Chapter 159: Chapter 159
"..."
’... Yeah... It surely will pay off.’
His steady tone with certainty in its message felt pleasant for the lonesome Lady.
Finding support somewhere unexpected was a delightful thing for any who battled difficulty. And as much as it was her will that drove her to stand powerful against all the complex hazards Marianne’s reality contained, Elizabeth felt a joyous emotion she only felt when surrounded by her past saviours in the previous world her soul inhabited.
His touch felt outstandingly affectionate in comparison to the favour her old friends gave, yet truly sincere... Just as their felicitous company.
— You look glowing, darling. If only my youngest son was older~... —
— Martha, you old sly woman! Elizabeth, do not listen to her. You are too good for that child. —
—... Sigh... That’s true... My son doesn’t understand how wonderful her skill has become... Elizabeth, although this old woman wants you in her family register... —
’... "Find a man... who honours your value"... It’s an odd timing to recall your words, Granny Martha...’ — She secretly chuckled at the quote of advice her wise friend gave her as she peeked at the man who might have been at fault for her remembrance.
"..." — ’... But hold your horses. I know you were quite the "witch" in your family, but I’ll have to see for myself first... Who truly sees our value.’
The Pacific child concluded, not letting the coincidence influence her good judgement.
Meanwhile...
’Her hand is truly thin... Very weak and delicate fingers she has...’
Intrigued by the beautiful difference between their hands, he got lost in the fascinating sight.
’No jewellery seems needed to enhance their presence...’
"..." — In his pause, Zeleskiaz became conscious of how his hand gradually accumulated the heat of their graze stirring him up once more.
’... Haaah..... Bloody lust of a beast... I want to bite them with tender nibbles...’
... Gulp...
Noticing how the Crown Prince persisted in playing with her fingers, feeling with sharp detention their shape yet concentrating on the elegant fingertips he held, The Lady tilted her head sensing the craving he was developing.
’Hmm... Why do I suddenly feel suspicious...? Don’t start again, Male Lead. We’ve come this far... Don’t ruin it.’
She masterfully cautioned, knowing he was capable of doing just as she feared.
For some time now, the Lady had stopped participating in their hands tangling, letting her hand rest its lightweight on his, permitting the man holding it to continue to feel its skin as much as he wanted since his behaviour appeared adorably innocent in her eyes.
Therefore, sensing the danger the clearing of the temporal innocence implicated, Marianne graciously lifted one finger, as a manner to make him aware of the attention he must continue to pay to his impulses.
Clasp!
"!?..."
"Ah... I... I thought you wanted to retrieve it from me..."
’Wh–’
"Has my grasp hurt you?"
Studying her hand, conscious of the harm his strength could inflict, Zeleskiaz lifted her hand to observe it closer, finding relief that no wound nor bruise seemed to be left in her white hand and... Unintentionally seducing her with his gentlemanly attitude.
"... I am sorry for surprising you." — He said, laying a short kiss on her smooth skin.
"..."
Marianne trembled at his excellent gallantry, looking in awe at his handsome countenance as she realised his sincerity could become troublesome.
’Alright... I wasn’t drawing it off... But now I think that’s enough of holding hands...’ — She decided, sliding with bland motion her hand away.
The Prince was reluctant to release the nice skin, following her leaving movement with his hand until the delicate fingers hinted the desire to be dismissed from his desperate grasp.
"..." — Eventually feeling his empty hand, Zeleskiaz did not utter a word, for his conflict would cause more inner turmoil if he placed words on the matter.
"... m–.....hn....!" — ’Oh! It did come back! Did he hear it too? I wonder how loud it was before...’
As an escape from the awkwardness her hand’s forfeit would bring, the child quickly proceeded to test her sound. The thought had been roaming her mind’s nooks ever since the Crown Prince told her it had been heard. Therefore, she rapidly became busy with her exercise.
Accomplishing the hushed sound, she turned to him who was still distracted, and in her excitement, the Lady demonstrated her character’s warmth.
Acting with joy and inquisitiveness, she placed her hand on his forearm and gestured with beaming energy her wish to know if the Prince heard it.
