of the nobles and helpers accompanying us.
"... Until later, Crown Prince."
"..."
Kinky silently bowed to the glaring Mister. And then the Marquis’s farewell came.
"A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness... Lady Marianne... I shall pray for more encounters with the great Pristina Pars to come..."
"..." — ’Yuck.’
He really has those distasteful vibes...
The pack went off the way we came from and watching them gain distance we began to walk again.
His arm came forward, naturally asking for it to be held. And almost as if I was used to the same sequence, as always, I stared at it with a bit of doubt to then hold it like nothing was wrong besides the anxiety of following his pace.
"..."
It was only a few steps we took before he spoke again.
"... My Lady, it may seem unfounded, however... Do not let yourself be found alone by the Marquis."
"..." — ’uh... Okay? Not like I planned to, but... I guess you also don’t like him.’
Since it gives me a reason to avoid the greasy fatty, I will accept.
After briefly pondering on it, I lightly granted acceptance and changed views uninterested since I wasn’t into talking about a noble I don’t really care about since he had little to no appearance in the original story.
Trying to distract myself from growing conscious of what happened when we were alone, I looked around and watched outside the corridor’s windows as we walked.
The sky looked peaceful. Slowly but surely turning into darker colours of red and orange to bring the beautiful sunset.
"Lady... Will you not inquire about why am I requesting this of you?"
’Not really. It’s a tad obvious even to me.’
"... You are... quite unique, Lady Marianne."
"....."
That’s for sure.
I know he would flip if he knew there’s two of us hearing him say this. Heh.
’A beauty with another soul living within her~ Ain’t we the coolest, Anne~?’
Merely giving him a glance, I continued to look outside as I laughed to myself. Marianne also felt cheerful by my compliment, however, he continued to speak, even when I wasn’t showing interest in having a conversation.
"... You like the sky."
’... Yeah...’
"..."
’It somehow has a new meaning to it thanks to the Mister. He wants us to "fly" doesn’t he sweetheart? Like the bird we are to him.’ — I answered, blissful at the nice feeling this new definition I had for what the sky meant in my eyes.
"..."
"Then why, My Lady?... Why has your balcony been deprived of your presence?"