Chapter 284: Chapter 284 — Let’s not fool the other.
"Take a seat."
"It’s–"
"Seat."
Orland plainly told the Crown Prince whose demeanour appeared indifferent and steady when following behind him after such a scene.
Quiet, Zeleskiaz inhaled annoyed at the treatment the Duke gave. However, closing his lids to reach reason, he walked to the couch opposite to the one Orland had seated, quite appropriate yet also conveying his menace with his attitude... for he was aware the circumstances the Duke had found were indeed ones to cause more than displeasure but wrath.
The gaze of the Duke followed his motion and without letting the Crown Prince release the air he inhaled, Orland began to talk.
"What were you thinking?"
"... Are we not going to have tea?"
"I’ll give you your tea once you earn it, darn brat."
"His Grace seems to lack respect towards Royalty."
"If I don’t respect Maurice I won’t respect his most stupid son. Tell me what you were thinking by releasing your bloody aura."
"..... It was under my control."
"After breaking your finger and exploding your vessels. Are you indeed a madman?"
Their eyes kept locked with each other. Certainly severe as the ambience between them was tense and dubious, for Orland conveyed his mistrust and dislike for the Prince. Authoritative and menacing.
Stillness took a few seconds of their conversation. In which, Zeleskiaz glanced at his swollen finger to confess within his thoughts.
’I am mad. For that daughter of yours who has my heart voluntarily hostage... madness is a must to have.’
"... I believe that self-infliction was the wisest choice, Your Grace. Otherwise, someone else would have gained the injury."
"Speak clearly. Yet mind your words, Prince."
"You were not there. However, you already know. Your youngest told you. She hit Lady Marianne. And... As you wish, I shall speak clearly, although we both are aware... Lady Marianne is–"
The bang of his palm against the table interrupted the softened man’s calm words, leaning over from his seat to tell.
"Don’t dare say it to my face." — Orland glared with wrath, concealing his disbelief at the boldness of the man before him.
"Lady Marianne is the one who owns my wholehearted affection."
Going against the growl from the Duke, Zeleskiaz returned his glare to tell his truth.
"kh... Shameless brat!" — Hiting the centre table once again before standing baffled from his utterance, Orland held his head in pain. — "You–! You’re just like your Father!! Shameless! Brainless! D*mm it, that tw*t knew this from the very beginning and still...!!!"
Taking his head from the frustration Orland walked around wishing he could kill the aloof Zeleskiaz watching him so calmly. Yet halted, regaining brief composure.
"... I won’t allow it."
"That is not something his grace can decide."
"Kh! Don’t! Say! Another word!" — His hand came to cover his mouth out of desperation from the Prince’s relentless indifference. Ultimately, making him call his butler to request his service. — "Thomas!"
"Yes, my Lord–"
"Bring me wine! I can’t continue sober!"
"... Are we celebrating?"
"Shut! That! Mouth!! To this brat bring cold tea!!"
Exasperated at the obviously wicked comment from the young man, Orland became erratic in the show of his displeasure.
"..... I shall come back briefly." — The composed Thomas replied, granting a long silence his Lord would flinch at and realise the need to restore dominion over his nerves.
The gulp Orland swallowed as he looked at the sky of his ceiling to fight himself was strong enough to make the usually ruled Duke recover the equilibrium he needed. Lastly pressing the bridge of his nose before turning to face the Crown Prince who tried to hide his amusement.
"Sigh... Whether you are serious or not..."
"I am."
"Fuhh... Let me speak..." — Grinding his teeth terribly annoyed, Orland grimaced to continue. — "What happened is not in the least something I want my daughter to be near to..... Although I can tell your restrain was... Adequate."
"..."
"By injuring someone else... May I assume it is not referring to only one person?"
"Yes."
The eyes of the Duke that lifted to observe the man did not meet Zeleskiaz’s gaze, for his disinterest made him utter with honesty a quick answer.
"Your youngest and oldest. Both are far from deserving any patience from myself. It is solely for the Lady that mercy has been shown in over much to your other two children."
Contemplating on the Prince’s words, Orland held his silence. Deciding to tell the Prince a tad of his sincere views.
"... The night you came to your Father asking for explanations about Marianne’s condition... Do you remember what I told you?"
"I wouldn’t forget. ’She appears dead when her soul suffers’... Such you said and also..."
"I also said that I believe her soul’s suffering is manifesting most firmly lately in her physical health."
"... Therefore another need to keep a guard by her side, so her aura can be tracked at any time... As I said, I recall."
Listening to Zeleskiaz’s voice, it was Orland who this time inhaled deeply. With no other choice for it was foolish to hide when the other already could see.
His eyes locked with the Prince’s, learning how in their unique hue, Zeleskiaz was already waiting for the Duke to say it. Granting an odd confidence within Orland that, although reluctant to admit... He could tell the man whose gaze was devoid of any waver as he confessed his intentions towards his daughter... Was one he could trust.
"... Zeleskiaz. Let’s continue speaking clearly. For I know we both are aware of this too."
"..."
"My children... The guard was assigned to protect Marianne from her siblings... Her soul’s sufferings... I believe it happened at their hands without my knowledge."
"....."
"Don’t glare at me, kid... My guilt already stabs me a thousand twists through my body with every blink and breath I take... Today I have seen hell disguised as my home... Yet that is not of your incumbency."
The exhaustion of his heart was reflexed in the shadow that clouded the ferocity from Orland’s hues. Causing Zeleskiaz to avoid his gaze as discomfort was felt.
"What I search by telling you this... although it annoys me... is so you will tell me what is it that made you aware... specifically in Paul’s case."
The opening of his bureau’s door came along the steps of the butler who carried the requested refreshments. And letting Thomas serve them at the table between the men, Zeleskiaz decided to reply at the cue the wine’s scent gave while it reached his nose.
"I shall tell you about both. However... As to your son’s case... It simply happened the moment he appeared before me."
"..."
"The fame you are aware I have... It is not entirely false. Madman or not, I have bloody instincts... And your son made sure to provoke revulsion in me the moment I sniffed his rotten presence."