Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Chapter 111

’That’s right~ hehe... Be careful with the drooling baby~’

There’s no way I cannot enjoy this moment.

I mean, I just need to look at poor little Theressa clenching her fist over there to know I’m killing it... And her.

’Hmm... Careful Theressa~ your face is about to become uglier with the frowning~’

Ah~ I knew this visit would bring some good stuff~~

Even Marianne is laughing at my great punch lines.

I got distracted for a moment.

Feeling delighted by the scenes I’m sure to witness at the Royal Palace now that Theressa has made a promising start, I failed to notice the Duke coming closer.

Hence, I flinched at the unexpected touch I felt in my right hand.

Although he took it with care, I still flinched a bit in surprise since I was absorbed in enjoying the wonderful vision I got for the following days.

I turned to look at him instantly, and even though once I saw it was the Duke, I grew concerned about if my reaction made him feel bad. However... the idea was washed away promptly by the sweet expression he was looking at me with.

"My child... How gorgeous appearance you grant on us today..... I must thank Madame Fannie later....." — Marianne’s Father took a peek at the people present and leaned closer to me to whisper his last playful words. — "... Although... It’s my daughter’s glamorous being that’s causing her design to beam this brightly~"

’Ohoho~ I know, right~? Marianne is so pretty~’

I felt how tickly our fingertips became by his comment. Anne was feeling happy and shy at it and, sharing her feelings, I conveyed our shy delight by giving the hand he was holding mine with, a soft little flick with my fingers.

The Duke chuckled and, still holding onto my hand, he wrapped it around his arm to escort me to the Carriage.

Once we came closer, we met Theressa, who had managed to hide her rage just in time to greet me.

"Good Morning Sister! You look stunning today!"

"..." — I politely bowed, trying to make my usual silence even colder.

’Two-faced dwarf... Don’t think I don’t know what you’re really thinking..... I truly hope you can get to enjoy the bad decision you made by coming with us~’

It might seem like I’m showing more repulse to this kid, but I can’t help it after the encounter I had with her the last time I visited the Garden to draw.

’Bloody hell..... Just remembering pisses me off...’

There wasn’t much interaction between us at the time. The matter is that, while I was taking a little walk around the garden as a break after two hours of nonstop sketching, when I came back to the place I had left my utensils... My sketch... Not only my sketch... Like ten other pages were completely ripped into pieces!!

’My poor portable canvas!! Pockachin!! Why take it out in poor old Pockachin!!’ — The sight was appalling, even now I keep asking for an answer after seeing such a crime scene.

I wouldn’t have minded if it was a squirrel or racoon or any kind of animal that usually goes around there..... But she made sure I learned it was her who did it.

"Oh my~! Sister... Your weird object....."

"..."

"...!... Hah... Remember this Marianne. Don’t get in my way if you don’t want to end like that worthless thing."

I know she saw the rage in my eyes at the time, if not, she wouldn’t have flinched when our eyes met and warned me so pathetically later...

Heck! That annoying face she made!! Aaagh!!! It gets my blood boiling in rage!! Where does she get the gall to do this!??...

’..... F****** bi***... I’ll rip off that ugly red wig she has for hair... That will show her not to mess with me...’

I’m not as kind as Marianne. And I’ll make sure she’ll soon learn her mistake so this fact gets craved in her tiny bean brain and wrinkled heart.

"..."

’..... Sorry... I got a bit emotional there...’

"Father, is it not time to go now? Sister has finally arrived so we should soon depart for the Royal Palace."

"Ah... Yes..... But... Paige, is that all Marianne has left to bring?"

"Hm? It is indeed all that was yet to be boarded into the Carriage from Lady Marianne’s luggage..." — She said as she glanced over the servants carrying the few cases into the awaiting line of carriages behind the one we were to board.

"But... Sweetie..." — Leaning over again, he asked me in a murmur, hiding his mouth with his hand in a graceful gesture, ensuring that what he was about to say wouldn’t reach other’s ears. — "... Are you... Not bringing Pockachin with you?"

’Kugh!’ — His sudden attack hit me hard on the stomach, so hard... I felt my eyes popping out from the impact.

"...!"

’Oh my Go–! Phwa– Pffffffttttt...! Kghh... KaHapfF... You can’t–! Pff!!! You– YOU CANNOT do this to ME, SIR!!! Aha! PhwahaHaAhaHaaa!!!’

How!! Oh, God!! I never expected to hear him say Pockachin’s name!!! It’s so weirdddddddd!

