Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Chapter 112

On our way there, Theressa wouldn’t shut up.

My headache was strong enough to feel her voice echoing in my head after every word she said.

’Someone... Someone, please shut her mouth with a sweaty sock...’

That way she’ll know our suffering...

Although it was incredibly annoying, thanks to her babbling I was able to learn a few interesting things.

While she was bragging about the silver dress she was wearing, about the design, the pretty frills, the buttons at the end of the sleeves and so on, She said something that brought my attention to her pitchy voice.

"Although I was a bit sad about having to use a silver dress because of the old traditions, the dress came out to be very pretty. Don’t you agree, Father?"

Ignoring the fact that she gave me a poorly hidden judging glare, the bit about "old traditions" made me wonder what that was about.

"... Haha... It does suit you, dear... I believe our house representing colour is of a rather proud shade, therefore, I am elated to have an excuse to wear it today..."

Woah... He’s right. I hadn’t noticed they were wearing the same colour!! Am I blind now??

"Indeed... Yet, my favourite colour has always been red, so..." — She said, giving a fake sad expression as she glanced at me.

’... Sigh... I don’t even want to bother to look at her anymore... Cynical b*tch.’

"Ah... Well, as you mentioned, it’s a tradition. From old times, the Main Guest who is invited by the Royals ought to wear their host’s lineage emblem’s colours as a demonstration of their respect and appreciation. Hence, we, who accompany your Sister who is the main visitor on this occasion, must abide by the customs to also show our respects... Hm? Marianne, sweetie, you seem surprised?" — The Duke lastly said as he turned to me.

’Oh, he noticed.’

"... How... Does Father know she is surprised? Sister’s face never changes...!!... Ah... I am sorry, sister I didn’t mean to..." — Theressa asked the Duke, seemingly curious. Never forgetting to spit some venom in her way, she acted like it was a slip of her viper’s tongue.

’Heh, Of course you did.’

"... Sigh... Theressa... You need to think more before speaking, dear. If not because your sister knows you well, your words could have hurt her."

’Indeed~ If I didn’t know she’s an evil idiot... How hurt I would be~’ — I sarcastically sang.

"Yes Father, I spoke without much thought."

"... Well, about your inquiry... You just need to look at your Sister’s eyes and everything will be said. Isn’t that right, sweetie?"

I nodded as energetically as I could, giving him the reason, both in my dull outside and in my outspoken inside.

’That’s right~ just look me in the eyes Theressa~... You’ll know aaall I’m thinking with just a glance... just like at the garden, fufufu~’

"You must have forgotten about the customs, huh? Isn’t that why you were surprised, Dear?"

Once again, I nodded.

"I see~ So sister forgot..." — Theressa happily said softly clapping her hands, obviously trying to mock me for it with her exaggerated kind tone.

’Woah... Talking like that doesn’t suit her at all..... Might be why none of the Male Leads ever believed in her...’

Hmm... Talking about Leads.....

Uh? Wait. So that’s why!!!

Oh, my f****** God! That d*mn author!!!

So that’s why Karina used red whenever she was taken to the Palace!!!!

I used to ask why she never chose another colour since she was "invited" like five times in a row and always used the same boring red dress!!!

’This was an important detail dude! Most readers were wondering the same thing in the forums!!! What in the actual f***?!’

I kinda theorized about it being a custom only to not pity the Female Lead for being poor!!

Haaaa... How come I still get surprised at his negligence??

’Horny author will be horny I guess... Sigh...’

After that, Theressa kept talking about useless boring stuff. So, with all the pain in my heart, I had to leave the only one able to answer the great task to entertain the thirsty for attention brat while I looked outside the carriage window.

’Sorry, Sir. I can’t really hold a conversation for obvious reasons, so... I leave the bother to you~’

She was still loud, so I also took some damage in the end.

Once we arrived in the city, Theressa started freaking out with excitement.

Though, I can actually understand this attitude.

We were getting closer to our destination and, taking into account that I did read a big part of the original novel... I know well enough how crazy this girl is over the Crown Prince.

’... She’s a masochist... It’s clear that being the Duke’s daughter saved her from getting murdered by that psycho multiple times...’ — Thinking of her reckless decisions in the original, I declared in my head.

We finally arrived at the Palace grounds, and, maybe because of her anxiety, her mouth also stopped talking as loud and even seemed to tremble in nervousness.

"Ah... We... We are almost at the Palace."

I watched her squeeze her own hands as she said that.

The scene even makes me pity her for falling for the wrong guy.

