You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 34

Seating on a couch, the Lady was reading a book with only a one lited candle in the room, placed on a table near her.

The flame was bathing her in warm dim light, giving the locks of her wavy hair a bronze shade where the light fell.

Nevertheless, her expression was empty of emotion and her eyes seemed duller than earlier.

The Crown Prince frowned slightly at the sight of a death-like face. The contrast to the one he saw at the ball... was abysmal.

Suddenly, the woman moved.

His gaze followed the movement of a hand she had lifted to get the loose hair that obstructed her sight out of the way. To her action, he observed how the nightgown slid down her shoulder, slowly.

Peeking out...white skin under the warm light... More of the hidden cleavage could be seen... a hint of her breast’s shape flashed...such a combination felt sensually dangerous.

The inside of his dry mouth became considerably moist, to the point he was about to swallow. Yet before he could do so, the Lady looked his way.

Zeleskiaz hid in an instant with eyes wide open. Uncertain if he had been spotted, he stayed frozen for a few moments. Nonetheless, she did not come.

Seeing that she wasn’t moving nor making any sound... he looked once again inside.

The Lady was certainly staring in his direction. However, the crucial factor was... her eyes were looking upward. Following their path, He deduced... that what had her attention was the bright moon illuminating the gloomy night sky.

Taking advantage of this, the Crown Prince, once again, let his gaze fall on her figure.

A blank face... the lips that were of exquisite cherry colour, were now pale and chapped... and her eyes... Nothing could be seen in those desolate eyes.

Her current appearance... was one of a shell.

An empty shell.

Zeleskiaz felt a disconcerting twinge.

Without a certain motive, his body refused to leave the scene. He kept his gaze fixed on the Lady who had become a mysterious being in his eyes. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

One that invoked weird sensations inside him.

The Prince stayed there until he was no longer able to. No thoughts crossed his mind. Through the rest of the night, he observed intently at the Lady, who would alternate from reading the same page of the book repeatedly, to then, watch the moon through the gap left by the curtains which concealed his presence at the other side of the glass door.

A moon that... was no more visible as time passed.

Any moment now, the sun would rise. If he did not leave before that... the return to his quarters would become troublesome.

Having observed the woman through the night, there was an unsatisfied feeling that bothered him and made him think twice before going back. The explanation for his displeasure came to him just as he pondered about this. The cause was a very simple fact.

’... it’s that face.’

He frowned as he realised. Giving a last glance at the woman, the Prince began to shift away and turned his back in her direction. There was not much time left, he had to return now if he didn’t want his nuisance of a Father to discover his absence and have him meddle in his business.

The old man liked to gossip, so his relentless interrogation would be extremely irritating.

Zeleskiaz jumped down the balcony and made his way back to the Main Castle. Arriving safely, no one had noticed his absence. A part of him was pleased to avoid a troublesome meeting with the Emperor. The other... criticised the Palace security and surveillance.

"Should get rid of..." He mumbled. The first measure he would take once crowned had been confirmed once again.

The Prince took a bath in his private bathroom, washing off the sweat his night walk had provoked, and changed his garments.

He didn’t have any intention to sleep at the moment. Leaning on the wall next to the window, he watched the sunrise until it was high up in the sky with a blank mind.

"... How Useless..."

Zeleskiaz sighed as he said this... And decided to forget the matter.

*******

As soon as she woke up, Theressa called the servants to her room. On the second day at the Royal Palace, an event would be hosted at the Empress’s Garden. Knowing the kind of event this one was, she had to make sure to prepare well in advance.

All the Ladies of high status knew that this event was of great importance, since, thanks to the scenery, the ambience was perfect to show the noblemen their value as a woman, to later be considered a good match to marry.

She was aiming to be the best Lady today, not only for the benefit of gaining the reputation of a respected young Lady but because this was a must to accomplish her new goal.

The Crown Prince.

Uninterested in the other men, she knew that having a good reputation would make her stand out more. Being the daughter of a Duke she was already admired. However, if she gained a reputation of a Lady that most men would seek...

’Then... the Prince will definitely come to me.’

Theressa had fallen in love at first sight last night. When she saw the feared Crown Prince as he made his entrance to the Ball, she felt how her face turned red while her heartbeat got faster. The man fascinated every lady with every step he took. She quickly realised that the Crown Prince was a desired man, but later, she also learned that most ladies would never approach him voluntarily.

The women feared the consequences, since he was known for his unpredictable and violent behaviour.

Regardless, Theressa wanted the man by all means. She immediately knew that she was in love and that she wanted that big man to hold her and only her in his arms.

That is why she did her best at the private debut ceremony with the Emperor to make him look her way, only to end up feeling humiliated by his indifference. Furthermore, the attention she was supposed to get was directed to her mute sister.

Only by recalling Marianne’s existence, she would feel an urge to go and strangle her neck in anger. The fact that the disgrace of the family got the favour of the Emperor made her blood boil in rage.

’She just acted as if she was pitiful and got to be treated kindly by His Majesty... only because he felt sorry for her... she’s nothing. I’ll make sure to show her how worthless her existence is. You should know your place... you rat.’

Theressa complained, with a rage that only increased every time she recalled the events that transpired yesterday. She struggled to leave her fury aside, knowing that a bad mood could take a toll on her image.

The servants she called for, gave her an extensive beauty treatment in the morning. When the time for lunch came, she refused to eat so that the dress would fit better and then, after resting a few minutes while admiring the results of the treatment, began getting dressed.

The event would start at four in the afternoon, so she had to get ready soon to be on time.

All family members were to attend. As a family, they would ride a carriage to the Main Palace and then head to the Empress’s Garden. The men would drink tea and discuss business, while the ladies would walk around the garden and then have an embroidery session seating on a picnic cloth, showing their femininity surrounded by the marvellous blooming flowers.

Theressa started to imagine, excited, about how the event would turn out as the servants hastily adorned her.

On the way out, the Sylfinnier Family gathered to ride the carriage sent by His Majesty. No one knew the reason of such privilege, however, the house ladies were elated to see the enormous carriage.

This was rarely seen, so the Duke was dubious as to why Francois had sent such a luxurious carriage.

The Emperor’s intentions were disclosed rapidly by the short letter he sent alongside a servant.

[Lady Marianne, please have a comfortable and safe journey to the Main Castle.]

Orland bit his lower lip in irritation. Restraining himself from destroying the letter since royal servants were present.

’... This... idiotic... ’

He knew well that his old acquaintance wanted to mess with him, as he always does. So, now, Orland was crafting a plan in his head to let the both of them be alone.

’I’ll punch him hard on the face... he’s getting cocky now that he’s able to avoid being left alone with me.’

The Emperor always used to be beaten up by the Duke as a consequence of his teasing, before both were granted their respective Titles. Once he became Emperor, Francois slowly discovered that Orland would now only beat him up in private, so he used this situation to his advantage, and carefully played his cards.

"Go see what is taking my daughter so long."

Shaking off his displeasure, the Duke inquired about Marianne’s whereabouts. He had been informed that she had refused the maid’s service and only ate breakfast this morning. Consequently, he became very concerned about her state and that she had yet to show up.

The servant he had previously sent to investigate returned shortly after, alongside Marianne’s personal maid.

The Duke became uneasy once he caught sight of the maid.

Paige’s troubled expression was surely not a good sign.