’Hey! Did you hear it???’ — She asked inwardly, lightly tapping on her collarbone to signal the topic she was asking about. Finding his ignorant eyes, she continued to try again. — ’Okay, pay attention this time! Mhm!...’
".....g...h.. mh!!!" — ’I did it!! See?? Did you hear it this time?!?’
"....."
"..." — ’... So you didn’t, huh... D*mn... And I thought it was louder than the last one...’
Seeing no response on his part, the Lady became sad. The sound had taken quite some effort for her to summon and yet...
’This much amounts to nothing...’ — Elizabeth thought, declaring her deductions.
"..."
’... I see! So this much volume is not that perceptible... We have to go louder, sweetheart. Dayum~... This was a great idea. Now I have something to guide ourselves with! This is awesome!’
The foreigner was indeed disappointed, yet she continued to possess persistence in her soul. The woman was good at turning bad news into good ones and this helped the true Marianne find hope even in the dark times.
Her body had become cold for a moment. Nonetheless, Elizabeth’s wise nature brought the warmth back as the owner of her body comprehended that it was not a disastrous issue.
"..."
Albeit, in the meantime this secret exchange between the young souls occurred... The silent Crown Prince also had inner discussions.
’... She’s able to do it now..... Dulcet sounds... I can hear it like a faraway whisper...’
Her hand was still placed on his forearm, and as he saw her visage tilt down as she came to an understanding because of his lack of reaction to her attempts, Zeleskiaz decided on how to get a better hearing of her voice as well as a sneaky strategy to feel her.
His hand went to cover hers to call her wanted attention and announced.
"Lady Marianne the sound was too weak... It might be necessary for me to... close our distance a tad more to ascertain its articulation..."
"!" — ’So you did hear a bit!? Wow! That’s great!! What if I–... Wait.’
Elizabeth was elated to eventually be told a reply. Yet, she was still competent in detecting his hidden intentions.
’What’s with "closing the distance"? Do you think I will buy that?? Are you that desperate that you are forgetting I actually need you to be able to hear me from a distance???’
In disbelief at his attempt, she blinked profusely, not able to comprehend what had happened to the overly proud man she had read about in her previous Realm that was now using such low tactics.
"... Lady?"
"..." — ’... AAAGH!! NO! I’m not buying the scam!! Even if you strangely look cute right now!!’
Leaning to reach the laying stack of papers, she clenched her eyes in pain from the begging eyes the Crown Prince seemed to portray even in his adequate countenance.
[ I do not think it is advisable for us to close the distance, Your Highness. Do recall that my intention is to be heard from a greater distance... ]
She gently handed the message, feeling pity for the man who was about to be rejected because of a silly attempt.
"... Tsk." — Zeleskiaz cliqued his tongue in displeasure as soon as he read the comment.
"...!?" — ’Hey, "mate", I heard that! So you went for it even though you knew it wouldn’t work?!? What in the world is wrong with you???’
’It’s a problem she’s this clever...’ — The Crown Prince grumbled. Nevertheless, he was not done.
"That is true, however, I figured it would be practical to also work on its clarity. Even if the Lady manages to speak louder, would it not be useless if the sound is not clear?"
"...??" — ’Uh? What do you mean?? How could it not be clear if it’s louder??’
"Lady, you may hear the words clearly since it is yourself who is pronouncing them... However, a third person might not distinguish them as well as you do."
"..."
Her inner soul was shocked. The idea had never crossed her mind and trying to process his meaning... The Lady eventually stated in the caves of her thoughts:
’Are you saying... I... WE LACK MODULATION???’
The woman’s head began to race its thoughts to come up with a reason for this being true, and for she had a great intellect, the answer was quickly received by herself.
’Right... Oh my God... He’s right... Our stiff jaw is obviously the one that could cause that!! Oh my... OH MY F***ING GOD!!! Don’t tell me that all the words we’ve said were actually heard as if through our teeth!!?!!?! No... It can’t be... Nonono... Hup!’
Slap!!
"My Lady?!"
His voice raised from surprise.
Of all things the Crown Prince ever expected the Lady to do... Watching her slapping her delicate visage on her own accord... was surely not something he could have foretold.