Chapter 360: Chapter 360
*******
"Oh. Jasmine, darling, your older brother comes with Lady Marianne."
"!? Already? Oh my... mother, I had told the lady tea would be waiting for her..."
"... Do not be silly. Lady Marianne will not mind such tiny details, dear." — Seating at an apart side of the refreshing tent raised for the women to gather, the Empress told her daughter, smiling gracefully as she stood beside her to gently tidy up her golden white long and straight hair... that the youthful Princess had purposely matched with the Lady’s hairdo. — "Do not frown, stand prominent and control your Frotschter temper... you prepared these tea sessions thinking of the friend in your dreams. Did you not?"
"Yes, Mother... I am to reign my temper before brother."
"I am to believe you." — Smiling at the innocence her strict daughter was demonstrating after finding the friend she wished for, the Empress admired her youth, turning around timely to welcome her eldest son. — "... Crown Prince, lovely Lady Marianne. I see my offspring has gently escorted you to our presence."
’Yeah... he gently did, Empress.’ — The favoured child modestly answered, bowing respectfully while trying to conceal her delight.
"Empress, it is the lady who gently allowed me. Isn’t that right, Jasmine?"
"... Indeed. Lady Marianne is the gentle one."
"... Hum... these children of mine..." — Noticing the rivalry the Empress sighed as she could see her daughter was to fail immediately at Zeleskiaz’s provocations, and so, giving a step forward the elegant Empress glanced sharply at her son and daughter, inviting the lady to join her while an embarrassed Jasmine inhaled to control her temper.
"Lady Marianne, do come this way. The tea is to be served shortly, yet that will not stop us from having a delightful conversation... Crown Prince, the Second Prince will also compete in this hunt. Do remember you are the oldest while competing... We shall care for the lady so go win a wonderful prize."
A secretive wink was sent by the graceful Empress to her son, causing complex embarrassment in the Crown Prince after showing indifference to her discreet warning.
"... Such is my target... Empress."
"Good."
"... Lady Marianne! Do follow me, I shall show you the dishes I ordered for us to enjoy."
’? Ah... a-alright.’ — This time being led away by the Princess, Marianne glimpsed back at the Empress and the Prince staying behind. Finding violet eyes seeing her off as she took off.
’! O-okay let’s go.’
The handsome smile the man dedicated to her glimpse caused an adorable jump in the lady, turning her gaze away while the youth of blush indiscriminately reached her shoulders.
The lovely air spreading the scent of the woman inspired him to sigh with delight, returning his expression to severity once the stare of the Empress was noticed.
"... I shall go hunt."
"Mhm... Isn’t my son’s hunt already ongoing? Hunting a lady’s heart... I reckon it is a challenge for my inexperienced child." — Elegant, Ingrid opened the luxurious fan in her hand to make the breeze refresh her visage. Looking fondly at the surly prince by her side.
The uncomfort of the Crown Prince, however, did not last... For his sights went to look at the prey he was to conquer lovingly, while she innocently listened to an oddly enthusiast Jasmine.
"... It is an... excruciating yet wonderful challenge."
"I can see that, my son–"
"..."
"... Well. I suppose the fact that my grumpy child has found a beloved does not mean his character has softened completely." — Retrieving the hand that had wished to caress the cheek of her child, Ingrid chuckled, accustomed to Zeleskiaz’s distant attitude which even if cold would respect and listen her words. — "Has your father’s advises served your purpose?"
"... I don’t know. Yet at least I believe my lady is aware there is great care I only dedicate to her being."
"Mm... great care... fufu, I see... Zeleskiaz Di Frotschter, there have been times you have seen your Father lose against this Mother of yours, have you not?"
"Hah. Yes, I have."
"Then listen well... do not be too careful. A woman... needs an exciting man too, my dear child." — Closing the fan, Ingrid pat the Prince’s chest with its end in a strict yet graceful warning. Offering a last comment before turning on her feet to join her daughter and the son’s beloved. — "Take the time to think while you hunt to win a bigger prize. Love matters are difficult as much advice we give... at times, following your heart is not a bad idea. Only be pertinent while indulging in it."
"... The Empress talked more than I expected."
"Your mother is a woman. These matters, I enjoy talking about. Besides..." — Already walking away yet aware his acute hearing would listen, Ingrid’s sly side her son had inherited, strongly emerged. Murmuring a truth he found entertaining. — "That Father of yours knows nothing..."
"... So he’s in trouble." — Lifting his brows satisfied to know the Emperor was probably in problem by the tone of his mother, the Crown Prince walked away. Watching how the Empress joined the Princess and Lady, aiding the son with a smooth announcement of his departure.
Marianne’s gaze met his, gracefully fluttering her lids in a tight blink to bow and watch him return the politeness.
The distance between them was thanked by the man who once looking away, clenched his fist frustrated. On the edge of his self-control, for too many sensations came back to suffocate him.
’My love.’ — Troubled, his inner lip tasted red from the intense crazes his body experienced. — ’I have so many things I want to do, tell and feel... Marianne, my beloved...’
— Do not be too careful. —
’Although my lady also just told me not to... the Empress now reassured me I shouldn’t. Haha... and if so...’ — Glimpsing one last time at the gorgeous woman, his eyes fell on the attractive waist framed by the brown leather giving her back to him. — ’First... I will embrace your figure... fill myself with the wonderous scent driving me insane even from a distance... comfort your lovely spirit... and request a graze of your lips as a prize, my beloved... I... I will allow myself to forget manners again only to have some break from this torture.’
Leaving the white tent, Zeleskiaz had a severe demeanour. Continuing to fall lost in thought as confidence was none when dealing with Marianne.
’She will permit it... right?... If she dislikes it... she said she would tell...’
"! Your Highness! Wait a moment please."
"I am busy." — Glaring at the displeasing sound of a young lady he recognised, Zeleskiaz grimaced. Annoyed to be approached by her once again without the shame she should save. And consequently, reviving the infuriation he had barely reigned over.
"Please wait. I wish to converse with you... What happened before was a–"
"A misunderstanding?..." — Seeing how behind Theressa also paced the Duchess, Zeleskiaz’s irritation ignited further. — "Do you believe I’m dumb, girl?"
"!? Such is not–"
"Prostrate before whatever god you believe in and thank them I don’t have a weapon at hand."
"Wh-what–"
"You have no shame. None of you."
"... Is the Crown Prince threatening us this moment?"
"Oh, duchess... You know well I’m only informing you." — The red in his eyes flared, shaking Elenaide’s confidence while facing the deathly Crown Prince. — "You better prepare the apology the Ninth deserves. For I know you would like to prevent this from being taken care of by your husband, who frankly... does have a brain in him unlike you two insignificant women."
"What kind of insolence–!"
"Mind. Your tongue. Elenaide Sylfinnier... The insolence is solely yours to dare retort to royalty."