Chapter 209: Chapter 209
*******
Oh my freaking Hellish Dumpling God!!!!! This brat! Not even being cute can save her this time!!
’Shouldn’t the mere mention of the harmless word "Pineapple" strike a D*MN ALARM in this STUPID–! Yes! I hate it! But the f**king dwarf is RIGHT!! You Stupid, STOOPID... B– BIRDBRAIN!! POO–POO HEAD!!’
Hng! I can’t even insult her further! I feel her shaking!! D*rn it, this kid!
". . . .. ..."
As things are looking, the dangerous one is ourselves! I can actually believe none of the f**kers surrounding us is going to make the original a reality!...
’... Did you die in the original because of an allergic reaction? That would make enormous sense to me right now.’
Heh.
Thinking about it, it’s kind of funny. And it’s even nice.
— The dead sister of the villainess who died because she forgot what she can’t eat, left all the psychos of her household with tied hands... From then on, Paul developed trauma against pineapples, exterminating their existence, like the good crazy dipsh*t he is. The end. —
... If I can’t eat it anymore then no one can... Should I make the side story a reality?... Okay, no. I still can eat cherries. Let’s not be hast–
"Marianne! Are you truly that outrageous?! What are you thinking by accepting this food from the Crown Prince!!? Do you mean to cause trouble to him with your inutile behaviour–!?"
Bang.
"Quit your yelling."
"Your Highness! This is unacceptable–!!!"
Her increasing pitch shocked me. It had been so long since she had treated me with this much contempt, I was actually surprised to see her face distort in rage once more. However, her lips stopped spouting after receiving the silent glare of the Crown Prince who rose from his seat beside me hitting the poor table.
"Can you not see?"
"... Excuse me?"
"My Guest is shaking. Again. Because of you."
"?" — To his statement I looked at myself.
Ah... It’s... It’s true..... Oh goodness, why now.
"!! I didn’t–! She was about to poison herself!"
"You dare raise your voice at me?"
"!!!... I apologise... However..."
"What is going on here?"
Oh no, oh no, oh no... Why now, really, why!! This won’t help, Mister!
’Marianne, sweetheart, you need to relax. Nothing is wrong, we didn’t eat it and Theressa is overreacting. That is all there is to it... Shhh... Do not listen to the others... Concentrate on me, sweetheart..... That’s right... Remember I’m here...’ — Hearing the arrival of the familiar Duke’s voice, I immediately acted to calm Marianne down, whose shaking was menacing to become stronger in our body.
For a reason I can’t understand, she was reacting stronger to Theressa’s yelling... But I can’t worry about that right now.
My girl needs me to overcome the fear she’s feeling.
"Father..."
I heard Theressa say. However, I was too occupied to listen to the rest. Just as Marianne was.
’Anne...’ — Closing our eyes tightly I tried my best to help her. — ’mmm~ Marianne~... It’s alright sweetie... I’m sorry for also yelling at you... I didn’t mean to scare you. It is worrisome that you forget such important matters... But it’s alright. I’ve done more dangerous stuff and what’s worse completely conscious of it in my past life... This is even quite common and not something to be upset about since nothing happened... Shh... calm down, my baby red panda~ give your big sister Eli a tight soul hug and... Leave the scary things to me.’
—...li.....c.ed... —
’Yeah... Haha... I’ll infect you with the "bada** survivor" germ..... It’s a pain at first... But you’ll be alright, sweetheart.’
"... . ."
’You have me here to help you get it without the struggle I did.’
Feeling her as if a cold air wrapped the unshaped smoke my soul was, her voice resounded so, so far away... Nonetheless, I could understand what she was saying.
We are soul friends... Maybe soul mates... Either way, it doesn’t matter. We are here for each other and this new sensation we are having as we support one another is the best I’ve ever felt.
"My Lady."
"..."
Suddenly I heard his soft voice, and as I opened my eyes I found ourselves calm, without a trace of the strong trembling and with the tips of my fingers attempting to grab the other hand... Just like I usually do on the outside intending to see our bond.
