Chapter 216: Chapter 216
The afternoon went by with the three leisurely enjoying the stroll of the working sun. It was only at her request that they commenced their way back into the hallways under the Palace’s roof.
Only once they were inside it, young Dioclecià acted one last time in his older brother’s favour. Announcing a sudden leave, The child said his farewells to the kind woman hiding innocent intentions.
"Ah! I ought. to hurry! There are. pending studies. I must solve. by the end of today!" — A monotonous pace in his words was apparent, however...
’These b*stards... So even in medieval times, homework exists...’ — The unique woman thought, finding his speech normal for he usually stuttered when nervous.
’... Was he not free from studies today?’ — Zeleskiaz wondered instead.
"I will meet you after the Ball, Marianne!" — The Third Prince added, ignorant at what their eyes hid behind. To then give the push for them to stroll closer. — "Brother, please see that the Lady arrives safely as I need to go... Do accept my Brother’s arm, Marianne. Brother is strong!"
’... Yeah... I get it... For the thousandth time...’ — She answered in her corners as she watched the child flee away.
"..." — Also confused, the Crown Prince pondered in shared silence. — ’What is his intention??... Children are odd.’
"... May I, My Lady?"
Shoving the wonder Zeleskiaz offered his arm as the child said.
’... Well... Dioclecià asked that I accept, so...’ — Wrapping her hand around his limb she commenced. — ’It’s weird that Dioclecià keeps repeating things I already kind of know though.’
Feeling his toughness she walked by his side, bothered that most of what the Little Prince had conversed about that afternoon were things he admired his older brother for.
’I already knew he’s strong and intelligent... Should I have told him he’s not that good at socializing?... He should know he’s not so perfect...’
"... Is it truly alright? I can carry your tool, My Lady." — The Crown Prince inquired once more, after being denied when they began their way back.
The sight of her hand also carrying a flower while she held onto her object caused him slight concern for her strength.
’It’s fine~ I don’t do much either way. I should at least carry my own stuff.’
"... I understand." — He said after reading her honest eyes.
"..."
"Dioclecià... He gave you a friendly flower."
Peeking at her hand, Marianne felt joyous at his comment, moved by the meaning explained to her when received.
’I know, right? Isn’t he cute?... I hope I can pull off what I intend to do to keep its shape... I will need to practice a bit so I don’t ruin it.’
The softness of her spirit traversed her emotionless body and was felt by him through their linked limbs. Infecting him with her sweet emanation in the leisure of his features.
"... Your artwork is as impressive as ever."
’? You have only seen it once. Don’t go lying to praise me... Although it’s true. It even got better, hehe~’
The woman proudly accepted, unaware that the man did not lie and had witnessed the work of her hands without her knowledge.
Her pace synchronised with her joy at her polished skill and the Prince followed, glad that his comment was what had probably caused it.
Their walk continued with both in high yet composed spirits until they arrived at the Main Great Hall of the Palace where once he had tracked her presence led by the thirst the newly born attraction had lit inside his deepest trails.
Spotting the entrance he guarded to find her in the same attire he was currently wearing and then tracing the path she walked through with that unsightly mask that dared cover her fair visage while assisting that Masquerade’s night... An overwhelming yearning for the thrill he experienced that dusk made his chest feel heavenly, as tomorrow was once more the day of a similar event.
He had halted their pace, and as he fondly watched the surroundings, she leaned curiously at what had taken the man’s attention.
’... Is something over there?... Are we taking a break?’
Her curiosity as well as any little movement of hers took notice over any other thing he could be focused on.
Fondly meeting her wondering hues, Zeleskiaz felt the warmth expand lovingly in his chest.
Although the woman remained ignorant to all the gentle and sometimes chaotic sensations his soul went through, only delight was common whenever she appeared in his eyes.
A short pause to observe her wonder was prioritized as he pushed aside what had happened in the dreamy past... before he began speaking to excuse his halt.
"Pardon me... I... I got distracted." — Zeleskiaz confessed, staring deeply into her eyes as his lips lifted pleasantly at her presence.
’Okay... By what, though?’ — The foreign soul expressed, on behalf of the two souls within the body as they resumed their walk.
