Chapter 229: Chapter 229
The white light of tonight’s big moon was the only source letting them see each other in the private room.
Entering from the unique tall window following the shape of two intersecting walls, the source of light enabled the view of a humble study room, flaunting a limited library with a lonesome settee next to the clear glass.
Going back on her feet, Marianne took a quick glance at her whereabouts, never letting the man out of her frame.
"..."
They observed the other, one with caution as the other patiently admired, waiting for the right time to continue his words.
"... I solely hope you are aware... That no harm is to be done by me to you, Lady Marianne." — He then told the observant woman, that kept on searching the room with her composed eyes.
"..." — ’... I don’t know why... But I know you truly mean that... I’m just... The way we got here is not much to my liking.’ — She confessed only for herself to hear, warming her own limbs at the view of an unknown place.
"... Lady... Am I allowed to ask?"
"?"
"Why is it always... Your siblings that change you?"
Her eyes widened at his direct statement of his concern. And as she was everything he could see now, it pained him to so distinctly see her surprise.
’... I guess many crises have arisen in front of him... For him to even notice the common factor...’ — She calmly considered.
"..."
Her hands suddenly felt the sting of the squeezing force Paul had gripped her with. And frustrated she flexed their multiple fingers thinking about how to approach this issue with the Prince in front of her.
’If I’m honest... Will he wait? Will he still be willing to help us out?’ — The woman of two souls wondered as she met his concerned yet unwavering eyes.
"....."
The nervousness of uncertainty made the sound of her breathing a loud murmur in the midst of contemplating possibilities.
Nevertheless, just like him, her instincts were the ones to guide her decision.
The gesture her body followed to convey her thoughts, also invited him to come near and receive the message with its cautious motion.
[Perhaps... You remember the sentence I wrote before, Your Highness. ]
She first told in her sheets.
[Some things are meant to be said with spoken words... Such words. ]
"... I recall." — ’How could I forget any word of yours...’
"..." — [ May I answer this question... Once my voice allows me to say it? ]
"....."
Her request was concerning.
It caused turmoil in his deepest vessels for he knew... That in the determination her eyes portrayed the first time she wrote such a sentence; the glint of her gems entailed the importance she found in such action.
’If she desires to say it with her own sound... How significant a truth it is that you keep, My Lady...’
The significance of her request was a despairing realisation for the Prince.
’This concern... This fear... My beloved... How unsettling it is not to know what you keep hidden...’ — Zeleskiaz suffered in silent meditation.
Nonetheless, to the lower of her lids, no other answer could be granted.
"... I understand." — He mumbled.
"..."
"This only means I need to help your sound develop faster..."
"..."
"I will listen to every little sound you share... And blindly aid you if that is needed, Lady Marianne."
".. . .. ..."
Faltering in her quiet stare at the determined man’s hues, overwhelming feelings invaded the woman. Even disrupting her breathing and heartbeat at his so heartfelt words.
"... Only promise, Lady Marianne..." — He then added, conveying his conflict in his manly voice as his hand caressed hers to tangle. — "That just like tonight... Your hand won’t hesitate to reach out to me for any motive... That... I am the first one you think of... when help is what you need, My Lady."
*******
The warm kiss he placed on the back of my hand felt extremely suffocating in its sweetness.
I feel guilty not saying anything when I can touch his willingness to help even when I’ve yet to ask him... And d*rn... He’s... He’s been so unfairly dreamy tonight that I feel dumb for being this cautious of him.
"..."
"... It’s light... But your hand keeps slightly shivering, My Lady..." — He then said with a soft tone, observing my hand that lays in his two big hands.
’Ah... I guess the fright Marianne got has yet to settle... Let’s breathe peacefully for now, sweetheart... We should be fine now.’
Watching the little twitches of our fingers, I recognised and supported my girl, still sorry for being cold when she already was in chaos.
Our lids closed tight to feel the fresh room’s temperature and pace our disrupted nerves to normal as I felt him trace my every finger with his thumb in careful strokes.
’... Sigh... You’re too nice to be the original Male Lead I read about...’ — I whined, touched by his comfortable care.
"... As I am to stay ignorant for a tad longer... We shall leave this matter for later..."
’... Okay... Thanks, Prince...’ — I weakly nodded, grateful because it gave me the time to think of what to do carefully.
But then again...
An awkward silence drowned us.
I felt his gaze on me, even though I was looking downwards while he still held my hand.
Maybe he wants to say something else... Maybe he’s not sure about really leaving this matter without a bit more discussion right now...
I doubted for the few seconds that time felt endless... Endless because of how conscious I was of his comfy and warm presence... Always transmitting his reassuring manliness with the rough strokes of his tough fingers on my palm.
Shift...
"..."
It was in that silence... That steady movement changed our pose.
Once more he wrapped his arms around my waist. This time being him who came closer, as I solely felt his graze over my fancy dress.
Honestly... I had no thoughts going around in my head.
Meeting his gaze that shined even more beautiful than those turquoise eyes hidden behind the mask... I let my hand be led by his to surround his corpulent torso.
We were close... So close... looking at each other with no clear thoughts... At least that’s how it was for me.
"...."
The hand that led mine came to contain me in a cuddling hug, carefully making my head rest its side on his chest as I felt his lean on mine.
"... Lady... Rely on me and forget the sadness in your eyes..."
’...w–’
"... If I am to embrace you like this... Will it bring peace to your concerned visage too?"
’...what...?’
"..."
’Aren’t you the one concerned...?’
The frown of his expression was so deep, that I felt our eyes open surprised at the sight but... that is about everything I could bring myself to reply...
The graze of his hand caressing my adorned hair was only the tiniest gesture he made to comfort me.
... It was so strange... Such an adorable cuddling...
The Crown Prince softly rubbed his cheek on my head.
I could only see his thick neck under the frills, from where his adam’s apple peaked sensually with his nice scent.
Tha–Thump... Tha–Thump...
The melodic heartbeat of his became so noticeable in my ear leaning on him.
Smooch...
And then... the sensation of his long kiss on my head... That thanks to where my ear lays... I could hear the deep inhalation of his, along with the puff of his tough chest as he did it...
"..."
’... So sweet...’
... Was all I could say as I lost myself in the nice sensation of being wrapped in his arms.
Burying myself in his hug, I felt great heat invading me. Although the room was fresh enough to feel cold.
’It’s annoying it’s getting so hot... He’s comfy... I don’t want to end this nice hug...’ — Too carefree even for myself, I pouted as I reaffirmed my grasp on him.
The man was too comfy to even make me forget who it is that I’m taking advantage of.
"... My Lady... May we stay like this a little longer?"
He then asked in my stead. Taking my chin up to look at him with a drowsy voice.
"The heat... It’s suffocating yet... Haah." — As if in pain, he once more rubbed his cheek handsomely against my hair with a dry sigh. And weakly... so unlike the strong body I was grabbing onto, the Prince exhaled the wish behind his request.
"Let me burn in it, My Lady... So I can also burn away your concerns while in my arms..."
A peck and another... Slowly he kept kissing me lightly... Even taking a strand of my hair to kiss...
I entrancingly watched this man act sweetly to appease my troubles... that truthfully... Those troubles had been blown off the moment his arms delicately held me in a so delightful hug.