Chapter 132: Chapter 132
I patted her hand at a slow pace with mine trying to imply that she should calm down and let me use her shoulder for a while.
She must have been surprised, but, after a confused silence... She quaked a few words as she clasped my hand, surprisingly hard.
"Hinng... My Lady..... I am so sorry... Sob.. Please be healthy..."
’Oh my God..... Have I traumatized this poor girl with our weak health??... Sigh... She loves you so much, Marianne... We should work hard to tell her how grateful we are, alright?’
A cosy feeling began to grow as we looked at the pitiful Paige cry inconsolably.
She was certainly a nice girl to have around, very caring and cute, always attentive and accurate in making awe expressions whenever Marianne dressed up.
I’ve grown fonder of her presence these days and so, I lifted my hand to wipe her heartbreaking tears.
"...Hing...hic!...hum... Lady... Sniff.....My Lady is so kind...."
’Sigh... Come on...’
Seeing that my action brought more tears, I held her by the cheeks and lightly slapped them with both hands as if clapping.
’Stop now! Let’s relax a bit!’ — I said in my head, giving her a nod as I looked straight into her eyes and went back to rest my head on her shoulder.
"Sniff.... I understand... My Lady... hihi..."
I heard her softly say, still with a trembling voice, but... certainly more cheerful since she shyly giggled at the end.
’Mhmm~ Let’s... Stay like this..... I don’t want to think anymore..... I will... Think carefully about all this messy situation I seem to be in.. later...’
My heavy eyes finally were allowed to close... And not much time passed before I could do what the Emperor had initially dismissed me to this bedroom to do.
Rest.
Rest... that I’ve been needing from weeks ago to arrive...
*******
The Young Maid felt eagerly nervous.
Never, in all the years she has served the Young and Beautiful Lady Marianne, her ladyship had never behaved this way towards her.
Lady Marianne was a reserved woman, elegant in her movements and captivating with her silence.
The Maid had long ago admitted the slight change she now portrayed, and it was now something she adored to observe and discover more with each passing day.
Regardless, Paige could not believe how such an outstanding Lady... Could lower herself to be this kind towards an ignorant woman like herself...
The girl had only worked most of her life, and so, most of what she knew was learned while serving at the Duchy.
She had the responsibility of bringing bread to her two younger siblings who had no choice but to live in an aunt’s house on the outskirts of Dahlka, the Capital City. Hence, no time was given to her to learn the basics of general knowledge... for she had to work from an early age after her parents abandoned their children.
Although she had lived an unfortunate, short life until this moment... Paige was nonetheless grateful for her fate.
The difficulties as poverty haunted her childhood were all left behind that day she was brought to the Duchy by a senior maid. She met His Grace then, and shortly after, she met the Gentle Young Lady she served till this day.
A thoughtful Lord who appreciated her job, and demonstrated interest in helping the one who took good honest care for his precious daughter... Who would send groceries to her siblings and ensure they were growing up well educated and in good conditions...
"It’s unfortunate you have to labour at this age... Yet, fear not, for your work is truly appreciated... In the name of our Great Ancestor... I pledge that your efforts will be compensated in enormity... Be at ease Paige... this household will veil for your peace as well as you veil for ours..."
The Duke’s words recollection never failed to bring tears to the hardworking child...
Sincerity was her redeeming trait and so, she had sincerely grown great affection for her Kind Masters.
Once she saw the lady collapse on her knees... Paige’s blood pressure dropped just as fast as the Lady reached the floor.
Her Ladyship was flushed and gasping for breath.
And, having recently arrived at the mysterious chambers the lady had been given... Paige started to panic, not knowing what to do in these confusing circumstances.
Fearing it was the room’s fault since she even needed a specific object to enter safely, recalling how the servants had been so careful as they helped move the Lady’s luggage... And most importantly... Frightened to leave the Lady alone in that room for the time she would take to search for help in the enormous Palace... Paige had no notion of what was wise to do.
Unexpectedly, Lady Marianne stood up, and still panicking from concern, she managed to help her as well as she could, while the overwhelming fear left in the form of tears from her eyes.
