Chapter 333: Chapter 333
"It is good to know the people can see she’s no good." — Aware that her husband was pleased by their daughter’s performance, the Duchess spouted, disgusted by the celebration of a disliked child.
"Elenaide, I do not want to hear this. Much less now."
"People will continue to see for themselves."
"I thought we agreed until you decided to confide in me these comments would cease. Were your words a lie to keep our peace momentarily?"
"... The lengthy wait made my mood turn sour. I recall our agreement... I will honour it, husband." — Inhaling deeply to keep the reign of her tongue, Elenaide granted to a strict Orland. Allowing with the following silence an opportunity for their youngest to loosen the tension.
"..... Umh... Sister looks pretty."
"..." — Stranged by her favoured daughter’s comment, Elenaide’s brow raised. Excusing it quickly as a way to please her father, for the child mentioned was cared for by the man.
"She does. My daughters are pretty. After this public ceremony, we shall go see her, sweetie."
"! That would be great. Her dress is marvellous. I would like to see her wear it up close."
A sincere smile was given at her father’s invitation. Nevertheless, even when interest was placed on her sibling, her sight would also drift to the Prince standing close to her, quickly feeling the yearnings of a capricious heart pulsate again even while self-awareness was starting to be gained in the youngest of the Sylfinnier.
’Sigh... The Crown Prince appears dreamy... How can I make it so my reputation before him improves...’ — Theressa considered truly concerned about her previous behaviours. Thankful of the conversations Orland incited so some reason could be sowed in his young and easy-to-disturb child.
Nonetheless, beside her, another sibling sat... quiet and unbothered by anything the family members could say... staring blankly at a younger and beauteous sister whose gaze wouldn’t turn to him as her attention was on who she truly cared for of her family in that brief moment the event allowed.
’... Wonderous... Marianne, my peaceful oasis... I can feel how you also missed me... soon I will come to you, beloved sister...’ — Paul’s thoughts dedicated to the chosen child. Dissociated from reality as he came into her sight, only making disgust emerge within her as she turned to join the emperor calling for her.
"Your Grace." — Suddenly, one not pertaining to the family spoke. One sitting next to the Duke, for his title allowed. — "May I share a thought with you?"
"? Duke Noverrne, please do. It is a wonder what your thought could be."
"... Miss Marianne has a gift for words ironically. She ought to be a source of pride for his Grace."
"... Even if not for that, she is... I appreciate your thought, Young Clemente."
"I believe it ought to be told. People’s whispers could be thought of as a bad occurrence, yet they have yet to see more of the Lady, myself included."
"... Indeed."
"Nevertheless, your daughter seems clever. It will turn for the good quickly. That I believe."
"... Thank you. I also hope for that." — Aware of the strict speech the new Duke of the Noverrne household possessed, Orland showed appreciation. Conscious that his words meant to comfort his sleep concern.
And yet, he still managed to witness... how a glare was given from his son to the Young Noverrne... who indifferently received it to look back at the stage where the curious Lady stood.
’At the ball, these two did exchange words... I wonder now... If I also should thank this Young Duke for that.’ — Orland conceived as his eyes went back to watch his daughter receive more awards.
"Cute child. That was well prepared." — Taking the hand of Marianne, Francois joyfully conveyed, glancing at his heir to start the traditional ceremony that should follow a chosen’s introduction.
"My People... You have now met the promised by Calla, yet this event is not to end without the fulfilment of the traditions those divine demand in exchange for their aid.
A Calla’s confidant is allowed to wear the gods’ shades altogether, for our First Empress’s request was agreed upon because of the link with Fenrir she earned... for it is Fenrir the one protecting this Empire she once reigned along Oregor.
It is accustomed for a chosen by Fenrir, a Calla’s Confidant, to receive an emblem. One honouring her gifted Surname.
Hence, I present to you Lady Marianne, the Ninth Calla’s confidant, the emblem of the Robus Pars. An emblem taking Pars... as the piece your sophistication possesses and Robus... the strength needed and Fenrir will grant to your every step."
Unfolding his hand, two men walked to stand in the middle of the stage, spreading the big emblem they had sent to craft as tradition demanded.
The two letters "R" and "P" joined through their height which elevated to flaunt a wonderful embroider of a Calla in a Burgundy cloth while, bellow the letters, a wonderful design held them prominently as if their ground were the eyes of a merciless divinity, watching the enemy hid in it’s intricate lines.
"This shall become the Emblem to identify your being and existence, Ninth, Pristina Pars... This is what the Empire offers... Yet please, let the curse of that who picked you fall on it so its purpose is allowed."
’... The what?’
In disbelief, the child froze, ignorant of the tradition as no one had told the procedures. For nobody had knowledge of it, for it was to be confided at the right time and place, solely to her...
— The curse... child. —
... Solely by our problematic friend whose hunt is hast.
’!? Huh?’
—... Touch the cloth... my curse... it’s by your hand to be placed... —
"....."
The chilling gulp of the Lady went down loudly through her throat, as it was the first time Fenrir’s gruesome sound was heard as clearly as today.
— Grr... fear not... blood... is not needed of my protegee... khkhkh... —
’... that’s not the problem...’ — The foreign soul honestly thought, speaking to the voice reverberating throughout herself.
—... touch it... before the hand of other does... —
It was ominous... as it should be.
For Fenrir’s lurking and roaming was not by chance.
The blood he craved in vengeance was near, waiting for the chance to change this present for the future it wished for.
The child does not know of its presence... yet once she had sensed it... At a ball while in her father’s company and once again during travels... Yet our aid was useful to keep her safe... and this curse...
— Touch it... cursed protection... or a curse for demise... —
"...."
— Choose. —
The dark sensation of the evil targeting her demise quickly was perceived as she listened to the sayings a beastly god told in a slow period of time. The disgusting shiver that menaced her being was enough to dismiss the doubt, pushing her to walk to the endangered emblem, haunted by the disagreeable one.
’A curse for protection it is!’ — Trembling by the goosebumps, her fingertip reached the cloth and then her palm was sucked onto it to lay stuck to the material. Causing the shade of burgundy to turn black while the white embroidery turned vivid red, solely leaving Fenrir’s eyes golden.
— Khkhkh... Good... cowards they are, child... their blood... you will help me have... —
’...’
No words could be told to the fading voice of the treacherous wolf. Yet the disgusting sensation disappeared. Leaving Marianne in ponder while every other witnessing the curse fall on her emblem also lost speech.