"Sweetie... are you alright?"
At Marianne’s Father’s inquiry, we lifted our head, realising Theressa was gone.
"...?"
"... Do not worry, dear. I will speak with your sister later."
’..... Okay...’
What did we miss? I’m a bit curious.
"..." — From his spot, the Duke stared at me with concern, but, once I nodded, he softened to gift me a sorry smile. — "Am I late to join you for breakfast? I see there are many dishes my sweet bird would enjoy still untouched."
’Oh but... Oh? The pineapple venom disappered~ what a great service~’
Since I can’t see the past... Let’s just try to forget the bad taste with good food.
’Anne, I know it’s a bit unsettling being ignorant, but let’s just enjoy the "blessing" and try to change our mood. We will see to it later... Your Father said he would talk to her so... Deal?... Hehe~ that’s right~ let’s not worry for now...’
Nodding to him after reassuring Marianne it was okay not to do anything about it at the moment, I also moved my hand to pat the seat where Theressa had been seating to tell him to seat beside me.
My arm felt slightly more numb since we did shiver quite a bit... Though I can’t tell the intensity we did since I decided to focus completely on Marianne’s disturbed state.
But it wasn’t as if we never felt numb, so we naturally did as we could.
"... You are a tad pale... Here, eat some marmalade to help your fatigue." — Before taking his seat he made me a piece of bread with raspberry marmalade and served it on a plate to then caress my forehead and hair before giving me a kiss of good morning. — "Eat well, lovely bird."
He gave me a warm smile before moving the chair to take his seat and I knew eating would be useless now to get in a good mood.
’So getting spoiled by the Duke is enough of a cure, huh? Pffhaha! My Marianne is indeed a daddy’s girl~’
Anne was lovely, any weariness we had disappeared at her father’s affectionate care. We needed energy, however, our body was eager to cooperate on doing as he said; happy, because he showed the thoughtful actions both of us liked.
... I just know we are not as pale anymore.
...Graze...
"?"
Suddenly, I felt a graze on my left arm while my head was still turned in the Duke’s direction.
Curious, I turned to it and found its source.
’Ah..... Right, he’s also here...’
Our eyes met shortly since he also went back to his seat and I could feel in that brief exchange that he was... conflicted? concerned?... Maybe both...
But... It made me recall yesterday night.
It was the same kind of light his pretty eyes had when trying to get an answer from me because I didn’t want him to come back again.
I may be wrong... But, it’s better to say things we suspect even if we are wrong sometimes.
My post-it notes were on the table and I draw them near to write something to the poor guy since I think I know what may be troubling him.
’If I were him I would be crying out of guilt... He’s different to me, but... I don’t think he’s that different.’
With that in thought, I revised the somehow short message and tapped his arm since he was avoiding looking my way to then slide them through the table and show it to him.
His gaze went from where I tapped his arm to my eyes... And honestly... I shrank a bit because the look in his eyes made our heart throb at how sad they looked... So different to that gentle smile he gave us when leaving our bedroom last night...
I woke from it soon and pushed closer to him the notes I wanted him to read.
A few seconds passed which were too long for such a short message.
[ I am unharmed. Please do not mind this impasse. ]
His hand took the lonely pencil I always used after his pause, and wrote his answer.
[ I mind it. ]
"...."
I couldn’t help but feel more concerned. After all... when I looked at him... his eyes were more saddened than before, which took me by surprise.
".... Marianne? Are you not feeling well? We could go back to your chambers and have you eat later if you want..." — The Duke said.
"..." — ’I’m... I’m feeling fine... But I’m also not.....’
It’s weird.
I feel unsettled but also calm... So, so weird...
Sigh...
I shook my head to tell him it was fine to stay here and continue and immediately moved to write something else to the Prince beside me.
[ Thank you. ]
... It might not make sense to him when he reads it... But I can’t lie.
Him, denying our request to not mind it... makes me happy and appreciative that maybe... What I’m trying to make look like it’s nothing, he does see it as something important.
I don’t know why, but... That little fact is what moves me to say thank you.