The Lady was so thin and light even in her slumbering walk... That the thought of her health not being better brought more tears and sadness to her heart...
She was ready to risk everything and run outside the moment she ensured the Lady was well placed in the mattress, yet...
’... My Lady doesn’t want me to go...’
Realising how she sweetly made her seat beside her and searched for comfort in her worthless shoulder, she cried stronger, letting her honest petition be heard by her ladyship.
"... Please be healthy..."
A petition... That concealed an innocent wish in between...
— and.. please let me talk more to you. —
She had shown her kindness from the moment they met in ways one wouldn’t easily notice if they were done once or twice... But... The Young Lady showed them every day.
A slight good morning nod... The long closing of her eyes to say thank you after serving her... How she always looked at her when something was being said... Paying unnecessary attention to her words...
And now... The Lady was even comforting her crying self, wiping the filthy tears when she clearly had not enough energy in her body to do so.
She said in shame, how kind her lady was, and for the first time a reproaching yet gentle stare was received along little flicks on her cheeks.
Stunned, Paige had difficulty answering, however...
"... Hihi..."
Shyly giggling she continued to smile while the Lady rested on her shoulder and, cautious to not make any movement to disturb her comfort, she glanced at her, fondly as some new thoughts crossed her now peaceful mind.
’... The Lady is cute... I wonder what happened for her to be this tired...’
Then, observing her from such close proximity, she added.
’..... Hihihi... Lady... His Grace is right..... You truly are a lovely bird... One who likes people’s shoulders~... Ah... My Kind and Graceful Master... Hihi....’
*******
It was almost two hours after the sun had completely concealed itself behind the horizon that Orland went back to his accommodations.
The teachings Francois had shared with him had taken long to transmit and even after hearing them, Orland was sceptic to believe such things were truly reckoned in other times.
He was pondering on the information’s trustworthiness, laying on his mattress with loosened clothing, for he was exhausted after a long day of interactions.
"... My daughter The chosen Ninth..... Haha..... She never fails to surprise me... My precious baby..."
Laughing at how absurd the surprises were getting, Orland thought of his daughter’s gorgeous appearance today with pride. The way she carried herself had become even more enchanting and her respectful prominence was now something that could even be conveyed only with the sound of her steps.
Reminded of her glamorous walk, the image of how she had arrived with His Highness at the Luncheon, sending Theressa first on her own flashed in his meticulous head...
"That Prince... Surely has some guts to send one of my daughters on her own..."
To think he would give that snub to his youngest child, ignited a large offence in his heart.
Remembering how Theressa nervously explained the reason behind His Highness sending her off ahead so he could speak solely with Marianne... Orland hissed his words.
"..... Bloody, impudent brat..... I hope he won’t get any bizarre ideas... I don’t want to be in charge of straightening, besides Maurice’s, his heir’s skull too..."
Clearly annoyed at the thought, Orland distorted his admirable expression in displeasure, frowning with narrow eyes as an exasperated sigh left him without air in his lungs.
Knock knock.
"Your Grace, your Daughter’s attendant has come to ask for an audience."
’...’
"!!!"
’Marianne!!’
Jumping from his bed, devoid of concerns to arrange his unkempt appearance after trying to take the break he deserves, Orland reached the door in less than a clock’s ticking and burst it open to hear what the matter was.
"What happened?... Where is my daughter!?"
He said immediately after Paige came to his sight, alarmed at the thought of his daughter having a new ailing... or even worst... A breakdown that would certainly harm her precious soul again.
’My child...’
The Duke’s pupils moved erratically in her search and astonished at his paranoid attitude, Paige took a second to get herself out of the shock, before flaunting her hands nervously in front of him who was about to rush without listening to the Lady’s lodgings.
"Sir! M– My Lord! T–the Lady is alright!! Please, do not fret!!!"
"..."
"... Please... Miss Marianne is alright, my Lord..."
His eyes wavered, and swallowing with a gasping breath... he closed his eyes in the middle of the stillness he had summoned and exhaled a relieved breath.
’... Thanks to the Gods...’