You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 100

Turning to his wife’s voice, Orland answered with kindness despite his cold attitude.

"Yes, wife? Speak comfortably."

"May I assume that... This is a Royal Order?"

"... It is not an official order. Nonetheless, after receiving persistent letters from His Majesty over the last weeks, I believe it would not be polite to continue to decline their invitation. Being invited to the Royal Palace is already a great honour in itself, therefore, as you know, it is not something we can take our leisure with." — Said Orland to his wife, assuming a business-like posture at the head of the table.

"Indeed. I understand... However, Husband, I believe it would not be wise to send Marianne on her own."

"..." — Orland glimpsed at Elenaide, wondering where did this seemingly thoughtful suggestion come from, when it had been made clear that his respectful wife did not like their second born in the slightest. Yet, her comment had a foundation. One the Duke had already taken into account. — "Yes. I have thought so too since our daughter has only recently recovered from her ailing. Consequently, I had decided to accompany her on her stay as I also have pending matters at the Main Palace to attend."

"That is a reasonable idea, honey. Yet, I believe... Our... child will still be lonely, for my husband must attend to these work-related matters that have been taking the property of your days on end."

’Sigh... Now I see where this woman is going...’ — Thought Orland, deciphering the Duchess’ machinations.

Regardless, although her true motives were selfish and truly directed to benefit their youngest child, in the end, her suggestion would be a beneficial one for Marianne, who was his main concern.

At least, that was the naive Duke’s thought.

"That is true... Honey. Then, please tell me, what does my wife wish to suggest?" — Ultimately Orland answered, asking for his wife to go to the point without running in circles.

Transmitting with the slightly lifted corners of his lips along his intense gaze directed to the woman beside him, the Duke sent the confident message that he recognized what she intended to achieve with her advice, clearly aware of the ambitious ways her mind worked with, and lastly... That he would let her scheme go this time since, in hindsight, it would supposedly benefit all of them.

"..... Uhm... Husband, we should send both our daughters. If we do so, Marianne won’t feel overwhelmed by having her sister’s support and you may be at ease whenever there are matters you need to attend to at the Palace. Also, Paul is a responsible heir. Our son can easily manage the Duchy with my assistance during the time the three of you are gone."

"That is true."

Delighted to confirm his suspicions, Orland replied without haste to his wife’s idea and casting his gaze now on the one who stayed standing after her outburst, he asked.

"Would you agree to accompany us to the Royal Palace, Theressa? It is you who is being selfishly involved in this new choice, so, do speak your mind."

Flinching again to the serious tone her Father was using to ask about her opinion, Theressa stayed silent for a mere second.

’Well done, Mother.’ — She thought, smiling maliciously deep inside. Seeing that what she wanted to happen unfolded easily thanks to her useful mother.

"... First, I would like to apologise for my previous behaviour. It was unbecoming to speak in such a rude manner to Father... Do please forgive me."

"..." — Orland did not answer, waiting for her to continue.

The silence made the youngest nervous to continue, yet, her greed helped her overcome it and quickly she resumed what she intended to say.

"... My mother’s suggestion... I believe it would be wise to follow it. I am willing to go as it would help my sister feel more at ease after the stress it could signify in her only recently acquired recovery. Please let me come along Father and Sister, Your Grace."

’Sigh... At the very least this useless bug serves for something. She can just drown in anxiety during our stay if she wants..... Ah~~ Crown Prince... To think I will be able to meet him once again...’ — The naive girl thought as she finished conveying her false motives behind her agreement.

"I understand. That is very thoughtful of you, Theressa..... Now, may I know what my other two children think of this decision?..... Specially... Dear... Marianne... Is this alright with you?"

Easily accepting his last born’s opinion, not giving them much thought, Orland turned to look at the two offspring seating on the other side.

Without care to hide his fondness as he spoke to Marianne, the main one affected by this news, his voice softened to inquire about her thoughts and, preoccupied with the response she would deliver... Ignored the choking dark aura overflowing from his son.

Paul had stayed silent and frozen in place. He felt his insides fiercely twist with rage, his hands sweated from how helpless they were, not being able to express their fury by destroying his surroundings as the conversation unfolded.

His veins were swollen by how fast his blood was flowing, a product of the almost uncontrollable burst of emotions overrunning his body.

It was maddening.

