Chapter 263: Chapter 263
"... my–"
"Crown Prince, may I have a moment to speak with you."
"... Yes. Certainly, Your Grace."
Giving a glance to the woman he was about to call for, Zeleskiaz agreed to Orland’s demand.
"Excuse us, sweetie."
’Huh? Oh... Okay...’
Waking from the chaotic critique she was giving to Theressa, Marianne nodded slightly bewildered since her mind was going into deep wanderings.
"This way."
"..."
’...tsk.’
Looking at how the Duke guided the Prince away, she had blank thoughts for a second. Yet the ingenious works of her playful mind quickly lifted her pondering mood with cheeky remarks.
’Just look at them, Anne... Going away to talk in secret... Do they not know we like gossip? They should share the good stuff~ We are the best option to keep it secret anyway~ fufufu~’
Doing mischievous gestures on her inside, the foreigner joked in fake pouting, wanting to keep the true Marianne distracted from going back into worrisome sensations for her sibling.
Eventually deciding to finish her writings, while the men shortly conversed in afar privacy.
"Prince Zeleskiaz."
"...Duke."
Tension was placed immediately by Orland’s tone and disapproving gaze.
"Your disregard towards my Youngest Daughter. Tone it down."
"..... I am already doing so."
"Hah." — Orland scoffed sarcastically in disbelief. — "Of course you are."
"... Duke. Since you are the Lady’s Father, I assure you it is the truth. If not for the compromise I made with Lady Marianne to limit the harshness I am to use to put that sibling of hers in place... Your youngest daughter would not have had the opportunity to stay in the Palace after her first day here."
"... What?"
"As I said. Your youngest... She is frankly receiving undeserved kindness at this point."
"....."
The clench of Orland’s jaw made his teeth grind in rage at the information he got from the distasteful Crown Prince before him.
’Theressa... Even though I still wish to protect your honour as I am your father over anything..... To be told this by no other than this man... To find more disappointment on what you could have done...’
A tremoring whiff of air left him, heated in the strong wrath the idea of hearing about his child’s shameful behaviour from the man he had apprehensions of provoked. Restraining the urge to crack his own hand to maintain poise as Marianne could notice any change in her Father, Orland remained composed on the outside and continued after a necessary pause.
"You." — Flashing the hateful glare at the Crown Prince, Orland commenced. — "You and I will talk further about this later. For instance, behave yourself in Marianne’s presence. Do not think I am ignorant of your intentions, Zeleskiaz. Behave. Behave and don’t push your limits. Even if you are willing to help my daughter, and I allow you to... Remember there are boundaries. Remember... I am who allows you to."
"..."
Leaving the Crown Prince as he went back to the one daughter, Orland fumed in rage. Yet fought to compose himself further, to speak with Marianne and send her off in the separate carriage arranged for her.
"... Dear..." — Slightly failing, immediately after her call came out as a whisper... Orland forced himself to rebuild his demeanour with a simple yet believable excuse. — "Sigh... It is regretful that I have to go home separated from one of my flowers... However."
Placing his hand over her head carefully, almost grazing it as he did, thoughtful not to dishevel any hair of her beautiful appearance, Orland rested his forehead on hers to find the peace his shaken soul was struggling to find and said.
"Enjoy the comfort arranged for you... Look outside... Admire the vast Summer sky your wings are to brush as you fly and... Travel in leisure for I am following right behind you, my dear."
Widely smiling as he imagined his child observing the nature on the other side of her window, the Duke separated from his daughter, regaining the calmness he needed for his own journey with a difficult offspring.
" We will see each other at home... If you want anything during our travel... Remember our trick. Alright, sweet child?"
’Hehe~ Yeees, We will, Mister~’
Entertained, satisfied and moved by the words and jesting reminder, Marianne nodded sweetly to her Father, holding the hands that feared touching her, inviting them to lay on her comfortably for if it was him, no such care should be kept when wishing to show his fatherly affection.
A throbbing entrancement was cast in Orland’s sights. Nothing more beautiful could be granted to appease his soul into oblivion.
"A fruit." — He said. Hoping to tell the delayed compliment he could not craft initially. — "Dear... You pertain to Autumn... Yet at this time, you look sweet under the sunlight of Summer... Gleaming tastefully under the rays that wish to ripen the lovely fruit you have become... At the highest of its tree, you are that unreachable fruit, resting within the soft shade of leaves, that human height cannot get yet neither the divine for you are rooted to the Earth..."
