Chapter 124: Chapter 124
The Vast Luncheon lasted until mid-afternoon.
It was only because of the drowsy Lady, blissfully satisfied with the meal, that the Emperor called for an end to it.
Her poise was not one that exhibited tiredness. Nonetheless, her withered lids, falling like autumnal leaves with puffy weight, let her Father notice the girl’s worn-out energy.
Orland had been conversing with his youngest, trying to offer her some dishes she had yet to try and were sure to be to her liking.
"Father... Thank you but I have eaten enough." — Trying to hide her annoyance, Theressa declined, thinking that eating so much in front of the Prince would make her seem disgraceful.
"Hmm... Is that so...?" — Disappointed, the Duke answered.
It was then that he turned to Marianne, finding the adorable child fighting the drowsiness to pay attention to the Emperor who was immersed in telling her a story.
"... Far away... On the lonesome horizon... The Mountain was fascinatingly enormous! Its colours changed with each second that passed and–"
"Oh, Dear... The food must have relaxed you after all the hassle from this morning..." — The Duke interrupted, uninterested in whichever kind of tale his old friend was making up to his daughter.
Caressing her cheek from the side, Orland felt pity for the overworked child, who woke in the midst of the night to prepare and has not rested properly until now.
"Hmm? Is the Lady tired?" — Asked the clueless Emperor.
"It has been a long day for her..."
"... Mmm... This won’t do... The Banquet is over! Take the Lady to her chambers immediately!" — Ordered the tipsy Emperor, turning to the serene Lady once more. — "Child, go rest comfortably. It will sadden my soul if you are to fall sick again under my roof."
"..." — She looked at him intently for a moment and ultimately nodded.
’Alright, Emperor..... Do save me some more of this wine for later though Heheh..... D*mn~ I’m so happy I got to drink some today~... tasty~ tasty wine~’
"... Then, I shall retire with my daughters."
Standing from his seat, Orland offered his hand to the weak Marianne who took his hand slowly after.
Before leaving, she wanted to express her gratitude for the nice welcome. Hence, Marianne began to search her skirt, looking for the object that would assist her in doing so.
’Huh?! It’s not here!! Where?? Where did I–..... Kinky Hottie!!!! He dropped it at his office! That d*mn f***er!!!’
In the rage for the loss of her useful gift, the girl glared in the Prince’s direction losing a bit of her sleepiness and then looked downwards, clenching her skirt, sad for not noticing earlier.
"... Dear... Do you wish to say something?... Do you perhaps not find your stack with you?" — The Duke who did not miss her hast search inquired.
She stared at him guiltily and confessed with a lonesome movement of her head, meeting his gaze again to gesture with her empty hands that it was certainly not with her.
"Hmm..... Don’t feel bad sweetie... Let me see..." — Noticing the remorse in her honest eyes, Orland rummaged through his vest’s inner pocket. — "Here, use this one."
The girl probably woke entirely from the lethargy by how the sight of a new stack of small papers appearing in the hand of her body’s Father surprised her.
’Oh?! Sir!... You saved me!!’
Delighted by the unexpected appearance of the needed object, the Young Lady beamed, unconsciously giving a tiny jump of excitement.
However, the girl still wondered as she looked at it on his palm...
’But... Sir, why do you have this?’
Tilting her head, the question was transmitted to her Father, who somehow foresaw this action from his child.
"Originally, I had asked for three to be made. One for when yours must be replaced and this one to bring with me... It occurred to me that someday you could lose yours for some unforeseen event, so... Your Father didn’t want you to stay without saying what you wanted if that happened."
Affectionately handing the stack, Orland smiled. However, the child was fascinated by his thoughtfulness and quickly freeing her hands from his grasp, Marianne slipped her arms around his torso and squeezed him as strongly as her body permitted to show her utmost appreciation.
"Oh, Dear... I reckon I did well~"
Stroking her hair and patting her back, Orland returned her embrace, captivated by her adorable spontaneity.
’You did, Sir!! I’ll draw you another scenery as soon as I get my Pockachin back!!’
