Chapter 186: Chapter 186
The realisation made my stomach flutter from the victory.
I say it’s a victory since this feels like an accomplishment when thinking of how things could have gone... which didn’t happen. And since we are at it, we can celebrate this rare chance.
Not every day you get paralysed, bleed from your nose and pass out the moment you are alone to wake up the next day recovered and even healthier than when arriving at an unknown world.
’That’s right~ life should smile at us sometimes too~ not all can be problems, can it? Fufufu~’ — Delighted, I silently seated on our bed as I singsonged to my lovely cutie.
I inwardly smiled as I looked at our hands in our laps, feeling the relief flow directly to our bones since it was a nice start to the day.
"..."
’Hmm... Somehow... I do feel something weird.’
Maybe it is the sensation of the forgotten dream I had...
Was it a dirty one??...
’I feel bothered trying to recall... I don’t usually have any of those and... Isn’t the timing odd?... Not that my psyche is that normal but...’
Having an erotic dream after passing out, can’t be that common...
As if it was natural, our fingertips went to touch our lips... And as if following a trace they dropped to our cleavage.
"..."
My chest felt amiss.
’Was it a nice dream? I get the feeling it’s a waste I can’t recall it.’
"...?"
’... Sigh... I might be just delusional. Let’s forget it.’
At the decision, I rolled my head to the Duke’s seat. He had yet to wake up.
’Hmm~? Were you reading the purple worm’s suggestion?? I haven’t read much of it yet–... Aw... Haha, Mister~ what do you have there~?’
Peeking at the page it had stayed open, I found a cute little thing in the middle, where the pages separated from the other to commence new paragraphs.
The amusement caused me to face him. My bare feet felt the cold floor and even if I was still a bit drowsy from waking up, I stood to see the small craft from a better perspective.
’Cute. Haha~ It’s a–... paper flower...’
I was already smiling at his adorable actions, but then, my inner smile became wider because, as if continued pictures had been taken, the quick recollection of the film was shown to me in a blink.
’... If that’s how it was... Should we wait for him to wake up and surprise him?’ — Playfully, I suggested the moved Marianne, who was swooning from shyness at the nice memories.
Her answer was not even needed. If it was certain to make him happy, Anne wouldn’t doubt agreeing to the plan.
Quietly, I extended my arm to pick it up with my fingertips.
Succeeding the mission, I folded my arm slowly and quietly turned, tiptoed my way to the dressing table and placed the "stem" part of the flower between my surprisingly not-so-messy hair.
’Ugh... Uh, it’s difficult to pin it so it won’t fall... Oh! I know!’
Realising how I could make it stay put, I fiddled with my hands until it looked nice.
It took a while, but we somehow made it.
Satisfied, I placed my hands on our hips and nodded. It had been a while since I stood that long in front of a mirror, so I stood there for a little longer.
Our expression was as emotionless as ever. But I could see a difference.
’We have a "don’t talk to me" face but, d*mn gurl~ our body is vibing with energy saying "let’s misbehave to have a good time~~" type of mood~’
Just as I like it.
"..."
’Alright, let’s sit back at our bed and wait. He shouldn’t be far from waking up.’
Going back to our place after feeling how Anne wanted to secure we were there to say Good morning to her Father, I glanced at the Duke.
Mhm. Still sleeping.
’We will have to wait... What to do in the meantime~?’
My eyes went down and finding our legs, I stared at our feet lifting one a bit to observe it with detention.
’So white... These have never seen the sun... Our nails are well kept though, hehe~ We are a pretty feet Lady~ fufu...’
Rocking them playfully, I tried to entertain Anne with my early silliness. I could feel her getting nervous in anticipation and it was contagious.
’I bet he might tear up... But, besides that, What do you think they will give us as breakfast? We saw the doctor yesterday so maybe it will be a boring one today...’ — I told her, depressed since it might become true.
’I know it may be a bit much... But I want some bacon...’
I made some small talk like this.
Trying to keep it carefree, we waited peacefully as good friends we are, trying not to think of all the troublesome things that might add to our problems.
*******
Two moonlighted skies passed. It is now the 19th of Zate.
