Chapter 222: Chapter 222
’So she has finally learned of his childish trick.’ — Zeleskiaz conceived in the secrecy of his thoughts.
With no option but to hear his siblings exchange, the Crown Prince stood tall at the Arch that made the entrance to the private lounge where the Royal members commonly waited for all guests to arrive and then proceed with their entrance at the proper time.
The Crown Prince had assisted with slight resentment; for a warning had been reminded since the night before, to then be repeated that morning... Then at lunch... Then moments before preparing... And once more after finishing preparations...
— Don’t wander, leave the child to prepare peacefully... Or I’ll order you to expand this Empire’s Territory further. —
’Tsk... If not for the last military report... I wouldn’t have taken notice of his childish warning.’ — Zeleskiaz scowled at the words he was told multiple times.
"So? Is the Crown Prince not greeting his little Sister?" — Jasmine turned to him, interrupting Zeleskiaz’s thoughts.
"You seem eager to disrupt the silence... Seems like my little Sister has outdone her shrewd once again while excited to assist a boresome event."
"Oh, Zeleskiaz... As endearing as always, you are... Nonetheless, I ought to agree this time with this aggravating statement."
"..."
"... You are admitting your stupidity?" — Sverre inquired, astonished.
"In a certain way, I do."
"..."
"Zeleskiaz, are you not the same? The rarity to find you here even before the Emperor arrives... Is it not impulsed by the same source that causes me to behave silly, awaiting enthusiast for their arrival?"
"... It depends... Our sources may differ, Jasmine." — Zeleskiaz finally said. Casting his glance away from the irritating girl.
"Oh, they surely do... But they also don’t."
"... Hence?"
"Lady Marianne."
"...."
"Certainly... that source we share, brother."
Glancing at the girl that had stepped to stand before him, Zeleskiaz maintained his composed stance at her seemingly malicious intent; waiting in silence with his naturally menacing gaze to hear what else the young Princess had to say.
"I find her fascinating, to say the least.
May it sound ironic after our first meeting, yet I feel I can communicate perfectly with that graceful woman whose clever ways are delightful to witness...
Maybe it is I who is to invite her to the Palace next time."
"... As long as you don’t tire her with your company... go ahead."
"Hah. Well, that is where we differ, Crown Prince."
"..."
"My invitation truly will be that of one who sincerely wants to befriend her."
As her words were said, The Princess walked to stand between her Brothers.
Aware that the people they had been waiting for were approaching, Jasmine stood proudly at Zeleskiaz’s side, and, noticing his heightened attention at the sound and scents that were closing in, The Princess continued.
"... Not like yours, Crown Prince."
The figure of their Father made it to their eyes and by his side...
’My Lady...’
Her appearance took his breath away in an instant.
Yet, even with the strong sound his accelerated heart made... his Sister’s words made it to his acute ears.
"Just look at you... To think you try to disguise it as friendship... Your foolishness is indeed that one of an ignorant man inlove."
"....."
Unlike the hurtful sensation a stab would give... The strike of the truth felt overwhelmingly sublime to his ears.
’... Love...’
His eyes flickered with the flame of comprehension and unrestrained passion that had been cruelly held captive by ignorant confusion.
The woman who had yet to meet his eye, walking beside his talkative father... became the only one in his sight as the word that defined his feelings was repeated in his drowsy state.
’... Love... For My Lady..... Love...’
"... it was... it is love that I feel..." — He whispered, nervously... sultry...
’... Don’t tell me... Was he oblivious of it?’ — Jasmine who listened stranged by his reaction, thought in a scoff.
However, Zeleskiaz did not have any way to mind his surroundings any longer.
A delightful lack of air made him swallow as the Lady entered the lounge where he stood. And then, a maddening wave of tickling heat bathed his soul and heart, ruthlessly... flawlessly... with the dreamy meet of their eyes.
"....."
A second that seemed paused in the relentless time was continued by the frail lowering of her lashes.
Beautifully pure and shy... The woman felt the strength of the devastatingly sweet realisation contained in his hues.
Marianne flushed at the intensity of the man watching her... Causing the woman to slowly follow her escort’s steps, shy and curiously joyful that the gaze cast upon her refused to leave.
’... I guess... we look that pretty...’ — She shortsightedly thought.
’Ah.....’ — Zeleskiaz trembled, ecstatic at her finesse. — ’How can this be as simple as love?..... Love... It’s known definition... How can it compare to this enthralling sensation I am experiencing for you?’
