Chapter 163: Chapter 163
The guards proceeded to open the Doors at the servant’s signal as I watched the servant fix his collar, finally recalling why he seemed familiar.
’Oh! Now I remember! He’s the guy who welcomed us yesterday. He’s the Emperor’s direct servant if I’m not wrong...’
He seems SO tired... there are dark circles under his eyes... Being the Emperor’s servant must be tough if you risk life just by giving a simple message...
"... Fuuhhh..."
’Hm?’
The soft exhalation of the Prince reached my ears then, only allowing me to see his displeased expression before the full opening of the Doors.
"Announcing, His Highness, Crown Prince Zeleskiaz Reynold Di Frotschter, enters at His Excellency’s call along the Gracious Guest of this Palace, Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier."
Pulled by the already moving Prince, we walked inside as the announcement was said.
Urged by following his steps, I felt a bit troubled for not taking a polite wait after being announced... But I can’t do much since neither I nor Marianne knows what to do in this kind of situation.
Our body does have some inclination as to what is "proper" but... If I’m being led by this guy, we should just follow him.
If he does something improper we will be fine either way. His father, my good friend, the Emperor, knows this guy enough to realize we were "forced" by him, hehehe...
We are pure and cute Marianne after all, this face says it all. We are innocent and respectful people...
... Hmm?
’Oh? Isn’t that the Third Prince?! Waah! He’s here too~ We met so soon my little Prince~’
Wah~ I feel so happy just by seeing him standing by the Emperor’s side~
The little prince is very cute~ I love how his clothes make him seem petite but so admirable at the same time~
’Ah! We crossed eyes!’ — I inwardly said in excitement at how our gazes met by accident while I made my way closer.
"!"
" ~~!" — ’What a cutie~’
Seeing him shyly lower his head and peek at me from his spot, sent a squeeze to my heart. Resulting in me also lowering my head since his actions were truly delightful to see.
If not because I had matters to discuss with his Brother earlier we would probably be enjoying some fun time doing whatever he likes or... I don’t know... Teaching him cool stuff, teasing him with funny retorts and becoming friends as we talk about the sweets we should try next time...
’Sigh... Kinky Crown, You party pooper–...!?’ — As a bit of resentment was told inwardly, our steps halted, causing me slight surprise.
We had reached the spot to stand before the Emperor, who, as expected, was scowling at us.
Better said... At the guy next to me.
"So at last you deign to appear, Crown Prince. Have I not told you it is improper for my heir to make me wait?"
"Excuse my tardiness, Your Majesty. It is solely that, after receiving your message, I decided to take a tad longer to assist your call... For I did not want to "hurt your eyes" so soon."
"..." — ’Dang~ He’s not really smiling...’
"... Ervin Jensen..." — The Emperor suddenly mentioned the servant’s name after a pause and sent a deathly glare at the poor man.
’... I guess he... Wasn’t supposed to let the Prince hear my part of the message...’
"Sigh... At the very least, Lady Marianne is in your company..." — The resigned Emperor said, alternating from looking at the Crown Prince to me, eventually puffing a short laugh to add. — "Ha! She indeed helps my eyes! Hwaha!"
’Pff!’
"Hahaha... Ah~... Well, at last, the two of you are finally here. I wanted to get over a few matters before lunchtime since preparations must be made to let the Empire’s subjects learn the good news."
"What good news?" — The Crown Prince said.
’My words indeed!... What news??’ — I repeated on the inside.
"... Crown Prince. Our wonderful guest is no more a mere guest of this Palace. I presume you are already informed of the chambers she has been assigned to by my arrangement... Am I correct?"
"..... The Burgundy Calla’s–"
"That’s correct! Haha!!"
"..." — In his silence, I sensed how the Crown Prince was looking at me. Meeting his eyes, I saw the red pulsate beautifully for a second... Before turning back to listen to the next words of his Father, The Flamboyant Emperor.
"Lady Marianne is now in possession of a Title as "The Ninth Calla’s Confidant". She is now to receive a Surname as a Role... Awarded by Fenrir’s representative in this Realm, who is I, the Head of the House protected by the Bestial Deity."
With an arrogant grin, the Emperor declared, lifting his grail as in cheers for the great news this was for him.
