You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 497 — Her hand.

"He’s dying." — He said, holding his tears back while turning to the friend who also could not believe and would follow the tease Francois wanted to give the unprecedented seriousness of his child. — "Orland! My heir is dying?!! HE CALLED ME FATHER!!!"

"Calm down it’s not that bad! You have three other good children!! You can do without this one!!"

"But he called me Father!!"

"It’s fine... it means nothing... it’s a one-time miracle..."

"..."

That one holding onto his patience observed the older man’s act, gritting his teeth to maintain the calmness showcased outside... while within...

’These two... They aren’t taking me seriously!!’ — Zeleskiaz clenched his jaw enraged as it was to be expected from the father yet not from the Duke... as far as he could have imagined. Yet the scene of Orland going to the Emperor’s side to pat his back showed otherwise and his patience was tested once more as they continued their jest towards that one Who remained severe and respectful.

"Right... it means nothing... he only messes up..."

"That’s right... take it in a good light... you won’t lose knights every other night because of his tantrums..."

"Right... you’re right..."

"The crown doesn’t suit him either..."

"... True. It only suits me, right?"

"That’s right."

"Your Grace and Your Majesty." — Not wishing to wait anymore as it appeared they would continue to taunt his patience with the scene if not stopped, Zeleskiaz interrupted, glaring at both briefly so that even if angered his goal could be met properly as the Lady had suggested. — "I am aware that this act you are putting is because my behaviour surprises you."

’?? Something’s definitely up... he’s too calm after we did all of this!’ — The emperor told with a glance to the Duke, who now, at the severity the prince managed to convey even after their tease, nodded, telling with the change of his own demeanour that the jest should be over as they continued to listen to the young Zeleskiaz.

"Nonetheless, I am sincerely here before you, wishing to be respectful... for no other attitude is proper given the matter I have come to discuss with you."

"..."

"I ask of you to also listen to me with the same respect."

"... And what would be this matter you want to address to both of us, Crown Prince?" — Orland said, complying with Zeleskiaz’s request.

"I am also wondering about that. For you to seek both of us... Myself could be understandable in normal circumstances, however..."

"Yes. What do I have to do with the matters you want to discuss, Prince Zeleskiaz?" — This time, consequent to the attitude of the Crown Prince, Orland said. Standing from his place... already dubious of the intentions a man like Zeleskiaz could tell. — "Honestly speaking, it is starting to feel unpleasant the more I think about what it could be you want to discuss."

The eyes of the Duke had fallen on the gift a Lady had given and he wore proudly... and the Prince’s stance remained unfazed, exhaling the nervousness as it was the chance the parents had given so he could talk.

"... I am here before you, not as the Prince of this Empire, Your Grace. The sole purpose is to convey to you what I once did bluntly... this time more humbly and respectful... for as a man and the son of the Emperor I-"

"WAIT!!" — Fighting the grin the realisation conceived, Francois stopped his son, indifferent to the tremble his old friend went against as it was already obvious to his senses.

Rushing to his son’s side, Francois’s hand reached the young one’s shoulder and with brilliance in his eyes... asked in secrecy. — "S-Son... is this what I think it is???"

"... What do you think it is?"

"Come on!!" — Frustrated as the son did not correspond to his excitement, Francois punched his arm. — "You’re here for the cute child, aren’t you?!"

"..."

"Hehe... Hehehehe~ So I was right~~ I see, I see son, my cute little son~~ Your Father will help you this time~"

"Wait, I want to say it myself."

"? Of course you will. Do it right. Orland’s no easy feat, you’re in luck I’m here-"

"Are you going to keep whispering to each other or will you tell me your means here? I don’t have the patience and I don’t think this so-called respect you wanted is being shown while keeping secrets before me, Prince."

"!!"

"Oh! You’re right. I only wanted to have a little word with him, sorry about that, Orland." — Francois said in a nice mood, giving another pat to the arm of his heir, and saying one last thing before going back to his seat. — "You were doing good, keep it up, son."

"..."

"He’s here to talk with both of us, supposedly so, why have a word only with him? His purpose contradicts itself."

"I’m his Father, you know? Can’t I do that from time to time?"

"... now you say that..."

A tension that had befallen the stances lightly dissipated as the Emperor understood the reasons of his heir, and sitting comfortably again, he looked at the son who waited for the right moment to let his voice out again.

’Haha... he’s actually nervous... this rascal...’ — The Father thought, moved to the sight of his enamoured offspring. — "Sit down Orland and you come closer, Zeleskiaz. We will listen to what you have to say now."

*******

"..."

’He talked well... briefly yet well...’ — The father thought after the son had told his intentions in this meeting, remaining in silence as the father of the lady was peeked at, waiting for a word from his mouth.

"You... my daughter’s... suitor?"

"... Yes, I hereby request your permission to court Lady Marianne with hopes to take her hand in marriage once her heart and times allow it."

"... My Marianne?"

"... Yes, Your Grace."

"..."

In a tense stillness, solely the Father of the Lady and the man interested exchanged words while the other parent watched the scene, cautious as the stillness foretold danger from a friend known as too "lucid" when in the midst of battle and rage.