Chapter 251: Chapter 251
"Oh goodness~ should your father act more foolish so this sight is shown more often, my dear?"
Happy to finally grasp our hands the Duke told us, failing to hide from his eyes the adorable surface of moved tears at our sight.
’No, Sir! Hehe, please! It’s not that foolish, it’s just– hehehe oh God~ it’s just too cute~ I can totally imagine you falling asleep at work because of reading stories at night to this girl~ pfff hehehe!’
My laughter continued as if I had gotten infected by an insane laughing fit that sometimes happens without much good reason.
Our lids shut tightly and I could hear myself emit those softly cut nasal sounds that came out because my body couldn’t hold all the chaos the laughter invoked inside... So I practically laughed through my nose. Elegantly, though.
For a while, he didn’t say anything. But I knew he was looking at us in that silence that was mayhem inside us... After all, his hands kept keeping ours apart from our face, which we still wanted to hide out of shyness.
’Ahhh~ that was good~ So good~ I haven’t laughed like that in years~ Or probably ever, physically wise, haha!’
Gradually I was able to calm down as I regularized our breathing.
’Heh. It wasn’t even that funny but I still laughed a bunch~~ My humour is broken, hehe~’ — Contemplating well on the source of laughter, I considered, still feeling nice about it.
And then, opening our eyes, I found the fond gaze of his. Fascinatedly watching from below. Too comfortable in the crouched position for my liking.
"Lovely bird." — He said, smiling tenderly.
I could only shrink in my shoulders, too shy to retort at the dreamy eyes watching us.
Marianne’s Father was too gentle...
And as awkward as we are, having him be this nice is always troubling in a joyful way.
"Oh... I guess I should come up with other stories so I can see that again, huh?"
’Hmm~... Yeah. Let’s say that’s it. Such a great view should cost that much, Mister. Hehe.’ — Wishing to put aside the shyness, I followed the playful lead he gave me so we could feel comfortable again.
He stood from his spot and somehow refreshed, he lifted our face releasing both of our hands.
I had thought he would do as he’s used to: Give us a lovely peck on our forehead. But... I have to say, I couldn’t help but blush at the different show of affection this time.
"Come here, My lovely bird."
Pressing hard on our soft cheek, as if we really were a baby being maliciously pampered, the Duke gave us a loooong and strong kiss on the cheek. Even making an exaggerated kissing sound when separating.
"Mmmmwah! I love you."
"?!??"
I will say I was a bit shocked by it, instead of saying that, for a moment, I didn’t know who I was from the unexpected occurrence. We blinked truly confused at it, even bringing our hand to cover the kissed cheek out of blank awestruck.
’Huh? Who- What just happened???’ — I asked on behalf of the both of us. Because Marianne was as dumbfounded as I was by his action.
’We must have looked freaking cute just now for him to do this...’
I commented to Anne who gave me the same sensation of disbelief as we watched him take his seat next to us again so seemingly calm.
"... Was that too much?" — At our dumb stare he then asked slightly embarrassed.
’Uh... Maybe... But I really can’t blame you when Anne is the opponent, Mister.’
"I got too excited, my dear... I will not do it often... but my child is too lovely and I could not hold myself back..."
"..." — We felt smaller as we felt touched by his affectionate shyness. But even then, I continued to answer inwardly.
’Hmm... I figured that was the case... Ahem! Alright. Since the real child is actually expectant for the next time, I will approve of it.’
"... Dear... you truly don’t mind it?" — Surprised in his tone, then I heard him ask for confirmation.
"....."
And, as if it was obvious, I nodded again. A little stranged that he was dubious of what I was conveying.
Placing my old self aside, Marianne was in disbelief but also ecstatic at her Father’s unexpected ways.
He said he would not do it so often and truthfully... I see this cute face every d*mm day. And I would totally go as or crazier if I had seen what he just did.
I mean... Even I haven’t seen it! Just how cute was it that even the composed, cool and gentle Duke couldn’t hold back the urge!?
