Chapter 214: Chapter 214
"... The Lady dislikes being the Ninth...?"
Dioclecià dishearteningly said with a low voice, stunned at the conclusion the young boy got from her words.
[ No. I am honoured to be the Ninth, little Prince. ]
The woman then delayed, vastly honest in her beliefs.
"...?" — Confused, his concerned expression pondered on the seemingly complicated meaning of her scripts. — "But you said..."
[ I dislike being addressed like that. ]
"Oh... Why is that? I do not understand my Lady... If you are honoured why do you not like it???"
The child struggled to comprehend the woman. For him, it appeared to be the same as not being pleased with her Title and his countenance demonstrated his strive to understand it.
Finding the adorable sight entertaining, she softly let out a whiff of air in a chuckle and followed to explain her meanings to the pure child.
[ I have a name that Father gave me. When I am addressed by people I consider close to me by that Title, it feels unpleasant for I feel an unnecessary barrier being placed in our relationship.
I have been meaning to tell you that I would like you to address me more comfortably, as I believe the Little Prince to be a delightful company I want to be close with. ]
"..." — The Little Prince blushed with tearful eyes, happy at her last phrase as he started inwardly. — ’... I also want to be close to the Lady...’
Peeking shyly as he sunk into his already small body, Dioclecià timidly paused as his eyes went back and forwards to meet her fond gaze. The little hands on his back fiddled nervously searching for the right words to say to the nice Lady.
"Then... Should I cease addressing you as ’Ninth’...?"
A determined nod was granted.
’You should! It’s such a stiff way of calling a friend! I feel like the boss of a gang or something... It’s cool but not THAT cool, you know?’
"... I– I understand... hihi... I–I..... I really like the Lady so..."
Softly in a whisper, Dioclecià’s cheeks flushed joyful and confessed his innocent feelings towards the kind woman.
And she... Who was not far enough to miss it... Became smitten by the precious scene.
*******
Crack! — I heard the sound of my sanity breaking at the pure child in front of me.
’Kugh! Ughhhh! Such a destructive power! I want to squeeze those cheeks and– Gaaaaaaah!!! Such a lovely kid! I love him! Sob...’
The cute prince was as adorable as a baby bunny looking at me shyly with those pretty eyes he has that my granny’s heart felt a squeeze that almost killed me from cuteness.
I’m honestly not that fond of kids but... This child is just so lovely and well mannered~ He’s so cute and pretty~ I even want to meet him more often since his personality is like cotton candy~
’... Don’t you want to call me Sister too? I’m honestly willing to give you the spot... Who needs blood-related siblings? I sure don’t. I like you much more than those two Marianne has anyways...’
I can’t actually even say I like them. To be honest... What’s there to like?
"..." — This insanely attractive idea popped up as I stared at him after hearing him say he likes me. And observing him my silence was apparent.
He began shrinking further in shyness, maybe even shame since I must have been staring at him so straightforwardly with starry eyes.
So I had to take myself out of the daze to calm the Little Fidgety Prince.
Hence... I did not hide what I thought of him in my appeasing intention. Being truthful is better.
[ It elates me to hear you say that, my little Prince. I also like His Highness a lot. ]
As it was a delightful thing I wanted to tell him, I drew a happy face along with a heart next to the message.
I had taught him what the drawing of a heart looked like a few days before and so, this time he would surely get the vibe I wanted to grant my words with it.
"....." — Silently, he peeked, slightly leaning to see, and went back to become smaller with a tight-lipped smile.
"~~~~!" — ’I know~! He’s so d*rn cute~ if only he weren’t a prince... I would steal him.’
"..." — ’... I know it’s a dangerous thought... But I won’t do it... I swear, darling. I’m not that crazy.’
... Or am I?... Nah... Okay, let’s not go that way. I might actually be the only crazy one here.
Shaking my head so these thoughts went away after being judged by serious Anne, I wrote down the other bit of my thoughts.
[ My Prince is even permitted to call me by name if he desires so.
It would make me truly happy. ]
This is a fact. Not only because being called" "Lady" makes me seem like I’m from royalty... which is not frankly wrong right now... But. Also because...
’On the inside, I am twenty-eight... So if this young bunny comes and calls me Lady every time he sees me... My soul feels it’s not only said in a polite way but in the "I’m old" way...’
Spare me, Third Prince... But my age number is... quite a sensitive one for most women... And I’m kind of feeling it with your dripping youth.
"!... C–can I t–truly...?"
’... DO IT. Let lightning strike me if you don’t. I’m a bit desperate here, Young one.’ — I nodded as if my life depended on it.
Being this cute should be illegal... I feel like I can kill for this kid...
This must be a common thing here. Children are unfairly cute. The portraits of Marianne and those siblings she has are the proof.
I can imagine another reason for them to appear this cute in my old soul’s eyes... But I want to blame this new world and not my granny’s heart.
"..."
He seemed hesitant to agree completely to it and I can tell it might be because of the manners a prince should have.
But the card about the Ninth being Royalty comes in handy now.
If he’s to call me by name...
[ If the Prince permits it, may I also address you by name? ]
It might be a bit of a brazen thing to ask a child of Royal blood... But... Why not? He might even–
"I..."
Dash!
’huh?? Wait... Are you leaving in the middle of a conversation?!’
Interrupting my considerations he muttered and turned away, running.
’What’s wrong with everyone?? Do they like leaving me with the word in my notes???’
I watched him disappear shocked at his amiss behaviour.
The Third Prince who has always been so respectful and lovely... Running away from me...
’What a deathly stab I just got... Sob...’ — I dramatized since I’m good at it, biting my inner self lip in frustration.
Nonetheless, my solo Drama didn’t last long. ’Ah... he came back.’
Slowly approaching after running to close enough distance to start walking calmly, he stood straight before me, avoiding my gaze.
"... If... M–Marianne w–wants to... You can.. call me Dioclecià..." — The Little Prince said, holding a pink flower.
*Snap* — The string of sanity broke completely this time.
’That’s it. We’re taking him home, Marianne. No one can stop me now. F*** the Empire. This kid is too cute.’
I shut our eyes trying to control our mad tremble and struggled to receive the pretty flower.
"... T–That is a f–flower named Zinnia... M–Mother said it represents friendship..."
"..." — ’Cross taking him home. We should elope.’
D*mm it... He’s too lovely. Call me sister too~
Sigh... To think I would become this foolish... I kind of understand the Duke a little better now...
"..." — ’Self-control, please.’
Aware that my thoughts were getting chaotic, I gestured to write as I carefully held the stem of the flower.
[ Thank you, dear Dioclecià. ]
I had finished writing the sentence, but the sight of the flower in my hand made me ponder with an intent I knew too well.
That Intent that caused me to continue writing after preparing the gesture.
He watched me fiddle with the leather holding my pages and soon I showed him the complete message behind it.
[ Thank you, dear Dioclecià.
Will you receive this artwork of mine? I want Dioclecià to have it. ]
Placing the portable canvas so he could read properly, I waited for him to lift his pretty eyes from the little letter and offered the drawn piece of the Empress’s garden where he pointed at a bed of blooming callas... A drawing he had not seen I had drawn since he was excited about visiting the garden together.
"... That is me... That’s me, La–! Marianne! Hehe~... I like it..... Are you certain I can have it?"
His joy dissolved the struggle of his speech and with his tiny fingers, Dioclecià observed with delight his picture on my drawing.
Such a reaction filled me with emotion and I felt overwhelmed by the memories this sensation gave me. The happiness of gifting these works to people I hold dear feels more vivid each time and if I add Marianne’s joy... Sigh... What a wonderful thing this vibrating emotion is.