Chapter 122: Chapter 122
Francois glared at his son, furious from the scare the frantic prince gave to his Father with the sudden invasion of his aura in the Palace.
It was not an uncommon occurrence in the slightest. Furthermore, not perceiving those menacing airs often would be truly considered a rarity in the vast Main building. Yet, this time, his friend’s daughter, the adorable Lady he had developed great care for, had been near his dangerous thirst right after arriving at his Palace as an awaited Guest.
The Lady was frail and her Father, his great friend. A friend who has never betrayed him, who stayed his friend after ascending to the throne, one who forgives his selfishness and beats him enough to not kill him, even though he has enough reasons to do so.
The moment the Emperor felt the deathly waves and met his friend’s eyes, he knew that... Were his son to harm the Lady... Francois would not be able to see the Orland he knows again...
Even after allowing him to take his son’s head or even his own for the idiocy, the Crown Prince could have done... His friend would never forgive, forget or truly live again after such an incident.
’You stupid son of mine... If Orland had reached you..... Even being the beast you are wouldn’t help your demise...!’
Regardless of everyone’s shaken complexion, Lady Marianne lifted her head to glance inside the room, only to notice the standing Duke, her sister, and all members of the Royal Family seating by the Emperor’s table.
’Oh my God!!! They are all here! And we made THEM wait!!??? You Poo on a stick! Look!! My head might roll today because of your selfishness freak of a Male Lead!!’
Completely unaware of what everyone had felt moments ago, the foreign soul reproached the Prince who placed her in a difficult position, ignorant of the danger she had been near all along.
It was only the four guards holding the doors in frightened confusion, who were conscious of what had appeased his Highness’s menace from dealing with them.
If not for the brave Lady’s gesture that attained the Prince’s attention seconds ago... those four men would not be standing as they were now under normal circumstances.
After noticing the unharmed knights keeping the gates spread outside, the Emperor found true relief knowing that the Lady did not witness a crude scene.
Hence, attaining new composure, he proceeded to allow their assistance at his Royal table.
"Do not stay there, you may come in and take a seat."
Francois was surprised to see his son escort the Lady to her seat, which was the job of the servant who was sent off by his son’s glare the moment he intended to do his duty.
Gallantly helping her to find comfort in her seat to even show the manners he learned but never used as he went to his seat, the Emperor was dumbfounded in strangeness by how odd of an attitude his unruly heir to the Throne was portraying.
The Lady took her seat seemingly calm as the Prince led her to it, yet inwardly surprised discovering it was placed directly to the right of the Emperor.
Noticing that her Father remained standing even after following with his eyes the Lady’s transition from the door to her seat, she stared at him with wonder, extending her hand to hold his and tug on it.
’Why are you standing, Sir? Sit down.’
Innocently asking with the soul inside her eyes, the child managed to paint a soft smile on her Father’s countenance again, replacing the severe expression he had been portraying from the alarming sensation.
"..."
In silence, he sat down still holding her hand on his, squeezing it tenderly.
Francois who observed the scene felt envious of their lovely harmony. If only his children paid as much attention as the glamorous Lady did to her Father, he would also react as Orland did at the Audience Hall after she had left their presence.
’Heh... What a pure child..... This uncle is envious–...?’
As these thoughts roamed his crown, the Lady gracefully turned to look at him and bowed, taking him by surprise. And placing her other hand on her heart she made a well-polished gesture, apparently sending an apology.
"Hmm... Is the Lady perhaps apologising?" — He asked with an arrogant expression.
Consequently, still bowing her head as she bent further, she nodded, confirming his guess.
"... Lady, I know it is my son who must have selfishly belated your arrival... Therefore, I do not accept this unnecessary apology. What’s more, now that the main guest is here... Bring the Feast!!! And the Best Wine!! This beautiful child deserves to be served splendidly!! HwaHaha!!" — Standing from his seat, holding his half-full chalice high up with cheerfulness, The Ruler of the Empire suddenly ordered for the delicacies prepared to receive the awaited Lady to be brought immediately.
The quiet Empress seating at the head to her husband’s left, rolled her eyes, somehow accustomed to behold such unbecoming behaviour from her partner.
And further to the left side of the table, the Emperor’s children sat, also unfazed by their Father’s behaviour.
Even the fourth one, who had yet to make his debut in society, was present at this official private welcome for the Lady.
