Chapter 160: Chapter 160
’Don’t panic now, you b*tch!!..... Cute b*tch(?)... Idiot(?)... Look, Marianne, if it’s me who insults myself, this should be fine. Also, disclaimer, I meant b*tch in the coward sense, not in the sluty sense.’ — The over-expressive woman told her body’s owner, feeling the reproaching dark turmoil Marianne was sending through their bond, in displeasure at the deprecating vocabulary the outgoing woman had used.
Her sudden attack on her delicate cheeks had been a measure to placate the emerging shame as she imagined the vision the Prince must have seen when the miraculous words she managed to speak were said.
It was not a time she could permit another embarrassment to become a struggle to continue their meeting. The Lady was wide awake and she would not allow herself to weaken again in front of the sly Crown Prince...
For she knew he would take advantage... And make things difficult again.
’It’s fine. The d*mn thing is called a "condition" for a reason. We can’t expect it to be perfect from the get-go.’ — She told herself.
Her soul’s accurate rationale was the greatest weapon her experience grants her. The analysis was truthful and modest. Her appreciation was level-headed; and so... Calmness steadily flowed through her, causing the mind of the child to start working frigidly and calculating without her knowledge.
’Right... Alright. It’s not worth the worry.’
"... Lady Marianne? What in the world–"
Zeleskiaz watched her in shock as her hands were slowly lowered as tranquillity invaded her.
Searching to lock gazes with her once more to see what had caused such appaling action... from the side... The Crown Prince saw a gruesome sight no one had ever witnessed besides Paul.
Dead eyes... Those that not even the original child portrayed before the foreigner’s arrival. Ones crudely devoid of light and her lovely life... Eyes she unconsciously invoked to fight the frightening nights with composure and to protect her psyche from crumbling into the pain she desperately needed to avoid.
"Lady Marianne, what has–... Turn to me."
Taking her by the chin he made the girl look at him.
’... Is she even aware our sights are meeting? What’s the meaning for those lifeless eyes!?’
"Come to your senses, Lady Marianne. I do not find this pleasant. Please show response..."
"..." — ’... And why should I care to please you... Bloody Fu–?... Ah... Huh? Oh... Right... He’s not Paul.....’ — Seeing the different hue of the eyes she looked at, the girl realised. — ’Wow... For a moment I think I went into full defensive mode... I should be careful.’
"..... Lady?" — ’How?...’
Her eyes slowly gained the tiny light that generally inhabited them. Nevertheless, he could not believe what had transpired in those moments.
’Should I take her to the Royal physician? She’s regaining colour... But... Could this also be a symptom she usually undergoes? What does her condition... Truly consist of?’
Seeing that her eyes acquired little life, his hand freed her visage in case it was improper, and as soon as these contemplations crossed his mind, Marianne took the stack in her lap along the pencil she always carried with weak hands and wrote a letter that would impede any attempt of the Prince to clear his concerns.
[ I apologise. I got distracted for a second, please do not mind my doze. ]
*******
Although I gave him the post-it notes so no new concern emerged in him, the Crown Prince still stayed silent for a while after reading my note.
But, even if it took him a bit, he accepted it.
"... If the Lady says so, then I shall not."
He started at my message for a moment as if pondering something. I thought that maybe we did something in our daze that might have disturbed him, however, I couldn’t get a chance to ask.
"Excuse me for a second, my Lady."
Suddenly, literally out of nowhere, his face hardened. The displeasure in his eyes made me flinch a bit. Maybe I am getting accustomed too fast to see another type of gaze in them... But, if I’m honest, he looked a bit cool getting all serious in a split second.
I don’t know what it was that took his attention, but the guy stood from his seat with confident leisure and walked to his desk.
’Hmm? Did he forget some pending work??... If that’s it... Maybe I could go back now– Hey! Why are you–?! Didn’t you say that’s a filthy weapon??!’
As I watched him, I noticed he stayed next to the tribal poniard I had been curious about while waiting for my tea. However, he took it in his hand later and knowing what I know about this guy... I freaked out a little.
