Chapter 585: Chapter 585
Knowing well that those who could make Marianne severe were truthfully those of his own blood, the duke stood from his seat resigned to the truth the hopes in his words went against. Taking in his hand the sword he was now to carry around without exception from here on at the orders of the crown.
His strides took him quickly to Marianne’s chambers. The eyes of the duke made sure that in his way there was no unbecoming aura roamed in the main palace nor near his child with acute skills; monitoring the space for the peace of his concerns. Feeling at ease as he noticed that Zeleskiaz’s presence was away, at another location, far from his and his daughter’s once he arrived at her doors. A pair of doors opened as soon as the guards caught a glimpse of him as his daughter had ordered. Walking through smoothly to be welcomed, with no need for announcement by the child waiting for him.
"... Sweetie, what is going on?" — Orland asked as soon as he took a few steps inside. Meeting her eye as he paced closer to meet the chosen, watching as he did how the chaperons closed the doors behind him, remaining in the room with them as she stood to face him. — "... It surprised me when Vitor came to me without a message from you."
"..."
"Sweetie?... Marianne, what is the matter?" — Noticing how she frowned while having difficulty finding the words, Orland came closer while holding her hands. Becoming more concerned as it appeared there was annoyance mixed with concern in her expression, which with a moment of contemplation, granted by his inquiry, lifted decisively. Seemingly displeased to say what she needed to after the father pointed out the demeanour she could not hide as easily anymore. — "You look unhappy and it is unsettling myself, dear... do tell me what happened so I may find a way to give aid."
"... Father. I need you to get Theressa out of jail." — Squeezing the hands of her father, Marianne finally replied. Blatantly meeting his stunned grey as she ignored his surprise for an answer. — "May you do it?"
"..... What?"
"As I said. I need you to get Theressa out of jail."
"I heard what you said but... Wait a moment... sigh... That is simply not possible, sweetie." — After forcing the thoughts to untangle, pressing his nose bridge as if to find understanding, Orland said. — "You know well what your sister did. I cannot get her out under the accusations against her. It is simply beyond redemption."
"However, I do not know."
"... what don’t you know??"
"I do not know what Theressa did very well... not as well as I thought I did at the very least."
"Uh... Marianne. Although she is my daughter as well and I would... I would love to fulfil this whim of yours-"
"It is not a whim. I have been thinking about it seriously."
"It is not a thing of simply thinking about it!" — Strict, as he could not understand his child, Orland lost slight control of his sound. Frowning strongly as he tried to persuade the daughter into reasonable contemplation or at least a better explanation for her unexpected decisions. — "... Your sister attempted against you. Your life was placed in danger. She declared it herself the night we rescued you. Even if you want this now it is not easy to get her out of the situation she placed herself in. The laws are such. We cannot go against them when punishment must be given... Much less when the victim is the Empire’s dearest, law will not fail the people, Marianne. You need to understand this fact."
"... if so... How can we get her out of there, then? If we don’t she will die even before this ’fair’ punishment is given."
"... She is not being mistreated. I do not know what makes you believe she will die but... What you saw is probably because of the effects after she was drugged to placate her behaviour. It is indeed disheartening a scene, yet... it is what it should be... it is how it is, dear..." — Troubled for in his heart the view pained him, Orland tried to persuade Marianne, losing energy as he acknowledged the grief for his youngest... Being crushed as his daughter persisted with her decision even as more was conveyed. — "You cannot let yourself be swept by kindness so easily-"
"They will move her to Paul’s floor tomorrow. She will be a prisoner of the so-called traitor’s. Isn’t that enough knowledge to believe she will be dead before trial arrives?"
"... I haven’t heard any of that."
"The warden told the crown prince and I when we were ready to depart thinking we would go back for another visit. Right now they are probably making preparations for her to be moved further down."
"... E-Even so... It does not change the fact that it was the jury of elders that must have decided such. It is little what I can do to change their mind." — Discouraged, even as he wanted to give in, Orland denied the possibility. Aware that an order like that would need compelling motives to be approved. Yet also, confused as to why Marianne had decided to favour her sister after all this time. — "... What did you talk about with your sister that you want to aid her situation now? Being kind has a limit, Marianne... Even with family."
"It is not because of kindness..." — She said, not believing herself as she knew there was some pity moving her thoughts as well. Closing her eyes as she considered well what to tell and what not to tell... as well as how to tell it. Looking at her father appear older as worry was governing him selfishly. — "There is something I noticed in Paul and Theressa yesterday when with them... and today she confirmed some of my suspicions slightly... I want her out of jail only to make sure it is how I believe it is."