Chapter 261: Chapter 261 — Back where the Foreign was Welcomed.
Deciding to ignore each other, the old friends then halted their fight of glares trying to think of a topic to break the silence their stroll had instilled by the respectful mute child’s grace.
Childish rivalry had started even before meeting the young Lady on this day. Hence, both had held resentment at the menaces they had thrown at each other before she appeared.
— When she comes to stay here, I’ll make it so she avoids you every da*n time! Heed my words, Maurice. —
— Hah! You’ll be surprised at how the child will ask you later to take her to see her favourite Uncle Frois! Heed my words, Ar*ehole! —
However, even when the rage and the intent to converse with the child was as vivid, their time was cut short as soon as the corridor was crossed arriving at the elegantly guarded by rows of knights Main Hall of the Palace, where not only her sister Theressa awaited, but also the bodyguards they had assigned to each.
"Dear." — The Duke asked for her attention once they stood high at the end of the stairs. From where his other child could be seen. — "Before leaving, I will introduce to you one of your bodyguards."
Severe, Orland informed Marianne, making her notice that the Emperor was also behaving with untouchable authority in his friend’s support before going down the stairs.
"Two others have been assigned, yet you won’t meet them or see them since their work is to protect you between the shadows."
’So it was indeed "them"...’ — She thought, confirming her deductions as they commenced to walk down the stairs.
"... Marianne... About these two... Do not ever mention their existence to anybody." — Turning so his gaze could convey the seriousness of this order, Orland frowned. — "Under no motive. Nobody is to know. Not Paige... not even your Mother and siblings are to learn about this. Understood."
"..." — She jerked in their pace bothered by the detailed order that mentioned specifically those who hurt her.
"You should obey the Duke’s warning, cute child." — Then Francois added to help the tense parent and child, flaunting his power with a playful attitude, although seriousness was the source of such showcase. — "The Ninth’s brigade will not be ready until next week since we have to pick each deserving member carefully."
’... B-Brigade???’
"Either way. Marianne. Remember that discreetness is a must. Nobody besides the bodyguards and us is to learn this."
"..."
She stared at her feet going down, pondering on how things would become with these new circumstances. Regardless, she did not hesitate to accept what her Father told her at this time and nodded aware that it was the right choice.
"The Emperor and I... You are to directly tell us if anything happens."
"Don’t forget my son too."
"!"
"The Crown Prince also is aware of this."
Smirking at the perked child, Francois ruined Orland’s intent to hide the Crown Prince’s assistance. Just before they had arrived at the floor where everyone waited so no reaction could be physically demonstrated from the Duke.
"Vitor, come forward." — The Emperor let out. Calling for the one who was to stay by Marianne’s side.
An unkempt black hair of length that clouded his eyes crowned a man whose armour only contemplated the shoulder plates and his sword’s baldric.
Wearing humble clothes the tall man, similar in height to Orland stood silent before them.
"... Vitor will be your Personal Guard, Marianne. He is... One of the knights I personally trained to serve at the Palace."
’Oh? So he’s your dad’s disciple, Anne!’
Amazed by the news, her eyes looked hopeful at the silent man that once met her gaze, kneeled on one knee on the floor to show consequent respect. To then stand and continue to stay silent.
"....."
She stared. Waiting for a word to come out from the big man, however.
’Is he also mute?... Ei~... Is he trying to steal my character???’
"Sigh..." — Aware of what his child was pondering with the adorable tilt of her head, Orland sighed to explain already exhausted by his decision. — "... He’s... Vitor... He’s just a tad shy..."
’Oh. So he’s shy? Heh. You almost got me there, Vitor. I almost thought the replacement of the mute Lady had arrived, hehe~’
Taking her notes out from the pocket in her skirt, the woman took it upon herself to greet the man. Already satisfied by the guard she was given as a similarity in silence was shared.
