Chapter 161: Chapter 161
[ As I thought. Asking the Crown Prince for assistance was the right decision. ]
I felt truly satisfied with my decision. In this little time, I think a lot has been made clearer about what I should do. And, since I feel satisfied, I’m in a great mood.
That’s why I drew a happy face on the note’s corner. He should know I’m smiling when saying this if my face is not showing it.
Once I handed the note, I watched him read it as I kept lightly nodding my head thinking:
’That’s right, a great decision. Sigh... I’m so smart~ Even if he likes taking advantage, this deal seems quite nice. Hehe~ ’
"... Lady Marianne, I am aware this does not involve the matter at hand..."
’Hmm?’
"Yet, is this the scrawl Dioclecià mentioned earlier?"
’... And that’s what picks your attention?! Also, again with calling it a scrawl! It’s cute! Take a good look! I even drew it with a bit of blush!! Like the emoji!’
Tsk... What a way people have to ruin my mood.
Can’t I feel complacent for a second? You had to go and call it a scrawl too...
"..."
’... Does he like it?? He seems to like it. Right, Anne?... Or is he laughing at it???’
Noticing he was observing it with a bit of amusement in his eyes, I stopped my inward tantrum.
’... I did draw it a bit fast... Does it look weird?’
Somehow worried that maybe it didn’t look as nice as I thought, I leaned over to see if that was the case.
’Hmm? Hey, it’s cute... The blush gives it all the style~’
"Mmm... Is it a face?" — He suddenly asked, tilting his head.
’Uh... Yeah. Didn’t I already say thi– oh... Well, that’s the bad side of using notes to communicate. Not everyone in the room sees what they say.’
For a moment I was about to look at him with a judgemental stare, but I quickly remembered that it was only the Third Prince and maybe the Mister who had read the contents of the notes explaining what the "scrawl" was.
Therefore, instead of glaring at him, I nodded twice.
’I’m actually surprised you noticed it’s a face... Your little brother didn’t realise until I told him...’
"Hmm... So... As I see it... those dots are the eyes..."
"!!" — ’Yeah!’
"The... It has the shape of the letter "C"... Is that a smile?"
"!!!" — ’Wow! So you can tell~ You’re good at this, kinky~’
I was excited that he was deciphering it by himself, my nods must have been very energetic in response since even I noticed how strongly my head went back and forth to tell him he was right on his perceptions.
".... Hmm..."
’Huh? What now, only the blush is left–’
"What are these circles with odd curly lines inside right below the eyes??? I cannot ascertain what they stand for..."
"..." — ’... Okay. It does look tricky... I’ll forgive you since you didn’t call it a scrawl this time... Although it does deserve it.’
He kept tilting his head from side to side trying to guess what it was. His devotion to deciphering it made me chuckle a little.
Tapping him on the arm holding the post-it note, I called for his attention and seeing he wanted to guess it, I tried to show him with mimics what it was.
It won’t be fun if I just outright tell him the answer at this point anyway.
"Yes? My Lady...?"
’Here, the cheeks! Cheeks blush! You can do it!’ — Turning in my place to seat facing him, I brought my two hands to point at my cheekbones, drawing invisible circles on them as to imply the blush I was talking about.
"..."
However, my explanation didn’t seem to be going well. I can tell he was a bit confused at my gestures since he kept blinking slowly at what I was doing.
’Oh! Come on!! Like this, see?’ — Trying harder, I placed my palms at my cheeks side making an "embarrassed maiden" gesture so he could lace things up. — ’You’ve probably seen Ladies do this when they see you!! Like this! All shy and all!’
"..."
Hearing no response, I opened my eyes to see if he might have gotten it... But I lost it as I found him tilting his head with a hand on his chin, obviously not getting the clue.
’Dude!! It’s blush! Here! See? You also have cheeks!! It usually appears here!!’
"?!"
Impulsively, I grabbed his face.
...
I know I shouldn’t have.
But there is a reason why I avoided being the mime when playing mimes... And it’s because I have no patience getting others to guess it.
It’s just frustrating. I’m this good and people still don’t get it. Sigh.
All in all, as dense I am, I started to stroke his cheekbones as I also pointed at mine to show him it was the blushing cheeks he had to pay attention to.
