Chapter 238: Chapter 238
"..."
The words of the emperor were heard as he continued to stare at the defying man in the distance.
Scrutinizing his gaze, displeased at the value he had for the Empire’s future, the Crown Prince continued to stare... For that Empire he was to inherit was one he now dreamed of dedicating to the beloved Empress the Lady would become once the man attained her hand. The Lady... who Noverrne had the intention to invite and steal the awaited dance he gained with the struggle of his soul.
It was pure instinct. Yet Zeleskiaz knew that the man of great Title found in the Lady’s company already had a different gaze only meant for the woman.
Nonetheless, whether Clemente was aware of it... Zeleskiaz wished to know.
’... If he knows... He better stay away from My Lady...’ — He glared at Noverrne as he thought.
Even the idea turned his chest into infuriating displeasure.
However, the meet of their eyes shortly disconnected, as their senses felt those unique steps. Those that even with their muffled sound could still be recognized in the awful crowd of people inundating the Palace.
Entering with her Father, she was so vivid in the far corner that his grin could not be held back.
’... Bouquet of Love... You finally come to adorn this gruesome Hall...’
Zeleskiaz thought as his thumb stroked the sheet with the affection he desired to caress her hand. Trying to force the impatience to stay concealed within him, for a wish to rush through the crowd to meet her again was depriving the air from his lungs... And as any other unpleasant thought he previously hauled, was forfeited in the delight to find the sight of her beauty.
The pleased pink auroras in his hues observed the woman in appreciative restraint. Receiving the food her Father offered. Graciously bowing to disagreeable nobles. Drinking by her Father’s arm, who he envied to madness for being near the Lady he loves... yet appreciated greatly since his prominence kept the young men away from shamelessly peeking at Marianne’s lovely figure.
The music appeared as though it was meant to follow her motion and the light seemed useless when it was her who shined so brightly in the Hall.
Nonetheless...
—.is. .. Here... Go..... to the child’s side... —
The voice of a similar tone to the ominous thirst that demanded blood within him warned.
Fenrir’s... The bestial deity’s voice had reached the lineage he protected... For his nose was too sharp to miss that cursed presence.
*******
"... Did you like the ceviche?" — Orland asked his entertained child in a discreet whisper.
"!!" — Nodding with wide eyes, Marianne replied graciously as she covered her mouth with her clean hand. — ’It’s sooo~ good, Mister! Summer does mean fish in my dictionary when it comes to food. This is so fresh! The Best!’
"Haha. Eat slowly, dear... If you don’t get your fill, your Father will arrange a nice outing."
’Oho~? Then... Since I’m clever, I will get my fill and tell a white lie tomorrow~ hehe!’
Overjoyed, she secretly answered and continued to taste the food of the Summer coasts in her mouth. As her eyes looked around to see if any other appetizer caught her interest.
’Hmm?’
Nonetheless, the back of a man was the one to catch her eye.
’Kinky! So, as expected! It is I who found thou first~!’
Happy to be the one to find the Crown Prince, slightly tipsier by the wine she had been enjoying, Marianne carefully unwrapped her hand from the Duke’s arm, intending to go behind the Prince’s back and retrieve the stack... Playful. Excited... To surprise the man.
"Hm? Dear, where are you going?"
’I will be right back, mister.’
"Marianne? Wait."
Orland had asked confused. As the way she had turned to walk... Was devoid of people and conquered by shadow.
’Mister, it’s... fine(?)’ — She had turned to reassure the Parent, catching a glimpse of the face of that man she was walking away to meet. Who hurriedly made his way to her side from behind the Duke.
"!..... My lady..."
’Wh–... kinky...?’
Her eyes widened. Glancing back at the corner she had previously seen the man.
Finding nothing more than empty darkness.
*******
"....." — ’w..... I’m sure I...’
"Crown Prince."
"...huff... Good evening, Your Grace."
"... Yes, good evening."
Listening to the Duke and the Crown Prince greet each other, I turned my head to face them again. But...
It’s unsettling.
I am sure I saw someone there.
... Obviously, it wasn’t Kinky. That can’t be... since he’s right there.
But... Who the hell was it then?
’!...Ugh... It’s giving me the creeps...!!’
Discreetly, I shook my head to dump the uneasy sensation.
"What brings you here, Prince?" — I heard the Duke say. And said Prince glanced at me... A glance that I could tell had huge doubts concealed once I met those eyes.
"... There is something I ought to return to the Lady."
’R–right... The post-it notes... Argh. D*mn it... I–...! I don’t want to stay here...!!’
Even though I was trying to forfeit the chilly sensation on my spine, I couldn’t really do it.
