Chapter 117: Chapter 117
’... It can’t be...’
The circumstances were overwhelming the foreign soul who was sensitive to any change her possessed body gestured.
Yet, regardless of the magnetic force, she focused on restoring her breathing to its usual pace before reflecting on the other impending issues stressing her psyche.
’Haaa... This shitty life I’m living..... I should note down my complaints..... If there’s a god..... They should get it.’ — The tired child thought, stating with a defiant tone her dissatisfaction at our watch over her matters.
"Marianne!? Sister??! Please have some shame!" — The youngest said, flaring with envy and disbelief at the behaviour both, the Crown Prince and her sister, were displaying.
Their proximity scandalized the young girl in love... And so, attempting to put an end to the unexpected closeness both were in, Theressa tried to "help" the feeble Marianne.
"Your Highness, let me take her away–"
"Lady." — Lifting his hand to stop any action she intended, Zeleskiaz dryly said. — "I would prefer for you to be taken away from my sight. It is with my Significant Guest, Lady Marianne, with who I wish to converse... Not her unsolicited companion."
"!!!" — The blunt expression of her unwanted presence made the reckless girl blush from humiliation. Her hands trembled in fury as they hardly clenched on the delicate fabric her dress was conformed with. However, swallowing her enormous pride, Theressa understood that continuing to impose herself on these circumstances would not help her in the slightest in the future she envisioned. Hence... — "... I comprehend your wishes, Your Highness..... Then, I am to take my leave now."
"Promptly do so. Your presence is upsetting." — He said, only looking at the busy Marianne, who was trying to get her heart to beat in a paced compass, granting his voice a plain and indifferent tone as he waved loosely at Theressa.
"..... Yes..."
Reluctant to say the word after the offending sentence Zeleskiaz threw at her with no care, her agreement came out forcibly through her gritting teeth, to then stomp her way out of the Prince’s bureau.
Theressa was stricken with a burning resentment she had never felt until now. The young girl had always attained whatever she wanted with the sly behaviour she observed from her Mother. However, on this occasion, her ways weren’t helping in the slightest.
Even after witnessing a measly peek at her beloved Prince’s alarming true character, the naive Young Lady was still adamant about her feelings of love for him, blaming her sister for the bad turn the events had taken moments ago.
’She’s always getting in the way!!! Marianne... You useless scourer... I hope... I hope you know I won’t overlook this issue, disgusting b*nt!!’ — The youngest cursed, promising to get back at her older sister for reasons her shortsighted mind concocted from her unsightly jealousy.
Letting her rage show on her countenance as the overwhelming rage came almost visible in sour tearing from her squint eyes, Theressa loudly demanded to one of the two servants placed outside the room she just left, forgetting to display any composure she had been told to keep by her Mother.
"Take me to my room! Now!!"
"Uh?... However–"
"I said now!! Move, you useless pig!"
".... Yes... Lady." — Glancing at each other with wide eyes, one servant eventually agreed to her demand after deducing that we’re they to insist... The Lady would only become more difficult for them to manage.
Hence, reluctantly guiding the rude Lady, the servant fulfilled his duty.
However... this little incident was certainly one Theressa would regret.
*******
The Lady gradually regained control over her breathing.
Her drowsy eyes as she barely opened them after a taxing effort were infecting the Prince, causing him to fall into a unique daze as he watched her take the reins of her panic attack.
Silently, the Lady tried to stand up from the spot his office’s floor had gladly aided her weight in.
Following her desire, Zeleskiaz offered his arms for her straightening, which she unknowingly accepted, delicately grasping his forearms to gain height.
"..." — Without letting go, the Lady slowly closed her eyes.
She was feeling faint, and so, she was waiting for her blood to flow naturally again, before releasing the strong assistance of the Crown Prince’s limbs.
"..." — Zeleskiaz also stood motionless as he observed the Lady... until he could no longer continue to only stare. — "... My Lady..."
"..!.."
Surprised by the little awareness she had to intrinsically use the Prince as a walking cane, Young Marianne flinched, trying to impose a polite distance between the two of them.
Nonetheless... it was to no avail, for the clever Crown Prince took grasp of her elbows with utmost care so as to not use his tremendous strength to harm the Lady’s delicate skin as she almost tumbled with her yet unstable legs.
"....???"