As I slowly died on the inside, out of the immense laughter my inner self was wallowing in, my body trembled by how my stomach tightened forcibly restraining the laughter because of our condition.

I even squeezed his arm trying to support myself because my legs were growing weak from the exerting pain my ribs were starting to feel.

"Uh? Is Sister Marianne alright?"

"Dear??"

I lifted my hand in a stop signal.

’Time!! Hah!... I need time!! Haha! Ah d*mn it, Duke! Hehe, fufu... Ha.....’

Breath in Eli, Breathe!

"... W–"

"Shush, Theressa..."

’Hng! Sir! Hahaha, Seriously! Phew... Alright, control yourself.... Hahaha.... "Shush, Theressa", PwAhA–!’ — Forcing my weak for laughs head to calm down, I cut off my inner guffaw while focusing enormously on controlling the outburst. — ’Ahem... Okay... Alright. I’m done now.’

I started to search on my dress for the inner pocket that kept my post-it notes and wrote the truth behind why Pockachin wasn’t coming.

[Saddly, I cannot bring it with me.

A wild animal ripped most of its pages the order day.]

I handed the note to the Duke and...

"A wild animal??! Dear, are you alright?!" — I nodded promptly to calm him down, and observing my eyes to make sure for a long pause, the Duke continued, resigned.— "... Sigh... Paige, bring Marianne’s tool, we are taking it to the Royal Palace."

’Oh?’

"Marianne... Sweetie, You should have told me about that incident... The crafter is one that has their workshop on the Capital’s outskirts, we can ask him on the way to make more paper since we will stay at the Palace...

Haaaaa... How outrageous... To think such a brazen creature damaged your tool..."

"..."

’... Ah... I... I really... I really want to look at Theressa right now!! Hwahaha!’ — Trying to be polite I forced myself to keep looking at the troubled Duke.

I was impatient to see her face.

I am sure she has enough brain to know I was talking about HER when I wrote: "wild animal" in my notes.

To accomplish my desire to look, I nodded gently at the Duke and veeeery smoothly, even elegantly thanks to our body’s grace, I looked forward to where she stood.

’Ah~... Wonderful~’

Her nostrils were flapping from how strongly she was breathing. It was obviously because the anger she was feeling must have been quite an overwhelmingly good one to make her become this flushed and out of breath...

’I’m sure her claws are marked in those palms~ she’s clenching her fists quite hard~’ — I thought while smirking on the inside.

"... Alright. Now that we have solved that issue, it is time for us to depart. Thomas, we are going, once Paige comes give the coachman instructions to make a stop at the workshop. Write down the pertinent details so the item can be repaired as promptly as possible."

"Yes, My Lord. Be at ease, I shall take care of this matter. Please have a safe journey to the Palace, Your Grace..." — The reassuring Mister Thomas said.

Watching him talk so politely made me admire Grampa Thomas once again. He had a fond warmth in his voice which made me smile on the inside for how adorable he looked.

And just as he said his goodbyes to the Duke he glanced at Theressa, and then, at me.

"Young Lady Theressa, I wish you pleasant travels... Young Lady Marianne..... Do take care... This elder is expectant to your return at this manor."

"..." — I was surprised to hear him say this, so it took me a few seconds to finally bow in appreciation.

His eyes were certainly smiling and his moustache was wiggling, giving me the idea of a kind grin.

’... Hmm... Weird... But he’s cute~... Maybe he will miss seeing me??? Hehehe, what a cutie of a Grampa he is~’

"Thank you, Thomas, we are going now."

"Farewell, Sir."

"Here, Theressa, let me help you." — Turning to the walking wig, the gentlemanly Duke offered his help.

"... Thank you, Father." — Faking a sweet smile the wig said, going up the step into the carriage.

"..... Then... Now the other Princess. Let me help you, Marianne."

"..." — Immediately accepting, I got into the carriage with his support.

The deathly glare Theressa gave me as soon as I came in and sat in front of her, summoned a deadpan expression on my inner self.

’Hehe... I’ll forgive your mistake this time since I like you, president. But that one right there is the wig of a witch, not a Princess. It’s alright, anyone can make a mistake. More so, with that one.’ — I thought to myself resigned to the annoying torture her presence will put me through this time while we travel.

The Duke climbed the step smoothly, and giving the coachman a signal, he got into the cabin to seat by MY side.

Satisfied, I smirked inwardly.

I may be childish, but who cares?

With this, it’s clear that I’m obviously more pleasant to seat besides than that bratty wig, hehe.

The carriage started moving and so... Our three-hour journey beings.