Marianne and I were both shocked... I feel our insides tremble while trying to stay on our feet...
And I think this is more of my fault than Anne’s...
’... Fuhhh... It’s alright... It’s alright, Elizabeth. Don’t let your head mess with you.’
I had no choice but to chant myself trying to remain controlled.
’It’s fine... It’s fine...’
No it’s not.
Old times just... Keep trying to come back and make me lose it right now. So much that I can’t even care about showing myself composed to Marianne since my attempts are failing.
’Anne. Sorry. I... I really n–need to get out of here somehow... Give me a hand. I–... I can’t think straight... Fuhh...’
I feel like fainting... Like crying.
"..."
I probably am fainting... Or... Am I falling into my corner?
...That’s right... I’m being sent to my corner...
— Hng... Hic... D*mm it..... Thank you, Marianne... Sob... I owe you one. —
I saw how the sight we shared was deprived of me. It was as if she was taking me away to take care of it.
... Maybe she knew...
That I was resisting the desire to cry as I asked her for help.
...
It’s gruesome... I haven’t felt like this in so long... But I guess it’s no wonder I feel this much fear.
It’s as unsettling as back then.
I can feel the eyes on my back. Watching me viciously...
I should have known better back then.
— Hn...! Hic!... AAaargh! I hate this!... I hate you...!... Seth.. .. . You.. You ruined me... —
In the dark of my corner... I cried. Hurt by the past that had disrupted my peace and original self so badly. Feeling my soul scorch in hate as I mentioned that demon’s name.
*******
"Something to return? What would that... be(?)..."
Orland had asked at the excuse Zeleskiaz had given. Obviously doubtful of his words as his demeanour was not as finely composed to hide the Prince’s hurry.
However, the Duke could not continue to act sceptic to the man following his daughter.
The hand of hers had cut the impulse of his words and made it lower once he saw the slim fingers reach the Prince’s arm.
"..."
Zeleskiaz also stood stunned at her reach. To do so in front of her father and amid a confusing situation for himself... He could only watch along with the Duke how Marianne came forward to hold his limb in complete and deathly silence.
To her feel, Zeleskiaz’s skin got goosebumps. For how, even through the cloth covering it... The woman’s icy temperature transcended his vessels.
Looking at her... There was no expression. No eyes to meet.
Her lids, closed as if natural, did not permit the men to see further into her motion and her stillness...
Slowly, holding in the concern, Zeleskiaz turned.
"...My Lady?"
Enveloping her hand on his loving and careful touch, he softly talked to the woman whose statuesque presence had them on the edge of a growing turmoil.
"Prince."
The severe voice of the Lady’s Father intervened.
"Take Marianne away from here."
"..."
Having received such an order from no other than Orland made Zeleskiaz’s eyes widen in further surprise.
A man who had menaced to end him for his daughter’s sake was now asking for him to take her away.
"Do not delude yourself." — Irritated by the surprise in the man’s eyes, Orland declared. Passing to lay his gaze on the girl he read fairly well at these times. — "... She has reached her limit... And as much as it pains me... There are things I still need to take care of, unlike the Prince who is known for evading these fancy events."
"..."
"Do it so no one sees... And... Mind your hands." — Standing at his side he ordered discreetly.
"Or cutting your head won’t be enough."
Orland placed his hand on the man’s shoulder, releasing a gist of his strength to convey the sincerity of his threat. Eventually departing the scene with one last sentence.
"I’ve said it clearly this time, Zeleskiaz."
"..."
The Crown Prince kept silent to the menace the Lady’s father had conveyed.
He was not approved by the man, that had been clear from the outset. And even when the hostility infuriated the naturally violent Prince, he now was unable to go against the man whose daughter he loved.
Paying no true mind to the animosity displayed at the request of a favour, Zeleskiaz came to look at the statuesque woman holding his limb.
Slightly, he could feel light trembling from within her stillness and his heart ached and doubted... For it had been a strange whisper of the ruthless beast that had pushed him to her side in a fainting rush.
Glancing at his surroundings, he made sure no eyes were on them. It was clear the hand of the Duke had made such a thing possible. Since he had previously seen the eyes of a few curious nobles peeking at their spot... Yet at this time, invisible they were.
’... He’s meticulous...’ — The Prince smirked in grumble.
"This way, my–..." — ’... Heavy... As though she’s fixed to the ground...’
The abnormality of her demeanour, made him scowl further.
"Cursed dog... What did you do to my beloved..."
Enraged in frustration at her current state, the screech of his teeth let out in wrath. Wishing to tear the blood out of the very Fenrir who had sent him to the Lady, seemingly delayed and guilty for his beloved current demeanour.