Chapter 182: Chapter 182
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"Theressa, you should head back to your room."
"... Are you to remain with Marianne, Father?"
"Yes... We ought to see if... If she stays awake or..."
"I understand..." — Glancing at the resting woman further into the unique chambers, Theressa agreed.
Exhausted by the unprovided surprises her emotions went through, the young girl needed to retire to her quarters to replenish her vigour. Nevertheless, a hint of insecurity was sparked within her after all she had witnessed.
’... Go get some rest... D*mn dwarf...’
The woman noticed her sister’s stare. Playful in her mean response, she smirked to herself lifting lightly her hand to wave Theressa a safe farewell.
’... Your make-up won’t hold much longer, hehe...’
The youth watched the delicate limb’s gesture faintly, and lowering her gaze, still conflicted, she parted.
"Be sure to rest too, Father... I am to come back early tomorrow morning."
"... Yes, sweetie... Have peaceful dreams... Please eat what I asked Louisa to prepare for you. The least I want is for you to ail too." — Giving an affectionate stroke to her forehead, the Duke brought her closer to wrap her in a tight hug, wishing to reassure her frail state and convey his care for her wellbeing too.
"... I will. Good night, dad."
"..." — Orland watched her leave with fond eyes, happy at how she addressed him.
’Haha... How long has it been since she called me "dad"?...’
"Dear." — He called before she disappeared. — "May Isis and Hathor visit you and fill your dreams with gooseberries, my child."
"Fuhu... May them do the same for you Father..."
His Good night chant, especially said to change her dejected expression into the lovely one she now portrayed, made both parent and child smile, and with a timid bow, the youngest of his family went off.
Closing the entrance, Orland turned to walk back to his eldest daughter’s side, finding her blinking calmly on the soft mattress.
"Your sister went back to rest. She told me she will come back in the morning."
’Mhmm... I heard.’ — With the tight closure of her lids, she answered.
"... You only slept for two hours... Are you sure you don’t want to keep sleeping, sweetie? I will stay with you no matter how long it takes..."
’Hmm... It’s weird Mister. I thought I would wake up a month later... I mean... We even had a nosebleed...’
She commenced telling on her inside as her eyes followed the intention of her thoughts.
’But I feel way better than I thought... Maybe this Pact thing has something to do with it. I woke up the moment I arrived here, after all.’
"... Hmm... Seems like my bird has lots to say in mind~"
Observing how her pupils travelled back and forward as if reciting her thoughts, Orland felt pleasant at how she seemed eager to communicate. The mere act was enough of a response to his question and her adorable gaze coming back to him from time to time, conveying she was talking secretly to him, was delightful to observe.
Pinching her nose lightly, he softly laughed because her diffused stare was gone and now the light was getting back to its rightful place.
"... Sweetie... I apologise."
His sincerity needed to be told. And so, Orland suddenly mumbled for he felt responsible for the events that occurred.
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’Oh goodness... Not again...’
He’s making that regretful expression.
"I believe I have been irresponsible in taking care of you these days... Maybe it was a rushed decision to accept the Prince’s invitation as soon as you got slightly better... These difficulties you are under are entirely my responsibility, Marianne... I am deeply sorry for the harm my mistakes are causing you, my child."
"..."
As all I could do was remain silent, I kept my eyes on him. The crease between his brows was upsetting.
He was feeling guilty about something he wasn’t truly at fault for.
If the decision hadn’t been taken back then... Right now I would be at the Duchy, having one of those lovely sessions of torture with my "dear older brother" until dawn... I wouldn’t have so many people caring for me at this late hour. I wouldn’t have learned the concern Theressa hid for Marianne; the extent of our voice’s volume; that I’m an important renewal to a legendary pact... or hadn’t got into the complicated yet weirdly pleasing "friendship" with the one who invited me here.
Most importantly... The food is so good I’m actually up for a few more faintings, heh.
...
Still... It’s better to be here than where Paul is... Marianne would have reached another kind of limit if we had stayed.
"... I... I do not know what to do, dear."
’Huh?’
After a pause, he told us, obviously troubled by what I think is frustration.
"Everything I want for you is to be healthy and happy... Yet, I keep making mistakes that harm your frail spirit... And cause these heartbreaking breakdowns upon you."
From below, in my laying position, I could see in his proper stance as he bowed in regret how his shoulders trembled from helplessness.
The thing is... That our breakdowns are not something anyone has power on. Even ourselves, Marianne and I, we have no means to deal with them because of how random they are.
And, although they are hugely troublesome and annoying... What hurts us more is the fact that it doesn’t solely affect us.
Last time it was the Duke, Paige and grandpa Thomas who grieved over our state. This time even Theressa and the Crown Prince were involved...
Regardless, as it is the Duke who Marianne loves the most...
’It hurts more when we see you like this because of us, Mister.’
And as the thoughtful father he is... I know he is aware of that fact.
He reads us so well he told us before how we place others’ well-being first.
’We don’t want you to feel bad too.’
I took a moment to consider my next step. Restrictions on how close I am to become with him shouldn’t matter now. Fair is fair... And I do not think he is at fault here.
’You did betray me today... But I can oversee such minor things easily, Mister.’
With the little strength I had, I pushed my hand over, causing it to fall on the mattress from my belly... And unfolded it as I stared at him.
’Take a seat and hold our hand, Mister. Stop thinking nonsense...’
"..." — It took him a moment of hesitation. But he slowly leaned to hold my hand and sat on the edge of our bed, right by our side. — "... Do you still feel weak, dear?"
’Yeah... It’s a bit annoying...’
With a blink of my eyes, I answered and continued to watch him.
"... I see... Do you think... These concerns I keep are foolish?"
I blinked again. Stared again.
"... Sigh... I know, dear..... Yet I cannot help it. You are my sweet child and I want to keep you safe at all costs. Do understand that anything that harms you is painful for me too and that won’t ever change as much as you hate it."
’Heh... See how you know it all, mister?’
"Hahaha... Mhm... I told non-sense although I know that I cannot control everything that could hurt you... But that is just a tiny show of the love your Father has for you, dear bird... Let me be foolish. That is all I have right now in these helpless hands that cannot cure you of what inflicts aching in you."
’... That’s not foolish... That’s stupid, mister.’ — I thought about what he said.
Haaah... I want to tell him... I want to say it so it gets imprinted in his memory...
That his concerns are fine to exist but not the guilt... And that his constant company and support are all we need.
His affection is a given... His presence is all Marianne needs.
’I want to hurry, Mister... Forget the main story and the problems we may get into... We need to talk to you and assure you of this.’
We wished for it strongly with Anne. We tried squeezing his hand as strongly as we could, distressed at our body’s stubborn numbness and whimsical restriction.
"... I suppose the two of us feel helpless, sweetie." — He suddenly told us, caressing our temple. — "That is alright... I can see how this situation is exasperating for you... Yet do not rush. Whatever you wish to say or do, I shall listen to it at any moment... Well, maybe not exactly listen, haha... However, I am to attentively receive your words as intently as you do for me, sweetie. Forget it for now. We should talk of something that brings joyful light to those eyes instead of grief."
’Ugh... You’re awesome, Mister... You always know what to say...’
Again, he calmed us.
Just as he did some time ago, Marianne’s Father repeated how we could take our time because no matter when... He would be there for us.
"..."
It may be sudden... But right now I’m eager to hear some story he may know... Maybe with that, the relief that is pushing tears to my eyes might subside just as it did when I woke last time.