Chapter 133: Chapter 133
"... I apologise... My behaviour was not appropriate..."
"..." — Both witnesses, the announcing guard and Paige, shared a concerned glance, feeling sorry to receive unnecessary apologies.
"... What is the matter, Paige?" — Aware of their discomfort, the Duke asked slowly regaining his composure.
"Ah... I came to inform you that I have placed the order to the crafter, and he said the item would be ready in two days..."
"Hmm? Only two?"
"Yes! Apparently, he foresaw the need for the replacement of the paper so in his free time he dedicated himself to craft more since it took a lot of preparation to make the first pile in a short time. He has been making them gradually and believes the amount he piles in the next two days will be good enough to last a while for the Lady."
"... I see... Gustav has been very thoughtful... I must thank him properly when I see him." — Orland announced, thankful for the crafter’s efficiency.
"Indeed, my Lord. He also asked what was the Lady using it for... and... I selfishly shared the Lady’s skills... Do forgive me if I have acted inappropriately..."
"It is alright. Was he surprised?"
"!!... Yes! He felt curious to see how it was done, for he only knows the rough ways of craftsmanship."
"That is understandable." — Accepting said curiousness he stated, getting a nice idea for the time when the object was to be retired arrived.
"... Also... Your Grace. I... I believe The Lady will not be able to have her last meal of the day today..."
"..... Didn’t you say she was alright...?"
"!!" — Surprised at how fast his demeanour lost colour, Paige flinched, immediately responding this time for she feared he would start to race towards the Lady. — "Yes, my Lord! She is alright. Miss Marianne only seems exhausted for she fell deeply asleep a few hours ago. My Lady has had a busy day, therefore, her body must have used most of her energy... It was to the extent I had to help her to the bed while still wearing her beautiful dress... My lady has no more energy for today..."
Trying to explain in a more gentle manner the degree of Marianne’s drained state, Paige explained to the Duke, who attentively listened to her every word.
Orland was sure that his trusted maid was sincere in her reports... However, just like the foreign child...
’... I need to see her and make sure she is fine...’
Orland was a meticulous man and a protective Father. He needed proof to be shown in front of his eyes to find peace when it came to important matters such as his children’s well-being.
"... Paige... I want to assure you that I believe what you say... But..." — He told the young Maid, turning his head in the direction he knew would lead to his daughter’s whereabouts.
"..." — Paige watched him and full of understanding, smiled as she answered. — "I am aware, Your Grace... Then, let me accompany you for I should also return to her side and attend my ladyship."
The Duke felt relieved by her kindness and lightly agreed with his head, motion followed by the first step that would carry him to Marianne’s quarters.
"Ah! However, My Lord!" — Paige hastily said, halting his movement, adding slowly, averting her gaze as a sign of respect. — "... Uhm... Your clothes... My Lord..."
"!!"
Being reminded of his current appearance, Orland widened his eyes to the sight and closed them in embarrassment.
It was not shame born from exhibiting most of his upper body, for it was well kept in shape as the noble knight he still was but the shame of having behaved disgracefully in a dishevelled outfit.
"Haaaaah..... Pardon me..."
Walking back into his lodgings, Orland organised himself quickly, before truly heading to his Daughter’s whereabouts.
*******
"..."
’I’m hungry.’
I woke up because of a twinge in my stomach that was asking for it to be filled again.
If not for that... We would probably continue to sleep like we’re dead until the day after tomorrow for all this capricious body cares...
’Hmm... I mustn’t have slept for long... We are still in this dress... And the candle doesn’t seem to have been lit for long...’
Cool. Maybe I’m right on time for dinner.
Still drowsy from just waking up from a very deep sleep, I made my eyes blink slightly and slowly because they seem to have a mind of their own as they tried to remain closed to resume the sleeping session.
’Guhhh... Stay open... I am not losing any meals here...’
Warning myself to make the effort, Anne also put some of her soul’s support to make the body obey.
