Chapter 156: Chapter 156
"... Third Prince. What are your thoughts?"
"!?"
Dioclecià flinched at the sudden break of the silence, confused greatly about what to respond to such an ambiguous question from his Father.
"P–Pardon, Your Majesty..... I was not p–paying.... Attention...."
’You idiot..... The child can’t read your mind!’ — Orland thought, glaring at the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, it seems we need to know the issue you are referring to... To supply an answer."
Nonchalantly looking at his paperwork, the Duke assisted the two Royals, aware that his Monarch was troubled by his offspring’s response.
"Ah... Indeed... Ahem!... I am referring to your opinions on this morning’s meal. Was the Lady’s company as you expected?"
"!!... Umm..." — The Little Prince straightened in excitement at the topic, hesitating to answer as he shyly glanced at the Lady’s Father.
’... Sigh... Maurice...’
"... What a fabulous inquiry... What are His Highness’s thoughts on my daughter? If I may say, she seemed elated by your presence, Third Prince." — Leaving the documents aside, Orland intervened, granting the child a nice smile to calm his anxiety.
"!... Ah– Uhmm... T–the Lady... Your Grace’s daughter is very... She seems special..."
"... Yes... My child is special..."
For a second he stayed silent, yet Orland’s expression came to beam at the little Prince’s words, for he seemed to see his daughter as pure as she appeared in his eyes.
The Duke fondly smiled, recalling her gorgeous youth and the Young Prince watched him in awe for his affection was not being hidden in the least.
’Duke Sylfinnier..... The Lady seems to resemble him...’ — The child thought.
"She truly is an interesting child."
"Y–Yes! The Lady is also very kind!" — Hearing his Father, the Prince added.
"That’s true. Very caring too. The Third Prince was truly lucky to seat by her side today. I couldn’t help but notice how many plates she shared with you."
"Indeed... Marianne usually eats breakfast with me, so, I believe she was excited by the Prince’s presence... She has never offered me that many dishes..." — Orland said, lowering his voice at his last words for the realisation was born.
"Oh? Then does that mean she likes my son’s company? That would be wonderful~ wouldn’t it Dioclecià?"
"Yes..." — Overjoyed by the Emperor’s words, the child blushed in happiness. — "I– I also liked her company..."
"... Third Prince, may I ask? Is His Highness interested in making friends with my daughter?"
"That’s right, Orland!! Wouldn’t that be wonderful!? I brought him wi–"
’Shut up. I’m asking your child, not you. Don’t test your luck.’
"... Ahem... So, Dioclecià? Go ahead and answer His Grace."
The child had watched the silent scene and was curiously staring at the two men.
’The Emperor called His Grace by name...’
However, hearing his father ask for his response, the child contemplated the matter and softly said.
"Befriending the Lady... Is that something I can do?..... She might... Not like the idea..."
"Nons–!"
"Marianne likes the idea." — Orland said, interrupting the Emperor.
"!!"
"Third Prince. You only need to look her in the eye and an answer will be shown..."
"..."
"Marianne... Is very honest of a woman. Yet, because of her state, she has issues making friends, unlike Theressa."
"... That’s right. The cute child is very expressive albeit... Her unfortunate condition." — Francois began saying, feeling saddened by the limits the poor child suffered.
"..." — ’The Lady... Does her condition make her lonely?...’
"Hence... If it is the little Prince who is to befriend her... I believe no better delight could fall onto our house." — Duke Sylfinnier declared as an unsaid thought crossed his mind. — ’The Little Prince is also too young... So no danger would entail their friendship... Hohoho...’
"!! D–Does his Grace approve of my desired amity with his Graceful Daughter?!"
"... Yes, Prince Dioclecià... I believe the two would bond well with each other."
"Fa– Your Majesty!! His Grace has approved of my friendship with the Lovely Lady!!"
"... Indeed... As it appears... It is not only I who believes your friendship would be fruitful for each of you..."
Glancing back at the Duke, Francois estated, giving off his true thoughts on the "approval" recently given to his youngest.
’So... You "approve"?? Orland... You do know Dioclecià doesn’t even need your approval, right?’
’... Your child beat you to it again. Try harder if you also want my permission, lousy Emperor.’
The indifference in returning his glare made Francois’s expression twitch in displeasure, upset at the lack of fear from his old friend.
’... How... How should I make it so he is sentenced to death one of these days??... I have to make a private reunion with the cute child happen... Only then will this dork know humiliation...’
"... The Lady... However.... I believe the Lady does not lack friends." — The Little Prince suddenly said.
"... What do you mean, Your Highness?" — The child’s comment took all of his attention, and leaving the documents flat on the desk again, Orland looked straight in his direction, intrigued by what the Young Prince meant with those statements.
