Chapter 183: Chapter 183
As I had no way to ask for a story, I limited myself to listen to the Duke talk his mind.
I did not feel it was a waste. After all, the Duke has a way with words and his eloquence when reciting some pieces was entrancing.
He suggested a topic after giving a glance at the bedroom, just as he did last time.
"Isn’t the shade of the Furniture spectacular? I heard the First Empress liked the mix of white and burgundy most for it invoked pleasant emotions in her. It does have its charm now that I find myself here."
’That’s true... My first impression was a bit shocking since I felt more things than see. But the chambers are indeed wonderful.’
"Hmm... Your hair also mimics its walls shade at night... Might that be one of the reasons Fenrir chose you, dear? I am a bit reluctant, however, that bestial deity appears to have a good eye at times when choosing protegees."
’Ahahah! What does that mean~?’
He became playful at times. And then, when he had made us giggle enough, he suggested to recite some poetry.
"Dear... Did you know it troubles me that Theressa does not seem to appreciate my poetic compliments? I think it would be a waste... I even believe my compliments to you may be hindered by toning them down for her..."
’Ei~~ how could that be~ Mister is an expert when it comes to elaborate compliments~’ — I thought in disbelief at how cute a concern he kept.
"... How about from time to time I recite some to you? Although I come up with compliments on the spot... Cough... Uhm. It is a tad embarrassing... Yet, I have a few I have written on my own."
’Oho~? Why ask, Mister!? If we weren’t still under the numbing effect, I would jump to seat and hear you recite them!!’
If he comes up with such awesome pieces with no preparation... How spectacular must be the ones he keeps untold?!
’I want to hear some of those~ I’ll give you drawings in appreciation, hehehe~’
Making the best attempt I could manage, I forced my eyes to do the old reliable "glittery gaze" for him. This way he would know I’m excited to listen to his poems.
His closed hand was on his chin as a gesture to hide embarrassment. I witnessed how his eye corners got redder at my enthusiasm and chuckled at his adorable expression failing to hide his joy.
"Then... Ahem..... There is one I wrote early this year. As it was Summer and it is soon to commence again..."
Hehe... He seems nervous.
"Umm... Its name is ’Round glimpse’..."
The Duke straightened further and taking my hand with both of his, he gave us a shy smile to proceed.
"An enormous shape hides not over the bounders.
Felt to each, the ground, the herbs, it is the feeders.
Round intensity is bestowed on the fruitless, the awarded nurturers.
Sheen inhabits the day walkers..... It is the sacral mellow glimpse of that lonesome orb."
"..." — Hearing him with awe at the befitting tone he had suddenly adopted, leaving behind any trace of his adorable shyness, I blinked in a trance for a moment. — ’... Hmm... That one sounds complicated... But, Mister~ it sounds so nice~..... Awarded nurturers... A sacral mellow glimpse...’
His poem was complex, however, it did not let me down. The Duke’s thoughts were placed in those proses. Therefore, I pondered on its meaning, entertained since it was a beautiful piece he had come up with, obviously with the sensitive heart he has.
"... Are you trying to understand what I refer to in it, my dear sun?" — He asked looking at me fondly.
’Sun... Hahaha! So it was indeed the sun??’
"Mm... It may seem it is the sun, and it is in a sense... However, dear, you can give it other meanings."
’?? How does that work?’
"I have the belief that poems are not meant to have a certain shape... I did make it when feeling enthusiastic, for it was a beautiful day. Yet... Not only the sun can be the enormous shape hiding.
Is it only the sun that is felt by everyone? Is it the only feeder of life? Is it life it truly feeds...?"
"..."
"... Awarded nurturers... Are they working along that intensity or are they nurturing it too?... A lonesome orb that grants the sheen... Sweetie, isn’t it interesting? It may be the sun who helps all to grow with its brilliance. It may be an unknown force that keeps an eye on everything over the boundaries it’s hiding in... Or it could merely be the presence of a precious soul that bestows blessings upon those who cross their path...
It may be you, my Dear child."
