Chapter 108: Chapter 108
"Good Morning, Young Lady." — The Butler accompanying the Duke said.
If it weren’t because Mister Thomas saw us approaching, we could have surprised the Duke. However, I’m glad we didn’t get to do it.
We just need to see how flustered and speechless he Is right now to know that if we were to show in front of him without previous notice, the poor Duke would totally get a heart attack from the shock.
"D–..... Dear... Uhm.. W–..."
’You can do it, Sir! Say it!’
"... Marianne." — Taking a long pause to calm his chaotic eyes, he finally took control over his stupefaction. — "Are you planning to earn Gods envy with your beauty? Will they send for you and take you away from your Father’s side? Sigh....." — He said, making a concerned face. Yet, it soon changed into a playful one to say his last words, as an elegant greeting was made. — "My heart almost stopped for the gorgeous sights you’ve blessed me today, my Ubi sunt child. Greetings to the gracious Princess that has descended to my unworthy presence."
’Gaaahhhh!!~ This guy is a pro!!! The Duchess is so d*mn lucky!! Hng! My heart!? Oh my! He stole it!!’ — Half-jokingly, I screamed inwardly, feeling my stomach tickle in happiness because of the awesome praise he never fails to give Marianne.
I giggled enough to make me close our eyes to enjoy how good it felt to get such compliments.
But, also from the delight that, this time, we were prepared to retort as we should.
Yesterday, in preparation for this moment, I told Marianne that we should write a response in advance since it was a given that today we would dress up for the occasion. Hence, the Duke would certainly compliment us the moment we met.
Which just happened, as my deductions said.
’Hehehe... It’s time, Anne! Lets... Oh, d*mn... Wait a sec...’ — Looking at my storage room located in my chest area, I cursed as I turned around to dig between... My melons. — ’Tsk! We have too much meat..... Uh... There.....there... There~ it is!! Haha, I got you!’
Finding the post-it notes way deep into the corset, I took them out victorious, lifting them high up with my hand out of happiness.
Turning around to give the notes to him... His round eyes made me realise that the search didn’t go very discreet..... But... let’s act like it did and quickly give it to him so that Marianne won’t have time to get mad at me!!
Stretching out my hand in the fastest movement I could manage, I handed the notes to the Duke.
’Hehehe... He’ll be surprised~’
*******
Nervous to take the stack of papers his daughter was handing him, Orland took his time to reflect on whether it was alright for him to touch those papers that were clearly taken out from a... Dubious place.
He was certainly surprised. Yet, unbeknownst to the girl, he had been stunned before even reading the message contained in those pieces.
’F... Forgive... My actions, please...’ — He thought as his hand struggled to take the waiting letter.
Swallowing a guilty emotion, he opened his eyes trying to control the awkward twitching of his eyebrows. It was conflicting for the polite Duke to act oblivious about an obvious matter.
Nonetheless, due to his daughter’s handwriting, that discomfort was temporarily forgotten.
[Whereas I receive His gracious Lord’s glories, This humble daughter flies in exhilaration.
The blessing only falls upon myself, thus the glorious crafters of destiny have assigned me as this kind Lord’s offspring.
Praise to the loving Gods that have awarded my life with certain happiness by your side.
I welcome this new day with joy, for I am to spend it with wonderful company.]
’Ah..... She... Hahaha... Oh goodness..... Who knew I would receive such wonderful words...’
Orland felt incredibly touched by the eloquence inside her praise. It was unexpected, yet his heart was reacting as predicted.
His being was breathing pure bliss, crowding his soul with thrilling tenderness. Great enthusiasm was oozing into himself by the little words she had dedicated in that tiny piece.
Every single word felt like a daydream.
He read it twice, and seeing it wasn’t an illusion, Orland declared his thoughts in a whisper without letting his eyes abandon the thorough strokes making up his daughter’s lovely handwriting.
"Indeed..... Praise to the loving Gods... That I have you in my life... Pure child..." — As he finished, slowly, he brought his gaze up, to look at said child.