"Uh... Well..." — The innocent child glanced at the two grown men, who portrayed an intrigued expression as they waited for the child’s response. — "... My Brother.... His Highness, Crown Prince Zeleskiaz, also seems to hold the Lady in high esteem..."
Watching the shy Prince almost giggle at his words, Francois glanced at his old friend who couldn’t seem to conceal the displeasure from his expression.
’Hohoho... So you also noticed, son... As expected of my offspring.’
"That is certainly true! Oh~! My bloodline is wise as its ancestors!! If not, my children would be blind to the Lady’s value!... Don’t you agree, Your Grace?"
"..."
"The Crown Prince even took a step ahead of myself inviting the Lovely Lady to our Palace~... Ah~... He must have perceived in their first dance together that she was one with who he could... "bond" with, hoho~"
Francois mischievously commented, aware that his words would summon fury inside his old friend yet fully pleased by how his offspring seemed to have nice judgement when it came to women.
"..." — Orland continued to stay silent, restraining the urge to inflict harm on his Monarch as he was in his youngest son’s presence.
"Dance?! Fa–!... Your Majesty! Did the Crown Prince and the Lady share each other’s first Dance???!"
"Yes!! Dioclecià! Do you recall the Empire’s hidden Squad?"
"!! The Umbra Quadrigis??"
"That’s right! I always place them in charge of monitoring your brother since he has too well-honed skills..... The first night of the Spring Royal Ball..." — Glancing with caution at the scrutinising man seated at the large desk, Francois lowered his volume to a whisper, failing to be thoughtful as he intended. — "Your Brother!... I was told YOUR BROTHER was who invited the cute child to share a piece!!"
Clank!
"... My... The ink’s bottle broke... I wonder what happened..." — Orland said, feigning ignorance at the intentional destruction of the ink’s container with the strong shove of his quill into it.
’The Umbra knew about this?... The squad I have in charge... Francois... I hope you are aware that your grave is waiting for you.’
Joining the dots, Orland deciphered that it was his old friend’s doing which had taken part in the missing information given to him by the Royal secret squad when he came back to his manor.
"Zeleskiaz??!... Your Majesty! Older Brother has never–!"
"Indeed!! Hahaha! That only proves how special the child is, son! Ohoho~!!"
Ignorant to the deadly menace Orland was inspiring in the ambience, Francois continued, pleasantly entertained by the conversation he came to establish with his youngest.
"!!! Your Majesty... Might this mean that my Brother li–"
Thud!
"!?!?!"
"Hmm?... My! Your Majesty, would you look at the time? It appears the time to attend your subjects has come."
"Uh? What are you–"
"A leader would never leave their people waiting. It is a shame, but it is my duty as one of your people to send you off."
"Hey what are you–!!!!! IT–!"
"... Yes? Your MAJESTY?"
"!! I–t.... – You’re–... Right..... W–we should leave Dioclecià..."
The Duke who had energetically stood from his seat, had promptly come to stand behind his Majesty’s seat, eventually placing one of his hands on the Emperor’s shoulder, squeezing it strong enough for the Monarch to lose composure from the pain.
Orland wanted the two out of his sight, knowing that what the young child was about to say would only complicate things after reaching his ears clearly.
"Huh? Ah... Yes. Then, I shall follow his Majesty. I... I–I thank his Grace for... the delightful... talk..." — Obedient to his troubled father’s suggestion, the Little Prince stood from his seat in a bit of hesitation since the events did not escape his perception from seeming chaotic.
Saying his farewell to the Powerful Duke Sylfinnier, he gradually lost volume in his voice. Once again feeling shy from addressing the admirable man with the closeness his position enabled him to... For he felt it improper.
’He is so formidable..... I feel uncomfortable talking this informally...’ — He thought, peeking at him from his short height. — ’... The Lucid Warrior... I wonder if I could hear about it later... Maybe His Majesty...’
"... Third Prince... It is I who thank you. Do visit later if you desire. Maybe... It would be wonderful if it is with Marianne."
"!!" — Surprised, the child widened his eyes as he watched the man walk towards him to stand tall before his little self.
"You see, she does not know her way here yet... At least not that I know of..." — Bending forward a bit, Orland showed an elegant expression and finally said to the child in his playful murmurs. — "... It would seem like a good excuse to take a walk with her... Wouldn’t it, Your Highness?"
"!... Yes... I–... I shall take that advice, Your Grace..." — Happy, Dioclecià answered. Blushing at the realisation that he was welcomed by the Duke as he fondly patted his childlike shoulder, he felt honoured. The child noticed, that even as the Duke showed his warmth in that gesture, the respect the Prince deserved as a righteous heir of an Empire, was still portrayed in his proper etiquette.