"... Is the Lady alright?"
"..." — Cautious, the Lady nodded and looked through their surroundings, ultimately realising her younger sister was missing.
’Uh?? Where?? When did she disappear????... Wait. This is bad... I’m alone with the crazy Prince!!! D*mn it!.....’
She took a moment to calm down, relaxing her stiffer than usual body, inadvertently letting her hands rest once again on Zeleskiaz’s forearms.
’... Hmm..... Well... Those feel nice...~’ — The young girl thought, taking advantage to feel his muscles before slowly drifting away from him. This time, with a more placid motion than the prior one.
She bowed to him, supposedly showing appreciation for his aid. However...
’Thanks for the service, Kinky Crown. I give those big arms an eleven... Heheh’
Unaware of her carefree thoughts, Zeleskiaz’s hands twitched as an uncomfortable twinge travelled his chest once he lost their proximity.
"... Then... Lady Marianne... It is a pleasure to receive you in our Main Palace."
"..." — Elegantly lowering her head, she tried to show her manners placing her hand on her chest to imply her appreciation.
"... Does the Lady... By any chance remember me?" — Seeing her impassive attitude, his curiosity made him ask this, instead of resuming an official welcoming speech.
"..."
The Prince’s question was not referring to their formal meeting on the first day at the Spring Ball.
He knew that her answer could mention that first meeting, however, he had a slight hope for her to remember the disguised him she met later on the third day.
If the Lady were to mention that third day in particular...
’..... Say you do... And I can stop holding back..... Please... My Lady.....’
The Young Prince thought as the Duke’s daughter tilted her head with adorable wonder in her gaze.
She then searched in between her skirt folds of fabric, eventually taking out a strangely small stack of papers.
Accustomed to communicating in this manner, she began writing her words with admirable poise.
Zeleskiaz watched her attentively, yet slightly confused for he did not expect the Lady to do as she was doing.
Marianne, on the other side, was completely sure of her actions, and also, determined to preserve her safety with her message.
[ Of course, I remember His Highness. I am truly grateful to attain this opportunity to show my appreciation for your help on the first day of the Royal Spring Ball.
Have I not had the Kind Crown Prince’s aid at the time, this humble subject would have ended in great trouble.
I sincerely thank you, Your Highness. Not only for handling that uncomfortable incident but also for granting my first public dance to be with your honourable figure. ]
He read the beautiful handwriting once she handed the tiny letter to him.
Displeased at her polite way to address him and the closure to his hope for her to recall the day he certainly cannot forget, he proceeded to answer in a low uninterested voice as his gaze kept fixated on the writings.
"I see..." — Although his upset mood was inciting his hand to rip the note that brought him disappointment, he decided to look at the writer of its contents, finding a pair of charcoal eyes resembling the shade of the words she had drawn. — "... I see... I am elated to receive your gracious gratitude, My Lady."
Zeleskiaz sincerely replied as a seductive smirk took shape on his thin lips.
His eyes, flashing their confidence in what they see with their alluring hue, observed intensely into her unwavering gaze while it ascertained its findings with certainty once again.
’... My Lady recalls... Yet... She will not say it..... Fair enough.’ — The Crown Prince concluded.
His findings were correct. The Lady would not mention it, whether it be for the danger, the shame, or her denial... She would not declare the truth, excusing it for not having certainty on her suspicions.
Nonetheless, her honest eyes said everything her gorgeous hand didn’t in her writings.
Therefore, unfolding his hand, he stood prominently waiting for her soft hand to land and take rest on his for a "traditional" greeting.
’... Forget my disguised self if you may, my Lady... Unlike with him... You cannot feign ignorance with me.’
The Lady took her usual time considering any sign of his kindness being a trap and lastly placed her dainty hand on his rough one in a gingerly manner.
Pleased at her lovely motion, leaning over to perform his gentlemanly bow, Zeleskiaz took in her scent as his palm tried to absorb the feel of her cold touch within him.
And then... ignoring how the "traditional" was done... The Crown Prince delivered an old forgotten greeting, that he once had predicted she would receive from every man that was to ask her hand in introduction the day both first met.
A rosy sunset kiss... The one used for long time promises... The one that will be recanted every day since a rosy sunset will always appear in the Empire’s sky...
The one... passionate lovers made their pledge of yearning for each other long ago...