’Blush! Blush!... It’s blush! D*mn it!!’
"....."
"!!" — ’Yeah! Just like– tha...t... Uh? Huh?... Wh–’
Why are YOU blushing!?
"?!...!!!" — ’Marianne! We– why do you let me do these things?!’
I had forgotten who this guy is! I can’t act this way even if it’s rarely comfortable interacting with him!!
Elizabeth!! You b*tch! I can’t even trust myself, for f*ck’s sake!
’We gonna have a talk too, f*cking Marianne! You should know better than this! How do you let ME of all people act this way!? Biatch! Glare at me all you want but we are d*mn b*tches right now!!!’
"....!~" — ’!! – R–right... I should... Let go for now...’
I had an exasperated outburst against Anne. My inside rambling felt as if I was throwing up a fast-speed tongue twister, and, ultimately, Marianne knocked me out of the bewilderment I was in as she sent a flinch to my hands.
This time, my stiffness felt robotic.
I drew my hands away as if I was a rusty old... But always hot, robot. Though this time I felt hot because of the rising volcano I was about to become.
’His silence makes it worse! Agh!!... We should exchange places! I have lots of things to say while you stay stupidly quiet!.....’
"..."
’F*ck mimes...’
My cheeks felt hot as I’d done something stupid. Not only it was because of the lack of decorum I was portraying as Marianne while acting this improperly in front of the CROWN PRINCE, who I should always remember: is yet to be seen as a safe ally, is the d*mn HEIR to the EMPIRE’S throne, is meant to be a psycho, AND! MOST IMPORTANTLY!!
HAS THE HOTS FOR ME!!!!
I’m acting stupid, idiotic, retarded, and yes! I admit it!! I’m HORNY, D*MN IT!! Sue me!
I don’t even know how many times I’ve gotten read today because of this idiot!! Don’t mess with virgins, you d*mn f*ck of a hottie!! We get horny too!!
Shamelessly admitting this, unexpectedly helps me calm down.
However, I’m blushing more now for new reasons.
Regardless, the eager confession helped me grab the note he was still holding to write.
[ It’s blu–]
"Is it blush?"
As I wanted to end the issue by giving the answer... He spoke, stopping my hand from finishing writing it.
Ba–thump...
The loud sound my heartbeat made as I heard his rusty and unfairly dreamy voice, pushed me to bite the inner flesh of my lower lip.
He’s too much...
I’m too much...
As shaken as it made me, I lightly nodded, avoiding meeting his eyes.
"... I see... I figured once I saw the Lady’s..."
’Ugh ngh... Don’t say anymore!... Just so you know... You also blushed...’
I feel as if I should hold my breath for some reason... I want to leave... But I also–
Knock, knock, knock
"...——— Jensen..." — Right after the three knocks were heard, the Crown Prince’s voice reached me, from which, only a familiar surname I couldn’t recall where I heard it, was recognized in his mumble.
I continued to roll my head to watch the door... although... I initially was turning to look at the Crown Prince seating beside me.
I felt conflicted in the sudden relief and disappointment that fell on me by the call, but there was no time for me to ponder about it.
"Your Highness, His Excellency has summoned you to an Audience. It has been explicitly ordered, that Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, who we assume is in your presence, is to duly assist the Audience alongside the Crown Prince.
The Emperor wants me to pass his words along this summon: ’Big news, come and learn something good, son.’"
"..."
"... Your Highness, may I assume the Lady is in your company?"
"... She’s here."
"... Cohough!... Lady Marianne, His Excellency also sent words for you..."
’Huh? Okay?... Though... Why is his voice trembling now??’
"...... ’Cute child, do assist along the Crown Prince...ngh~~"
’Huh??? Why, do I feel like he’s suffering trying to finish?!??’
"... Help my eyes not to hurt looking at his annoying face’..... Is what his Majesty– !? Is what his Majesty said!!!"
’Pfffffffffft!! What the hell?! Hwahaha!! Is that– HAHA! Is that legal?! HwahaHAahahAha! Woah! He did you good there, kinky, hahah "annoying face" pff!’
I couldn’t believe my ears.
The Emperor was a funny man, funny enough to send such a message to me in front of his son.
The unexpected turn of events... I have to say, I’ve never been more grateful.