You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 31

The Lady turned to face him, staying motionless for a moment, staring blankly at him. Then, with a sluggish shift, she made a reverence.

The elegant pose she adopted, was enough to convey her gratitude in a courteous and humble manner.

Having her head bowing to him, he stared intently at her small figure.

Marianne was taller than the average woman, despite this, to Zeleskiaz, she still seemed small. The man was not only corpulent, he had an incredible height that was almost two heads taller than hers.

"..."

Without thinking of anything in particular, he kept staring at her, until the end of the current song reached his ears. The next piece was to start not long after, which gave him a useful idea.

’I’ll dance with this woman.’

Knowing that the Emperor was monitoring his movements, this idea seemed promising to get his father’s nagging to subside. The noisy man always pestered him with the fact he never danced at the events he attended and had turned into one of the Emperor’s favourite reasons for reproach.

This woman did not talk, did not have expression, did not act poorly, did not have expectations and most importantly... she was favoured by his Father.

Any way he saw it, She was perfect for the task.

That’s why he reached out his hand asking for hers.

Raising her head, she watched him in the eye, impassive to the sight.

A few seconds passed. Yet, The Crown Prince doubted she would dare to decline his invitation and with confidence, waited for her to take his hand.

The Lady was now looking at his hand and, coming to a decision, gently held onto it. Her grasp was so faint that Zeleskiaz almost didn’t notice it if not for his eyes seeing it.

A proper greeting was done next.

As if to kiss her hand, the Prince got his face closer to it and stopped a centimetre away. Her scent flew inside him. A provoking scent that, if it was any other man... a rosy sunset kiss would be given to that hand without hesitation.

Zeleskiaz had a seductive vibe by nature, his actions always evoked the Ladies’ desire without effort and his physical appearance only added fuel to this reaction.

He had never tried to seduce anyone nor used his appearance to his advantage intentionally.

Although this was the case, the Crown Prince was pleased by Marianne’s response. So, for the first time, he used his natural gift on purpose to ensure a favourable answer.

"Let me have this dance, My Lady."

He said, with his deep voice in a seductive tone.

His invitation... was somehow accepted. Yet to him, it didn’t feel like a success. The Lady’s lack of... everything, felt strange. It was as if nothing was able to affect her. Like she had no will.

Zeleskiaz led the way to the dance floor and did as he had learned.

Contrary to his expectations, the Lady danced very well. Her dance moves were smooth like silk, and her elegance was astonishing. Her hands supposedly should hold onto him with some strength, but they felt as if they were barely touching him.

And... As the song was about to end, the Crown Prince noticed how her accurate steps made a mistake.

Since they were looking at each other’s faces, he saw how she closed her eyes calmly at this mistake. But... there was no way she did not know that misstep could end with her getting injured.

Knowing that the Lady’s getting into an accident could make things troublesome for him, he picked her light body high up, to avoid such an outcome. It wasn’t his intention to lift her so high, but her weightless body combined with his natural strength made it that way.

Zeleskiaz’s slight surprise by her featherweight was immediately buried by what he saw as his eyes went back from his hands on her waist, to her visage.

Astonished by the sight, a rush of an unknown feeling came over him. Her plump lips had drawn the shape of a big smile... as her closed eyes gave an even brighter feeling to her expression.

Even imagining such an expression on her countenance... the one pictured would never compare to its real beauty.

The greedy desire to watch for longer took over him. Spinning carefully, her hands that were now placed on his forearms held on tightly. And so... The little squeeze he felt from those thin palms... was terribly inciting.

Zeleskiaz watched intensely as she raised her sight to look from above the surroundings.

The dull eyes were nonexistent now. A gaze full of life was the only thing he could see in those sparkling eyes.

Yet... Sadly, the song had come to an end.

Noticing that the other dancing couples were placing themselves to salute, made him aware that it was time to let her down and once he did...

The Crown Prince witnessed her face turning back to "normal". Witnessing an appalling contrast that was... abysmal.

Not knowing the weird feeling that possessed him, Zeleskiaz stared at the Lady inwardly lost.

Meeting her eye, her lips suddenly parted faintly and something that didn’t get to be registered was said.

Her words could not be heard by him. Not only because of her low volume but because his attention was fixed on her bit-moving red cherry lips.

The Lady looked away.

Hence, using this opportunity, he left the scene...

*******

Orland was speaking with a noble who served the Sylfinnier Duchy. He had finally returned to his senses, after speaking for a while with various acquaintances.

He had seen his wife before, taking Theressa to meet some of her friends, where a lot of young ladies and their mothers gathered. He also spotted Paul for a moment speaking with his friends but, in an instant, he disappeared from his sight. It was not long after that a servant approached and informed him that Paul had returned to his lodgings.

The Duke found it strange for Paul to leave first, however, since there wasn’t any official event left for today, Orland did not give much importance to his actions.

’...He indeed looked very tired this morning.’ — Orland justified.

Nonetheless, the one he had been searching for since regaining his composure, had yet to appear, making him restless. The Duke had already asked for a servant to inform him if they saw his daughter, but nothing was known of her whereabouts until now.

’...This Ball Room is enormous. What if my child gets lost, or something happens to her...?’

Thus, the Duke began cursing at the Emperor, who liked being flamboyant, for using the biggest Royal Ball Room, of the three the Main Palace possessed.

Annoyed by recalling the obnoxious last glance Francois sent him at the private ceremony. He sighed while frowning in displeasure.

It was then, that at a far distance, his eyes caught sight of the child he had been searching for. Orland watched her daughters pace around and how she had stopped for a moment to pick up a glass and drank a little of the wine a servant was carrying.

This last action made him recall the past few days.

He had noticed that Marianne had begun to drink the wine at dinner at a fast pace, unlike before.

’... Does she like wine?...’

"..."

’It’s good that she likes it, but I will have to keep an eye on her...’

Their eyesight met while he was thinking about this.

Excusing himself with the noblemen he was speaking with, he quickly went to meet with his daughter.

"Marianne! Dear, why are you alone? I have been looking for you..."

Her expressionless face, made him feel apologetic for not taking care of her as he should have, given her condition.

’Haaa...Just what am I doing?’

Orland placed himself next to the emotionless child as his arm moved swiftly to carefully lock it with hers, taking her soft hand on his, patting it with the other one.

The Duke felt a little embarrassed to feel so happy on the inside for being able to escort his lovely daughter while interlocking arms and holding hands. However, he wanted to assure her that her Father would stay by her side, protecting and accompanying her, always...forever.

’I will always take your hand, stay by your side and protect you, my baby. Just trust your Dad... and smile once again.’

They stayed like this until it was time to go back to their lodgings. The Duke felt ecstatic to introduce his beautiful daughter to a few vassals of the Sylfinnier Duchy. Thankfully, the vassals were aware of her condition and behaved politely. She was the only family member yet to meet them, so Orland accomplished one of his dreams.

To let his people know who his eldest daughter is... was something he had delayed for a long time, solely to keep her safe. Marianne made clear years ago that she did not want to see her Father as much as possible. Therefore, surrendering to her desire, Orland did his best to protect her at a distance however he could.

Now, being by her side, seeing that she began to approach him voluntarily...

’I will stay close to you... and take care of protecting your everything personally... as long as you let me do so, my lovely bird...’

The night ended peacefully.

However, a worrying impression was left after accompanying her during the rest of the Ball.

The fact that Marianne, never, not even once... let go of the glass of wine...

’... I hope... She’s not developing an addiction...’

... Became a true concern for the Duke.