Chapter 116: Chapter 116
"Greetings, Your Highness. Thank you for your kind invitation, we–"
"Who are you?" — The daydream Zeleskiaz had been entranced in, was shattered by the searing voice that the reckless Theressa uttered.
Cutting her sayings with a demandant tone, the Crown Prince exhibited his authority, completely disinterested in giving the intruder a single glance.
"!..... It is a pleasure to meet your Highness... I am Theressa Sylfinnier, younges–"
"I understand. You must be Lady Marianne’s sister then."
"... Yes."
"... Lady Marianne..." — Softening his gallant voice, Zeleskiaz got up from his seat behind the wide desk and walked with silent steps around it. — "Do not stay at the entrance, I have been... Waiting for your visit... My Lady."
The emotionless visage of the Lady couldn’t be perceived as plain with the gracious glint of her eyes. Meeting his sight line, the Crown Prince instantly felt a heating thrill travel through his defined spine.
Along with her light nod accepting his welcome, followed by the soft sounds her feet made as she walked... made his lips lift slightly in pleasure.
Theressa, who was still trying to regain her composure because of the blunt indifference her beloved Prince had shown her, trembled in rage at the clear difference his attention performed when receiving Marianne.
Meanwhile, the glamorous main guest who seemingly appeared unconcerned with these sights... displayed an entirely different reaction to them in the deepest corners where her foreign soul resided.
Amused at the results Theressa’s recklessness had made on the Prince’s welcoming, she shrugged as she giggled, satisfied at confirming her suspicions were correct.
’Heheh... I knew she would mess it up... Not that quick... but I knew she would.’ — Was what she thought the moment the younger sister of her possessed body burst into the Crown Prince’s office without thinking further.
However, her diverted mood soon took a turn.
Once the Crown Prince stood up from the beautiful dynastic chair of high magistracy in which he sat on... A detail she had caught on the first time she saw him... Was gone.
’His hair... It’s shorter...’
Moreover, the foreign child was clever, and a new detail was effortlessly found about this matter.
’.... I’m... Really hoping that haircut is the trend right now... If not...’ — The girl wished, as the idea made her shudder.
She attributed the shiver merely to the shock, when, undoubtedly, there was also a hint of excitement concealed in between the quivering.
"..."
Zeleskiaz had done it on purpose.
The Crown Prince had maintained the length of his golden white hair the same as he had cut it the day of the Masquerade Ball.
Procedure executed simply with the thought... Of igniting on the Lady, the remembrance of that night... the man she met... and the vast kiss they shared.
The Prince was not aware yet, however, his scheme had succeeded.
The Lady was indeed reminded of the turquoise eyes she had encountered that night... Nonetheless... She was one who wouldn’t believe her deductions completely if there was no proof to uphold such theories.
Withal, the man in her presence was not one she truly wanted to get involved with.
Thus, the child proceeded to consciously delude herself in order to keep a clear mind over what may happen now that Zeleskiaz was kindly persuading her into the room.
’No~pe... It’s not him. I refuse to acknowledge this hunch without evidence... I declare this, a close case... For now.’ — She addressed with unsteady determination.
Portraying the elegance her body naturally exuded, the girl placed herself a few steps before His Highness as these thoughts were told and executed a perfectly gracious reverence to convey her greetings with the characteristic serenity her condition established.
The receiver of such fascinating regard was gladly looking at her from his place, overwhelmed by the fresh air she brought with her levitating march.
The Lady’s slightly bent position, permitted his eyes to gaze at the smooth skin the dress did not cover. His ultramarine eyes followed the graceful arm that ultimately held with frail fingers the fiery dress, those she had clenched over his clothes when his lips devoured hers.
Depriving himself of letting the urge to entangle his fingers with hers, the Crown Prince cast his gaze on her visage, catching a glance of an even more enticing sight right below.
The modest cleavage... Was maddeningly mischievous as it let him peek at the squashed line her seductive mounts made because of the tight corset enveloping her tender body.
Breathing in a trembling whiff, Zeleskiaz swallowed a discreet gulp before speaking once again.
