Chapter 128: Chapter 128
Somehow, I’m irked now.
’I shouldn’t judge since I’ve yet to meet the real one, but... Realising how clueless she actually was... You cannot ask me not to judge you, Karina.’
For now, I will leave a corner entirely for her saved in my mind, filled with displeasure by what I recall of her in the novel. Once I meet her — which I’m actually a bit excited for it to happen — I will give her the opportunity to change my mind.
’I’ll be waiting for the Female Lead’s grand entrance. My inner reader shall do its best at criticising the real one~’
I nodded satisfied with the nice decision I had made. A pacific and pleasant decision that gives me the chance to curse at someone with a name, since I forgot the name of the Author.
Reading so many novels, I can barely remember all the characters’ names, so let alone recall the Author’s name that only appears on the cover.
Very sad, but things are like that. So...
’F*** you, Karina. Describe important things, d*mn it. You are too young to be playing with hot bois.’
"~~~"
Maybe it was my random and continuous changes of tones in my thoughts, but Marianne seemed to be entertained by it.
She used to be weirded out before, so I guess this is a sign of her finally starting to find the charm in my erratic thinking.
I let out a fast whiff through my nose, laughing a bit at how adorable it was whenever the orange glints of her tingling laughter came up to my closed eyelids.
Separating my back from the closed door supporting it, I started to walk into the room, leisurely touching the smooth white materials of the furniture.
It might have been my imagination, but from the graze of my fingers against the white edges... I somehow felt a speck of fresh dust raising from them, flying up to blend with the surrounding air, adding to the already nice fragrance the bedroom had a sweetness I have never experienced before.
’... How strange this world is...’ — I smirked as I looked at my clean fingertips.
Turning to look at the open and wide balcony pertaining to the luxurious room, I made my way there, amazed at how the supposedly coral sunlights that should be entering through them looked redder than ever, almost like... The sun had been covered by an enormous ruby reflecting its light with passionate red that soon would turn purplish...
’Why is the light so different...? Is it a unique trait from this room?’
Unfolding my hand to receive the beautiful light in its milky palm, I felt its warmth spreading into it as it gained its colourful shade as its own.
’Hahaha...’
The oddity was fascinating, and so, I went further into the open balcony ultimately placing both hands on the white thick railings as I observed a common sunset on the horizon. No Ruby lenses were truly covering the round orange dot the huge sun made.
’Hmm~... Strange~..... But I like this strangeness, hehe.’
Standing straight at the nice area across the bow window, I closed my eyes to feel the mysterious sunlight fall on my skin.
The little sounds of leaving birds shuffling their wings in between the branches of the trees, letting the leaves fall after jumping to begin their flights... And the soft, almost unnoticed breeze slyly crawling from below, certainly different to the aroma the wind at the Castle brought with it...
"H.ehe..."
We laughed as softly as the breeze and for once, our lips didn’t return to be tightly shut pose they are always in.
Our teeth grazing our lower lip... A common thing to do that one wouldn’t even pay attention to... Felt so unusual, it was absurd.
An urge to say something crept on me. The situation was one I should take advantage of since these opportunities are scarce, yet... As I slowly opened my eyes, the fear of the edges closing again if I tried, stopped me from doing it for a while.
Gradually, I made my exhaled breath leave through the slight gap, somehow preparing myself to make the desired attempt.
As more powerful breaths left, my head started to ponder on the word I would try to say.
My cheek twitched immediately, reacting to my inner amusement at the useless search.
There was only one word I should say.
This confidence I feel as I prepare cannot be wasted.
Even if my lips feel completely dry now... I know the word can flow as smoothly as water does in a river.
"Anne..."
Soft but more audible... I called for her. And seeing that my mouth kept slightly relaxed, I swallowed dry, nervous to try again...
"Eli..."
I scoffed in pleasant disbelief and continued to say whatever came to mind.
"Du..ke..... FloWer..... speaK..... We can speak..."
The voice gradually died rusty from the strain... but I felt satisfied.
