Chapter 324: Chapter 324
’ah... I love you ethereal woman...’ — He thought to find the peace needed to tell his beloved. — "It appears to be, that my character is a problem, Lady Marianne."
"?"
"It has been said that my company could cause boredom to you... It is conflicting for me if that were the case... Apparently, I am not ’fun’ to be around with."
’..... What?..... Is that all?’ — Tilting her head in disbelief, the foreign soul inquired with her body’s expressive hues. — ’Is that actually what bothers you, kinky??’
"... Does it sound like nonsense? I also acknowledge it is a useless concern, yet..."
Noticing the seriousness in his deep violet eyes, Marianne shook her head. Understanding that his sayings were not a joke as she had thought.
’... Sigh... It IS nonsense in a way... But then again... When he’s seriously asking I cannot shove it like that.’
[ Why did the Crown Prince’s personality become a problem for that reason? ]
"... Because... It is..." — Conflicted by the serious interest of the woman, Zeleskiaz became speechless as the reason needed more than simple courage to be told. — ’... It could cause your dislike, my love... I cannot simply say that.’
"..." — [ The Crown Prince is fine as is. ]
"... Am I? Truly, my Lady?"
"....." — Staring into his hopeful eyes, Marianne tried to remain composed as his adorable side surfaced as more ease was granted to his soul by her sayings. Coming back to write more of them... So he would know other people’s beliefs are not to always be trusted.
[ A Crown Prince, heir to an Empire, cannot be known as a fun person I believe. Prince Zeleskiaz’s character has also been proven differently from the rumours I once heard about you. ]
"Is... Is that how it is in the lady’s eyes?"
’Yes.’ — [ Also...]
Peeking at the man standing by her side as she leaned to write, shyness commenced to invade her, for even though her words were misleading, there was honest meaning in her handwriting.
[ Also, it is not relevant. Having fun has little to do with your presence being enjoyable. It is more of an affinity between the involved ones that allows it. ]
"..."
[ I assure His Highness. You are not a cause of boredom to me. ]
"..... That truly is a relief."
Directly looking into her eyes, the man said with levitating heart. Provoking the aversion of her gaze as the passionate soul made her nervous with its intense sentiments showcasing in a fond smile.
’Alright... t-that’s good.’ — Marianne secretly said with a trembling voice, weak to the man’s seductive presence. Recalling as she saw how his hand came to rest on the surface she had been writing on, to softly observe her writings... how he once was injured in one of those long fingers he slyly wished to crawl to hold her hand.
[ Before we leave for the feast we have been summoned to, Your Highness, has your finger recovered well? As I recall you– ]
"It is healed." — Stopping her hand from continuing to write, Zeleskiaz acted impulsively seductive. Relinquishing to the craving hand’s desire, to show Marianne a healthy little finger he once had purposely broken. — "It was this one... as you can see no trace of a wound is left."
’mh... M-more like... "as I can feel"...’ — Swallowing at the play he had started with her hand the lady thought already troubled by his temptation.
"... My lady." — Aware that her gaze was reluctant to meet his, the drowsy Prince then called her attention to use some of her words and tell what his impulses desired to say. — "Before we leave for the feast... let me praise your appearance."
"..."
"It has been in my mind for a while... That I have not told you how splendid you look... It is a cause of awe how my lady always shines with ease."
"....."
"... How even what you tell in this marvellous handwriting... is as beautiful as your figure... I pledge my gratitude, for I am able to witness this tender blush appearing in your visage."
Unable to continue holding his lovesome gaze, Marianne stood graceful, trembling to the touch on her cheek that was done with clear seduction in mind by the back of his finger, as the hand she wanted to retrieve from the man was stroked tenderly into a better hold.
’He’s... he’s doing this on purpose...’ — Trying to look away as his closeness tempted her further, Marianne’s colour became stronger in blush. — ’And truly well... since I feel like... like I should just let myself go with it...’
"... My Lady... I..."
’...! Alright, that’s enough!’ — Drifting away from his lean, the Lady said to herself with croaky difficulty.
Turning to look back at the sweet man that followed her motion with dazed eyes and still bewildered by the thorough effect the Prince had on her whole self, Marianne gracefully lifted a dainty hand, decorated by the elegant treasure on her wrist, conveying the time of allowed delay had ended.
"..."
’Escort me to the banquet. I’ll... Since many days are to come while I stay here... I’ll... I will grant you many other chances later, Handsome Male Lead.’ — Embarrassed by her own shameless declaration, the slide of his fingers to take her hand made her gulp down the thrill as the woman maintained a collected stance.
Only to become breathless as his gallant grin emerged, along with the intuitive gaze of a seductive Crown Prince.
"Indeed... We should get going." — Pleased by her skin that told more than she wished, Zeleskiaz said in a husky tone. Leading her steps towards the door where his hand would make sure her fingers would wrap around the arm that was meant to escort her. — "Time for us to speak further will not lack."
’~!!... Just don’t speak anymore... seriously...’
Following his guide the tension became natural between them during their stroll through the Palace. Yet even in the lull, a little thought came back to the woman after the scene she witnessed at her chambers.
’I... I should stay alert.’ — She declared, with a sad smile on the inside as a contradicting comfort was experienced by his side. — ’The feelings... I cannot let them blind me...’
The roughness she never received from the man showed a hint of itself before her.
’For a moment, his ferocity concerned me... a crazed crown prince... obsessed with the female lead and violent in his nature...’
Sadness was starting to settle in a corner of her heart.
In her sights, not a single speck of the man was as bad as she had read in a past life.
Nonetheless... she could tell that an emotion growing within her was capable of misguiding her conceptions. Hence...
’Please... make it so I see what is true and things will be different... We’re hanging in there only because we hope that is the case... Whoever the gods of Izeneya are... I’ll do what you say since it’s what I should do to survive but... please... please let our wait not end with a broken heart.’
... A first... It is always the most frightening... Yet, oh, chosen child... it is not much help we can share you for now.
Shall the tear of Aenean and Fenrir’s grudge protect you enough... so your own power can lead you into a happy future.