"..."
"I have climbed the tallest tree. I have reached a piece of idyll... Perhaps that is why I feel celestial in your presence, my child... A fruit that lets me admire it this kindly."
"....." — ’...gosh...’
"..... Oh! How am I to climb down this tree anon and leaveth the marvellous fruit thou are~? Oh, fruity Princess in the Tree~"
Coming playful again, the Duke singsonged to his daughter while fondly leaning on her forehead in last farewell. Noticing the astonishment of her lovely gems that felt overwhelmed with the praise, the intent of him to turn the awe into joyful entertainment was successful... as the softness of her expression continued to invade the elegant visage.
"Alright... Alright, my dear. I am going or I might fall off the tree." — Orland joked separating as their hands were still joined, making her laugh in the silent manner she could do so. — "See you later, sweetie. I leave her in your care Vitor."
"..." — Bowing, the awaiting knight accepted.
And going on his path, he passed by the Prince’s side, nodding in feigned politeness. Although mumbling... a repetition of his warning.
"Behave."
"..."
From the edge of his eye, Zeleskiaz had returned the feigned decency. Lifting his head graciously to watch ahead how the woman seeing off her Father with joyful essence stood. Just as lovely as Orland had left her... Just as appetizing as he had described her as... Breathtakingly desireful in the highest of such tree he also wanted to climb yet not only to appreciate...
’I wish I could behave... Yet the taste of that fruit has become my addiction and devotion, Duke Sylfinnier...’ — The entranced Prince thought. Using the poetry the Father had dedicated to his daughter with the purity a parental sentiment had motivated... In lustful one... That one an aspiring lover would save for the craved partner.
"... I will eat the fruit until death." — He then mumbled, once her gaze noticed his.
Starting his walk, lured by the woman...
’If it’s not to disappear after one bite. This lovesome fruit... I will relish in its taste forever.’
... Zeleskiaz lastly conceived, going after her, to join her side at the place she waited.
"Am I to finally see your letters, My Lady?"
Marianne who kept her eyes on him just as he did, then followed to observe the stack in her hand. Timid by his courtliness. Solely lifting again as she showed it delicately with both hands.
[ This kind of farewell is accepted, gentle Host of mine.
I appreciate the gesture of His Highness.
It is not an everyday occurrence that one is offered entertainment by no other than the Empire’s Hero and Crown Prince. ]
Mischief was hidden in her words.
The awe once she heard his intentions to escort her back to the Duchy, had been replaced later by the wish to tease the man flaunt of power.
’Didn’t you like flexing? You won’t impress me so easily, kinky~ But I kindly accept your companny~’
"... That is indeed the truth." — He answered, infected by the friskiness on the paper. — "Yet My Lady cannot say such. During your stay, I did my best to engage with the lady at every opportunity."
’Hmm~... Debatable, my Prince. You were quite troublesome most of the time while... "engaging", though...’
The fresh tilt of her head with such thought infringed on the wanted reaction from the man, who could see that wish to tease him was implied in the gesture, for she also made sure he would not misunderstand her silence by lifting her hand for him to take and escort her steps to the luxurious waiting carriage.
"Mm... Perhaps. Were my attempts lacking? I do believe the Lady was entertained at times."
’My. How bold of you.’ — Marianne thought, moving along him in elegant pace, with an unchanging expression.
Arriving at the door of her carriage, the Lady peeked at the carriage that was to follow behind hers, finding her Father standing in waiting guard for her to board before entering his own.
Orland who met her eyes immediately smiled, widely at the beautiful child whose eyes had replaced the sun in his world. Bowing to her in reassurance, inviting her to go ahead for he was to follow and protect her.
"....." — Returning the gracious bow, her other hand lifted her skirt to board the carriage in newly found delight.
’When we’ve grown accustomed to such compliments from Marianne’s Father... You are lacking, kinky.’
The smile her Father had, was now summoned in her entertained visage.
Coming to settle in the seat inside, the lady then peeked from her spot at the Palace outside. Understanding further that her time at the Royal Palace has ended while Zeleskiaz gave the last orders.
"Follow course! Duke Sylfinnier’s carriage can not stay behind."