[ Greetings, Sir Vitor. I am Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, the Ninth Calla’s Confidant. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I will be in your care from now on. ]
Showing the sheet to the man by giving a step forward, the woman stared into the blocked eyes of the man waiting for a certain response she entertained.
"....."
"!!"
Seeing the man’s nod, the girl jumped excitedly. Looking back at her Father, happy for receiving a response she would also give in her mute state.
’I like this guy, Mister!! He’s just like us!! We are the cute mute and he’s the cool mute, Anne!!’
The foreign girl then went back to look at the man, aware that he was confused, even sweating for the Duke had looked exasperated at him before Marianne showed joy. And as he did have an expression to show, the woman then added to her message a reassuring sentence for a shy person.
[ We are alike, Sir Vitor. Such fact pleases this Lady. Once again, I am in your care, good Sir. ]
"..." — The man stared at her message, only to peek at his Teacher who returned his gaze resigned as he knew his child would end to convince the man.
’I told you she wouldn’t judge you.’ — Orland thought and told as he met Vitor’s eyes through his hair.
The dawn before going to Marianne’s chambers, right after planning things throughout with the Emperor, Orland had gone to the training grounds personally to get Vitor.
— Guard Master’s daughter? —
— Yes... I ask this of you for I trust you, Vitor... Though you are aloof, your strength is one only few could win against in the Empire. —
— Master’s daughter will not be pleased with someone like me. —
—... Will you do it? —
— For it’s Master... I will. —
Reluctant, Vitor had acceded quickly in honour of Orland. Nonetheless, the fond Duke had secured the young Knight before leaving.
— Thank you. And don’t worry... She will like you, Vitor... My daughter is one devoid of ill judgment. —
A man like Vitor only lived for himself, disinterested in others’ lives. Hence, he had no clue whatsoever of what condition the Duke’s daughter was in... Furthermore, the day he was asked to guard Marianne...
’Master has a daughter?’ — The man had realised.
"..."
At this time, before her, nervousness had turned him mute in shyness as usual. Nonetheless, the eyes of the girl were the same as his teacher’s and the ways of her words and faint gestures were gentle, unlike any other Lady that had laid sight of his dishevelled presence.
"... The pleasure is mine."
Marianne’s reassurance... Along the one of his Master, had brought a spoken response from Vitor.
"I also... I will be in your care, Lady."
"!..." — His response had surprised her, as his voice indicated youth and softness. — ’... Haha! Isn’t he cute? Such a nice guy.~’
"..."
She had been looking from the side and as unique she was for those belonging here... The Foreigner faced him to offer her hand. Not as a Lady. But as the comrade she could see in her new bodyguard.
"....."
Shaking her hand after hesitating, the man was careful and bowed along the woman in a decisive shake.
’We’re gonna talk further later. But let’s make it so the psycho won’t touch us, Vitor... It is not them that chose you. Because if I didn’t like the bodyguard I was given... I was going to make the drama of the century to get rid of them... But you... Fufu... You, I like. muhuhu~’
"It seems like the Ninth has attained her personal Knight successfully." — The Emperor stepped ahead. — "Congratulations, Sir Vitor. To be Calla’s Confidant’s Knight... Greater Honour could never befall any other."
A mischievous smirk inhabited Francois, who needed to show his flamboyance once great events occurred in his presence.
Internally scoffing in spite at his friend’s thirst for attention, Orland rolled his eyes, deciding to end the Emperor’s intent by giving start to their departure.
"I am to believe, my child approves of Vitor with this." — Observing his daughter, he waited for her determined nod to finally smile widely and announce. — "Then... Let us Depart."
Turning to meet his Friend’s eyes, Orland watched him with fondness, leaving behind the silliness of their fights as true appreciation was held in his heart.
"We shall say our farewell here, Your Majesty."
"... Return Safely... I will wait for any notice from you. On both of you."
"....."
Bowing in deep reverence to the Monarch, Orland grinned at the sight of his feet... Saddened inside. For their next meeting was at the moment... Unknown.