Chapter 145: Chapter 145
The other three men at the table stopped their joyful conversation as the voice of the impassive Crown Prince was suddenly heard by them.
Surprised by the Crown Prince’s sayings, all present widened their eyes as short thoughts crossed their astonished heads.
’Older Brother Zeleskiaz??... Wah~... His voice sounds very gentle when speaking to the Lady...’ — The little Prince thought with delight.
’My~... Isn’t he a gentleman now... Truly an incredible Lady the cute child is~’ — Entertained and satisfied with his older son’s gallantry behaviour, Francois singsonged in ecstasy.
And lastly...
’.... Converse?...’ — Orland doubted, displeased at how things were turning out to be.
After the silence had settled, the Lady grew conscious of it and turned to meet the three pairs of eyes observing them.
No true thought was roaming her chaotic ingenious sense.
She was shocked at the violet eyes she had been staring at... those displaying a painful sincerity whilst his owner’s sayings were fondly told.
Hence, not much thought was placed into her response as it only had her honesty imprinted on it, for the seriousness she was asked with deserved it.
[ I know of no scheduled meetings for today. At the very least... I have not been informed of any until now, Your Highness. ]
As she handed the Crown Prince her note, attentively watching him read its contents, the foreigner told him secretly in her thoughts.
’It would be good if we could talk... Kinky Crown... I do have some things I want to convey to you.’
Trying to appease the tension from stiffening her body further, Elizabeth foolishly added the Crown Prince’s distasteful alias, only to ease the anxiety of the conversation they needed to have from disrupting her carefree mindset.
As well as it was for the Prince, uncertainty gave rise to restlessness, and none of them was comfortable when falling into that frustrating condition.
Reading her answer, Zeleskiaz felt hopeful and turning to the ones who ought to ascertain the validity of her answer, he stanced himself with respectful prominence as he politely transmitted his concern.
"May I ask about the Lady’s next appointment on schedule? If it does not impede any other meeting... Then I would like to share some time with my Guest and converse with her after this meal."
"Wh–!"
"No schedule has been done, I believe. Since the journey here was exhausting to the Lady, there were no appointments placed for today in the means for her to rest... Isn’t that right, Duke?" — Francois said, interrupting Orland before anything could be reproached, shutting any comment he had on the issue from being said.
Satisfied, the meddlesome man arrogantly scoffed at his victory. However, the Emperor’s eyes noticed the disappointment on the youngest Prince’s as his gaze wandered through his companions.
"Yet... The third Prince had emptied his morning to visit the Lady in my persistence..." — Mentioning the adjustment his child had done, Francois called for the little Prince’s attention to be placed on him and mischievously added. — "Dioclecià, as it seems, today might not be very appropriate to keep the Lady to ourselves..."
Watching the child lower his eyelids, dejected but still granting a resigned nod, Francois felt sorry, for said disappointment had been brought to the young innocent child by himself.
"How about you spend it with me for a change? Third Prince?" — Showing feigned indifference in his expression, the Emperor thoughtlessly suggested, only receiving the round eyes of the child in response.
"Alright, then that’s decided! The Duke has a lot of work to do, so leaving the Lady in his Principal Host’s company ought to be fine."
As the selfish and sly Emperor stood from his seat seemingly satisfied, the Lady who had attentively listened, wrote a tiny letter to the Third Prince, who was preparing to follow his Father.
[ My Prince... Have fun with your studies, yet I ask you to not forget to leave some time so we can meet again one of these days. ]
Handing the ripped paper to him, the child brightened at the words, forgetting his bewilderment and smiled fondly at the little drawing of a smiley face placed at its end.
"Yes, My Lady... Until then... Have a nice stay."
All of them stood behind their seats and the first ones to leave were the Emperor and his youngest offspring who bowed leisurely in goodbye to the Lady.
"Marianne, sweetie... There truly is much work to be done..." — Giving her careful strokes on the slim arm, Orland portrayed his sorry to have to leave his daughter on her own... Quickly placing a distant gaze on the Crown Prince to tell him his next words. — "I entrust his highness with my treasure... Do have it in mind."
His warning had no intention to be concealed.
