Chapter 165: Chapter 165
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As outgoing as she is, the child warned us.
Her convictions were reasonable for we ought to return the value offered in a pact with an offering of equal value.
She expressed her dissatisfaction brazenly, and even amid her offensive words, we perceived vibrating nervousness within the foreigner’s soul.
For her to go against us in Izeneya...
—... Pristine and suitable... —
Indeed... The crucial character we need...
The foreigner was brought a seat as the Crown Prince had requested.
His inner beast had resonated in conformity with the real beast that had embedded a part of itself within him.
Its voice shook his senses with bristling electricity, making his aura menace the assistants even though no danger was looming over them.
Only the strong shiver was placed upon him as the invasion of garnet hue in his amethyst occurred.
The Prince was calm, solely concerned about the Lady by his side who unconsciously began to squeeze his arm with weak force once her crown was lowered.
Indifferent to the alarmed reactions surrounding him, Zeleskiaz focused on the tremorous Lady; and suggested a pause for her to get rest from standing.
Ignoring the Emperor’s voice and the threatening sounds of weaponry pointed at him, he prioritized her needs... For she occupied his sights entirely.
Even when the Lady appears so small in her lovely figure next to him.
Francois on the other hand was stunned at his eldest son’s composure after releasing such a heavy threat over the Hall.
His mind’s conjectures could only arrive at one supposition after witnessing his aura’s exposure without the intent of true menace two days in a row.
’... She truly did tame the Beast...’
Watching the Lady be assisted by his son, carefully, in elegant motion, to take rest on the requested chair, he exhaled, resigned that these false alarms are to become common... At least when the cute child was around.
"Bring her some water." — The Emperor ordered, seeing how she closed her lids to appease her sudden exhaustion. And after a well-measured pause, he talked to the Lady.
"Lady Marianne... May it be that this news was startling? It seems my hast has done harm on the Lady’s current demeanour..."
Water had been handed to her as Francois consulted. And receiving it with relief, she denied with her head his concern. Lying to him as an act of her characteristic kindness, excusing it with comprehension, she responded in her deepest.
’Although it’s shocking... The sooner we learn these things, the better. I might have turned pale, but that’s just because our weak body can’t even feign being healthy.’
Lifting her gaze after these reflections, the foreigner met the eyes of the far Emperor, who seemed fidgety on his seat.
Holding the meeting of their sights for a few moments, she then raised the water in her hands and bowed with gratitude to then drink short sips of it.
"....." — Everyone present stood silent, admiring her proper manners as her delicate figure straightened glamourous to take in the pure liquid.
The guards that had run into the Hall to protect the Emperor had lowered their weapons and even though it was time for them to abandon the private reunion, they stayed to appreciate the unique existence of the woman they have heard of since yesterday.
As they eventually made their way outside, the men whispered with each other, amazed at the truth behind the rumours.
"So that’s the rumoured guest!"
"They never said she was this beautiful..."
"Shush! She ought to be... A woman capable to appease His Highness... Even her silence is mystic."
"She’s Sylfinnier Duke’s daughter... His Grace’s elegance and prominence have been inherited..."
Their mumblings reached the sharp ears of the Crown Prince, and although some were hypnotised by her beauty, he couldn’t resist grinning in satisfaction at the words of the pitiful men.
’... Even from a distance, people can discern your allure, My Lady..... Those men would become sightless if they closed said distance... And they better not dare.’
He thought, following with his eyes the lines of her sweet contour, greedy to keep it only to himself to enjoy.
"Oh, cute child... You may conquer this Empire with your lovely spirit and I wouldn’t lift a finger, haha..." — The Emperor said in response to her reassurance and abruptly added. — "Zeleskiaz."
"Your Majesty."
Calling his son’s name, Francois forfeited his fond smile and turned it into a severe expression. The Crown Prince’s standpoint on the chosen matters was now to be told, as no time was to be wasted after straining the Lady’s resistance this long.
"As of your role in the Lady’s naming... What you ought to always have in mind in this matter is that The Lady is no longer a high noble’s daughter. She is no common lady, nor subject.
She is now a treasure, a blessing and a promise to this Empire; to the people... To our House.
She is now to be treated with the respect a Royal and a carrier spirit deserves.