Burying her face on him, she pledged heartfelt retribution and slowly separated to write her letters to the Emperor.
Francois had observed the scene first-hand and was frowning bitterly at the clear affection the child dedicated to her Father.
’Tsk... Uncle is better, sweet child. That man is not all that great...’ — The Emperor sourly thought as she wrote.
It did not take long before he received the note, along with a deep respectful reverence of said child.
[ Your Majesty, I am truly grateful for the splendorous feast you have arranged to receive my unworthy self.]
’Unworthy!!?’
[ It has been an enormous pleasure to have the chance to enjoy it with His Majesty’s admirable figure. It certainly added the meal a most delightful spice. ]
’Hohoho~’
[ Now, as you kindly suggested, I shall take my leave to regain energy... and hopefully meet you again with improved physic for it is regretful I could not hear the rest of your interesting story. ]
"... Yes child, go with your father with ease... I am also expectant to share more meals in your company."
Returning the stack with care in his words, Francois smiled at the Lady, who bowed once again to reaffirm her gratitude to him and then to his Royal Members, before leaving his presence.
Watching with fondness the back of the two, his old friend escorting the precious child, Francois came to an unrelated childish decision.
’... I should tell her the brute he actually is next time...’
*******
’Waaah~ that was a great lunch we had there~’
Guided by a servant, we were making our way to the bedroom prepared for us.
The Duke had shined again with his great assistance when I truly needed it, and his reasons for doing so were as cute as the smile he gave me when handing me the new post-it notes.
’Isn’t he awesome? Marianne, your pappa is so capable~ We have to search for a good spot and draw him a better one this time! A hug is not enough of a reward!’
Glancing at him with inner eagerness, I made plans with the also eager and proud Marianne.
"What is it, Dear?"
’The best, sir! The best, you are!’
"Hmm... Aren’t your eyes lively? Has your sleep been scared away?"
"..."
I stopped for a moment to consider his idea but...
’Mmm... Nope..... I feel like dying out of exhaustion. But I guess your heroic rescue did revive me a little, hehehe.’
Shaking my head I denied his guess, lazy to tell my real thoughts in a note.
"... Is that so? Then that’s good. You should rest generously once we arrive at your designated chamber. We need to be careful since it hasn’t been long since you got better, alright sweetie?... I know I repeat myself a lot in this matter but..... Do forgive me if I seem bothersome, Marianne." — He gently said.
"..."
It’s been a while since I’ve seen him show this insecurity in his eyes...
Well, it could get bothersome if we were a "normal" healthy child, but I’m not shameless enough to go and shut him up for being noisy when I know a simple breeze could get us sick with a cold in a matter of seconds...
’Sigh... I really regret standing at the open window for more than five minutes the other day...’
Although I’m wasted, I’ll make the effort and tell him I don’t find it annoying.
I hate it when he gets all cautious with his words now that we’ve grown closer. And Marianne seems to feel sad whenever he averts his eyes after saying these things.
I halted our march to write him the truth, making the servant confused by the sudden stop.
’Uh... Sorry, but walking and writing in this little thing is not exactly easy my friend...’ — I shrugged inside feeling sorry, preparing to write my mind.
"What is it now?"
As I did, Theressa jumped in, making sure to exhibit the annoyance in her pretentious voice.
Ignoring her, I continued to write while the Duke answered.
"Your sister wants to say something."
"You mean, write. Sister won’t talk–"
"Theressa."
’Sigh... That’s right Theressa, don’t dig your own grave with stupidity..... Also, don’t think I won’t talk... I have very good plans to tell on you if I see the circumstances requiring it... "Little Sister"...’
She deserved that glare, the Duke gave her... Though... I wouldn’t like to be her right now~
Nor never, actually.
Although I got a bit distracted, I finished the last sentence of my message and handed it to the obviously upset and now quiet cold Duke.
I felt a bit nervous since I’m really not used to seeing him this angry, but it is a good thing I still showed it to him, because... Seeing how his hardened expression softened to portray his usual warmth... was truly awesome.