Chapter 579: Chapter 579
"... Um... Theressa? Can you hear me...?"
"... mn.."
"Theressa, only for a moment..." — Noticing how there was an apparent effort from the girl in trying to focus on her sound, Marianne swallowed, hoping to get one answer at least if possible. Although the circumstances appeared to oppose a favourable outcome. — "What you said... what do you mean by loving me like you truly wanted to...?"
"..."
"Theressa? Are you listening??"
"..."
"... fairies can’t you do something?" — At the lack of response she asked the fairies hiding in her strands aware that it was not solely herself that found this scene unsettling. — "Perhaps with your powers... so she may wake up for a moment."
"ngh~ sleepy we are as well, Ninth... mm... I say the soul of the girl feels bleary and yet so happy~... nonetheless, more cannot be told."
"Yaaawn~ right~... Like the man she has been soiled as well... although, it appears improper, poorly. Hrm... She repels the soil...?"
"Seems like so... huff... Erna is sleepy. Much we cannot do, Ninth...~"
"Fenrir’s traces are not easy for ourselves to endure yet... sleep is needed~!"
"I see... thank you fairies..." — Seeing them off so they could go back into her strands with so little force, Marianne turned back to look at her sibling. Contemplating what the creatures were able to tell from her spirit with a fast glance.
’So she also... was soiled?’ — At what the fairies said, there was some complexity trying to be sowed within her spirit once more. A hint of hope that was unsure of it all. Coming from the naivety this body’s first soul still owned and wanted to indulge in... much more at what she could see of the current little sister, so unlike the one she had seen all along and appealingly... unfair if soiled by an evil witch. — ’What does it mean that she repels it?? Is it that she fights it?? That she is not complying with it?... Now this is getting more complicated than I thought... this is unexpected.’
Sighing to herself as she understood there was more to learn than she previously believed, Marianne stepped back, straightening her stance as there was simply no more to be done this time.
"Your Highness, we may go back." — Marianne then decided as it was apparent Theressa’s consciousness would not easily come back even if she tried. Not being questioned by the man, although he could tell that nothing was gained from this exchange.
"I shall summon the guards." — He said, respectful of her decision. Learning once it was time for them to abandon the tower that this last visit would not be wasted by the Lady.
[ Do not give Theressa any drugs tonight nor tomorrow. I will come back in the morning for another visit. ] — Marianne had written in her stack for the warden to read.
"... Even if it is you who requests it, Ninth... the drugs are so the prisoner will behave. We cannot control her behaviour otherwise. We cannot grant this petition."
"Do as she says. It is temporary." — Zeleskiaz said, roughly since the man showed a condescending look in his reply. — "The Ninth’s visit was so she could converse with the prisoner. It should have been done in advance by your management and yet it came down to this. Our time is not for you to waste, warden."
"... We will make the arrangements, yet it will need to be informed to the Palace and jury before we may proceed."
"Then do so. For now, we will be going back to the Palace. Make the arrangements in the meantime so you immediately follow the Ninth’s order."
"... Understood. Have a safe return, your Highness, Lady Pristina." — Knowing his place the warden mumbled, acting humbly with a lowered head. Seeing off the crown prince and chosen by Calla who promised to return.
Nonetheless, at how dispirited, at how engrossed in ponder Marianne appeared, little to no words were exchanged in the carriage as they made their way back to the Main Palace.
At the inquiries her guard Theodore had made once welcoming her as they stepped outside of the tower, curious to learn the outcome of her visit, simply a forceless nod was replied. Shutting down any wish to converse so both of her knights could notice.
And so, concerned for who they served, once the lady could not observe as she boarded the carriage... Theodore turned to look at the one who could answer his questions.
"What happened to my lady? Were there problems once meeting her siblings?" — He asked Zeleskiaz, bothered to have the need to ask him instead. — "Did they do something??"
"... It is best for us to let her rest. These meetings had no troubles... yet my lady is..... soft-hearted."
"..... her siblings they are. The sight might indeed have her gloomy..."
The worry, for they respected her silence, solely grew in those accompanying her. Feeling the awkwardness as they procured stillness so as to not bother Marianne’s ponder. Arriving at the palace, requesting solitude and solely ending the company of her suitor with a sheet from her stack.
[ I selfishly arranged another visit tomorrow morning without your consent, your highness. I apologise for the trouble this may cause. ]
"... It is alright. Once the time arrives, I will make sure to join you. For now, rest should be gained... hopefully tomorrow the lady will find a better response from her sibling."
"..." — [ Thank you. For everything. ]
Although her eyes shined expressing her gratitude, she wrote these last few words to hopefully transmit how much she meant it. Sorry to the man as she felt uncertain... making their paths separate so another night came for both. Full of worries and doubts.
*******
It was as if no rest could be allowed in my body last night. A part of myself felt distressed even as I wanted to avoid over-cogitation about what happened and what my heart felt about it.
The fairies had returned to nature as soon as we arrived at the palace, carefreely as their beings were and so, consequently to the absence of their carefree talk, I could now listen to the echoes of my blank mind... not knowing what to think or do if what they said had truth and more behind it.