The mere idea, the fact that she had been invited by the Crown Prince, the thought of her leaving for who knows how long and staying near the man who had robbed him of his godlike sister’s first dance... Brought a deadly thirst for taking his head and crush it to smithereens so no rests of his unsightly existence could be ever found in his sister’s path ever again.

Such visions continued to take form in his already depraved psyche repeatedly, even now that he was asked for an opinion.

The young master did not show on the outside the clashing turmoil going on his insides, however, his extremities were taking upon themselves the exploding force of his strained muscles, fighting the demonic instincts his soul wanted to let loose. It was only thanks to Marianne’s presence that he was restraining the desire to break everyone’s faces at that moment.

Unaware that his sister already saw him as a monster... He fought the bloodlust to prevent such thoughts to be born in the girl.

’F***..... If only Marianne weren’t here... These people... Hah.... I should– huck.... Uckhg... D*mn it... I’ll hang them so not a drop of their sickening blood is left in their filthy corpses..... the Prince.... I will kill him.. Kill him... And cut the fingers he held Marianne’s hands with..... Burn them.....’

Only thinking of the ways to take everyone’s lives was somehow managing to calm his murder intent from happening at that exact moment.

Meanwhile... Marianne... No, the one possessing Marianne was soon to give her thoughts on the impending matter.

*******

’Well~ well~ well~... What a nice scene to witness on this perfect day I am experiencing...

The f**k are these people doing? Sigh...’

How pathetic.

I’ve kept quiet all this time since it was funny to see Theressa all desperate when she heard the notice and how forced her apologies and request to follow us were... Although... I have no other option to stay quiet but, that is not the point now.

She truly needs to improve her smoothness as she lies so bluntly. From miles away, I could see how she smirked as the Duchess tried to help her out...

So useless of a villain... I would do a better job even though I’m this kind and lovely of a human. Sigh...

And this shi**y psycho right by my side... Bloody hell... How come no one sees the red on where his eyes are supposed to be white??? I mean... A bit more and this guy’s eyes will cry blood tears... Might even splurt them out like a d*mn fire hose for f**k’s sake! Just freaking go to the bathroom and break something!! Creeping me out with his popping veins... Ugh! This F***ing dysfunctional Family!!! I wanna bleed peacefully you motherf*****s!!

All the chaos I could see under the surface all these people were hiding, made me get more moody.

... It was fun in a way though.

It’s always fun to see bad people feel helpless. They deserve it after all.

It was only thanks to the Duke’s nice words and soft tone that I got to feel better. All of them were discussing the invitation without taking my opinion and of course... That was really annoying.

The news wasn’t THAT surprising though.

I did know the Crown Prince had invited me to the Palace long ago... What I didn’t know, was that the Emperor was on it too...

But thinking about it, it’s actually good to know. If it was only the Prince’s idea then it would totally be a red flag.

I won’t forget how violent he could become in the original story, so if it were all just him behind the invitation... I honestly would feel a bit... Just a tiny, tiny little bit... Troubled.

But that’s not the case. So I may as well go, leave this yard freak here, and enjoy the pleasures royal services shall give me in my stay there.

I’m already imagining those breakfasts.... Hehe...

’... D*mn... I’m hungry.’

"..."

Going back to the issue, even if Theressa tags along... She won’t bother with me. She’s dumb enough to want to follow us there to fail in her pathetic attempts of seducing the Male Lead, so I may as well witness help her get the humiliation by agreeing to bring her, hehe~

Phwahaha, just thinking of how bluntly she was rejected every time in the original novel...

’Oh gosh~ How lucky I am~~ I’ll see it live~’

To all the fans of "Enchanting Lady Karina" in my previous world... You may envy me. I will witness the failure of a villainess demise with my own... No, with Marianne’s eyes hehe~

Mischievously imagining all the benefits I get from the invitation, I felt better even though my lower body was aching like hell.

And, with this newfound hope to enjoy a few days of peace(?)...

Well... I know it won’t go so smoothly but, just knowing I won’t have Paul near is enough to make the coming drama a much better option...

Anyways! I shall answer you now, Sir!

With my eager impulse, I replied as I made the gesture of conveying my agreement to all of it..... No less than... With a thumbs up.

’D*mn it! You slipped up again, Eli!!!’ — Yelling at myself, I immediately regretted my actions.

Sigh... It’s annoying how easily my enthusiasm can wreck the elegant image Marianne has built...