A madman with a weapon is not a good combination. And it is yet to be seen if he’s that much of a psycho as the original painted him.
’You know? If I told you I got distracted thinking about you, would it change your mind?... Yes, Marianne, it is a lie... But he doesn’t know that. Remember: if our life depends on it, I won’t hesitate on lying. And right now he has– uh?... Where did the poniard go?’
As I considered an escape route with the naive Anne, who somehow thought being overly sincere with a madman was a good idea, the weapon disappeared.
I peeped out trying to see if he had left it somewhere else but all I could see was that there was no trace of it besides the unique sheath in his hand.
Turning back to face me, he threw the empty thing on his desk and meeting my eyes he halted his steps to say.
"... There was something I had to take care of. Though, it’s no problem anymore."
"..."
Glancing at the sheath and back at him as he made his way back, I kind of felt a shiver shake my torso as I commented on the "problem".
’... Tell me the problem wasn’t a human... Because I have an inkling of the kind of use you give to weapons, kinky... And I’m not thrilled by it.’
A weapon disappearing from no hand other than the crazed-for-blood Crown Prince of the novel... Yep, "taking care of something" and "not a problem anymore" doesn’t seem to be good lines to use in this combo.
Puff!
I was thinking of this when I felt him taking his seat next to me again.
Turning to stare at him who had adopted a cross-legged pose that looked overly elegant and calm after doing what I’m assuming he did, I glanced at him with caution.
If he could see my inner self, he would be able to see how awkward of a tightlipped face I’m making right now.
He can’t blame me, though. My imagination could be wrong but it also could be correct. In a medieval setting, what I’m imagining just happened could be quite normal for others. But... It certainly isn’t for me.
I mean d*mn... If I could say my circumstances are normal... I would let myself be taken to the mental hospital without a peep.
Talking to gods, being a duke’s daughter, sharing a body... Bloody hell, even the cat’ Lady in my building seems more credible when she said her cat Mittens had told her "good night" after serving her some warm milk.
’... She was a funny Lady... Her apartment smelled like cat pee, though..... Sigh~ I’ll never forget how one of her cats ate my sushi after infiltrating my room from the d*mn window... I should have never gone to the bathroom after only eating a piece...’
F*ck... I wonder if there is sushi here... Now I’m craving some.
"... How is your throat, my Lady? Has the pain begun? It would be good to also keep a record of the time it takes for it to start hurting. That way, we can have an idea of how much you can exert your voice without harming your vocal strings."
"!!"
’Oh! Wow, I hadn’t thought about that! That’s a great idea~ if things come down to it, having my vocal resistance in mind I may be able to say something in case it’s an emergency..... Alright.’
Nodding in acceptance, convinced that his idea was awesome, I held the post-it notes tighter and began writing my report on his question... Leaving the concern on the poniard behind thanks to the nice work my wandering thoughts and easily distracted mind had done.
[ At the moment, I only feel it a tad dry.
I believe I am still able to continue for a few seconds more.
Yet, I ought to say, Your Highness. Your suggestion is truly appreciated. It had not occurred to me, although it is a quite practical measure to develop. Maybe my vision was restricted in my lonesome hast... ]
I took a moment to reread my handwriting.
Although I know I wasn’t truly all alone as I have Marianne with me, I guess having two heads thinking on the issue does help.
Marianne is still a child in my eyes and as clever and eager as she already is for her times... When it came to these matters of developing ourselves, she lacked ideas to implement.
It is only natural since both of us know different things and have different experiences when dealing with things. To start with, she is a medieval woman. And as harsh as it may sound... Not many women from that period made much of an impact in history. There certainly were some. But that is a tiny fraction of the women living at that epoch.
She has been learning from me since I refuse to let her stay boring as all women here are.
We are special after all.
Nonetheless...
’Haaa... Baby red panda... You still have a long way to go.’ — I said, letting my lovely rookie woman hear my thoughts.
And with this, I decided to write down a last sentence.