Chapter 276: Chapter 276
"Ahem... Your Highness. That might be proper as you say. Nonetheless... Marianne, dear, are you with enough energy to escort the Crown Prince?"
’Oho~? As expected. Duke to the rescue–’
"Ah, if the Lady is not with enough energy to show me around... Truthfully, it would be better for me to make sure she gets safely back to her chambers."
"What?"
’?!?! You, what–!?’
"Oh. I hope you will not misunderstand my intentions. It is solely a habit I have come to possess... I used to walk the Lady back to her special chambers at the Palace. And it has come to be an activity that is quite to my liking."
’Bruh... You dare lie to my face??!!?’
We didn’t do that enough for it to become a habit!!!
"Hence, as this won’t happen again in a near future, I would like to have this opportunity to do so one last time." — Retrieving his eyes from looking wickedly at mine, he then showed a frighteningly kind smile to the others. Making me shiver with the unexpectedly good performance he was giving.
"kh!... This is not the Palace."
"Of course, it isn’t. I am aware of how my home looks... Little Paul." — My eyes kept watching his shameless act and as he turned to reply to Paul, in those eyes I have looked into so many times, I could see how they did not smile as his lips appeared to convey.
Truthfully, even though I was annoyed at how fake he was purposely acting, this last sight and the obvious mocking of Paul in his words made me laugh a little in my bafflement.
’Phm... "Little Paul"... Pf... That was a nice detail, haha!’
"Regardless, my Lady. As your Father beforehand expressed, I am to heed your wishes." — Saying this, he gave a step to the side. Vastly and glamorous to bow as he held my hand respectfully in front of everyone. — "Do tell me... Lady Marianne."
Somehow, in his violet eyes, there was a hidden intention I could not pinpoint... But even though the doubt should make me do the opposite he wants so I don’t fall into his schemes... The pause I took to consider his words was useless. And immediately after he straightened while still holding my hand, I turned to look at the Duke. Purposely avoiding the sight of this body’s siblings so my decision wouldn’t change.
’I will do it.’ — I inwardly said as I nodded to Marianne’s Father. — ’He made it obvious... So I will do as he wishes.’
Taking my post-it notes out from the pocket in my skirt, I gently took away the hand he held back. Locking eyes with him again before writing the answer to the Duke. And once I wrote it... I gave it to the Prince, so he would read it, acting as my spokesman since I was joining his game.
His grin became more pleased as he read it only for himself and after meeting my gaze again with that deep and beautiful colour, the Crown Prince turned to the others, only reading the tad meant for them to listen.
"My Lady says: ’Father, I am indeed out of energy after the long travel. Do excuse my selfishness, yet I wish to go back to my chambers. Permit His Highness to escort me, as I am thankful of the care He places in the days we shared at the Palace.’... I believe it is quite clear."
’Gosh... Don’t act so proud.’ — Watching him act so elegantly but with unfit energy for the ambience, I told him in secret amusement as I took the arm he gently offered.
"Duke Sylfinnier. May I?"
"I do not think that is proper." — Paul intersected. But...
"It is the Duke who’s permission matters, young Paul."
’... Gosh... Let’s not look at his eyes...’ — Knowing what I could find in the golden eyes of that psycho I closed my lids to keep myself calm.
Both of us now were looking at the Duke. And although I could see he was not happy to hear any of this, his soft gaze while looking at me gave his permission before he told it.
"Go ahead." — He properly said. Ignoring Paul too. — "If Marianne is alright with it, I will not oppose."
"... I–"
"After all." — The Duke then added, interrupting the Prince that was getting ready to bow. And surprising me too since I thought that was all of it. — "It is obvious my child has made a FRIEND of the Prince."
"... I appreciate your kindness. Duke."
"Ah, what about the tea? Your Highness cannot–"
"Can I not drink it at my lady’s chambers?" — Smiling coldly at the Duke instead of Theressa who asked, kinky continued to have a discreet encounter with the mister.
"You can. My child rarely brings FRIENDS home, after all."
I stood there feeling a bit extra again. I know that even Theressa felt misplaced even after being so bluntly rejected again.
My eyes alternated from the Duke to the Prince in a split second after we bowed to leave, because... Somehow... Looking at the exchange of smiles that didn’t seem actually that happy... My random thoughts needed to be told to Marianne since I found the situation kind of funny.
’Heh. Did you hear how he remarked the word "friend" there? Haha. If I didn’t know better, I would think your dad is friend-zoning the Crown Prince, Marianne~’
I laughed for a second at my joke along with my innocent Anne. But somehow... I felt odd about it.
It took me a bit to realise it, we had even left the room while I was trying to guess what it was that made me feel bothered. It was as if I had forgotten something important... And as if it wanted to feel useful, my head recalled, kind of joining the dots with that sarcastic joke I had told.
’Wait.’ — I halted my steps dry as I noticed and flashed my head to look at the kind of grumpy Prince that followed my stop.
"... My Lady?"
’... Didn’t I also friend-zoned you?’
I had used the word friend in one of my notes when talking with him. I’m quite sure I did but I don’t remember in which... We did kind of talked in ways that messed with my head.
His presence itself is a hazard to be honest. But...
’I don’t think you know what that is... I did it unconsciously too...’
"Lady Marianne, is there a problem?" — He asked to my staring. And I kept looking, indifferent to that little sexy sweat conveying his nervousness at my blank staring.
’... Let’s say there is none for now.’ — I answered. — ’There’s no problem with friend zoning you, kinky.’
Resuming our steps to go up the stairs I felt I had not seen in forever, I stated especially for myself.
Since the fictitious line of friendship was in itself an aid for my resolution of hanging in there until the original... Until Karina finally made her appearance.