Chapter 224: Chapter 224
’... Not even feigning anymore, huh?’ — The foreigner thought at the Duchess’s actions.
"..."
"Good evening, Duke Sylfinnier." — The Princess who noticed the Ducal couple, joined, leaving the nobles greeting her behind.
"Good Evening, Your Highness."
"Greetings, Princess, it is delightful to see you once more." — The Duchess eagerly added in composed behaviour.
"Indeed. It is a joyful occasion. Different to past events I have assisted."
"Oh, surely it is."
"... Your Grace." — Agreeing with a light movement of her head, the Princess turned back to Marianne’s Father. — "We have not met lately and I believe it is due that I give my appreciation to your previous advice."
"... That is a curious thing you say, Princess. I do not recall offering advice to you..." — Orland answered, pondering on the advice she mentioned.
"I believe His Grace’s words were: ’Observe her behaviour and restate your thoughts once the ’charm’ his Excellency took a fondness of, is made clear in your eyes’... I happen to have noticed said charm. I thank your words back then."
’... Bruh... Why does it not feel like you appreciate it??? You are too blunt gurl~ I know you mean it, but intonation is important~’ — The Lady commented at how serious a tone the Princess used.
"Oh, that is what you meant. The Princess is too kind. After all, I admit that I spoke slightly moved by a Father’s displeasure." — The honest yet admirable Duke conveyed, standing tall without regretting his previous ways.
"It is understandable.
Just recently, I think I acted as though I was in your place.
It truly is something one cannot control."
"Indeed it is." — Orland softly grinned returning the young Princess’s smirk.
"....." — ’... What the hell?’
The witnessing Lady thought as she alternated between the Princess and her Father, aware that a weird bond had been made out of nowhere from that short exchange.
"Husband, did you truly speak such words to Her Highness?" — The Duchess then asked intrigued.
"... It is now a matter of the past."
"Yes. There were only gains from there on." — Jasmine agreed, supporting the Duke’s reluctance to add details.
"... Hmm... If the Princess says so..." — With no other option but to comply, Elenaide said.
"..."
A brief silence followed and then, the Duke addressed his observant daughter.
"... Sweetie." — He commenced with soft eyes only meant for his child. — "I think we should leave, many are waiting to greet you, and we shouldn’t keep them from doing so."
’Aww~ but I don’t want to keep meeting random nobles I will forget about once they say bye~’
Observing the tight closure of her lids he inwardly chuckled, only to lean and whisper to his child a way to be rescued.
"If things come to be unbearable, just lift your hand in a halt and flick your other hand’s nail... Like this." — He then, secretly demonstrated. — "I shall explain later... but it is something your Father can notice within this Hall’s length."
The playful wink of the Duke made her excited to know the truth behind this new trick, making her blink profusely in wonder.
’Wow~ it sounds like a cool trick... I shall hear about it along your nickname’s origin, Mister.’ — She promised to herself as she agreed to the secret her Father delivered.
"We shall meet later, my bird. Until later, Princess."
"Go ahead, Your Grace. Enjoy the night." — She respectfully answered the leaving couple.
"..."
Marianne observed her Parents leave and cast her gaze on her hand, envisioning the previously learnt trick her Father told her about.
’Hmm... So... Was it like this???...!!’
Lifting her gaze, she found the Duke far away, glancing at her and giving another wink to his child.
’Woaaah~! He truly sensed it!!’
Entertained the child watched her hand, glad to know this curious trick of her Father worked.
"... She doesn’t like you."
"?" — Turning to look at the blunt girl beside her, the Lady tilted her head. — ’What?’
"Your Mother."
’Oh... that. Tell me something I don’t know. Princess with no filter.’
"... Intriguing. I wonder her reasons."
’... Yeah... I do too... But I won’t get into solving that puzzle any soon. I kind of have my hands full at the moment, darling.’ — She calmly answered in her silence as her Parents went further away from her sight.
"My... So my turn has finally come." — The next noble’s voice to approach said to call her attention.
"I knew you had been staying at the Palace, yet the duties of handing down a Dukedom to an Heir is not an easy feat for an old man like I am, Lady Marianne, the Graceful Ninth."
"Lord Noverrne... I congratulate you on achieving a prosperous inheritance for your Son."
"Oh My... My manners have disappeared it seems... Greetings to the Lovely Princess, my attention towards my friend’s daughter must have turned me blind."
