Chapter 272: Chapter 272 — It is Our Home.
Her eagerness to teach got her out of the tickling seduction his gentle appreciation invoked. And so, the stack of many pages had become their practice sheet.
Marianne was aware that was not much to be taught. Little faces made of simple lines were truly not a subject of serious study. However, both knew it was an innocent excuse they could find entertainment in, along with ease at their closeness and continuous exchange it could grant.
’There are many kinds of faces we can draw too.’ — She told the man as new shapes were drawn for different expressions.
"Although they are lines, how come I fail to do it like the Lady?... What expression is this?"
They had been alternating turns to repeat the doodles. And at the changes she made, the Prince sometimes would comment as Marianne drew and ask to identify the meaning.
She was enormously entertained by the silly and unexpected activity they had come to engage in, mischievously drawing much-elaborated sketches to trouble the unskilled man.
Zeleskiaz at those times would show conflict in his brows. Yet, silently, he would continue to attempt with his hand to imitate her hand, as the aura of the woman was felt in stronger sweetness the more playful she became with such innocent teasing he already recognised.
’Solely because you are lovely I let this happen...’
"..."
’Regardless, it is regretful I am sincerely trying and yet I keep ruining these pages.’
Stunned by his incapacity within the artistic field, the Prince mocked himself with pleasure since her attention had not drifted during their trade.
"Hmm... This one looks better... What are your thoughts, my Lady?"
She had been peeking at the whole movement of his hand. The woman knew the shape he had drawn, nonetheless, she still paused to observe it properly before chuckling at it.
’Hehe... As expected. The one you can nail from the first try is the smirking face, Kinky. Congrats.’ — Such was her unsaid thought.
"You have not told me which expression this is but... Is this not a smirk?"
’Oho~? So you’re able to tell now~ Nice! What a great stu-’
"Like this." — He then interrupted her proud nods. Solely to demonstrate with his own countenance, innocently, with no other intention besides enacting his drawing.
The Lady came to look at him. However, she could not laugh at his adorable action.
’Uh...’
She had to pause for a moment to the sight before a thought conveying her disconcert could be told only for her two souls to hear.
’... Heh... Its... It’s completely different though...’
[ Yes. It does resemble a tiny bit. ] — Responding truthfully to her thoughts, she pulled to tell next to his drawing.
"? Was it not a smirk? I thought I was right..."
"....."
[ It is a smirk. However, the Prince’s expression does not look like the drawing. ]
"I see... It is indeed quite basic a sketch." — Unaware of the true meaning she was telling in those lines, Zeleskiaz misjudged.
The fairness and elegance his expression effortlessly portrayed was opposite to their frisky doodles. The man’s could delay quite different a sensation to the woman when enacting. Yet she did not tell and allowed his beliefs to proceed with other drawings.
As if incited by the naivete the Crown Prince had shown to her perception, the following drawing... was one of an upset expression.
"Hmm... this is an angry expression." — This time he immediately asserted, proceeding as he stated to do the first attempt.
"... Perhaps my skill is improving." — Zeleskiaz then added and continued. — "This one also appears better than the previous ones, does it not?"
’... what the hell?... Why do the naughty and the angry ones look exceptionally better than the others you drew??..... Did he actually improve???’
She was surprised, but still applauded his effort with the kind energy her head gave in agreement.
’Let’s see... try this one now.’ — Intrigued to test his skill she gave another example to the Prince with an expectant shine in her eyes and leaned more to peek at the man’s work on the short traces the simple expression had.
"Ah... this one... I do not know what this stands for..."
Concerned, he still grabbed the pencil and obediently drew to show his interested teacher. Much too serious now to exercise this distraction he had come up with for their journey.
"....."
"....."
He was done with it promptly as it was simple. And the silence they created to observe it lasted longer than his hand’s attempt.
’... So you still suck.’ — The woman bluntly said inwardly before letting her laugh resound within her at the unforeseen turn of events.
"It’s worse than the first I ever drew..." — The man judged in disgust at the turn of her head that moved accordingly to the laughter she wanted to hide, even in her expressionless visage out of thoughtfulness towards the afflicted man.
"The others looked good... why..." — Zeleskiaz pondered truly concerned. For he knew he could not use the two he excelled in the letters he would send later to the Lady.
’Pfff! Oh gosh! He sounds so worried about it! Poor thing!’
Continuing to laugh in hiding, Marianne let out a strong whiff of air through her nostrils at the adorable man beside her.
"... My Lady, what expression is this? Perhaps as I do not recognise it..."
’... poor thing...’ — Turning again to face him she controlled her inner laughter, betraying herself with her mischievous personality. — ’You even search for a reason... fufufu~’
[ It is a childish one. A face sticking its tongue out. ]
"??? Why would the Lady draw such a thing? I have never seen such."
Astonished by the expression she had made him draw, Zeleskiaz conveyed his ignorance of its existence and observed with interest and disbelief that such could be done while considering politeness.
Marianne observed and had an immediate thought as to why he could not imagine.
’I mean... who in their right mind would stick their tongue out at you? You’re a frightening Royal madman, you know??’
Nevertheless, her thought did not end there.
’Hmm... maybe we can... oh! Kinky, look!’ — Clenching her jaw, testing her tongue and being aware of her limits, the woman pondered for a moment to make sure her idea could be done. Barely succeeding and turning immediately to show, tapping his hand so his eyes would leave her stack and meet her expression.
’It’s not as out as it should, but see? Its... ah... well, it’s similar to that-’
"Is that... you said it was childish?"
"?" — [ My example may be lacking because of my condition. It is done by children when mocking friends. ]
Moving to the side to face the lady better, Zeleskiaz was aghast for he did not feel offended at the tiny peek of her tongue through her lips.
The intense engagement he had entered in their exchange did not let him notice the slowing of their carriage. And once it had come to a stop...
"I don’t think that is... Maybe it is as the lady said that your condition harms it-"
"Lady Marianne, the Ninth. Your Highness the Crown Prince. We have arrived at Sylfinnier’s Dukedom."
... Interrupting his words he finally realised the quick move time had when in her presence as the voice from one of the escorting guards announced.
Giving an end to their journey. Much suddenly. Instilling dejection in the man whose time seemed cruel to his heart.