"Your Grace, the Palace’s carriage was prepared for your outing as His Majesty’s petition instructed. It is to wait for Your Grace and the Ninth as previously scheduled."
"... I understand. Thank you, Dazil, you may retire." — Orland told the still unfamiliar man.
Bowing, the servant took his leave as his purpose had been accomplished. Stoic, he closed the Duke’s bedroom door, leaving him in its stillness.
The young apprentice had been hired only the day before.
With sights for efficient management in the close passing of his Title, Orland had taken a composed servant of the palace to help him, as Thomas is to do, while he remained at the Royal Palace.
Training him was something the elder Thomas would do to detail once they returned to the Duchy. Regardless, he wished for the young man to learn some basic aspects in the meantime.
He was to serve Paul later as the right hand Thomas has been for Orland.
The idea emerged from the events that occurred on the 16th. Hence, it had been more of an impulsive decision on his part.
’He is quite severe... Yet he has a good disposition. Dazil should not have trouble treating with Paul if he is this reserved.’ — He thought, partly satisfied.
Seating at his bed’s edge, the Duke pinned silvery cufflinks with a beautiful yet simple imprint of lines born from a perfect spiral in its centre. His finger went over the meticulously made cracks to give his preparation the touch to its end.
Wearing a copper-coloured vest and a high neck whose frills seemed modest in comparison to the overspread he usually wore for special occasions, Orland took a black cape and covered his shoulder in a smooth swing.
Matching his vest’s colour with the embroidery at its tail his dignity was apparent. A gentlemanly look with a clean face and hair.
Cheerfully, he paced through the corridors that lead to his daughter’s chambers.
In precaution, their promised outing had been moved to the following day of the previously convened one.
Attempting to keep an eye on her condition, he wanted to make sure her healthy state was not a transient occurrence.
’It’s hard to believe... But she seems even healthier than when we arrived.’ — He thought, finding an interesting sight.
At the end of the hall, he watched how a tiny sparrow jumped on the edge of an open window.
The bird was adorable in its unpredictable hops; shaking its wings at times and curiously looking every way it wanted.
When he woke from his doze the day of that cursed dinner, a lovely sight similar in charm was to welcome him.
’... I must have dozed off.’ — He had silently thought as his eyes opened.
Pressing his nose bridge as a habit with his tips, he immediately felt alarmed at the empty sheets in front of him.
Nonetheless, his surprise was only that. A fleeting reaction.
He did not even get to flinch, for as soon as his eyes turned slightly to the right, his daughter, lovely and pure in her white nightgown, leisurely watched her own feet swing energetically.
Suddenly she halted with both bare feet up, and as if it had been enough, she dropped them in unison to lift her head and stare at the high ceiling of her chambers.
The delighted father’s smile came naturally as he watched her, and then, he noticed.
’Ah... She put it on by herself...’
On one of her long strands of hair, which in the absence of perfect light seemed merely brown, a tiny craft he had made during his guard decorated her.
’It looks so tiny on her now that she’s grown... Yet still as lovely.’
A gesture of his that she enjoyed when little. Placing various of those paper flowers on her to make a crown for his pure princess...
"Morning, dear."
"!"
An almost unnoticeable flinch was her first reaction, yet the child delicately tilted her head to meet his eyes.
Her vigour was visible, even amidst her expression and the hair he had combed in caresses with his fingers while she slept; they flooded over her shoulder, silky, like natural fur, wavy like the waters of a chanting ocean.
"My dear... You look stunning again today. It’s a pity I didn’t make more flowers..." — He told her without concealing his impressions.
The girl brought her hand to the little decoration as if remembering she had placed it on herself.
’Ah, right... This was the mission.’
A soft whiff of air left his nose in delight.
She was a unique child, and her gestures gave her more loneliness as they gave her thoughts away.
"... How was your sleep?"
That day, Orland shared most of it with his daughter. The youngest also accompanied them for a certain period of it and today’s arrangements had been ultimately agreed upon.
Knock knock
"..."
... Creak...
"Good day, My Lady. Are we ready to depart?"
Greeting his child with playful reverence once she peeked from behind the door, Orland felt enthusiastic at what their outing would gift him this time.