Chapter 148: Chapter 148
"..."
This truly feels like I am just trying to get to know someone.
Someone who also wants to know about us and even if he has some kind of other intentions, at least I can see by how much time has passed since we’ve been all alone that he is placing some restraint on those "cravings" he told me about.
If I think of all of our... uh... Three? No, Four(?) previous encounters.....
’... Woah... That’s actually very little interaction we’ve had there now that I think about it.’
... Uh... Either way! Taking into account all of those encounters, by now, he would already have one hand of his wrapped around me.
So, I must say, he’s doing a good job following the agreement since his adversary is no other than Femme fatal, Marianne over here.
’I pity you and admire you, young man.’
"..."
’... But If all you do is stay silent I’ll only pity you, though.’ — Hearing no response, I thought, as slightly tilted my head in wait.
"... Indeed, My Lady. It certainly–"
Knock knock
"..."
’Sigh... Being in a novel is sometimes annoying.’
At this pace, I might just develop a trauma about doors being knocked on... I have plenty of reasons to support a trauma like that by now.
"Pardon my intrusion, Your Highness... The Guest’s sibling, Lady Theressa Sylfinnier has come in her search."
’A~nd~ there it goes~ lets say goodbye to the pleasant conversation, Anne~ because it ju~st flew out of the window... If it wasn’t actually thrown like a rocket.’
"... Lady Theressa?... My Lady, perhaps you had scheduled to meet your sister at this time?"
’Oh~!... Surely NOT.’ — I said in my head as I shook my head.
I wouldn’t make plans with her when I’m in full sane mentality, good Prince... But it does seem like I made plans with her without my knowledge.
"..."
Hmm... I just know that... with this nice denial... She will have problems trying to say otherwise, hehe~
"... I understand..." — Watching me say no to his question without hesitation, he turned, from a silvery voice... To a strong dominant one. — "She may come in."
It didn’t take long for the doors to open to let Theressa into the room.
At the very least, today she didn’t burst through the door, so maybe she’ll have a different kind of show prepared this time.
What I did have the intention to do was to stand to receive her because... You know... Manners.
But seeing how the Crown Prince didn’t even flinch to her entrance and, needless to say, look her way since when I turned to see if I actually should stand his eyes were fixated on me like gum on hair does.
’Oh well, I guess we stay put then~’
"Greetings, Your Highness. Please excuse my intrusion for I had plans with my sister this morning."
’Heh... Well, that was quick, little sis.’
"His Grace happened to inform me about her whereabouts, which is the reason why I am here."
That last bit... I can believe it.
But I wonder how this will go down now that she threw herself into the pit by merely saying hello.
"..."
"..."
If not for the silence, I wouldn’t have lifted my gaze to look at the yet-to-respond Crown Prince.
And, meeting his clear eyes staring at me with leisure, indifferent once again to Theressa’s presence, I tilted my head as my eyes tried to send him the message to go ahead and answer the awaiting villainess since the wait was making me restless.
"... So it seems Lady Marianne did have prior appointments... Is that correct?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Yet I do not mind–"
"When did the two of you agree to meet, if I may ask?"
"Pardon?? It was..."
"I am only curious since... You did not greet my honoured Guest as you came in. May it be that the two Ladies met and planned to reunite later this morning?... If not..."
’Uh-oh...’
"Why have you not shown basic respect to your senior sibling?"
"..."
’Wow..... He’s got a point, little sis... Poor Theressa... Sigh... I should invent the business of popcorn in this world... They would do well at times like these~’
I must say it was a nice touch he gave to the scene.
Not looking at her all the way until the last question was said... Purrfect. Just the right spice of suspense.
As expected of the formidable Crown Prince, feared hero of the Empire!
"I– We had breakfast together..."
"!!!!!"
’WHAT!??? Noooo!!! Theressa! Oh my GOD! Did the Duke not tell you... Gyaaahh! Oh gosh!!! NO! I can’t watch this!!!’
I suddenly screamed inside from cringing as if I was watching a horrid soap opera scene where some huge development the main antagonist character would definitely regret was going on!