’... You are completely excused, Mister. Thinking about it, it would have been a sin not to do it. My respects to you for even waiting for us to stop laughing to do that. I would have just~~~ ugh! Ripped these cheeks apart!! Dayum~! You’re so lucky~ I’m envious... ’ — Nodding as I understood his struggle a bit too much, I ignored the shy retort Marianne was giving me for siding with her father so easily.
Heh, cynical red panda... As if she didn’t want me to agree... Hah! I’m old enough to know better.
"... Hmm... I thought that maybe you... Maybe you would not like it... You are an adult now so... Haha."
I could see some regret in his expression while saying such things.
Although it’s true I’m an adult... The true Marianne isn’t one at all. At least not to me who can sense the baby vibes wanting to be pampered by her Father. Which I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all.
It’s good it’s me who has the most power to lead our body’s decisions right now. Because, if that wasn’t the case, Marianne would try to act as if she was an adult or act as she’s expected to in this world and lie that she didn’t like it out of childish pride or pressure to fit standards.
I was there once after all. Wanting to be thought of as an adult and hiding what I truly wanted since it seemed childish... Doing that is more proof that one is childish actually, haha.
So, F*ck it. I’m way past that stage of life. And Marianne can’t fool my genius psyche.
Fufufu~ I’ll expose you nicely, sweetheart~
I took the pen with mischief in mind. Marianne could sense it, but I never said it clearly for her to hear my intention.
That’s why it was only after I had written... Maybe even in the middle of writing it that I felt a growing prick in my hand wanting me to stop what I was trying to achieve.
’This won’t stop me.... Ugh.... You even are doing it lightly cause you do want it! Ann.... A~aak!’
A thunder! I know I just saw white with a strike of pain in the shape of thunder just now...!
Nonetheless, I managed to draw the post-it notes closer to the Duke for him to read! Mwahahaha!
[ Even if I am an adult. I like Father’s pampering. ]
’Ha! There goes your truth!!! You should be grateful I didn’t use Papa or daddy! I was thoughtful enough, red panda!’ — I told to the upset girl who was about to throw a tantrum in our stomach out of shame.
But, hmph! As if I care.
She should be honest with what she can. Silly Anne.
She’s only eighteen too so this is fine~ young girls should act like young girls~ and I’m in a young girl’s body~ I’ll make good use of it hehehehe... Hmm?
’Is something wrong with your Father?’
Going back to reality, I dismissed my silly thoughts once I noticed he had turned to look in the opposite direction we were. Holding his head in his hand as he leaned on the table. Kind of defeated.
"???" — ’Mister? Are you alright??’
Changing the roles, it was now us who tried to see the Duke’s hidden expression.
*******
’Hic!... My child..... She’s too... Disastrously cute for my old heart!’
Trembling in tearful pain as he tried to grasp hold of his sanity, Orland avoided to look in Marianne’s direction.
’Hng... I want to cuddle her...!!! But I just acted rashly! If only Paige wasn’t here I would even talk to her like the baby she still is in my eyes!’ — The fool for his daughter Orland thought in turmoil, knowing that his desires weren’t proper because of his child’s age.
Nonetheless, the lovely girl did not let him drown in the hazard his thoughts were taking him.
Her hand went for his sleeve, preoccupied since he was struggling in front of her... Although ignorant of the foolish struggle that was haunting him.
’Come on, mister~ Why are you facing that way?’ — She sweetly asked as she called for Orland’s attention.
’Ungh...! So sweet, my child...’ — Swallowing, entranced by the lovely eyes, the Duke faced the child to shut his lids strongly trying to endure the throb of his heart.
The morning had been hectic for his core. From the scare of her closed door, til the tension of her wordless agreement to go back home gave to his fearful heart... Even until the delightful scene of a smile that wanted to break into true laughter... Everything was cause of commotion for the affectionate Father to behold.
"I am sorry, sweetie... I got struck by your lovely spirit... Should we continue with what I was to tell you? I believe I did not tell the story I was meant to initially narrate."
Composing his demeanour, Orland rebuilt himself to seat correctly. And feeling the joyful air she always granted the ambience when present, he tried to cleanse his thoughts from wanting to treat his child like the baby he wanted her to stay as... and forced them to go back to the topic as a distraction to get his hands to settle safely away from Marianne’s cheeks.