The Duke was reluctant to leave Marianne with the unstable son of his unreliable friend... Yet, a warning from himself should be enough for the Prince to step carefully in his path now.
Feeling the pressure of her body’s Father, the foreigner felt a shiver as her thoughts about the current dialogue took form.
’Wow... the Duke doesn’t look very fond of the Prince... But that’s great! Tell him, Mister! This guy should be careful from now on, heheh~’
As the Lady did, Zeleskiaz also noticed the Duke’s slight hostility and, although it was something that usually wouldn’t be overlooked by the Crown Prince... For who the man saying it was, as a renowned noble knight and as the Lady’s beloved father... It was only because of these reasons that Zeleskiaz answered with humble words, trying to show respect to the admirable man.
"I shall never forget it, Your Grace. I do not wish to be the one who summoned the Lucid Warrior’s wrath... The Lady will be well served, you have my word, my Lord."
Irked by the mention of his nickname Orland glared at the failed attempt of courtesy the Crown Prince had executed.
Desperately wishing for his sharp daughter to have missed its mention, he quickly turned to her to say his farewell, knowing that the wish wouldn’t come true as the curious glint of her eyes reached him.
"..... I... I will visit you later, dear..." — A drop of nervous sweat began to roll, aware that an explanation should be given at some point to the protected child.
"!"
The eager nod she gave only enhanced his anxiety, which was certainly a sustained hunch since the child’s thoughts indicated towards his fear.
’See you later, Mister~... We have so many things to ask now~ right sweetheart? Fufufu~ Lucid Warrior~ what a cool nickname~’
Distracted by the entertaining learnings she was to hear from the owner’s Father, the foreign one lost focus of the situation, forgetting that she had been left alone with the problematic Crown Prince.
Watching her from behind as she made sure to see her Father disappear into the building, Zeleskiaz blankly stared at her illuminated visage that graced the sunlight by permitting its touch.
Seconds of silence continued to pass, with the two immersed in their own worlds.
"... My Lady."
Finally, the Crown Prince spoke as he placed himself to her side, making the hidden soul jump in surprise, blinking profusely on the outside to his sudden rise.
’WuAoh!..... Right!... Uh.. R-Right... Y-You were here too, kinky... Heh... I’ve to work on my awareness...’
"My Lady, permit me to escort you somewhere else."
’... We won’t talk here...? Hmm... Suspicious Prince...’ — She thought, unconvinced to accept his arm.
"... It will not be good for the Lady to stay here further. Since the wind will strengthen, the Lady could feel cold at this open terrace." — Aware of her hesitation, he excused his suggestion.
"..." — ’... It does feel colder than earlier..... Sigh... Whatever. Let’s just go and get over it.’
Taking his offered arm, she stopped her eyes from meeting his and waited for him to commence the guidance to the new whereabouts.
Her touch was as always, agitating his body in several ways. Yet, this time no more was desired after receiving an agreement the Crown Prince feared wouldn’t come.
Not knowing what to say now before beginning their walk, Zeleskiaz hesitated as he looked at her profile from above until impulsive words left to finish their paused stance.
"The sun will hate me for taking you out of its reach... Nonetheless, do allow my hand to guide you to new surroundings, My Lady."
*******
The way to his bureau had multiplied its distance. Going at the slow pace the Lady could manage, their silent walk towards the place they would converse, was unbearably awkward for the two.
Even the easy-to-distract Lady couldn’t get herself to find diversion while they crossed the Palace’s hallways, for she was overwhelmingly conscious of the two being on their own and the matters the two wished to talk about.
Out of frustration for not being able to appease the restless sensations the delay of their arrival caused, the foreign one began to pour her exasperation with delusions of what the Prince desired to tell her.
’Ugh... I hate this type of silence... So annoying... I bet he only wants to persist in his shameless seduction! Maybe the dunce doesn’t even want to talk for all he cares!!... D*mn it... If he does, he’s such an ar*e... He would be just as Karina described him in the novel and.... Aaaack!!! Somehow that upsets me even more!!!! The hell?! If you truly are a brainless horny arrogant prince..... I hope what I want to say will hit you strong enough to make the treasure in your waist fall off!!’