Chapter 295: Chapter 295
"Have you loaded the carriage? Our stay will be until the summon for the Summer competition arrives. We need to have everything prepared so nothing is missing. Marianne shouldn’t suspect that she’s not coming back here for some time."
At a dimly lited bureau, the sound of a severe Duke resounded as the elderly butler entered the stillness.
"I have prepared everything. Paige also arranged other cases that will be sent to the Palace in secrecy and the Forest house is already..."
"Yes, it’s always tidy... It waits for a visit. Always."
"My Lord. About the fact that I am coming with you..."
"This won’t change, Thomas. I need Paul to get close to the hand I chose... Even if we are not sure if Dazil will be loyal... We have the Umbra Quadrigis surveying his steps. I need you with me so my orders are sent properly here and to the Palace. Besides..."
"Hm?"
"... I’m slightly annoyed by this but... Marianne asked if you were coming with us. My daughter is sharp. She knows my work becomes heavier without you around."
"I see... The little miss is aware that her father slacks off."
"I don’t slack off."
".....Yes, Your Grace."
The long pause the elder took was a clear tease to Orland that made him grit his teeth in frustration at the elder. Yet, standing from the seat at his desk the duke gave a last order to his butler concealing his pout.
"I’ll go get Marianne. Finish things up and meet me at the entrance. We are leaving immediately. Let’s try not to make it lengthy so nobody gets in the way."
"Yes. It shall be as you order."
The day of departure had finally arrived. Quick as he had planned it when the light of the sun had yet to light the sky. And even if it was not even a week that they remained in their home... Things he once wouldn’t have noticed as blind trust was placed in his family... Were certainly apparent at this time.
’... Although I notice more now that I am aware... There is also something that changed in them...’ — The prominent man thought as the image of his people crossed his mind. — ’Just as Marianne did, they all changed accordingly to the events, and I believe their guard was already lowering... Enough for them to forget to keep appearances as properly as they did before.’
His strides were determined as he blankly contemplated on the last days. However, the path was clear to his slate stares that only had a candle to illuminate his direction, where the child that was to be taken away to protect her was at the end of it.
"Is she not ready, yet?"
The shake of Vitor’s head informed the Duke of Marianne’s delay, looking orange as two simple candles were the only enabling view in a dark corridor. Surprising him, as it was not common for the girl to not be ready when a time was given.
"Are you sure?... I told Paige simple garments were fine since it’s an isolated place..." — He paused for a moment to ponder if the knock on the door should happen. And immediately moved to do so, thinking something could be wrong. — "Marianne? Dear, are you not ready yet? We ought to depart shortly."
"....."
"Marianne? Paige?"
He became nervous at the silence, but at his second call, the shy door opened with his daughter behind.
’... Mister... Why... Why do we have to leave in the middle of the night?’ — Sluggish, Marianne appeared with lazy lids as her inside self resembled how truly dishevelled her body felt yet did not appear on the outside. — ’I finally managed to fall asleep... But I had to wake up so fast..... Beauty isn’t only genetics you know?’
"..... Are you... Are you alright dear? Did you not sleep well?"
’I did sleep well... That’s why I feel shitty. It got cut, mister... My d*rn rest...’
The extended shut of her heavy lids transmitted her difficulty and smiling with sorry eyes, Orland understood Marianne’s hazard... yet their schedule should proceed as planned.
"You can sleep in the carriage... The night will continue so I will tell the coach to go steady so you can rest during the trip."
’hrm~... Alright... But... Can’t I have breakfast? I want milk since I’m sleepy...’ — Grumpy from the lack of sleep, the child became capricious, as the pampered daughter of a pampering parent would. Nonetheless, she walked while dozing out of her room, coming to hold immediately the Duke’s arm, almost instinctively, to walk along with him to the awaiting carriage.
"Haha... Let’s go, sweetie." — He said fondly. Meeting Paige’s eyes that followed her Lady outside, who smiled at him and informed in light secrecy so the Lady wouldn’t hear.
"She was sleeping profoundly... Even while I dressed her, my Lord... The delayed answer to your call was because I asked her to open the door so she would wake up... hehe..."
"I see... Thank you, Paige."
Peeking at his daughter, Orland decided not to speak more as her eyes stayed shut with difficulty remaining open since she wished to wake up as it was needed.
Regardless... Thankfully, she was failing to keep awake.
Because it was known to the family they were leaving... and as expected, his son appeared at the end of the corridor; to say farewell to his sibling and father seemingly thoughtful yet holding great animosity.
"Are you leaving shortly?"
"Yes... She’s tired so we will leave immediately so she can rest on the way."
"... You could have left in the morning."
"I want her to see the sceneries with clear sunlight. If we leave now it will be possible. I already said this, Paul."
"..... I know. It’s simply displeasing. I didn’t get to share much time with my little sister... You’re taking her away too soon."
"And I already told you. It’s for her health. The Royal Physician suggested it."
"..."
"I’m not talking more about this. Not now. We have to leave... Take care of the duchy."
"... Marianne, sister..."
’ugh... An a**hole’s voice...’ — She thought in disgust while half asleep cuddling strongly to her Father’s arm at the displeasure the sound caused. — ’He’s... Nn... f*ck him... I want tea...’
"... She’s tired... I will tell her you saw her off. Go have more sleep, son. Thank you for making the time."
"... Marianne..?"
’nn! Shut up... So annoying...’
"... Have a good trip my little sister... I’ll miss you..." — With lost gaze at her reticence, that one his mind could not discern as such but as tragic sadness... His finger went to comb the one lovely hair that did not make it to her half ponytail. Provoking easily a chilling shiver to the child that made her lightly open the lids to barely peek at the disrupting sight of the man near her.
’... D*mn it... d*mn it, damn it!... Ugh... don’t touch me... Go away...’ — Still weak in her sluggish senses, Marianne felt a rising turmoil make her chest be invaded by misery as she learned he had touched her. — ’Let’s go, mister... Please...’
The hand that gripped her father’s limb was unnecessary. For even himself felt unsettled at the eyes of the man in front of him, devoid of light and filled with ominous dark within the strong gold of his hues.
"We are going. Before it gets late." — Lowering the hand of his son away from his daughter, Orland announced.