"..."
’My Lady is curious...’ — The Crown Prince thought in silence without forfeiting the delight from his demeanour.
It was not clear as to state it, yet her curiosity was a sign of interest. A detail that instinctively called for pleasure within him.
Slow-paced and silent, their stroll did not need the fill of words to feel natural.
Both walked calmly, unbothered by the now shared yet usual tension each other’s presence instilled in one another.
Dissimulated glances and blank minds... The pair of youths stepped further into their destination where she would rest in wondrous surroundings.
And as it was to be... An impeccable entrance guarded by the selfish Fenrir eventually found its way to their eyes.
’Ah... We arrived kind of fast...(?) Didn’t we?’ — The lost in ambience woman believed.
’... It is unfortunate... I cannot lead her through lengthy roads to extend our company this time...’ — Mischievously yet dejected, Zeleskiaz contemplated as the remembrance of previous strolls came to mind. Aware that on this occasion she could not fool the lovely woman.
Arriving, the woman bowed to the fixed guards at her door, silently receiving a reverence in respect.
The time for their farewell also arrived... and as sly as the Crown Prince was...
"..."
A deathly glare to the men was given to make them look away out of fear. Solely with the smooth purpose to tilt for a bow in which he desired to whisper with his husky tone after a polite goodbye...
"As requested, I am to retreat for we have reached your Chambers, My Lady... Do take vast rest..." — Zeleskiaz prominently said for the men to listen clearly.
And then... As she took her skirt for a polite farewell...
"... Await me at dusk..."
"..."
His yearnful voice reached her over her crown, finding as she straightened in a unique shiver the softness of violets being conquered by lovesome glints of pink in charming expression.
Her lids were limited to lower in a light nod before turning in her feet to hide behind the Doors of her quarters through which gap Marianne peeked one last time as she closed them.
Clank...
"....."
’... He’s talking about the practice session... So why does he sound so sexy while announcing it???... Sigh... He’s... He’s so d*mn misleading...’
Unaware... Her visage softly smiled at his mischievous sound although she judged his tone.
"..."
’He seems to be good at smiling nicely... I didn’t know that.’
"My Lady?"
"!?!"
"Is something wrong?"
"..."
Turning to the source of her surprise, she paused for a moment to watch Paige standing concerned at her Ladyship, who remained silently in front of a closed entrance.
’Nope. It’s nothing.’
She then told the maid in her head, shaking it as her free hand drew away from her door.
"....."
’... Wait. Yes, something’s wrong. You need to make your presence more visible Paige. If I had heart problems, I could be leaving this body right now, you know?’
New steps were given, and for now, Marianne was to leisurely wait for today’s last meal... And the darkest of dusk.
’He came through the front door this morning...’
She inwardly scoffed as her sight caught a glance of the still-opened curtains of her balcony.
’But I guess when it’s at night he will use the "backdoor"... Heh, Silly Male Lead... I guess he likes teasing for the way he said it...’
Covered expectations for his visit were played in the shape of pondering at today’s events, yet the past was of no interest to her once the reminiscence of tomorrow emerged.
’The Summer Ball is tomorrow... If you think about it, a season has passed, sweetheart... We’ve been together for a whole season already.’
"..."
’Yeah... I also wonder.’
Leaving her tool on the centre table, she took a seat in her lounge and observed the drawn garden... Surrounding the shape of an unfinished dome.
Her soul’s companion had transmitted the peaceful ponder over tomorrow, implying with the lit of some shared memories the matter that caused interest.
’What will happen this time... I guess no blue guy should appear at the very least. We now know he actually has golden white hair... And... What else?’
"~~"
’Right. He’s a kinky man. Haha. But I guess that’s not what you really want to talk about, huh?’
"~!"
’Haaaaah... You cute Maiden... How expected of a girl of your times~’
"...?"
’... I don’t know.’
The foreign woman resigned, tilting her head backwards on her seat at the inquiry of her close friend.
’... If he asks... I guess we will dance with him like last time...’
Disguising her hope for it to happen with the doubt of the possibility, she inwardly smirked, unknowingly thrilled by the uncertainty.