Chapter 158: Chapter 158
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The Lady was not budging even though he was not using kindness in his tone anymore.
How she suddenly covered her visage was surprising in itself.
Her silence was distressing this time. The ignorance of what was going through her mind right after failing to manifest her mouthpiece and her aloof response as she told him it was a usual occurrence were misleading his speculation.
’Is she hurting?... Is it sadness??... What is it that makes you hide your finesse from me?.....’
Unaware that it was the shame born from her witty character, Zeleskiaz worried over what seemed to be troubling her.
Watching her fingertips gain colour, Zeleskiaz insisted once more.
"... Dismiss your hands, My–" — Yet... He stopped his intent for an order.
He had straightened by her side to say this, emanating his power through his aura. It was not his intention to frighten nor threaten her with this action. Zeleskiaz was simply too worried at her attitude, although he did not know that the feeling upsetting him was worry.
Regardless, his order was cut off by himself.
From a higher spot, his gaze noticed something that halted his attempt.
It was not only her hands that had adopted more colour...
’Her... Her ears are...’
... Gulp...
Looking more attentively at what was uncovered, his gaze travelled and saw that the slightly visible nape had also acquired a lovely shade, causing his heartbeat to dangerously accelerate.
His hands started to sweat. There was one thing that came to mind with the flushing ears under her silky strands of hair... And the fidgety feeling to tangle in the practice that had invoked the flush he recalled, was once again proving his restrain.
’Is it... It cannot be that... Thoughts like mine are invading her... Right?’
The Prince’s eyes had become chaotic as they did not know where to lay their sights. He looked all over her flustered figure, unaware that his perception was correct, that she was also reminiscing... And that... As well as he could not seem to part his eyes from her even though he hoped to... She also refused from crossing sights with his attractive eyes for the outcome would be the repetition of a prohibited act.
... Although he would welcome it, Marianne was troubled by it.
Her body felt incredibly tempted, yet, she was inexperienced. Her current fluster was helping her unconsciously to keep the distance she had declared between them. Marianne... The whole woman composed of two souls was ignorant that her incapability to find new composure was the result of her flesh’s cravings.
’Oh, God! Why can’t I stop recalling it!!!! Aaaaaah!!! What’s wrong with me?!’
She was confused at her struggle.
The word she had used to describe her thoughts was "dirty"... Nonetheless, the child was pure and innocent.
Knowing the artistry men and women are to entail in... The child considered it an unsightly and unrefined knowledge to have. However, no shame was ought to be felt from it.
The knowledge was a must for her age. And so, her shame was only born from mistaken reasoning.
Pure she was...
Innocent she was...
Charming and precious, her trouble was the proof of her virtue...
And this fact did not fail to reach her courtship.
’No... I must not. She... My Lady is only... A tender woman.’
"... My Lady Marianne... I do not aim to make you uncomfortable... Yet... What you are doing at this moment... Truly troubles me."
"..." — ’... I–... I’m who is–’
"It appears to me as if you want to fade in front of me."
"!!!"
— Please don’t let yourself fade in front of me —
His words flickered in her head as the passionate eyes were recalled along the echo of his desperate voice from the previous day, reciting them with sticking volume.
"And... I believe you know my thoughts on that matter."
’Crazy b*stard! You–!!!?’
The shock from his brazen implies, ended her overthinking as it ignited a reflexive response.
Rolling her visage in fury because of his lack of consideration to mention such things in the current situation, she turned to glare at him, pulling aside her hands from the fair features she had been concealing.
"... That is a relief... Seems like it was not sorrow... what you intended to hide from your visage..."
"!?"
Leaning onto her, supporting himself on the back of her seat, his eyes observed the Lady’s now uncovered countenance, captivated by the truth shown before him.
Tasty in its shade, the blush in her cheeks enticed the Prince with its rosy allure as the rage reflected in her dark eyes softened in a waver emerged from the sweet shyness she felt.
’... S–so?... You still shouldn’t say... Such things...’
