Chapter 218: Chapter 218
Concentrated on what gathered them, the pair of youths spent their time excelling her sound.
Time passed under the tension her clearer tone evolved to.
Every night in those solely four sessions they have endured... Her voice developed further.
And to his acute hearing... A shiver was to shake his vessels as her sound became louder in its softness.
He despised his present yet also felt fortunate to experience it.
The man who was clearly weak to her everything was amazingly conscious that if he was to suddenly listen to her developed voice without preparation... His enraptured soul would ripe its devotion with no restraint to the glorious mouthpiece of an existence she appeared to be.
’It is only a low whisper she manages now... Yet... How powerful it roots itself in my head... A spoken word from her... Oh, how terrific it could be... I cannot fathom its illusion.’ — He concluded, expectant for such an attainable future.
Their time to separate came, regardless.
And the polite woman, owner of the chambers, walked before him to send him off through the balcony he entered.
Taking the curtain away, she opened the glass, bowing in rosy farewell as her long river of hair fell beautifully over her white nightgown.
"... Have a good night, my Lady..." — He said in response to her elegance.
’You too, Crown Prince.’
"..."
’... I don’t want to leave, my lady...’ — Zeleskiaz announced secretly.
"... We shall meet at the Ball..."
’Umh... Yeah. So... Later(?)’ — The clueless woman answered.
"..."
Noticing that no room for the attempt was given, Zeleskiaz helped her maintain the heavy glass open, purposely trapping her between the glass and his build, placing his hand over hers to keep her ensnared.
’?! Hey, what–’
"Rest well, My Lady."
"!...."
His closeness felt overwhelming, and so, she simply lowered her crown.
A moment of innocent silence followed. Innocent in her ears for she did not glimpse at the leaning man tasting her scent, helplessly desireful of additional touch... Restraining his hand from squeezing her further.
". .. ..."
His masculinity thrilled her as its shadow fell over her figure, leaving his natural fragrance behind as he stealthily fleed her chambers.
Nervous, she remained at the glass door, intentionally letting the breeze reach her to appease her heat.
’What is this... For real... I don’t get this... I don’t think I’ve ever read anything about this...’
She contemplated the confusing sensations she had never experienced.
A few seconds passed for her to decide and close her balcony.
The mattress welcomed her, and after the long day she had been through, sleep blessed her with the rest she needed.
Her confusion dissipated as exhaustion took over her lids. Yet her fluster hid cleverly within her.
The moon continued its path over the sky. And the 24th of Zate arrived.
*******
A day where she remained by herself as everybody had to deal with their own preparations.
Marianne’s morning elapsed tranquil as her maid and new servants assisted her already stunning figure to dress up in the marvellous garments the skilful designer Madame Fannie Moody had crafted in hast.
That morning, like the hurricane her character was capable to become, the designer called at the Palace’s gates, triumphant yet in dishevelled appearance.
As authentic as she was to her passion, Madame Fannie had designed a special gown for Duke Sylfinnier’s daughter who she had learned after the Royal announcement had achieved the greatest and unique Title that the Empire had not seen in centuries.
"I demand you to let me see the Ninth! Are you looking for our First Empress Calla’s confidant to wear unsightly garments to her First Ball with her wonderous Title?! Madness! Uffa!! Take me to her now, you distasteful Brute! Madame Fannie Moody cannot allow such disgrace!!"
A chaotic scene befitting of her flamboyance took place at the gates. Ultimately reaching the Emperor’s ears, the woman was allowed to enter the guarded grounds of the Monarch.
The man who had heard her intention as his grooming was done while he held his filled chalice, only gained energy at the news finding no danger in the Designer’s goal.
"... We are currently taking measures to take her away..."
"However... What brought her here? That Madame is not one to endanger her honour with such behaviour..." — The bored Francois indifferently questioned for it was an unseen occurrence.
"Apparently, she has come to entrust a new design for the Ninth to wear tonight–"
"Let her in."
"...? Pardon? Your Majesty–"
"Are you stupid?! If she came to give a new attire for the cute child just let her come inside and serve the D*mn woman some good tea!!"
Bang!
"??! Your Majesty??"
"Do as I say! For the love of... Sigh... I haven’t been able to meet the sweet child and now a marvellous dress is being denied to her? Are you crazy? Let Madame Fannie in or you will wear that dress in front of everybody so you learn Fenrir’s wrath, you heavenly t*at!!!"