I as the current Emperor shall see that honour equal to mine is to be granted by the throng to her... And you shall continue this duty once the crown is officially granted to lay on your head."
"... I understand." — Zeleskiaz declared.
For the First time, the seriousness of his father’s orders was comprehended by him. Nonetheless... It was not because of the importance the assignment of her Title entailed, that he did not waver in his agreement.
Within him, the Lady already had a higher place than the one the new Tile gave her...
"... ’They won’t forsake the evil, for evil is well known by them’..."
"Pardon?"
"Calla’s words. The last scripts she left for us, her descendants. It is said that the guardian spirit told the Princess to communicate these words with utmost importance to later generations until they arrived to us, the receivers of the Ninth."
"..."
"It’s our warning, Zeleskiaz."
"Hah. Warning?"
"... We shall go into detail at a later date. Only keep it in mind and act accordingly...That means No ’incidents’ in her presence. Understood?"
"Ha."
"..."
"No need to state the obvious, Your Majesty."
"...."
Ironically, every order suited his original intentions.
Zeleskiaz had already decided on showing the Lady high respect and only nice sights for her pure eyes to witness.
The care for her wellbeing was only growing by learning that her value was not only visible to him but also the divine spirits from this Realm.
Meanwhile, the precious Guest gulped down her water in one long sip after hearing the Emperor’s instructions on the treatment she is to receive from here on.
’Oh, d*mn... Oh, mother fathers! Like a Royal?!... This... You guys, I can’t be the Ninth..... I just discovered I have a fear of commitment. No. I have a rare disease, guys. It’s called "allergy to the number nine"... I could die, you know? Do you want me to die? Huh? I’m sure you don– Aaaaaah!!! I need more water! My throat is already closing as a symptom!’
Troubled by the heavy responsibility a high position equal to a Royal’s signified, the foreign child felt dizzy at the undesired power for she knew what it involves.
’Power brings envy, and although Marianne deserves to be envied for her hotness... her having power will only enhance the envy everyone has to a more dangerous one! T-the Duchess! Theressa! And that freakish Paul!! They will all flip at this and make my life more miserable!!!! Theressa might even kill me! Why this d*mn timing?! You could have waited until I was able to say a three-word sentence, for crying out loud!!!! AaaaAAahhHh!!!!’
Her inner image wilted in despair for she knew tougher times would run into her. And thus, joining the reigning stillness of the Hall, she paused, forcing the bothersome truth away with a quick change of her mind’s focus.
’..... Water... Hey. Mate. Me. Thirsty. Water... Me. Wants. Water.....
Hey! Give me more water! Staying hydrated is crucial right now!! All these ups and downs my poor self has been through since morning deserve some water!! Aaaaah~ ah~aaahhh~ water~ oh~ water, water~’
Pulling on the near Crown Prince’s sleeve, she began to say on her bottom corners, gesturing with her hand the needed refill of her glass.
Hugely differing her outside tranquillity with the outraged demand from within, she closed her eyes, hoping her last playful but felt chantings reached someone.
"... You." — After watching her drowsy approach, Zeleskiaz raised his gaze from her to cast a deathly glare at one ignorant servant. — "Fill her glass properly."
"!! Yes!"
Running to her, the young lad served her, dreading the punishment for his lacking service.
Yet...
The Lady...
Better said, The foreign soul... was doing her best to change her bewilderment back to her usual leisurely attitude.
Therefore, seeing the transparent liquid flow into her glass as she wished...
’Aw~ you~... So you heard my prayings~? What a good boy~ good~ good boy~ hehe~’
"!!?"
Before he finished filling her glass, the young lad received the Lady’s joyous pats on his puffy hat causing him to blush at the unexpected action.
"Hwaha! Oh, dear! This child is so interesting, phwahaHa!" — The Emperor applauded at the unusual sight.
The young lad slowly stood as her petting ceased, giving a shy bow before going back to his designated place.
Marianne bowed in appreciation, watching him run back to his place in calm outside demeanour, as a fond comment was thought.
’Thank you~ what a nice boy you are~.....’ — Taking a moment she filled her lungs with a vast whiff of air and, in paced timing, she released it.
’Pheww..... Alright... Now I’m fine. Foolishness or not... The troubling sensation is finally gone.’
Eventually, her slate eyes opened, having earned a new pacific glint.