Not being able to hold his gaze, Marianne lowered her head as she swallowed, clenching her dress in restlessness, yet, finally gaining stability in her head.
’Sigh... I’m such a rookie even though I know the theory... Well... I’m a twenty-eight-year-old virgin, so... One can’t expect much, right sweetheart?’
She told herself to find comfort in her toil, appeasing the conflict with wise appreciations.
"..."
Zeleskiaz watched her in the trance she specialised in invoking within him.
Unconsciously, his hand lifted and moved closer, desiring to test the warmth on her flushed skin with the careful touch of his fingers back.
"...m..." — ’... Its... It’s fine... He won’t... I know he won’t... Right?’
She thought, feeling his rough but desirable touch.
’Such heat... What...’
"... What is the reason for this heated blush invading you?"
"..."
"... My Lady... This might be an infectious fever..." — He drowsily told her as his hand went down to place his fingertips on the delicate chin of hers.
’... You’re right... I might be sick... Sick in the head.’ — The girl inwardly declared. — ’But, this much is enough. I can’t let this go on.’
Taking his hand with both of hers, she gently took it away from her visage and turned to look at him... Finding proof that her state was indeed contagious as she noticed a soft red decorating his already passionate gaze.
"..." — ’... Let’s do things right, Male Lead...’
The Lady told him as she shook her head, although a thrilling sensation had travelled through her soul at his attractive demeanour.
"... Yes... I... Will not offend you again, My Lady..... However..."
His fingers moved hesitantly, cautious to feel her soft hand’s touch as it subtly took her bony finger’s hold; displaying in the fidgety wriggling of his hand the insecurity of asking for her kind consent.
"As blatant this petition is... May I keep on holding your hand for longer...?"
"..."
Marianne observed his hand, restlessly holding hers as in a plea for help. Her chest contracted along the throb sent to her heart, for the attitude of a man like him being this sweet was unexpectedly delightful.
However, even if this fluttering sensation was flowing freshly over her stiff body and outspoken soul, Elizabeth did not let the definition of this feeling take a formal shape in her thoughts.
Deep within... She knew the dangers of doing so at this early stage... Nonetheless...
’... Alright...’ — She nodded, accepting his request.
Her kind honesty would still act freely in what she considered was fine... Although some hidden intent was hinting her actions forward since the natural girl was yet to grow conscious of it.
The Crown Prince fondly smiled at her, regardless of the impossibility of her sights to see it; since the timid Lady had cast her eyes downwards to watch their brushing hands.
’Lovely... Oh, how lovely and fair my Lady is...’
Now, Zeleskiaz only desired to stare at her figure for an unending eternity.
She was captivating of an existence, sweet in her silence... And greatly soothing with her mere presence.
The desire to tangle with her would never fade... Yet this much proximity had him aghast from how satisfyingly comforting and clear his whole being felt.
Without letting go of the enchanting Lady’s clasp, Zeleskiaz walked in front of her to find a seat next to hers in the thankfully large settee and crossed gazes with hers as his height lowered to her delightful stature.
"..."
As if synchronised, the two lowered their eyes at their united hands in a tense lull.
His fingers commenced to move, wanting to caress her mild touch with neat vigour.
Her countenance strangely had begun to soften the strong red it previously portrayed, finding calm stability by this slight touch they continued to share.
’... This is all so weird...’ — She thought in odd calmness.
Seconds passed and the two stayed silent, observing with curious eyes their playful fingers that kept shyly trying to feel more of each other.
Nevertheless, both knew the hush shouldn’t last long, for their attraction wouldn’t stay controlled for more.
It was then that Zeleskiaz spoke, gentlemanly adding the restraint they needed, informing the Lady of something she had not noticed in their exchange while she was invaded by unrest.
"... The Lady’s sound is still as sweet..." — He recited, lifting his fierce eyes to stare at her pure ones as they lightly expanded.
"..."
"The practice will pay off, My Lady."