Chapter 167: Chapter 167
Elizabeth felt deep joy at how gorgeous a sight Marianne appeared to be before these Royals and her body’s cheeks did not fail to demonstrate their slight mesh by smudging with drops of rose watercolour her sweet features.
In the midst of her entrancing blush, the men observed with timid joy for the girl softened any who beheld such occurrence.
Yet, unfortunately for them, the Emperor had to proceed with the formalities forcing them to cease the delightful appreciation.
"Ahem... Having addressed to the Ninth her fresh name... The Spirit’s Tears tribute ought to be handed." — Extending his hand, he announced.
From his side, an elegant servant brought a small treasure casket on a pompous pillow of velvety cloth which at times adopted the dark red of the Royals emblem and, at others, the beaming violet of their Household’s eyes.
The coffer was true to its antiquity. Its wooden material had the texture a wise old tree would possess and the iron pieces assembling its small shape were rusty for the centuries it must have maintained that little gate closed.
The Emperor took it in his hands and opening its lock, he showed the pearl-like-sized sphere inside it to its new owner.
"A sign of your attainment this is, Lady Marianne, The Ninth Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars.
— Keep this hurtful tear of mine and deliver it to every Confidant... Yet retrieve it later... for its final owner ought to be my friend’s promised. —
The guardian spirit’s tear that remained is to be kept by you, its rightful owner. Those were the spirit’s instructions..."
Receiving the crystalline tear, she noticed the subtle hills in the spherical shape.
Of a coral shade, the tear appeared to have waves in the form of a blossoming flower and tiny white specs of white flowed in its vivid sea, leaving strokes of its pure colour as they moved leisurely inside it.
’It’s... Wow... W–... Wooow..... Pretty woooow...’ — The amazed child thought, unable to take her eyes away from the delicate jewel-like relic, and impressed to the point of not conceiving words to convey her awe properly.
"... It is believed that... Those white grains are the Empress’s dust that got absorbed by the guardian’s tear as it fell... Therefore, the only motive for the tear to have remained visible...
The Princess who had the guardian in possession later told her children that when the time to deliver the tear to one of the chosen by Fenrir came... The receiver ought to protect and care for it with utmost suavity; because the guardian spirit could only tangle in a dance with her friend within it if the holder sees for its good condition."
"..." — The Lady had lifted her visage to pay attention to the story behind the tear’s importance. And once it was told, she observed it with new awe... And newly found fondness. — ’... So they are dancing... Hehe... They... Is it crazy to think they look happy, sweetheart?’
"~..."
A secret exchange began within the Lady.
’Mhmm~... I’m crazy to start with, so it doesn’t matter, haha... Hey, Marianne..... Doesn’t this reminds you of us?’
"....."
’Right?..... Maybe we look as precious as this tear to them..... If that’s the case, as expected, we’re breathtakingly stricking~~ We go girl~ hihi~’
Her eyes looked at the tear with pure love and sweet delight.
The adorable comparison she made with her friend, gave the treasure another meaning besides the original; and enamoured by it, she felt emotional at the blooming desire for them to keep their dance together just as the guardian and Calla have done inside the delicate tear for centuries without end.
’Let’s dance again later, sweetheart... Even if I have to crawl, I want to teach you some good moves today...’ — She half-jokingly told Marianne, trying to contain herself from dropping common tears at the thought of sharing her life with the local soul. Eventually closing the casket.
At this action, Francois resumed his sayings intending to conclude the private ceremony.
"Herewith, Lady Marianne has officially earned her Title and Role. The news shall be conveyed to the Empire’s subjects immediately and the public ceremony will be done at a later date, for adequate preparations ought to be made.
To garland this accolade... your sole greeting is to be said in remembrance of the pact you represent."
At the Emperor’s gesture, the men also lowered their heads in respectful greeting and after hearing the hymn to be recited from the Emperor, the two Princes and the servants repeated it in vigorous intonation.
"May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again."
"May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again!"
The silence stayed vibrant whilst the sound vanished...
And Fenrir... The malicious one between us earned Calla’s renewal along with his protege... It is now a matter of the fluctuating time and the foreign child’s artworks with the shallow fate that will lead to the pact’s honour.
*******
After the ceremony, I was so absorbed in all that had happened that I don’t remember much of how we made it to the Banquet Hall from there.
I only remember that a servant went to retrieve the guardian tear from me so he could take it to my chambers... But I only remember that because I bluntly refused.
The tear is so precious I can’t get myself to trust it to anyone else.
What if someone steals it? Won’t that make Calla and the spirit’s dance come to an end?? No, thank you.
I want them to stay together forever.
Only I will take care of the tear. I’ve decided.
Not even Paige will be allowed to handle it!
...She won’t touch it... But I want to brag. So I still will show it to her.
Hehe. It’s just so pretty~ if only I could make an accessory out of it so I can carry it with me~...
Ugh. But I know that even if I could, I shouldn’t do it.
’Sigh... I’m always all over the place. If I lost it, I probably would accept becoming a sacrifice because of the guilt...’
"..."
’I promise I won’t lose you, pretty box.’
And so, right now as I gulf down this delicious feast in front of me, I feel like I’m having a romantic meal with a treasure box.
I didn’t want to lose it from sight, which is why I placed it across the table so I could watch it as we eat.
Although I did ask his Majesty if I could do so, maybe I shouldn’t have even asked.
The Emperor chuckled at me and said with that flamboyant attitude I adore:
"Why ask, cute child!? Do as you desire! This table was arranged for you in the first place! Haha!"
I felt a bit stupid for being well-mannered for some reason. The Emperor has been acting so friendly that maybe I shouldn’t be so formal all the time.
’Hehe~... He’s like a fun uncle...’ — I thought as I brought a piece of a peach pie after giving the Emperor a secret peek.
This time, we were seated slightly different than the day before.
All royals were present just like yesterday, which actually troubled me, because, although they aren’t the Emperor, they must have things to do besides having banquets every day for the same Guest.
However, I discarded the conflict because the food is really good. So I think that even if I’m taking time out of their tight schedule... They should be grateful because, even for them, these plates must taste like freaking heaven.
"..."
Either way. Today the Emperors are seated at the head again, but I made it so the Little Prince is seated between me and the Emperor while the Mister stayed by my right side just like the day before.
Theressa was also there, and she seemed oddly content after all that happened that morning.
I would even dare to say she felt fresh when coming into the Banquet Hall.
Whatever it is that lifted her mood... Nice job.
If any girl her age were to be found on their lies so easily by her crush... They would even wail out of shame from leaving a bad impression on the guy.
I think some wouldn’t leave their room out of regret, wishing for the room to become the gate to a parallel world where they haven’t done such stupidity.
’... Don’t worry Theressa. Big sister here warned your crush to be nice, so you just need to act well. I’m sure you also have a gist of how you should behave by now. In the novel you weren’t always stupid, so big sister has hopes for you to get better at being a villain.’ — I tried to tell her with my yet-to-be-activated telepathy as I ate another bite of this sweet pie. — ’Om nom nom... Dang~ this is good... The Little Prince really has good taste.’
"... Does Lady Marianne, the Ninth, like it?"
"~!" — Suddenly, the Little Prince asked my opinion.
I was so focused on tasting it and thinking of other things, I had forgotten to tell him how good it was. And so, like those figurines some taxis had back in my world... I moved my head rhythmically to convey its marvellous taste.
’The glaze at the top is so yummy and fresh~ I like it very much, My Prince~’
"Hehe! I’m glad it pleases the Ninth’s taste!"
"..." — ’... Hmm... It really does... But...’
This bothers me.