’Role... I remember the Jensen guy mentioning that...’
"As the Lady is involved and you are the current heir to my throne, I figured it would be more effective to let both of you hear what this implies in one go... As for the Third Prince’s presence... I hope you won’t mind him joining this session, for he has taken an outstanding role in deciding the Lady’s deserved Surname.
Hence, I am adamant on honouring his great work and let him witness the unique accolade a Confidant is to procure."
’Oh! He helped?? That’s great~ I don’t really care~ He should stay even if he didn’t help, hehe.’
"... Dioclecià assisted you?"
"Yes."
"..." — The Crown Prince looked towards the kid shrinking in his place in what I assume was shame as he met his Brother’s eyes... Yet, although his stare seemed severe, the Crown Prince lastly added. — "In that case, My little Brother ought to stay. I assume this matter is of utmost secrecy if his majesty is asking our comprehension...?"
"... Positively, It is. None of us is to speak this with others... Although, the Duke, Lady Marianne’s Father was informed beforehand by who speaks... as I saw it necessary because of her circumstances..."
"That is reasonable... Then... I shall take Dioclecià as my Keepsake Member."
"!!? What?!"
"Ze– Your Highness?! I– How–"
"You will take a child as your first Keepsake Member?! More so, a fellow Prince???!"
’Yeah!! Are you crazy?!!!... Though, I have no idea what you guys are talking about! But! I wanna join!!’
"It is up to me who I choose, isn’t that what the scripts say, Your Majesty?"
"!... Indeed... Nevertheless..."
"I will not do so if Dioclecià declines. The scripts also declare the chosen member is allowed to refuse the Heir if not convinced."
"... Haaa... Alright. Dioclecià, You have already learned what a Keepsake Member represents in the Heir’s court. Although... as it is a matter one must consider with care, we shall leave this issue for a later date. Take the appropriate time to decide, Third Prince."
"... –es..." — The Little Prince’s voice barely made a sound. I could only hear the end of "yes" as he became smaller in the place he stood.
"..."
I watched him become tinier as his head tried to hide between his little shoulders... For a moment, I felt bad for him, who seemed troubled... However, I was able to notice a shy peek he gave to the Crown Prince standing by my side, and...
’His cheeks became an apple...’
Thinking of the sweet apples Marianne and I enjoyed in our outings to draw sceneries, I inwardly smiled. And turning to look at the one making the cute little Prince become a fruit...
’... Heh... So your smile not only makes the Ladies blush, huh?’
"....."
’After all... The original did leave out the Male Lead and Little Prince’s good relationship...’
Sigh... Where were you looking at, Karina?... These tiny details... What were you doing that you missed them?
"..." — ’... F*cking Karina...’
"Now, Let us resume the purpose that brings us together.
Lady Marianne... cute child... Before explaining all of this old mayhem... Let me address to you how joyous I am at your success in dominating the unassailable chambers the First Empress Calla personally assembled in a desire to please her Husband’s loyal friend.
The chamber was originally meant to represent Fenrir’s rightful place in the Palace, as it assisted the First Emperor in his massive conquest.
The beast received the chamber with satisfied arrogance and once the times Fenrir began to roam further away came, the First Emperor alongside his Empress would visit the distinctive chamber... For it was only within those walls that the pair could meet the longed friend’s presence... as well as its overwhelming power that pledged its protection on their descendants..."
"..." — ’oh...so... It’s... My room is Fenrir’s original bedroom!??’
"As time flowed, Fenrir ceased his visits to the First Monarchs... Who would come to feel its yearned presence in the Gracious Chambers.
The First Emperor Eventually found his demise... And his Wife continued to visit the Chamber in search of comfort, filling the overwhelming essence of blood Fenrir had dyed in it... With her guardian spirit’s; whose beloved nature were flowers."
"..." — ’... Blood and flowers...’
I guess It all has a hidden meaning...
"The Empress became attached to the chamber that had attained so many delightful memories of her loved ones.
The guardian was later passed down to one of the Princesses she had given birth to her husband... And as its presence also left her soul’s ability to discern it, the chamber was once more her consolation... And her idyll in the lonesome Palace devoid of her life’s companions."