Chapter 211: Chapter 211
*******
The Lady’s change of demeanour had caused a big impression on the Crown Prince.
This was the third time in the few days she has been a Guest of the Palace that her state had taken a concerning turn in his presence.
Her helpless trembling felt as though her desperation was transmitted to his soul by the mere sight.
It was appalling... Hurtful to his spirit.
Zeleskiaz’s desire to aid her kept on growing. Yet...
’... She shrank at my attempt to comfort her...’ — He lamented.
Unaware of it, the foreigner who had been preoccupied with containing her host’s body had flinched at the Prince’s intention.
Her body which was accustomed to abusive treatment on her siblings’ part, reacted naturally in her unstable state. And at this point, such a reflex would take time to heal.
During the exchange the Lady missed, the Prince procured to observe her as no touch seemed wise to be done. However... Once the distasteful sibling of hers had left, an attempt to call for her was done.
Her eyes, those that opened majestically with frail lashes... for a second appeared lifeless.
Zeleskiaz’s heart shuddered at it, for her soul seemed missing... Nonetheless, the slight movement of her fingers brought to her darkened eyes a soft light, allowing air to fill his lungs again as her cold stare went away.
Small flinches of her figure continued to be noticeable, yet fright to be rejected and even inflicting more harm to her scared soul, abstained the man from approaching... Along with the serious demeanour her sensitive father was portraying.
The Prince’s original intention was done by her Father. Swiftly, carefully... wholeheartedly as he wished to do so... And Marianne accepted pleasantly her Father’s solace.
The Crown Prince’s spirit ached at her quick recovery after that. And his pain intensified once her petition to not mind these events arrived.
’... How am I not to care when my spirit feels as if pierced by lit arrows..... Cruel Lady... How not to care when your sweet aura is replaced by the abysmal hue of fear?’
"..."
’I want it.’
"I want you to feel safe in my presence, Lady Marianne."
A desire as strong as the one to hold her in his arms... Powerful and bewildering... for the doubt if he was permitted to wish and act on it was lawful, raised within him.
’How can I attain it all?... Every bitesize of your sweetness lits a new craving for you... Marianne... My Lady... If only my being could become a quotidian existence for you... Would my touch calm your distress?’
"..."
The woman was breathless at his deep voice conveying his yearning for more.
Marianne’s heart shuddered at his honesty. The two souls were preparing to question his real doubts when the man bluntly spelt his concerned wants.
Overwhelming and warm... Her innocent spirit felt his powerful gaze placed on her wavering soul, begging for an uncertain answer.
What to say or do, the youthful souls were ignorant.
Marianne’s hand squeezed the piece of his clothing trying to devise a response.
’... He’s... Too sweet.....’ — The troubled foreigner said.
—...y..es...—
’... Anne..... What can we say?... Do you... Have you ever felt threatened by this... Annoyingly sweet guy?’
—.....o...—
’... I’m cautious of him... But I’m not scared...’
—..e..li.... .ti....c....e.ul...? —
’... Sigh... I can’t hear you, sweetheart..... D*mn it, haha. I can’t hear you... But we should be honest too.’
The two souls spoke shortly as the speck of her original body’s soul permitted. The foreigner felt delighted as the unexpected support of her whisper reached her, overwhelmed by relief at not being the only one to think of a decision on her own.
Her eyes heated from the strong mix of emotions menacing to create lovely drops of joy in a difficult situation.
The chest they shared... Felt full for once by the two souls amalgamated emotions and sensations.
The hand of his that continued to graze her skin soon felt the softness of her rosy cheek lean sweetly against the cautious fingers.
’Safe... it is too soon to say... But I don’t fear you, Male Lead... Crown Prince Zeleskiaz...’
A troubled, pleasant yet timid expression. Her features lightly changed as her eyes closed to tell him in secrecy.
"... Lady... What does this gesture mean?..."
Entranced by her beauty Zeleskiaz’s finger lifted her drowsy visage, contaminating his awareness inside of the daydream she is.
Silence as he admired her shy blush invaded time. And then... the light movement of a pair of petals he’s been deprived of having freely commenced.
