Chapter 588: Chapter 588
"Hm..."
"I will even surpass brother’s height!"
’... Walking like that... won’t he fall?’ — Zeleskiaz thought with indifference to the comments of the boy, recalling thanks to Dioclecià’s playfulness what was agreed after imagining a clumsy fall. Stopping in his steps to do as necessary to fulfil the terms. — "Ah... Before I forget."
"?! B-Brother?! W-what a-a-are you-?!" — Startled by the pull of his suit’s neck, the boy stuttered. Becoming immediately scared as he did not understand his brother’s sudden behaviour. — "L-le-le-let go!! B-brother!!!"
"You said you wanted me to lift you if my lady liked my gift. Are you scared of heights?" — With his hands already on his little brother, ready to lift him, Zeleskiaz asked nonchalantly. Poking on the third prince’s pride without the desire to tease the child. — "You requested it although you fear it?"
"!? I- I am not! I am bru-wa! Brave!"
Ending the word already above. In his older brother’s grasp, the fear turned into a delighted and admiring blush. Looking down at his prominent brother who smirked at his stutter. Unable to even appreciate what the sight from above his brother’s height was because of the unexpected chance.
"Heh... you’re also very light... Alright. That should be enough..." — Placing him back on the ground, Zeleskiaz took a moment to observe the shy child fix his clothes who ashamed of how easily he was lifted was also delighted that his brother remembered a playful agreement. Continuing to tell his thoughts after some serious ponder on the little brother’s frame. — "Dioclecià. Have you grown taller?"
"?! Y-yes! I-I have g-grown a tad! A-also m-my weight is a-a healthy one!"
"Hm... Only a tad?"
"A-a tad is f-fine! M-mother said-"
"Breathe." — Interrupting the child, Zeleskiaz reminded him. Severe yet unbothered by the stuttering his little brother was slowly overcoming. Watching him follow his order... slowly so his rosy cheeks lost a bit of the strong blush embarrassment had provoked.
"Fuh... A tad is fine, brother... Mother said it is only a matter of time f-for myself to be taller..."
"... Indeed, it is alright." — Unfazed, he stared down at the little prince having a wish to pat his head again. Experiencing some entertainment at his young attitude, yet also losing focus on the child as he now paid attention again to the auras surrounding them... quickly finding the lady’s, who had decided to stay away given the rare brotherly exchange. — "?... My lady."
"?! M-Marianne~! Yesterday I was not allowed to assist your birthday... D-Did you get my letter?" — Running towards her, Dioclecià’s smile widened further. Holding the hands of his friend in a lively meeting.
A little exchange of her silent replies came as the third prince inquired. Yet the man, the one just as focused on what this afternoon prepared for the two, interrupted the friends... Coming closer so they could head to the stables.
"Dioclecià, Lady Marianne and I have some meetings to heed. We will have to separate here, alright?"
"... Truly?" — In a bit of a pout the child asked, being answered by the shy nod of his friend and an odd one from his brother... igniting his lively imagination with innocent yet accurate illusions. — "...?! A-Alright! We s-shall me-meet later again."
"... Good. Attend the lecture you left now."
"Ack... b-brother knew?"
"Yes. Don’t let the Empress learn about it."
"... A-alright..." — Filled with delight by the big hand on his head, the brothers went separate ways. Although the youngest peeked behind him, intrigued by the so-called meetings his friend and brother needed to attend. — ’M-Marianne looks prettier when with brother Zeleskiaz... p-perhaps they will stroll at the garden a-alone... hehehe~ Brother must be happy~’
A charming start this date came to have, not solely by the scene of a child and a grown man, but also for the blessings the child prayed for the in love ones.
Marianne and Zeleskiaz had told each other how they would go in search of the other to make sure their outing would take place... the words came true once she appeared before him... and so, as thought beforehand the crown prince took her to the stables... to then take her to one of the greener spots within the vastness of the Royal grounds.... And so her hand could use the colours he gifted in a sketch while she also ate lunch with him at her side...
Nonetheless... as likeable a prospect of a date this was... as nice a time spent it was...
"My lady! You are back~ How was the stroll with his highness? Were you able to enjoy the meal I packed for yourself to eat?"
"Ah... haha it was perfect, thank you so much, Paige. Um, would you help myself with a bath? I feel a tad sweaty after coming back..."
"Yes~ Immediately!"
Unbeknownst to the maid who deemed the lady’s answer as a shy one, this request was truthfully so Marianne could gain some privacy for the time being... for there was a complex feeling reigning her soul. And so... solitude was the sole course in which she could indulge in the sensations.
"Haaaaah~~..... Agh!! I hate this!... Having two chaperons is so uncomfortable~!! So troublesome!!" — Marianne grumbled while thinking of the date she only just had with her suitor.
*******
There was only one wish governing my body at this time. Late, hungry for dinner... but even if there was hunger, the floor was all I wanted to stare at given how shocked this afternoon made myself.
"It’s a nightmare... dad is so ruthless... he must have told Vitor and Theodore to even be wary of how long our eyes meet... because if he did not it would not make sense." — I mumbled recalling how our chaperons would interrupt us at any suspicion of flirting.
From the very beginning, even making it so it was one of them who rode the horse with myself instead of kinky. The two constantly interfered in every aspect of our date. — "Vitor is often more permissive, yet even so... this is... oh, gosh... I cannot even blame it all on them since his highness also tried to comply at some point, but... it was great yet frustrating..."