"Is that so?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
’Noooooooo!!!!’
"That is interesting. I must have missed your presence when I joined her this morning for breakfast."
’Ah~ Help me! Someone, please!!! Hic... sob... Stupid dwarf... Why do this to yourself... Hic...’
Although I knew some pain would be run over me as I witnessed these scenes I usually read on the original... It’s taking quite the damage on me since I can’t really just... Close the d*mn book to build up courage before continuing the cringe scene!!
’I need a pause!!!’
"I– Y-Your Highness, there must be some kind of misunderstanding."
"... Yes, there ought to be..... Lady Marianne."
’Aaaaack I don’t wanna!!... Nng... Bloody hell...’ — Hearing him call for me I was forced to open my eyes that were clenching tighter than ever for survival.
"..." — Finally open, I turned to the Prince, blinking the lashes beautifully as I inwardly asked. — ’Ye~s~ How may I help you~?... By the way, I have an idea of how you ALSO could HELP ME... my Prince~’
I am sure if I had full control of this body my eyes would be twitching like crazy as I fake a smile... for f*ck’s sake, bloody luck I came to have.
"..." — The Kinky b*stard stayed silent.
’... Right... Suspense is needed in a novel. Is this perhaps you giving me the pause I was asking for earlier? Because I honestly don’t... need it now...??.. Wh–’
Why... Is he suddenly smiling so fondly at me?
"My Lady, there must have been some kind of misunderstanding on your sister’s part... However... Although it is a shame..."
’Oh? Ohoho~? Are you maybe going to–’
"I shall deprive your sister of your delightful presence."
’Let... this....?.... I guess not...’
"Lady Theressa." — He said next, looking at the poor dwarf.
"Y-Yes... my Prince?
"... My Guest and I were in the middle of... An entertaining conversation a moment ago." — Coming back to look at me, joyfully grinning as he mentioned what he was about to say when we were interrupted, the Crown Prince bluntly declared. — "Therefore, I will have to ask that you retire now and rearrange your meeting with my Lady for later."
’... M-Maybe... I should consider being nice to Theressa from time to time...’
"Ah... However, Your Highness. How about if I join you?"
’Oh dear God... Have mercy... Theressa, I’m so sorry... This big sister will help you, I swear... Just don’t do this madness... Sob!’
Even though I know she’s no good... I feel like crying... hnnng...
D*mn it!! She needs to know that dignity is all that a woman should never yield!! Why do this foolish begging!? Ugh!
It was painful to be present. She was having the humiliation she used to have in the novel most of the time... But seeing it live does make quite the difference.
"... Lady Theressa, I meant to say that I wish to continue the conversation only with my Guest. This has taken enough of our time and I do not wish to be unpolite towards you given that you are Lady Marianne’s sibling. However..."
Seeing how he lowered his eyes and then shot a deathly glare at her... I couldn’t help but sympathise with Theressa as she was told what followed.
"I believe I’m being kind enough as it is with a woman who has lied from the second we met... It’s needless to say... That you should be grateful for being who you are in society, Lady Theressa."
’..... I beg you to leave Theressa... Big sister will kick his a**, so... Don’t do anymore after this... I’ll even buy you a new wig If you want!!’
"Kh... Your Highness! I–!!"
"Enough. Leave."
"!!!... Pardon me."
’....’
Stomp stomp stomp stomp... Bang.
"..."
I have no words.
I can only be thankful that she was standing at a spot I couldn’t see her be talked that way and that she didn’t do any more things she would regret while I was there.
Listening to how she hurriedly went away, I can assure you that she must be fainting by now out of shame... And... Although I know she needs this harshness for her to learn the lesson... I’m not letting this go.
I will do my part as the big sister she needs. Because it’s not only me who is displeased, thinking that worse things will be said to her once the Odyssey of the main story begins.
[ Your Highness, my sister is a young, capricious and naive girl.
It is a good thing for her to learn that she cannot do as she desires without consequences.
However, for I cannot assure you there will not be a next time when she may act this way again... I ask of you, that even though she deserves these lessons... Do not humiliate her further than needed. Ever. ]