Seating right across the body with two souls, the Crown Prince could be found and to his left followed his sister, Princess Jasmine, then his brother, Second Prince Sverre, and lastly the youngest, the Third Prince.
"As we wait for all the plates to be brought, Lady Marianne, you may know most of my family members’ faces by now, but there is one I think you have yet to meet... Dioclecià, introduce yourself to our honoured guest."
"Huh?! Uh... Y- Yes." — The young child stood, insecure by the sudden order. — "P-Pleasure to m-m-make your acquaintance... I am... Dioclecià Leodogari Di Frotschter, Third Prince of the Frotschter Empire."
The Lady watched him intently and also stood from her seat to make a deep respectful reverence to the youngest Prince, exhibiting the exemplary silence she always portrayed.
Dioclecià had not paid much attention to what had unfolded before being called by his father to greet the guest, hence, confusion flowed in his distracted head as he watched the silent Lady not daring to respond with spoken words.
Watching the confusion on his youngest, Francois continued to speak, artlessly with a pleasant tone.
"... Son, this is Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier. A very lovely, interesting and clever Lady that I, your Father, has given my utmost fondness in favour."
Given that she was already standing, Marianne faced the other royals and, with her hand, widespread it in a line that entailed all of them in the elegant greeting she was to make.
"See? Hahwa! Such an interesting Lady..."
The child blinked astonished at the joy his father talked with and once his sister, the Princess, interrupted his ponder, he sat back in his seat hurriedly.
"Indeed, Your Majesty. A truly interesting Lady has come to visit." — With a condescending arrogance, the Princess spouted.
Glaring at the Main Guest, the Princess was upset at her silenced presence, unaware of the reasons behind such attitude.
"It amazes me how, this interesting Lady, has charmed His Excellency in such a manner... That the Emperor is who introduces her to us."
A shuddering silence fell on all the assistants.
Regardless, Marianne was undaunted by her sharp comment.
The girl knew something like this could happen, which gave her, instead of trouble, amusement to find her hunches proven right again.
’There you go~ fufufu... I could see that coming dear Princess~ But, you know what’s funny?... Although you did that to humiliate me and get me to "know my place"..... You won’t be seeing any shameful expression come up on this beautiful face we have~!! Mwahahah!’ — The foreign soul playfully shrugged at the scene.
Yet, regardless of her carefree mood, the others did not react similarly.
The Third Prince became anxious, the Second remained seemingly indifferent, meanwhile the Empress and Theressa snickered inside as the other three, the Crown Prince, the Emperor and the Duke... Were growing roots of displeasure for her rudeness.
It was now a matter of who of these three would speak on the Lady’s behalf first.
Each of them had a personal motive to do so.
One as her Father, the second as the one being insulted along the Lady and lastly the third... who simply had the urge to turn the shame on his Sister for insulting the Lady he was deeply interested in.
The one who got to speak won the honour only by a millisecond, for the other two were opening their mouths to retort when his voice halted their words.
"What Jasmine says is true. The Lady is indeed charming. Yet... Little sister... I believe your rude ignorance to be more charming. As expected... Finding an oblivious ill-mannered Princess such as yourself these days... Is quite entertaining. His Majesty may also feel charmed enough to speak in your place from now on, and save himself the embarrassment."
"How dare you speak to me like that–!"
"Enough. Say no more Jasmine. You’re throwing yourself to shame at this moment." — The Emperor intervened, speaking with a plane tone implying his displeasure.
"!!!"
"Princess... My daughter suffers from a certain condition. However, as you can see... Marianne is a clever Lady who communicates in this manner. Do find it in yourself to observe her behaviour and... restate your thoughts once the ’charm’ his Excellency took a fondness of, is made clear in your eyes." — Commencing with a soft polite tone, the Duke added an input to the conversation, gradually showing in his eyes the rage on behalf of his precious child.
Although the way his words were certainly entailing menace at the end, it would denote no hardship for him.
Being the Duke of Sylfinnier was a Title of enough power... To even demand from any below the Emperor, their absolute respect.
Listening to their sayings the Princess felt conflicted at the relentless attacks from the three men.
Yet... although the girl had acted recklessly because of her ignorance and displeasure born from it... The Princess was thankfully one who knew how to reflect on her mistakes... To later find amusement in the unexpected.