"As eloquent as ever, my Lord... It is understandable as she is the unique assistant to this Ball."
"No excuses. Her Highness is as important to this Empire."
"... Very kind of you to say so, Noverrne. I am glad his Lordship is as amiable as I remember."
"Character cannot be inherited, Your Highness. Unfortunately... Am I mistaken, son of mine?"
"That is... Debatable, Father." — Noverrne’s current Duke answered stepping forward at his mention.
"Sigh... He lacks my enthusiasm, my Ladies. Clemente, am I to remind you of necessary manners?"
"... Good evening, Her Highness, Princess Jasmine... A pleasure to meet you once more, Lady Marianne, The Ninth..." — Holding his thoughts to his Father’s comment, the man greeted the women.
"Greetings, Your Grace... It is a surprise that you have assisted today.
I had thought you rarely assist these events."
"My Son is very reserved... I was also surprised he accepted to make me company at tonight’s Event. "
"... I had recently changed my mind... A duty to know fellow nobles is also a must now that I have gained your Title, Father."
"Hoho. That is true. That is true, Son."
"..." — Silently, the foreigner watched their exchange, not missing the opportunity to wonder about the new Noverrne’s Duke sayings, crafting theories in her imaginative psyche. — ’... I thought you said you were coming to make a toast in my name???... Was he a closet alcoholic? That would explain why he said the duty thing instead...’
"Very Well! Time to assess what brought me to wait for the beautiful youth in front of me!"
Changing the serious ambience his son inherently summoned with his paced demeanour, the previous Duke spoke with energy.
"Lady Marianne... Oh, how ecstatic I am that I came to live enough to meet your unique existence..." — The mature man told her with visible fondness. — "My friend Orland ought to be right by boasting how outstanding his child is... Truly... I cannot express how delighted I am to see you again after gaining such a spectacular Title, My Lady, Pristina Pars... Ah~... How befitting a Surname it is! Right, Son?"
"... Truly it is, Father."
’Oh gosh~ You will make me blush, Sir~’ — The weak for elaborated compliments woman thought, showing delicate shyness with the lower of her lids.
’So the Mister has been boasting about us~? What has he said~?’ — Proud and playful she added as she bowed appreciatively.
"My, my... What an elegant child." — Ignorant to her thoughts he continued. — "I am certain that Norma would be delighted to meet you, Lady Marianne."
"... How is her Grace–... The Madame doing, my Lord... Has her health gotten any better?"
"Ah... Princess... My wife is currently stable, yet very little power is held within her..." — The man said, pained.
"I see..."
"Maybe I can tell you more about this in private, Princess Jasmine. I do not wish for our celebrated Ninth to get concerned over these matters on this wonderful night... Excuse us, Lady Marianne, I shall leave you with my Son to converse for a moment."
Bending, sorry for the interruption, the man invited the seemingly concerned Princess, departing to a more secluded space to tell more on the issue.
’Is his wife sick?... That’s so sad... He seems like a loving husband...’ — Comprehending the delicate topic, the child accepted their departure, equally concerned, for her kindness wished for the nice man to keep cheery.
"... Mother was attacked recently."
’What?!’ — Horrified by his words she turned to look at the Man who holds Noverrne’s Title.
"As Father said, she is stable. At least, Mother is recovering and the attacker did not succeed."
"....."
"... What I want to say... Is that no danger is hunting her now."
’... Yeah... But still...’
Concerned she became. Because the fact that a noblewoman like the Noverrne’s Duke’ Mother was attacked, reminded her of the danger this realm also holds.
"... Lady Marianne. Do you mind if I leave for a moment?" — Observing her for a moment he suddenly inquired.
’Ah... Uh... Sure(?)... But... I won’t know if your father sees you left, though...’ — She permitted, slightly preoccupied with the reproach he could get if found out.
He turned quickly and disappeared, leaving the woman on her own as the people wanting to greet her seemed active in their ongoing conversations.
’hmm... what to do now?... I’m all alone suddenly.’
She observed the place, glancing at where the Princess and the Duke’s Father stood. Nonetheless, her loneliness did not last for long.
"My Lady."
From her side, the Young man appeared again, offering in his hand something she had been craving ever since she was reminded of it by Clemente’s appearance.
’Gasp!’ — Straightening up, the woman regained her spirit at what he went off to get her. — ’Wine!!!’