Chapter 576: Chapter 576
’... My lady...’ — With dislike, Zeleskiaz frowned in silence, unable to ignore how the acknowledgement of the beloved to these hopes made her stiffen and uncomfortable the more the exchange continued. Seemingly useless... for the words were interpreted differently by the one receiving them.
"Heh... I knew you wouldn’t stay mad, my dear... my loved sister~ We’ve always known we have only each other to lick our wounds... You would never forget it... You cannot."
"... You are wrong, Paul." — Despite his confidence, Marianne stated, unfazed by his interpretations. — "It is nothing like you believe."
"... what? How am I wrong? You know me, Marianne... I am never wrong."
"I do know you. Quite a lot. Enough that I even foresaw this mistaken appreciation of yours... as I said, I may refuse to believe this nature you own... yet I only need proof to actually accept it as strongly as I wish it." — Reigning her feelings, Marianne decided to show herself heartless. Restraining the tears of the past when they were happy, invoked against the current state he carried himself today. Contradicting his illusions like never before. — "Therefore... tell me. Who was it that helped you?"
"..."
"You did not act on your own the night of the Ball and who knows if before that as well... Who was it that helped you kidnap me, Paul?"
"..."
"Was it someone from noble breed?"
"..."
"... Was it the broken bones witch?"
"..."
"?! Answer me! This is myself! The true one that is asking you this, Paul!!" — Frustrated at the silence that implied something this time with the avoidance of his eye, she raised her sound. Finally making the eyes of the man lift to meet hers... ominously unreadable, malicious in their brilliance. — "I ask you sincerely... only answer this question with the truth..."
"..... Marianne. Once I’m out of here... I’ll gladly tell you."
"..."
"Like always I will gladly answer whatever you wish, my love."
"?! You won’t be leaving this place alive." — Zeleskiaz said, placing himself in front of her as he noticed the shiver Marianne tried to contain because of the words that were felt as a threat. Shameless in the address to a sister... who against a disturbed brother could not remain as unbothered as she would have wanted. Employing the bell to summon the men to give this visit an end for his cooperation was not to be found. — "I’ll make sure of that. It would have been better for you to spout the truth out before the time comes."
"Go ahead and try, prince. It’s your head that will lose its blood in the end. Not mine." — Disturbingly tranquil, Paul replied to the promises. Meeting Marianne’s hues to summon his twisted grin in farewell. — "Be patient, my dear love... I’ll go to you again soon as destiny arranged it..... it is known that..."
"..."
"Let us go. Do not listen any more, my lady."
"... our bones are meant to lay together..."
While she turned her back on the sibling led by Zeleskiaz, the two fairies came back to hide in her strands, bickering around while the mutter of the man unsettled her with every step as it stuck in her head... letting Marianne know once climbing up what Paul had refused to answer when given the chance.
"Putrified! That witch! For pulchra flore! She’s disgusting!!"
"The man has been soiled! To his core and every speck!! Right, Erna?!"
"That’s right, Estella!! Poor and revolting!!"
"Ninth, Ninth! The man’s soul has been soiled!! Soiled it has been by the bones she curses!! For many years!! This Estella’s power trembled when near!"
"This Erna’s feared the damage!! Almost nothing is left of the pure soul he once owned...!! Illness would be better for the man, Ninth!"
"Mhm... sniff... I know..." — With little force in her sound, Marianne’s steps slowed down unable to take the many emotions. Stopping completely when she knew no outsider would see or hear her... lowering her crown as her body felt weak to the knowledge.
"... My lady...?"
"Kh... I knew..... I knew he is no longer... my brother..." — Fighting the pain this truth meant, Marianne cried... trying not to shed tears because of the complexity this placed in her beliefs, while her hand that covered her mouth, felt the traces of the sadness fall indifferent to her hopes. — "I have known.... Sniff... from long ago...!"
A void opened, new in her heart where unforgiveness would live cold while unexplained... refuging herself in the arms of the crown prince... whose heart ached at the sobs of his beloved. Unable to understand the depths of Marianne’s misery.
’Why...? Why would you let tears fall because of him, my lady...’ — Zeleskiaz questioned quietly while she tried to find composure in his hold. Watching her tremble and frailness enhance the more it affected her demeanour. — ’What you told him you lived under him... isn’t it enough for you to only bear hatred against him? One even greater than this one I feel because of the hazards you went through... nonetheless... why do you still suffer...?’
In his hand, he took the strands on her back, embracing her dearly while confused. Breathing in the grief her body emitted to share the pain he wanted to take away somehow.
"... sniff... I am sorry, my prince..." — She said, once more controlled. Surprising him who questioned this gentleness she owned with the smile she forced while placing some distance. Inducing more trouble within him as she conveyed how aware she was of these circumstances. — "You may think it is irrational for myself to behave like this... yet I cannot help my emotions... I am sorry..."
It was clear that the lady admitted the complexity of her behaviour. Seemingly implying it was alright for Zeleskiaz to judge her attitude before the sibling that harmed her soul... Yet he paused taking in the pitiful sight of one trying to show strength in a smile that was not in her mood to show.
"... Whatever it is that my lady feels... as long as it will not wither your inherent brightness with sorrow forever..... I will try to understand and do what my hand may provide so the pain can lessen... I am not to judge you, my lady..."