’Sigh... Although I don’t like her... It’s not like I really want her to suffer... Well... Maybe just a little...’

Only enough to wake her up to realise she’s been doing wrong.

Theressa is still sixteen after all. Maybe... She can still...

..... No, it’s better not to have expectations. She’s young enough to change her ways... But maybe it is also in her nature.

If not, why treat Marianne like she has done until now?

’We need to see for ourselves... If your sister deserves our pity, Marianne.’ — Warning Marianne, who also felt bad for her sister after my previous comment, I tried to let her know how cautious we should be about this matter.

My girl is kind... Maybe too kind...

This thought kept roaming in my head until we reached the Main Palace.

Once the carriage halted completely, the door opened from the outside and the Duke got off to greet the Royal Guards receiving us.

Next, Theressa got off the carriage with his help and, last, was I to descend.

Two lines of Royal guards were framing our road to the entrance and, smoothly, a man who seemed to also be a noble came closer and welcomed us officially.

"Greetings, Respectful Guests of our Rulers. It is an honour to be in your presence.

Following His Majesty’s demands, I, Ervin Jensen, direct server of His Excellency, shall welcome Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, second born to the Honourable Ducal House Sylfinnier and her companionship, Duke Orland Matthew Sylfinnier along with his youngest daughter Lady Theressa Sylfinnier, to The Frotschter Empire’s Royal Palace, residence our Monarch warmly receives you in."

"..." — Seeing that the servant was talking directly to me, I was the one to bow first in acceptance of his greeting.

I suppose it was the right thing to do since, right after I did, the Duke and Theressa followed my lead to also bow their heads. Then, the Duke spoke in my place.

"We are happy to receive his Majesty’s invitation. May Fenrir walk beside him."

"..."

’Now what?’ — I asked after an unnecessary silence followed the Duke’s words.

"... Then, Let this server take you to His Majesty’s presence. The Emperor is waiting."

’Hah... He’s obviously lying. We’re not stupid. He’s an Emperor, why would he "wait" for his visitors? Phssshhht non-sense.’ — As soon as he turned his back on us to guide us inside the Palace, I thought to myself in sarcasm as I followed his path.

With a calm pace as we walked through the Main Palace, we went up some stairs and wide corridors for about ten minutes.

The place was huge, so, no wonder it would take us that long to get where the Emperor would kindly receive us.

Since I was the Main guest, I was walking a few steps ahead of the Duke and the dwarf. Although I wanted to walk beside him as usual, Marianne’s Father made sure to keep the distance in the first and only attempt I did. He was smooth enough to be nice as he did, hinting to me that it wasn’t appropriate to do that in these circumstances with a little wink.

It was sad to feel Marianne get a bit disillusioned for it, but soon... it would all be forgotten.

"Behind those Magnificent Doors, His Excellency awaits."

A few steps away, our final destination could be seen.

’Dang~ what a tall door... Can they even open that thing?’ — I thought in amazement.

We came closer and, surprisingly, the doors started to open when we had yet to arrive.

From them, two men came out.

The first one seemed familiar. A nobleman, probably one or two decades older than Marianne’s father, and behind him... A young one followed... One around Marianne’s age... Maybe even a bit older I would say.

’... Hmm... Somehow... Was the older one someone important? I think the Duke introduced him to me at the Spring Ball... But I... I wasn’t really paying much attention back then... I kind of just started to bow automatically at some point...’

It was as I was wondering about this that the older noble noticed our presence, specifically, the Duke’s.

"Hm? Isn’t that Duke Sylfinnier and his daughter? What a delight to see you again, Duke." — Said the man with a kind smile.

"Indeed. What a nice coincidence to cross paths with you here, Duke Noverrne. I take it you have just spoken with His Majesty for you are leaving his Audience."

"....." — ’..... Wait... What–’

"Yes, we had the pleasure to have a bit of his Majesty’s time in a short audience. As you may know, it is due time for me to hand down the Title to my wonderful son."

"Oh... I see... He has done well on learning his duties so fast, Sir. Congratulations on raising such an outstanding heir."

"... Thank you, Orland... Hearing that from you truly brings joy to this old man... Clemente! Come closer, son. Do not stay silent in front of Duke Sylfinnier. He is the one I would like you to learn from the most."

"My apologies, Father. I did not want to interrupt your pleasant conversation... It is nice to see you again, My Lord. I, Clemente Noverrne, heir to the Noverrne Ducal Family, give my utmost appreciation to your admirable figure."

’... Woah... As I thought... This guy...’