— No fear —
The first intent of unheard words, unreadable, as her jaw was stiffened.
"Yes... What is it..?" — He leaned, ignorant of what she was to tell.
’Mm... I can’t say it... Our mouth can’t...’
Another attempt by the woman.
"What...is it...Lady..." — More closeness was done by his approach.
The man’s fist on his back clutched restless for his attraction was dangerous. The restraint was unbearable. And her lips were more intense a stimuli to the danger of her sweetness.
Feeling the loom of the man’s wide body her eyelids opened lightly.
’Don’t.’ — She whispered inwardly, meeting his amethyst eyes with pinkish stars.
"... I won’t, my Lady... Although I would like to... I won’t."
His words lifted her corners and gaining calmness, the Lady’s hand protecting her torso from the thrill took his as it drew away from her chin.
’That’s good... But I guess that... Since the notes are far. Your hand will do, Prince.’
Holding his heavy hand, she observed it before placing her fingertip on its palm.
Rough and big, she reminisced the times it touched her. The pressure it gave her back to embrace her closer in their kisses... The shape of it feel over her skirt at a hidden passage.
’It’s incredibly neat... Rough but neat.’
’Soft... Her hold is... soft, gentle... Like a–...haa...’
Pained, his trance halted at the feel of her touch. The remorse at the similarity between her and the creatures he used to keep to appease the demands of his dangerous thirst distorted his expression, although no winged creature was now left in the Palace’s possession.
’Cursed beast I am... Having touched so many feathers... Now her feathers ache my soul for my previous actions...’ — Once more he lamented.
Zeleskiaz observed conflicted the places their palms joined. The tickling and rewarding touch of her smooth hands helped the prince remain calm even when guilt was pricking his side.
The uncertainty of the view she would have on his previous habits was to stay unasked for some time as fear impeded the confession to be told.
And so, before she commenced to trace the words she wished to tell, she lifted her crown to peek at his expression; Curious, since the hand she observed intently, pertained to him
"..." — A conflicted expression again was found. And dropping her visage to stare at his palm... — ’Stop that, kinky.’
The first letter was traced, forming the first word.
— No —
"...." — The Prince, attentively watched dismissing any distraction to interrupt his breathless concentration.
— Fear —
’... I don’t fear you, kinky... I’m doing my best to only judge the actions you show me now. Not your past... Neither the future I read.’
Her eyes sparkled with the kindness of two joined souls, placing her palm over his in the end as thoughtful reassurance.
"... The Lady... does not fear me?"
’No, we don’t.’
"..... Why do you not?"
"..."
Blankly she stared surprised at him and tried to make her mind work again to find an answer that had no clear response.
Watching her hand be grasped by his, strongly but not enough to hurt her, desperately wanting an explanation,
the foreigner ultimately smirked since only one answer could be given and secretly said deep within.
’It’s a hunch.’
"....."
From his height, he observed the light change of a pacific grin.
Zeleskiaz was aghast at her impactful silence. Nothing had been said in response to the question born from disbelief at her assurance, yet he felt as if all doubts had been resolved with that lovely expression in her splendid visage.
’Gods... Fenrir... What is this woman? My grief seems meaningless before her..... Is she not only my demise but also my salvation?..... What is it... What is it that am I experiencing in my deepest corners?’
Somehow, the situation agitated his whole. Almost gasping for breath, he did not know what to do with the overwhelming sensation pushing him to take her captive in a new embrace.
Scorching, the desire ached his blood vessels as if the cure to it was to be found in their closeness... yet also unmistakably aware that no dose would ever suffice.
Zeleskiaz fought the urge, failing to dismiss his eyes from her. Always returning to watch a new spot of her lovely being.
However, his urge would stay like that. Unsolved in an ongoing battle that suddenly and maybe, fortunately, was interrupted.
"Ninth! I have found you!"
The energetic voice of a child. One he had heard before overly soft and cautious.
"Ah... Your Hi– Zeleskiaz.... G-Good morning..."
Shy again, the little Prince properly stood at the entrance, ashamed to show childlike behaviour in front of his admirable brother whose conflict had been cut in.