Fidgeting fingers played with each other in anxiousness. The child was nervous about his delayed response, uneasy at his continuous silence, and restless to finally learn his thoughts on the carefully developed lines they had prepared in order to repay his heartfelt praises, with heartfelt flattering.
Both timid peeking glimpses met and, although she did not show it on her expression, she was certainly smiling fondly at him just as Orland was.
He inwardly laughed at her adorable attitude, and smoothly placed himself by her right side.
Graciously offering his arm to escort the lovely girl, Orland waited patiently for her to take it and once she did wrap her delicate fingers around it...
"Let us depart, my lovely bird. We shall show our appreciation to the divine’s by enjoying the marvellous Realm they have let us meet on." — He said, looking at her with joy.
And then, to seal his sayings, a peck on her clean forehead was affectionately given as he said in simple words.
"You are wholly beautiful, sweetie. I love you."
Parent and child were happy and, with this heartwarming scene, the elderly Butler watching over his two Masters saw them off with a pleased grin.
As it should be, their relationship was improving and his Lord could finally enjoy his daughter’s captivating virtue.
Seeing them board the carriage, Thomas said out loud with confidence to himself.
"It won’t be long before the Little Miss... reveals that virtue with no constraint to others..."
Although some of the wisdom from the long years he has been withstanding in this challenging world was hinted in his statement, there was also a clue given, unbeknownst to the Lady, to the elder.
"Even a tiny smile like that is this delightful to the eyes... I wonder how marvellous it will be to behold one when she’s completely freed from her condition."
It was by mere chance that the elder caught sight of the slight lift her lips corners made when she received the affectionate caress from the Duke.
Regardless, the view gave Thomas all he needed to understand... That a full recovery was soon to come for the gentle Little Miss.
Meanwhile, Paige, who listened to the lonesome elder talk to himself with a pleasant tone, wondered, in her incapacity to understand the meaning behind his words. — ’... What is he saying??... Has Mister Thomas always talked to himself?... I wonder if it is because of his old age...’
Ignorant to what the Butler had witnessed for she had been standing behind her ladyship, the young maid rudely attributed his monologue to his worn-out lucidity, forgetting that once... That day the foreign one arrived, Paige had also seen in her Lady’s always dull expression, an unusual tenderness.
The proofs of her change had been left as a trick from the maid’s tired eyes, and now, having forgotten that event, Paige may remain unaware of the great news to come predicted by the wise Thomas.
*******
The journey began and Sylfinnier’s Duke, along with his pretty secondborn, observed the plains their carriage travelled with joy.
Reminded of her skill with the quills strokes, new ideas began to emerge as the gorgeous lands surrounding their territory became visible.
’Maybe I should arrange an outing to the inner lands... She might like it there... It’s a good spot for her to portray.....’ — Orland thought, aware of how optimistic her eyes seemed to be looking to a far distance.
Staying in calm silence, he thought of the best time to visit without disrupting their peaceful ambience.
There was no need for words and little conversations. The nice company was enough for both of them to enjoy the journey. Thus, the two of them only dedicated themselves to appreciate the paced sounds the carriage made on the road and the ones the composed nature sang in their march.
Time passed quickly and soon the city’s voices became apparent. Arriving at the Capital’s solid outer grounds Orland spoke for the first time.
"Hm? It seems we are soon to arrive, sweetie... Fairly on time, aren’t we?" — He declared peeking outside with a tilting head, to then cast his fond gaze on the curious child.
"...?"
"Look at the high sun, little bird. Its light is on its peak, meaning that mealtime has come." — Mischievously, raising his eyebrows, the Duke pointed with his unfolded hand at the big star illuminating their day. — "Shall I take you to a nice restaurant I have in mind, sweetie? I believe their plates will please my daughter."
"...!!" — Marianne’s quick agreement came with effusive nods as the companion inside her thought. — ’A medieval Restaurant!! This will be cool~’
And so, the peaceful and joyous afternoon began in its plenitude.