I don’t know what it is that permits these events. Truthfully, I want to believe it is all something that comes with the mystic calmness our body sometimes dives into... But, I can’t really confirm yet what it is.
The only thing I know... Is this hunch growing from my stomach, that tells me we can get better sooner than I thought we could.
’It’s a great thing that my hunches are usually correct. This one is strong too, so... Girl~ how exciting~’
The syncopated sensations overflowing in our souls and body kept strengthening their existence, permitting my smile to take form on the outside.
Certainly, it was meek, but that doesn’t matter.
All that matters...
’We are slowly gaining freedom, darling...’
Relaxed by the confirmation of our training being useful, I rested my elbow on the high railing and placed our head on my hand. Enjoying the bliss these achievements bring us now and imagining the ones they will bring in the future... I looked at the beautiful sun preparing to hide on the horizon with loving eyes.
*******
"Where are you going?"
His Father’s voice resonated, reaching his developed hearing and halting his movement as he intended to follow behind the Lady.
"....." — A chilling stare in menacing stillness was sent to the Emperor, who portrayed a severe expression from his seat at the table.
Zeleskiaz was in a hurry to follow the Lady who was about to disappear behind the doors they entered together, holding her Father’s arm affectionately as she leaned on him.
The inhibited attitude as she previously showed her affection to her Father, indifferent to the people surrounding them, shocked the Crown Prince.
Her dull demeanour seemed to be a mere pebble in her path when it came to communicating her sincere feelings. Pure honesty that needed no words to be transmitted and an exquisite elegance impregnated in every move of her delicate body...
The realisation of her relaxed poise as she walked beside her Father... Opposite to the stiffness of her every step as she cautiously held his arm as she was escorted into the Hall... Blocked his chest with an emotion he was very familiar with yet this time incredibly unbearable.
’Grief... The same grief whenever I can not satiate my thirst but...’
Desperation.
One he had never experienced and could not understand.
The Lady was closer. She had come to the Palace as he wished... Yet, something was amiss.
Glancing back to the entrance, the Lady was already gone.
Her quick disappearance as he stopped because of the Emperor’s call, meanwhile the conflicting emotions roamed in his chest and mind, indifferent to his confusion, annoyed the Prince, hardening his neat features at the empty hallway.
"Zeleskiaz. Tell me now, what was that menace you sent earlier?" — Noticing that the Prince had his eyes fixated on the empty entrance the Emperor trembled in fury and spoke his next words in a fierce roar. — "... You brat... Have you finally lost it to endanger your own Guest?!"
Bang!
Irritated at the indifference his son was displaying, Francois hit the table with his fist, sending a strong earthquake through it, knocking some of the standing candles standing on it.
Breathing slowly to regain composure, the Emperor lifted his gaze to look at his heir, who was finally looking his way.
"... Don’t waste my time and tell me if the Crown Prince needs to be reconsidered."
The Emperor was serious in his warning. Endangering an invited noble and a Duke’s daughter of such high position as Lady Marianne... Was certainly a matter that cannot be overlooked.
More so if there was no apparent catalyst to his threatening behaviour on this occasion.
Both stared at each other, with eyes beaming in violet flashes combined with a shared mystery for long seconds.
"..... It was nothing."
"....."
Francois kept his gaze on him, who also returned it with harsh composure after answering his questions with an overly simple sentence.
’Hah... This bratty idiot.....’
The calmness in his unwavering eyes was too uncommon to behold. His son’s answer was so unpretentious in its emptiness of justifications, that the Emperor laughed inwardly in scepticism.
’Heh... He doesn’t even know what I’ve asked about... This idiot..... This beastly idiot has certainly lost it now, Haha!’
A man of his age would know.
Once a man of dangerous and scheming character like his son has become ignorant of his own actions... It is only one thing that could cloud his consciousness.
Scrutinizing the Crown Prince with sharp eyes at the realisation, Francois only could resign himself to what was to become of his heir... Thanks to the culprit.
’Sigh... The cute Child... She might be the one to finally tame Fenrir.’