You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 371

"... Oh, goodness." — While accompanying the dismissal of the noblewomen along with her mother, Jasmine sighed displeased by the sight of a neat Zeleskiaz, appearing even taller as no cape was there to cover his shoulders. — "My fears become true too often because of him..."

The princess’s wish to stay with Marianne and converse about the day would be clearly disrupted as the sibling she had opened his eyes to love was to persist in taking away the friend she felt linked to.

’Such a trouble he is... not a single day goes by without his presence.’ — Jasmine thought, displeased to share her friend and yet, she glanced at her, coincidentally meeting Marianne’s innocent grey hues to softly smile.

’Yet... today I am pleased... My wish to befriend her has come true... wonderful dreams I am to continue to have and...’ — Recalling the time she first touched Marianne’s hand she turned to look ahead, intrigued by the sensation she had at the time. — ’Maybe... I will finally be able to ask why I seemingly heard the same voice in my dreams echo at the time... it could be as she is the Ninth... it could be her voice...’

— Aenean... —

Ignorance of the speck of the guardian spirit inhabiting within her being maintained Jasmine confused by the memories shown as dreams. Yet it was her proper caution that had restrained the princess from mentioning it to the lady.

The tear Marianne wore had resounded with her touch, and it was Calla’s, Aenean’s most adored friend whose voice had greeted her. Endearingly sweet just as the dreams she now had about the happy past of another.

"! Oh my... The Crown Prince is here!" — The women about to leave said surprised, attempting to hide the nervousness as the man was one difficult to encounter, much less to converse with unless one of high status was present. For not only his status but his fame was intriguingly dangerous.

The ponder of the Princess was broken by the mumbles, and, doing as her dear mother did, Jasmine’s head lightly turned to properly watch her brother’s approach, whose gaze went immediately to lay on the lady behind her, who anxious, had leaned slightly to peek at the prince she found enchanting.

’... He’s really here...’ — Moved by the sight of him, Marianne averted her gaze as soon Zeleskiaz met hers. Lovely in shade as she quietly straightened, slightly ashamed of being found peeking a glance of the admirable man. — ’Oup... Keep it together.’

"Crown Prince... If I did not know I would not assume you have just returned from the hunt as I see you look so refreshed." — Affectionately, the Empress gently welcomed Zeleskiaz, taking his attention from the lady. Entertained to witness her son’s infatuation. — "What do I owe your presence after what I assume was a fruitful hunt?"

"Empress... ladies." — Bowing to show his manners, only one lady was watched with true interest, coming back to meet his mother, whose gaze demanded from the son some self-awareness of his heart’s obviousness. — "... There is no precise reason. Solely some small matters I am to discuss with the guards of the Robus Pars."

"Hm. Truly?"

’Did something happen?’ — Marianne curiously thought, glancing at her knight that always stayed near at a fair distance.

"... hah... goodness, even lying..." — Exasperated by the awful excuse of an answer Zeleskiaz had given, Jasmine muttered to herself. Baffled by the usually good liar failing to convince their eye this time.

The eye of the always waiting Sir Vitor met the Prince’s eye after the lady’s, noticing there was a part of truth in the matter. Consequently coming closer to bow and listen to what the Prince would convey.

"... Pardon us for a moment." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"Go ahead, Crown Prince." — The glad empress allowed, turning to face Marianne and make some small talk while the other ladies shyly whispered between themselves the awe to have seen up close the Crown Prince. — "My lady, it appears to be that the Crown Prince has taken seriously the lead of your troops."

’ah... I suppose he has... but I really wonder what happened...’ — Unaware that his reason was partly an excuse to look for her, Marianne agreed with the common nod of her crown, peeking at the men take some distance and receive a soft yet confident smile of the handsome Zeleskiaz that continued to converse with Vitor after her eyes averted from his ultramarine hues. — ’Oh shoot! Am I staring too much?!? We keep doing this!!’

"... Vitor." — Then the prince said. — "Be the most alert during the event."

"... It was not a bluff of his highness?"

"... Not entirely." — Bothered that the knight had noticed, yet not naive to not understand for his escapes to visit the lady in the forest had been ultimately aided by the silent knight, Zeleskiaz lightly frowned. Returning to his severity as it was disrupted by the knight’s honesty. — "There was an encounter I had with the second prince, the Ninth was mentioned, inform the Duke. Tell him to come see me."

"..... I will tell my Master... However, no hint of the scheme was given?"

"No... Stay close to my lady when I’m not near. Dissipate your aura also. If anything happens you’ll be able to oppose it."

".... Understood."

"... Kill whatever tries to harm her."

"Such an order... Is not needed to tell."

There was threatening determination in both men’s gazes. The loyalty both had for the lady was the strongest, and to Zeleskiaz whose jealousy had been a source of dislike towards Vitor as his day was spent with the Lady, what the Crown Prince could see was no more than honest loyalty to a Master’s daughter. One Vitor grew fond of and comfortable... whom he simply wished to protect to honour his morals and show gratitude to the Teacher who took him in.

A smirk appeared in Zeleskiaz, that although did not trust completely in the knight’s intentions for his beloved was a lovely being, he knew the brazen ignorant that dared attack his beloved would not go unharmed from the knight’s weapon.

The bow of the Sir was followed by his return to stand behind the lovely Marianne. Also followed by the Crown Prince who now as his presence has been excused, could engage further. Always trying to earn the solitude between himself and his beloved.

"? My... Are you done, son of mine?"

"Yes... It was a small matter.... As I can tell, the tea session has come to an end. Have I arrived at the right time?" — Acting with gallantry the Crown Prince made use of his manners, granting new sights to those remnant ladies who had not witnessed his gentlemanly behaviour. Provoking gasps and enchantment to those unaccustomed. — "It appears to be... the ladies were vacating the tent. I have arrived right on time to not lose the elegant sight."