’... That’s deep... So there is no need for one interpretation...’ — I pondered on everything he had explained thus far seriously but... — ’How are you to interpret it if it is me who the poem is about?’
I wonder how that could refer to us, Marianne, in his mind.
Tilting my head to the side that was resting on the pillow, I attempted to get his answer with the unwavering eyes he knew how to read so well.
I stared and stared...
He would raise his brows as a teasing to make me more curious and I know my eyes emitted my wonder more intensely as he incited my interest.
’Come on, Mister~ Tell me~’
Eventually, he gave up, noticing I was growing fidgety.
"Oh, dear... It is embarrassing to explain... Yet I have said it before. Even when your condition is a boundary for expression, your great soul hides in it and makes its way to reach us... You are a feeder of joy, infectious with the seed you leave with each step, so much so that the world surrounding you is revitalized by your presence. An awarded nurturer of beauty that makes a useless sheet precious like the fruit that is harvested to feed the people... Lonesome orb that brings colour with your gaze to any wandering being when meeting you..."
’... It’s lovely...’
I like that meaning, hihihi.
"See? It’s–... Ah... Hahaha... I will write hundreds of poems from now on, sweetie." — He halted his saying to declare, bringing his hand to my cheek, overwhelmingly touched. — "I will recite them to you just like today... Explain them if necessary... Only to see this."
A careful stroke was given with his thumb and then he held our chin with his hand extended as if to appreciate the view.
It was then that I realised.
’... Ah... So I’m also smiling on the outside...’
That’s wonderful. He deserves much more for it, though.
*******
We kept "chatting" until the familiar knock on the door was heard.
Paige had arrived.
Her eyes were puffy and I believe it was for all the crying she did once informed of what happened.
The Duke had told me as we conversed that she would be absent for a bit after he deciphered I was searching with my eyes for her when I was reminded she was yet to appear at some point in the conversation.
Marianne’s Father had told us that she was quite shocked when hearing I was taken to the doctor... And that I was bleeding.
"The guards did not tell her it was a nosebleed... She... Sigh, I believe she thought you had been poisoned and... Well... Paige would not listen after that. Talmhach kindly took it upon himself to wait for her to calm down to explain. Nonetheless, it may take some time for her to return..."
And now that she’s here...
"... excuse.. my delay..... ngh..... My Lady...!"
’... Girl... Where the hell did your eyes go?! How in the– How much did you cry!?’
Once she got closer I saw how her eyelids were so swollen they would not open even when trying to separate them by force. She was... It may sound mean... But it was gross.
My poor maid! It’s as if bees had stung her mercilessly!!
’You need to toughen up, Paige!! This won’t be the last time this happens! Are you to become another person every time?!... Wait. Did you perhaps kill me off on your own?! Is that why you cried so much you became the maid version of Quasim*do???!’
This is crazy! She– pff! Oh my God, I shouldn’t laugh but–! This girl is like a living caricature! How can she be so funny even when it’s an appalling sight?!
If my eyes aren’t popping out right now it would be disrespectful to her speciality. This girl just can’t make a normal concerned expression. She has to make it memorable.
’Respect. Paige. You have all of mine...’
"... Paige, has Talmhach explained what truly happened to you?"
"... Sniff..... Yes, My Lord..."
’Res–... My respect–ngh... P–... You ngh do have it–’
"... Wipe your face, Paige" — The Duke suddenly told her, handing another handkerchief and giving me the last stab.
’–BUT D*MN IT!!! PHWAHA –AAAAHAHAHHHA!!!! NOT THE SNOT CARD AGAIN, PAIGE!!!’
If I don’t die from a heart attack from the relentless attacks from the people surrounding me, this freaking crybaby will.
’Ahaha! I’ll gladly die from laughter! But girl~ have mercy!!’
Dragging my free hand as fast as I could to cover my mouth, I closed my eyes in pain from the forceful restrain of my snorting by our mean body.
If my expression is changing as the duke just witnessed, I’ll do my best so only graceful lines are shown on Marianne’s lips... Not the sick ones I’m used to do on the inside.