Chapter 344: Chapter 344
The remembrance of the mere distorted sound of that voice made me shiver with a headache, opening my eyes to give a quick glance at the Crown Prince... who attentively looked at me... and my lightly trembling hands that had stopped writing.
"..."
[ And then, I felt the true menace hidden in them. Because they asked how come I was under punishment if they hadn’t managed to reach the emblem... probably, they were talking about that one I earned in the public ceremony. ]
"... Was there anything else they said?"
"....."
"Is there, my lady?"
"....."
[ They said that it must be fate. For even though Fenrir reached the emblem first, I was still before them... who wants me dead. ]
"....."
It was a must to say it. Because only from hearing they were supposed to punish me, it was the threat of death that made me run for it.
I didn’t know I could feel so helpless, sorry and even guilty to say this... but he had helped me... and if my life is so surely at risk like it was today, I can’t just keep it secret from everyone.
His silence continued while I couldn’t raise my head waiting for him to read my notes. However, I had to lift my eyes from my restless hands at some point, because suddenly I sensed in our core some sort of strong force boiling intensely in front of me... and I was right.
The appearance of the Prince appeared as calm as a cup of tea... but his eyes which had a lovely shade of violet... had turned into a deathly red, almost wiping completely the essence of the man I knew.
’!? What’s going on!?’ — I thought. Moving closer instantly to hold his hand that also held onto my post-it notes. — ’Hey! You’re scary! Why are your eyes like that!?’
"....."
As if lost in my notes he continued to stare "calmly"... But I wasn’t having it.
’Kinky?... Z-Zeleskiaz??’ — In the end, I made his head lift so his eyes would look at me.
Trying to call for him, his eyes finally started to blink. And slowly, the menacing calmness he portrayed softened the rigid feel I had sensed even before finding him like that.
As if he had resumed normal mode, I could even tell he was inhaling and exhaling again and again, probably trying to settle down that danger emerging within him. And eventually... his words came to me.
"... They wanted to kill you."
Blankly staring into his eyes, I only managed to swallow from the anxiety at his composed expression concealing a danger much stronger.
"To kill my lady..." — As if falling in ponder, his lids lowered repeating it as his hand took hold of that one of mine still on his jaw. — "The grief you felt today, I am to forbid it from your life, my lady."
*Bathump.*
"Whoever that being was... I won’t allow its existence to remain in this realm." — The deepness of his eyes slowly started to turn as lovely a hyacinth as usual. Making me tremble this time in unison with the beatings of my heart that heard his sayings. — "The one to die will never be you, Lady Marianne. That... I pledge as the heir to the empire and the hero of its army."
’I... I feel like dying.’ — Because of how in awe I was, I said whatever came to mind.
The ambience was such that I felt pushed by our heart. As if I was fighting it with my mind since I felt like kissing him... since the way he seemed scary before now looked incredibly adorable. Even if he gave me the madman vibe I first knew him as... this prince... if he becomes a madman for me...
’God... can’t I kiss him? I want to hug him even stronger than this afternoon...’ — Dazed by my feelings, I thought. Unconsciously stroking the manly jawline as well as I could with my free fingertips, only to fold the fingers and grasp his elegant hand.
"....."
’... Hey... oblivious prince... d-don’t you also...’ — Nervous as his gaze held mine, I couldn’t face him anymore as I felt embarrassed to beg this much.
Even lowering our joined hands... trying to make them intertwine in a clumsy attempt to entice him somehow. — ’I’m really trying here and you just... you’re not cooperating at all...’
"Will the lady allow me to protect her?"
’Uh?’
"I have pledged before the Empire today that I am to train your troops... before that, I had also pledged my help in every sense the lady may need. My hand will unfold in your direction solely to aid you... Yet I wish to learn... am I allowed to? For I do not wish to impose my wishes against those of the lady."
"....."
My head tilted down, contemplating on the seriousness he expressed in his words.
It’s visible that he doesn’t want to make me uncomfortable with all the kindness he’s been giving us. But with him saying this... I only can feel sorry.
Sorry that it makes me happy he wants to do this much... sorry that he has to ask permission and has to be this thoughtful of everything... And awfully sorry... since it’s me who should be asking if it’s okay to rely on him like this.
My hand gently took back the notes he still held. Writing what I should say instead of daydreaming in a situation like this. Yet when the time to deliver my message came, I was unable to lift my head out of shame. For I knew he was too nice to say no.
[ My Prince, it is I who ought to say those words.
Your Highness, humbly I ask you, am I allowed to abuse the enormous kindness you have shown to me? Am I allowed to rely on your strength when I have no power or wealth to give in exchange?
All I have... is useless appreciation compared to the great aid His Highness continues to give me. ]
"....."
I feel ashamed. Because if not because of those craves he has for us... No kind of interaction between us could have happened. The close relationship we have wouldn’t have been and his help would never have come.
If not for that... Our today would probably be too different. And surely for the worst.
"The lady’s appreciation is more than I can ask for."
"..."
"For I tend to abuse your gratitude, it is my head that should lay low and not meet your gaze, my lady."
’... It’s still too little, kinky...’ — Troubled, I closed my eyes since his kind expression was indeed too kind for me to indulge in his comfort.
"Lady Marianne."
"...?"
"If in your eyes it is not enough, then... may I request something from you?"
Probably... he could discern my conflict. Therefore, he once again acted considerate of my feelings, giving them an easy escape.