We share, so my cutie knows we are surprisingly starving right now.
I say "surprisingly" since the banquet was quite long and... I must say... I don’t remember much of it with us NOT eating something...
’Anne, we must have great metabolism... If not we wouldn’t be this slim with all we’ve been eating.’
... Which is somehow a problem because I want some more flesh in our nice rear.
It’s not like I don’t like how we look, though.
If that were the case, even thinking of contemplating to not liking ourselves should be considered sacrilege.
The thing is just... A whim...
Yeah, it’s just a whim I have.
Somehow I feel like developing more softness to make it more squishy... nothing wrong with that...
’... If only I had the internet to search which food would work better... Maybe chicken breasts?? Eggs? I never really cared much of looking such things up...’
Well... This just means I have no choice but to eat a little bit of everything to find out~ hehehe~
’Ah~... Now I feel more awake...’
The nice excuse made me happy and made me exhale an elated breath as I stared at the centre of the clothed ceiling of the bed, which nicely fell like a beautiful high tent.
"..~.."
We felt relaxed... And unfortunately... No better state of mind exists other than that one to get my head working hard to lose it.
—...You omitted one of our... pleasant... Truly pleasant encounters —
’Gaaaah!!!!’
No!... Why that!! Ugh...
— Solely remember myself —
’StaAAaaAap!!!!’
Oh, God... Oh my gawd..... Hng..... This is not fair!!
The bad choice of thoughts my mind had started to recall were way too effective.
The embarrassment and the cringe-tingling sensation that his words and voice brought to me made me jump from my bed, not knowing how to deal with all the odd anxiety making me grab a pillow and start to hit my face with it until I quickly lost the energetic impulse.
’Hnnnnng..... The power of a Male Lead is no joke... Right, Marianne?’ — Hugging the pillow now in embarrassment, I started a conversation with my curious lurking roomie.
"~~...."
My question only made her enhance my own squeaky emotions swirling in our belly. She was also surprised at how things had developed in a way we had never foreseen.
’Sigh... I did try, sweetie... You know that... But d*mn..... He’s unfair... Can you believe it was HIM? The blue-haired guy?... Gosh... It’s so scary how my hunches are always right~...’
"~!!"
’Yeah! I know! It’s so weird~ but it helps, so I can’t really hate it that much...’
".. ..."
’... You’re getting really good at communicating with those sensations... Impressive...’
"~~~"
Heh... This girl is funny...
’... But hey... I think I should tell you this about the Prince–’
Knock knock
Agh! What the... Novels and their good timings... This is definitely a downside to being in the world of a novel.
... Creak...
Huh? Why are they not announcing themselves?? Who...
Oh?... Hahah... I recognise that ashy hair~
’Anne~ Your Father is here~ we’ll talk about it later, I promise.’
"~..~..~"
The feeling of agreement that she gave me was adorable. If I were to compare it with something it would probably resemble the carefreeness a child would have while giving happy skips on their way to buy candies.
"....." — His head slowly became completely visible and once he saw me while taking a cautious peek inside, he said in a needless whispering voice. — "Ah..... Sweetie... You’re awake?... Oh! Was I who woke you?!"
’Pfff... No, you didn’t, Sir...’ — As I shook my head to assure him I giggled inside.
So cute...
"Aha... Alright... Then... Excuse me..." — He answered as he intended to come inside.
It was in a tiny moment, but it was then that an important fact flashed through my mind repeatedly.
— Can’t enter. Claw. —
— Can’t enter. Claw. —
— Can’t enter. Claw. —
In an instant, I felt faint... Because I knew that this was no ordinary room... And if something was necessary to enter it... It means this room is...
"D.a...nge.R..ous.." — The word left my mouth only with my modulation since my throat could no longer emit more sounds for today.
And... Even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to do anything to prevent the alarming possibility... my body still moved, slowly as ever... maybe even slower than ever... To stand from the bed as I shoved the pillow away.
’Sir!!’