You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 703

The determination had been made even through the pain. Until now, the attacks received by Orland were nothing more than him seeking a way to avoid what his mind knew was the sole answer... and so he did not fail as expressed.

His skill surpassed his child’s by much greater strength and speed... hence... his sword piercing his son’s heart easily managed to take his life in two swift slashes.

The weight of his child closed the distance, yet the sword stood still in between them as force left Paul’s chest.

Orland suppressed his own breathing every time he needed to resume it. His body wouldn’t move, for as soon as he did... nothing but the death of his child would be right in front of his eyes, in his arms and hands reach. Nonetheless... the final gasp for air came to let the father fall to his knees and with his fall also came his son’s.

"Khwuh..."

"... . .. PaulOs... I’m... so sorry my son..." — Letting him lie on the floor, the weapon was pulled out and thrown far away, so he could take a good look at his firstborn’s face.

A smile filled with pain was drawn in Orland as he touched the hair they shared and remorse dismissed it once his hand rested on the chest that would not transmit his heartbeats ever again.

The spirit of the father shattered, for the image of his firstborn born whom he would sneak to watch sleep when just a baby was deprived of remaining innocent and his hands this time did not lull him for a simple nap... but an eternal one.

"It must have hurt..." — He let out breathless from the pain. — "... rest my boy... I will carry your pain now, dear... I won’t fail you again, my tiny ash." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

For Orland, it was clear as he knew his children well enough to feel their distress. His son suffered... his son was confused by his own curse which he couldn’t go against fully...

— I was always like this. —

The hand of the father cleared the forehead, combing the ashy hair with a trembling caress. His other hand rested still on the son’s chest feeling how the warmth abandoned him and the words and golden eyes were seen again like a mirage in his now ever-resting countenance.

’No you weren’t, Paulos... even while lost in yourself... you knew it...’ — "The real you... I won’t ever forget, son..."

*******

In the deepest nooks of the Palace, the injured and a little prince waited anxiously in silence, following a Duke’s order and the return of a Princess.

"..."

"Vitor... what do you think will happen to our masters?" — Paige asked, tired and secretive while ironing her skirt restless. Yet the knight’s silence, her support in this complexity, was only accompanied by a pensive gaze and the lowering of his head. — "... y-you don’t think... we might not meet them again do you...?"

"Never believe that." — Vitor answered with a frown, noticing how her tears built up again with a trembling chin, softening himself. — "... our Lady is odd yet strong... don’t be afraid Paige."

His rough hand caressed Paige’s cheek, and the warmth of the love for the man mixed with fear made the tears fall anyway, although she fought the uncertainty of her thoughts believing in Vitor’s confidence.

"We must be prepared for any outcome." — Then Theodore joined, interrupting the pleasant comfort between the two. — "His Grace went to our lady’s side yet we do not know what the witch hides."

"Indeed." — Theressa reckoned. — "... It might be best if we follow them once the Princess arrives. Otherwise, if we remain here and things turn for the worse we might end as easy prey for Karina."

"... Miss Theressa..." — Sorry to hear that, Paige said. Sad that at a young age, the girl had to behave objectively in these circumstances.

"... I know both of them... Marianne and dad are similar in that regard... if necessary they will take the weight alone so the rest of us will be fine... that... even without the curse on me I still hate it about them." — Forcing herself to stand properly and feigning the pain wasn’t as deathly, Theressa watched the spot from which her Father’s back was last seen. From the side of her eye she also watched how the little prince gulped down the sadness in his small frame and how tremors invaded it while tears still surfaced beside the red of his nose and cheeks, knowing that if as innocent as the child, she would be crying just as much. — "... we should go so they know we won’t stand for that anymore..."

"..." — The three servants shared a glance of agreement. Taking a moment for themselves to feel as determined as the master who was with them.

’It’s not only you who loves us...’ — She thought, taking her eyes away from the child once she saw his little fists tighten helplessly.

— What will you do when you fulfil the promise confided to you, Sister? I have been wondering how being the chosen by Calla will truly work after that... —

— Hm~ I wonder that as well sometimes... but all will be fine as long as I get what I want. —

— hahaha~ is that so? I have never thought of what that may be... May I ask what it is that sister wants? —

— ... I can tell you what it is yet I do not want any opinions about it. —

— ... what is it? That makes me more curious. —

— I request no opinions, however. —

— I understand~... do tell me, please. I wish to know. —

— ... Alright... I want to live leisurely doing nothing but the things I like with and for the ones I love. —

— Oh... that sounds- —

— THAT... if I survive. And if I don’t... I just want to have a memorable death so you all may have the leisure I wanted. —

The recall of her resigned but calm smile stung still in Theressa’s heart, seeing in the sister the same essence their father always showed for his loved ones.

— I have been thinking it should be a cool but funny death so you may say ’it fit her well’ or something like that at my funeral, hahaha! I would love for you to laugh next to my coffin~ —

’It still amazes me how silly she became at times with such jests...’ — Theressa thought while remembering the easygoing attitude Marianne showcased with the most serious matters. — ’Yet I really hope we can enjoy the leisure you want together sister... otherwise... I don’t think we will honestly ever enjoy it...’

"! A gap is opening! I-It must be Sister Jasmine!" — With the child’s alarm, new findings would be learnt by those wishing for the chosen’s safety.