His gaze sweetly toured her figure... Admiring his beloved woman... Delicate like no other...
Decorated preciously by the silky fabric of her dress, she appeared before him like a spiritual flower. Elegant in the long and wide skirt that carried her curves in an altar of meadows.
Slim and excellent, her body was wrapped by a pale fuchsia which was born from the brilliant gold in her tail... climbing like greedy rays of the sun to her deliriant waist where her gawn became of a white lavender; framing her torso with an unthoughtful corset that would only invite uncalled men to lay their hands over it as it enhanced the delightful roundness of her chest.
Truly majestic... Truly unique... A wandering spirit of a flower... She asked to be picked to be kept in careful protection.
The one the Prince wanted to take care of, so its blooming beauty could continue forever... As he appreciated its humble glory...
’... Haa... Marianne... Your every nook...’ — The Crown Prince shivered... for his gaze went further above, finding that her lovely hair was another trouble for the eyes.
It was simply a wicked hairstyle she portrayed; for it was too perfect to enhance her visage’s beauty... As well as too flawless to fail to muster illusion by showcasing her terse neck and selfishly exhibiting the thin sleeve framing her collarbone.
’... Goodness, woman...’
As if fur of a majestic creature decorated her, a braid that let her profile be seen without barriers led her hair to fall over her back and shoulder, decorated with white threads crowned with golden weights.
’She is... Love is not enough of an emotion to offer this woman...’
She was a walking daydream.
His lovely source of illusion...
His one desireful and confusing woman...
’... My Love... My devotion...’
Enamoured by the glorious existence of the Lady, his eyes went to wait for hers to meet him again; without restraining the loving lift of his corners as he waited, blatantly appreciating her presence.
"It seems we are all here already." — The Emperor started, pleased.
It was only then that her gaze lifted, as the moment to officially greet the other Royals came.
As expected, conscious that the Prince’s eyes had not dared to drift away, she directly came to look at him. Being his deep violaceous hues the ones keeping her from leaving.
"..."
Her heart halted drastically at his expression, robbing her of thoughts for a moment.
’... My Beloved Lady...’ — He told her, passionately in the secrecy of his heart.
’... Something changed.’ — Bewildered, she conceived. Aware of the intense transmission of his warmth, travelling their distance to caress her with such loving eyes.
"How about we go inside immediately? I don’t see a reason to keep the people waiting, isn’t that right, child?" — The Emperor continued, in the midst of her bewilderment.
Yet...
"... Indeed." — Zeleskiaz replied, watching the woman. — "There is no reason for further wait."
"..."
"... Let us march, then." — Dubious, Francois answered, pacing through the Princes.
Marianne followed slightly unsettled by the racing beat the Crown Prince’s attitude summoned... Only to become stronger as the stealthy man made it so she would walk right beside him before heeding the Royal’s steps escorting her away.
Her lone hand that daintily held a bit of her dress was smoothly stroked by his fingertip, causing her to flinch and pause... To then clearly hear the entranced man.
"Our dance... I will come to you, My Lady."
"..."
Silence reigned, and the witnesses hushed in unison.
’This Brat..... He finally understood...’
The surprised Emperor stated sure at his behaviour.
’Oh, the divine... Oh, Cute child... I am sorry for the trouble he is to cause...’ — Francois then prayed. — ’A beast in love... Such exhausting yet deep emotion he ought to have to make it this obvious...’
"Ahem... Shall we, Pristina Pars?" — The Emperor insisted, trying to leave behind the shock.
’Uh?... Oh... Umh... Okay...’ — She stammered, glancing back as Francois took her with him.
"....."
Zeleskiaz watched her continue, and coming back to stand with the Princess that opened his eyes to the truth, the man smiled.
"Truly foolish I’ve been, Jasmine..... It happened so quiet... Just as her existence... Beautifully quiet... However... My Ignorance ends here."
Casting a menacing gaze on the girl, he stated with determination as his eyes turned severe.
Threatened, she widened her eyes, lightly frowning, for she did not understand the meaning behind his danger.
Nonetheless, it was clear to him.
Everything.
From beginning to end, all he had experienced when she came to mind had sense in his chest.
’I have finally learned.’
Zeleskiaz conveyed as he watched her slim back.
’Our dance... It shall become our every dance. Our every day and night... Our life together, My Lady... My woman... My beloved Lady Marianne....’
"... My Empress..." — He muttered for no one to hear.