"Lady–"
"Your Highness! I assume you are aware, yet my sister cannot communicate normally. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience..." — Theressa said, interrupting the Crown Prince’s low voice. And then, to get Marianne’s support, she reached for her hand, ignorant of what that would lead to. — "... Right? Sister?"
The youngest of the Sylfinnier had no way to know that, taking hold of Marianne’s thumb and squeezing it with pressuring force as she did... Would make her sister feel sudden dismay.
The one who was to suffer from this little action was the foreign soul inside Marianne’s body.
Elizabeth... Who had a great number of scars covering her spirit, had cured them with utmost care before coming to this realm. Nonetheless, scars can never be fully erased. The crack would stay there and open up again if not careful.
’A..ah... D–Don’T!!!’
The times she had spent in the hands of a flagitious man were instantly reminded by the pressure put on her thumb.
Whether it seemed ridiculous for others to react in this manner... It was only because of the meaning this action signified to her.
Her days of continuous torment would always commence with her persecutor tightening the thin restrain put on her two thumbs.
He would grab them and crush them together, massaging them strangely as the thin circle shrank its size to the point of strangling the two fingers.
It was no surprise that the child would fall on her knees with nauseous tremors after recalling memories that continued to haunt her delicate soul.
’Hnk! D–Don’t.. Just don’t.... Please, huck!! Le– Let my f***ing d*mn thumb go!!! Hic..uhk.!’
"Huh? Sis–...!!!" — Unconvinced by Marianne’s reaction, Theressa started saying in a condescending tone until...
Slap!
... Her hand was hardly slapped aside.
"... What have you done?" — The Crown Prince asked, letting his furious eyes land on the ignorant Theressa after observing his lovely guest shiver in fright on his bureau’s floor.
His expression, apparently composed, only conveyed his inner rage with the lit of a red mist on his eyes.
"!!... I–I haven’t... I have done nothing, sh–she s–s–uddenly..." — Knowing the danger she could be in, Theressa stuttered trying to excuse herself. Whilst in her fret, the youngest glanced at her older Sister and meeting her teary eyes, she added. — "... Marianne?"
In her head, Theressa was relieved to see her sister recover enough to look at her. With that much, she was sure to get out of the difficult situation she was in.
Even when seeing in her sister’s eyes the reason to forcefully regain her composure, the egotistical girl only felt delighted... For the pain her older sister was surely going through as she tried to protect her from the man known as the crazed for blood Crown Prince.
’... That’s right, Marianne. Be of use for once.’ — The evil girl thought, wishing to see the helpless Marianne crawl in pain next.
Nonetheless, the one acting as her sister was no fool. She was aware of what Theressa was thinking through her wicked eyes.
’... F****** idiot... I’m.. only helping you..... Kkhhh... because I don’t want Marianne to see you die!! Worthless b*tch!!’
Her strength gave out, and the young girl could not continue to look upwards. Her lungs were overworking her already weak body, trying to grasp a proper gulp of air to calm her erratic heartbeat.
Thankfully, the Crown Prince did not overlook these events.
He saw when the Lady lifted her captivating visage in pain to gaze at the disruptive woman that was her sister. The tears menacing to fall down her gracious cheekbones were hurtful to behold, however, the courageous glint her gems flashed with... was ever so charming like the sound of her muffled singing.
Bereft hesitation, he lowered his stance to gentlemanly support her vulnerable body preventing it from falling in dismay against the hard floor.
The slight graze of her soft limb, uncovered by any clothing... sent heated titillation through his fingers. Nonetheless, he resisted the untimely desire, managing to, almost tenderly, inquire about her state.
"... My Lady.... Are you hurting?"
With difficulty, the Lady turned to meet his gaze.
Although the closeness robbed him of air, Zeleskiaz noticed she was gasping for it with desperation.
Bringing his other hand to hold her delicate flushed cheek, his next words were said with outermost concern hinting at the growing affection he was unknowingly developing towards the fair Lady.
"Please... Breathe, My Lady..."
The sudden inhalation of a heavy breath came right after his plea.
However... it was only because the body of Lady Marianne Sylfinnier... Had felt an unfounded familiarity with the Crown Prince’s shoulder, as her head took unwanted rest on it.