Chapter 340: Chapter 340
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Newfound intensity resting in the narrow glare of the Crown Prince watched over the crowd he had finally found Marianne in.
Desperation had already thrown him to search for the woman in a place where her scent
easily dissipated by the many inundating the street, and her silent existence made it more difficult to trace her whereabouts.
His skill sharpened the more time passed by without finding sight of a hair of hers, yet she could not be found as much as Zeleskiaz searched for he is still human to dissolve the power of an evil one misleading his skill. Nevertheless, the deity’s spirit that was not by Marianne’s direct side had not truly disappeared to neglect his protegee. Instead, so the blood he could not extract by his claws could be taken, Fenrir went to that one whose soul synchronised the best with his thirst.
— Brat... take the blood... of that who endangers the child... khkhkhh... —
Ominous and entertained, Fenrir spoke to the Crown Prince Zeleskiaz, using the man’s impulses to try and gain our objective.
"....."
Blank, his steps moved him into the flow of people as the glow of bloody agate intensified in the hopeful hyacinth that would find no matter the difficulty the woman owning his devotion.
The controlled aura commenced pulsating, shutting down the noises until his focus found the lovely reddish brown of her head. Exposed as her rush took off the cloak hiding the beautiful shade and allowing the searching Zeleskiaz to also become furious as even if faint, an expression of grief was accompanied by restricted drops holding to her lids... While the woman moved desperately through many.
"Marianne." — Instantly to the name that continued to echo within himself as he wished to protect the Lady, his advance crushed through the multitude to reach her.
And so, he arrived.
Letting her collide against him as his hand gently received the exalted woman searching for help, while Zeleskiaz concentrated on finding the disgusting presence lurking his beloved.
"Who’s following you?" — He asked, looking through the horizon of powerless heads in the street. Influenced by Fenrir. Ignoring the tremble of his beloved.
’!...!! Hngh! I-... I don’t know! Zeleskiaz...!! Haa, huff.. gasp... Thank god...nh.. thank god you’re here...!’ — Weakness was finally allowed in her stance as the man she felt for appeared when she needed the most. Permitting the fall of her tears...
".. n... hff... fh.."
... As well as the groans caused by aching lungs and frightened crying.
The frail clench of his vest, the quiver transmitted through the fingers grasping it and the light flinches the woman’s shoulders gave to his hands, finally made the beast within dissipate... So his attention would fall solely on his cherished one.
"My Lady... my lady, it is alright..." — Embracing her tightly, his eyes continued to search. Only that this time it was for a simple corner where the many around would not be.
Careful yet quickly, Zeleskiaz moved both of them to a side of the fair at a hidden passage. Continuing to hold her tightly, lovingly... Attempting to alleviate the distressing tremble invading Marianne’s body.
"... It is alright, my lady... I apologise for losing sight of you..."
"..n.. H..." — ’No... sniff! Don’t even say that...!’
"... My lady... lose fear... I apologise my hand did not reach you sooner..." — Troubled by her continuous tremble, Zeleskiaz continued apologising, desperate as he did not know how to comfort his loved one. — "Yet I have found you... I am to not leave you again."
’nh... Yeah... sniff... th-that last bit... just say that... don’t apologise... it’s not your fault to begin with.’
Slowly separating, Marianne nodded while her body experienced silent hiccups. Her wet eyelashes closed tightly to calm down the fright she had no need for any more now, with the strong prince holding her figure.
"..."
"..." — ’... Thank you... truly.’
The peek of her teary eyes felt harmful even as the pure light in them could be found. To the sight, the Prince’s hands went up to caress the tears. Clearing the traces off of Marianne’s sublime visage as his eyes watched her sweetly receive his care.
"... Is... is the lady alright now?"
"....." — Meeting his worried hues as his expression appeared calmer, Marianne took a moment to softly nod to Zeleskiaz’s anxious question. — ’Yes... I think so...’
"... Umh... would you like some water? I do have the one I went for before I lost you..."
Nervous, he offered as the agitated breathing of the woman was not subsiding. Inadvertently helping her once showing the delicate bottle containing the water.
’oh... haha, you did get it for me... and brought it to me...’
"n..."
"... Let me take you somewhere you can sit, my lady–"
’No... this is fine.’
"... Are you certain? You should rest... Even your fair visage continues to convey the hazard you went through, my lady..."
’I know... but I don’t want to sit...’ — Feeling deeply the stroke of his careful finger guiding a lost strand behind her ear, Marianne looked down at her hands still lying on his chest. Feeling weak... feeling wishful to rely on him... on the arms that held her tightly enough to break her despair to create safety.
Hence, she followed her deep wishes.
Supporting her forehead again on the prince... to slowly slide her hands down so they would surround his waist.
’I don’t want to sit...’ — Marianne. Both her souls, in agreement, told the man in secrecy. Softening to his warmth and only experiencing a delightful shiver once his arms wrapped her deliciously in his reliable strength. — ’Not if I have this...’
"... Is the lady...truly alright...?"
’haha... I am... I’m even steadily getting better...’
"... If so... is it alright to remain like this?"
’... That’s what I should ask... dummy... Let me stay like this...’
Cuddling to the sweet crown prince welcoming her in his embrace without reluctance, Marianne chuckled inside at the manners he showed at this time.
Taking in the clean and manly scent, natural from Zeleskiaz, she relished in the feel of his hands thoughtfully moving over the cloak covering her back to hold her firmer while the woman gained peace and stability in the chest that had raced out of difficulty.
’Yet I’m glad it is you who asks it instead... since I can’t even say it when I want to.’
Appreciation was all she could feel, as unbeknownst to the man, his actions had been the correct ones even when appearing clumsy.