Chapter 121: Chapter 121
To make sure, I tested my leg’s strength trying to let all of my weight fall on them, only to confirm how bad they were and depending on their extent... I would work the situation around.
’Sigh... I don’t think I can even give as much as five steps like this...’
He’ll really have to carry me there if this is the case...
Alright.
Rolling my head to meet his violet eyes, I stared for a while, waiting for the question that should come after this.
His relaxed expression slowly lifted its lips corners in anticipation and asked the question seemingly certain that the answer would be the one that wouldn’t come.
"So? Which will it be, my Lady? The first or the latter?"
’Heheh, don’t be arrogant hottie Prince. The fall will hurt more if you do.’ — I warned him in my head as my right hand lifted from the arm of his I was holding onto and made the signal that would teach him my choice.
Unfolding only my index finger, my answer became obvious.
’I choose number one~ it’s time to eat~’
This should teach him, that right now, his seduction is quite lacking since it’s losing to a meal.
*******
The lady had given her answer and the Prince stared blankly at her for a long time, conflicted by all the contradictions he was experiencing by what he was seeing.
Whether it was how lovely she appeared as she gestured her decision, the prompt response he received showing no hesitation on her side, the rejection of an alternative that was certainly something much better than the other one that also meant a refusal of his wants, and... How... even though his guess was mistaken and she was bluntly saying she preferred the boring welcoming meal over staying with him... It all still made him feel amazed, maybe even delighted in his disappointment.
Were it someone else... Their head would be rolling on the floor for contradicting his ideas, humiliating him after showing them his enthusiasm and sympathy. Yet, this woman who had no kind of demeanour portrayed in her jovial visage, only caused him to expect more from her next actions. The attitude she would display to his following words, the possibility of witnessing her magical smile or maybe even other unknown expressions on her... Or hear her muted voice clearly this time... Incur in more conversations as enjoyable, agitating, unpredictable, enthralling and as immersing as this one.....
’Oh... My Lady..... What is this that you have done to me..... My sanity has certainly been disrupted ever since I met you...’
Zeleskiaz was undergoing such a turmoil of mysterious emotions from the profound waters his soul resided in, that they overflowed through his accelerated blood vessels in a stream of shuddering fervour, reaching all of his body with exploding force, causing his grasp on her waist to tighten, feeling the texture of her dress’ fabric hinder his wish to graze the skin below.
His strength was such that the Lady brought her hands and placed them on top of his wrists, shaking her head from side to side, telling him to stop.
"Ah..." — Relaxing his hardened fingers immediately after she did this, he stood silent for a few more seconds and ultimately, barely managing to return from his daydream, Zeleskiaz spoke properly, adorning his commanding tone with an unprecedented softness. — "... Seeing that my Significant Guest has made her verdict evident... Do allow me the honour to fulfil my promise, Lady Marianne."
Bending slightly to take into his arms the elegant Lady, the memories longing in his body of the Mascarade Ball were revived.
Once again, he had the privilege to carry this charming woman in his bumpy arms... and share the warmth her body exuded as their proximity became scarce... Only that on this occasion, she was fully conscious.
Marianne let herself be taken and amazed at how effortlessly it was for the man beside her to lift her body so smoothly without minding the bothersome garments she was wearing, she tried to hush her excitement recalling the strength the Crown Prince had used a moment ago.
’Hmph... Having that much brute force... it’s no wonder he’s taking it easy.’
Her arms felt awkward being left loose while being carried. Therefore, without much thought, solely pursuing comfort in a position she was not accustomed to, the Lady placed her hands around his neck, unintentionally startling the Prince, who did not show said reaction on his countenance but manifested it with a halt of his heart.
"... Do excuse the inconvenience..."
Rapt by the eyes attentively watching him, Zeleskiaz commenced his walk to the place of their summon, convinced that this stroll he would take with the Lady in his embrace... Should be done with utmost leisure now that the thirst haunting him... felt oddly pleasant to endure.
*******
It took them five minutes to arrive at the destination, five minutes that would have triplicated if the Lady herself had walked there.
She was glad at his speed, and the steady pace he walked with was so truly stable that Marianne admitted in deepness the great impression it had made with amusement.
’Prince~ you are such a nice car to have~ luxurious, fast and confy~ I might hire your services again since this Palace has unnecessarily big distributions~’
Meanwhile, the Prince was cursing at how fast the ride had ended, annoyed at the protocols intruding in their meeting. Although — oddly enough — Zeleskiaz also felt proud knowing that on the path they took to get there, multiple knights and servants witnessed his admirable self march with the marvellous Lady, providing a warning he had not thought of until this opportunity came.
Zeleskiaz had the intention to enter the Great Dining Hall with her still in his arms, yet, the Lady who had rested enough through their stroll, caught his attention with gentle taps of her fingertips on his shoulder, and shaking her head as her feet moved to transmit her desire to walk by herself, ended the shameless idea the Prince was crafting.
"... Are the Lady’s legs better now?" — Letting her down, carefully inspecting her good landing, the Crown Prince asked with doubt.
To this, the cheerful Lady nodded twice, giving a slow turn in her place to prove she had recovered well enough.
As usual, her ways to express herself were truly interesting to behold, however, having the chance to see so many of her gestures this closely was oddly stimulating to the young man.
’Is it... Her exquisite bonnie?...’
Admiring the mysterious charm she held, the Prince stayed silent for a moment until he noticed the Lady was also watching him in wonder, tilting her head to the side, flickering her curious eyes.
’What is it now? Shouldn’t we enter???... Weido.’
"Your Highness?" — One of the four guards at the entrance asked, impressed by how amiss the Prince appeared even when standing prominently.
However, his question was not welcomed by the disagreeable Prince.
The manly voice disrupting the harmony of the silence she emitted was unpleasant, disgusting, even hateful and sickening, provoking his soft gaze to harden as it fell on the innocent knight guard, threatening with a furious aura to not dare interrupt again, for he would certainly regret it.
All four guards stiffened in fright, aware of the lengths the wrath of the Crown Prince could take.
Yet, it was not only those near him who felt the menacing vibrations his displeasure radiated.
Those already seated at the Emperor’s table were also reached by the weight his aura carried, provoking the trained men to freeze in place.
The Emperor, immediately turned his head to stare at Duke Sylfinnier, who had also turned to him with serious eyes.
"My son..." — The Emperor mumbled widening his eyes.
Staring silently, the Duke’s heart stopped.
’Marianne... My daughter!!!!’
Orland stood from his seat ready to rush over to the source of the murky aura, pale by the realisation of his daughter supposedly being with the dangerous Prince spreading it at that moment.
However, he did not get to give a single step forward, for the aura had disappeared completely in a blink, throwing the Duke’s heart into despair because... such strong bloodthirst... would only soothe perpetrating death.
His body trembled to the thought, feeling faint to even let it take clear form in his head.
Seconds later, the entrance selfishly opened, widely and slowly, allowing the light to intrude on the tense Hall.
Standing at the centre, the causer of the chilling atmosphere posed nonchalantly and beside him...
’... Child..... My child...’
The glamorous child he feared for, stood resplendent, attracting the clever rays of sunlight to her lovely figure.
Solace swamped his soul, permitting his blood to flow naturally once again and recover heat in his frozen extremities thanks to her timely appearance.
"... Announcing, His Highness, The Crown Prince Zeleskiaz Reynold Di Frotschter and the Gracious Royal Guest, Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, daughter of the Great Sylfinnier Duchy... Answering His Excellency’s summon, they request permission to be in his presence."
The prominent voice of the server resounded through the Hall, echoing the names of the two awaited last participants to the Welcoming Banquet.