Chapter 273: Chapter 273
"... I understand. We will come out in a moment."
"Understood, Your Highness."
Meeting her eyes again after lightly turning to the side and answering the guard, Zeleskiaz found her pure grey hues staring with innocent curiosity. Seemingly uninterested at the end of their travels.
"I suppose it is time we leave this matter." — Handing back the stack she had been writing in, always letting it stay in his possession, the Crown Prince gave an end to the conversation he was leading for a moment, without his knowledge, into one to indulge in his feelings.
Standing from his seat, he opened the door of the carriage to vacate it and help the Lady to step down from it.
Marianne witnessed his motion with surprise. And observed his back leave the carriage in her characteristic silence. As well as his turn once outside to guard the entrance, extending his hand with refined motion as his eyes, illuminated by the thoughtless sun, met hers from across the door. Inviting her with the seriousness he had adopted and the softness of his tone.
"My Lady."
Simply, he uttered. Craving in his words the sweetness she would always receive from the man.
"....."
As if lured, Marianne followed his call without delay and extended her hand with anticipation as she reached the door.
Finally meeting his palm, holding it gladly and with comfort for this could be one of the last opportunities she would feel the welcomed touch of the Prince until their next meeting.
Her eyes only briefly departed from his to watch her steps that already felt wronged in the woman’s body. And yet, like in their first dance, Zeleskiaz held her so no harm would be dealt to her feet.
"?!"
"Careful."
Even though, this time, such danger was not to happen... The Crown Prince simply took advantage of the little waver on her steps to lift the beauty, wanting to see her enjoy the high sights he could grant.
Nonetheless... Marianne decided otherwise.... to watch his countenance quietly instead, within the short levitation.
"..."
"!..."
His eyes widened once her hues kept their gaze on him. Lowering her to grasp the ground forfeiting the expectations from seeing the delightful smile of the woman in the air.
The two did not dismiss the eyes from the other. Intensely watching in a time that had not stopped while their hands grasped the other’s limb, unconsciously against forfeiting the touch.
"Um–"
"Could you not handle my sister so thoughtlessly, Prince Zeleskiaz?"
The voice of an approaching man was heard. Walking in their direction with palpable menace once the scene was witnessed.
This time, she was aware his presence would appear immediately once she vacated the Royal carriage. Hence, unlike a few days before, her lids solely lowered calmly from the Prince’s. Not taking away her touch over his forearm, and instead, grasping it slightly more in a gentle caress.
’So this is it.’ — She thought with a pacific smile inside.
However, Zeleskiaz also stayed placed, unwilling to lose the soft touch of her fingers and turning to reply to the jealous Paul only once her lids hindered the cross of their stares.
"It is because I am thoughtful of her that I did so, er..... Paul(?)" — Glancing at the woman that peeked from below at his delay, Zeleskiaz uttered his name. Asking the lady for confirmation about his correct address.
’Pff.. yes, haha. It’s Paul.’
Shyly, she shrank nodding to the man, inwardly chuckling at his lack of interest in remembering the malicious sibling’s name.
"... You must be. After all, who could expect the Crown Prince of the Empire would escort a guest to her home’s door?"
"Then, you understand." — Gracious in his smirk, Zeleskiaz responded to the Young Sylfinnier. Catching glance from the edge of his eye how the Duke made his way to their side along his youngest daughter in tail.
"I didn’t expect my son would wait for our return at our door... It is nice to see you, Paul." — His tone was as soft as it usually was meant for his children. However, Orland behaved stoically. Thanking for once the presence of the Prince for it heeded more formality in their exchanges.
"It is... Although it may seem unexpected. I considered it would be good to take the trouble and wait for my family members’ return. After all... You have been gone for too long."
"Greetings Brother Paul. It has been long indeed."
"..... Greetings." — Not looking at the youngest sibling Paul answered Theressa.
Joining the four, Theressa then turned to the Prince and the Sister her brother stared at to ask feigning interest. — "Was His Highness’s and Sister’s travel comfortable?"
"It was splendid." — Zeleskiaz answered, honest yet also wishing to enrage the siblings.
"..... That is good to hear." — Swallowing bitterness the youngest answered.
Paul’s eyes glared at the Prince and returned to Marianne, whose hand was still holding onto Zeleskiaz comfortably. And talking to the delicate limb, the young master mumbled in unsettling tranquillity.
"... Sister must be tired after so many days away from home."
"She is." — Orland answered immediately. Reticent to the obvious sight he had failed to notice before, yet acting as usual while a glance to Marianne’s new guard was given.
A glimpse that was short. However, instructive and consistent.
’Stay close. Make him notice you.’ — Orland ordered with it. And followed the conversation with naturality as his Butler came near to greet his many Masters.
"My Lord. It is pleasant to welcome you safely back at this manor."
"Thomas... How good it is to see you." — Orland answered pleased as the elderly butler bowed deeply to himself and later to the Crown Prince.
"... Your Highness. An unexpected honour to meet you."
"Likewise."
"Miss Theressa, Miss Marianne..... My Lady, this elder rejoices at the news heard. Welcome back."
’Grampa Thomas~~ I’m so happy to see you~’
Light bow was returned by the daughters as one fluttered with the words of the wise butler and witnessing it, the Duke continued to reply to the reticent Paul.
"... As I was saying, son. Our return could have been delayed for longer since your Sister had some difficulties after the Ball. Yet we agreed it was time to come back, isn’t that right, dear?"
The little affection reflecting in his eyes at his son only was filled with unrestrained one after meeting her eyes. Wishing to involve her in the conversation solely to tell her with the deepness of his soul in the eyes both shared, how no fear would be permitted to invade her from now on.
’Gain energy, my child... I won’t be mediocre this time... No matter what the truth is..... Safety. I will surround you with it.’
Orland had made his way to her side as he spoke, watching her fondly. And she responded. As pure as the affection her body’s soul held for the parent, following his stare to gently take away one hand from the Prince’s arm and wrap it around the offered limb of her Father in sweet agreement.
’That’s right, mister. It was time to come back... Although I didn’t like it that much at the time.’
Now, as if it was her who wanted to include him in her comfort when in front of her tormentor, Marianne held onto the arms of the two men whose primal emotion towards her person was love... Although in different intensities and shapes.
Nevertheless, their presence reassured her present. Since she was aware that both would protect her before whoever wished to harm her.