"!!! Ai! Consider it done, Your Excellency!!!"
"Tsk! Ignorant brutes... If that woman has come here with a garment it’s implied to be true!" — Displeased the Emperor reproached as he watched the announcer leave in hast.
"..."
"What are you staring at? Continue with your duties!"
"!"
The present servants resumed their chores shocked by the Emperor’s outburst as he continued to speak in the concealed nooks of his head.
’Curse the Duty... That b*stard of a Duke and that da*n brat I have for a son have made it impossible for me to visit the child! Even Dioclecià has spent more time with her than I, the owner of this uselessly vast Palace!’
Recalling the unending work he had to go through because of the unexpected release of creatures, the fortunately not severely harmed knights, the menaces of his childhood friend who restricted his visits to the child with skilful arguments on her health... and last but not least, the short exchange he had the day before with his youngest offspring about that afternoon’s occurrences, brought veins to pop on his temple.
’They call each other by name, visit whenever they please and even become mad overnight... Yet I can’t even attain the title of Uncle Frois! The iniquity! Oh Izeneya, have I wronged Fenrir to this point??!...’
"Haaah..." — His energy left as the heavy sigh was expulsed.
An Emperor’s job could become troublesome at times and as free and flashy as Francois was, he was one who cared to take responsibility for his Name.
Nonetheless, he also was clever in his ways to find entertainment.
’No matter... Today none of them can get in my way.’
Arrogant, his chin lifted to appreciate the weight of the waving wine inside his cup.
He was a legitimate Royal, who rose to the throne fairly in the concealed war the greedy ones enrolled and with his high standing in society, Francois had knowledge of facts most could not reach.
’The scripts are clear. It is solely the Emperor or the betrothed soul to the Ninth who is to walk beside them in public events.’
"Hmph... Eat dirt, Orland... Drown in frustration ignorant son of mine..." — A triumphant smirk emerged as he mumbled.
Gulping a fair amount of his wine, to then hand it to the young lad serving him and halt the savoury taste of the delicious drink.
"As expected, the cute child only deserves the greatest company. And that can only be the Emperor himself, Haha!"
Standing from his imperious chair, Francois paced where his attire awaited.
"Make sure Madame Fannie takes care of every detail pertaining to the Ninth. Also... Announce to my Empress that I shall visit her shortly..." — The Emperor lastly added, with acute dignity.
’Ingrid ought to learn this from me. No disgrace shall be inflicted on my gentle wife... That at least... I owe to her, to our and her people.... and to our children, who she raised...’
Serious, Francois contemplated on his partner, guilty for he knew she was too good of a woman he had received as closure to a pact with the Hadynyl Fortified Kingdom.
His demeanour became prominent yet sinister as his garments were handed for him to wear.
"..."
Arranging his hand’s jewellery, Francois blankly envisioned his wife who he had to speak to.
’It’s been a while since we have shared a meal... Only the two of us...’
Lifting his gaze, Francois surveyed his reflection in the luxurious mirror near him.
Pleased, with what entered his eyes, he then decided.
"Change of plans. Tell my Empress I wish to have our lunch together... Have the snowflake flowers she likes bloomed in the new greenhouse?"
"Yes, Your Excellence."
"..." — Delighted by the affirmative response, Francois grinned. — "I’ll head there right this moment. I shall pick some myself."
’Ingrid taught me how to pick the right ones... I cannot enrage my Empress today.’
The servants nodded to his orders and moved acordingly, offering the last garments to wear.
"Ah. I won’t use the cape yet. It might harm the flowers... Follow me, I shall wear it after I choose my wife’s bouquet."
Fully disposed to do a good job of crafting a present for his partner, the Emperor began a stroll to the hidden greenhouse.
Trying to order his thoughts on the only instructions his wife had given him years ago, he listed the steps to take when dealing with the flowers she liked so much.
— Although it’s bothersome and maybe useless, do this as I taught you, Husband of mine... These flowers are dear to me. If I know you follow the steps I just demonstrated... My soul will always receive them in joyful peace. —
’Alright... I do think it’s silly. Yet she will be happy.’
Sure of the ways to pick them, Francois felt proud.
Proud for he could still keep his one word to the woman who had no other expectations from him.