You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 52

It wasn’t me.

’It really wasn’t me!’

I lifted my gaze from the tray, shook by the loud sound. I was certain that the sound didn’t come from me, so...

’If it wasn’t me...’

"Ahem... I- My apologies..."

Turning my head slowly to my right side, Marianne’s Father was seating straight and slightly tense. His hand was covering his mouth and rubbing his nose with the index finger knuckle, while, with eyes closed, his brows waggled in awkwardness.

He was clearly embarrassed.

’Heh... well... THAT was unexpected...’

Men have a big appetite, so... I guess such a reaction is not that odd, but...

’He has like "a reputation"... I would be doing my "curl up and die" face right about now if I were him... Respects to you, Sir. You kinda saved your dignity with your "almost calm" expression.’

I glanced at Paige and found her looking downwards.

’... this girl is holding in her laugh fo sho~’

"..."

Glancing between the maid and the Duke amid the silent atmosphere, with a tight-lipped expression on the inside, my considerate self emerged with an idea for salvation.

’... If this silence continues he will feel bad........ Well, whatever, it works out just fine if it’s like this.’

Proceeding with what I was doing before the deed of his guts perturbed my motion, I took a big spoon of the orange coloured pumpkin soup. The clack of the silverware as I took it, thankfully, brought the Duke’s attention to me. If I had to do another gesture to draw his attention... It would have been troublesome... Troublesome enough to abort the mission, since I depended on my hands to make gestures.

Easily avoiding the failure, I placed my other hand under the full spoon. Turning to him once again, I brought the spoon with its handle in his direction, signalling for him to take it. Implying the message that he should also eat some.

Now, he was perplexed at my actions. Blinking in confusion he looked at the spoon and then at me alternately, trying to confirm if what I meant was really what I meant.

’So distrustful~......... take it quickly! Even holding a spoon is kinda difficult right now! D*mn it! Bloody luck I have!!’

"Uh... no... eat comfortably, dear. I will eat something else later..."

’I’m doing this because I know I won’t eat it all! You think I share my food so easily?! I don’t joke around with food Sir!! Just eat it!’

I stared intensely at him reciting these kind words to the playing hard to get Duke, and obviously... it worked.

"A-alright... just a little bit..."

Even though he seemed unwilling as he hesitated to take the spoon in his hand, once he ate it, his face beamed at its delicious taste.

’That’s right~ that’s the attitude~ just enjoy the flavour Sir~~’

Satisfied at his bright reaction, I was now eager to try the pumpkin soup that made him put a "Delizioso!", kind of expression.

I began eating... though I was a little reluctant to use the same spoon... but I just shove it with my logic and ate the thing.

’Who cares! I wanna eat! It doesn’t matter if it’s our parents’ saliva! And technically, he is my body’s father!! So, F it!!’

The soup was really delicious, it had a strong taste of the pumpkin and I could taste some potatoes and other vegetables there.

Continuing to eat, from time to time, I would give the Duke a bite. By that, I mean every two bites I took, one went to him.

’You gotta help me here. You can eat as well so be grateful Sir~’

He surrendered by the third time I gave him food, and later, he got comfortable enough to be prepared to receive the next bite.

Time went by and we finished the food. I began feeling sleepy with my filled stomach and while dozing off, Marianne’s father stroked my forehead lovingly before telling me that he was now leaving my side so I could rest.

"Sweetie, you should sleep now. I will leave so you can rest comfortably. I will come back in the morning."

Slightly lifting the corners of his lips in a soft smile his gaze gave me a warm feeling, and also...

’It’s a shame he’s leaving... but, he should get some rest too... right, Anne? This is enough spoiling from your father.’

Thinking about this while looking up at him, trying to keep my eyes open, I nodded slowly.

’He said he will come tomorrow...’

I felt a little insecure about falling asleep, but knowing he would come back, calmed my anxiety a bit.

"Alright..."

The Duke stared at me for some time. He seemed to be thinking about something, but apparently, it was nothing important.

"Good night, sweetie. Let the whispers of Isis and Hathor fill your dreams, my lovely child."

’Wh– what... Uhm I–is that a way to get children to sleep here...? ... I–It’s very fancy...’

Our cheeks got flushed instantly at the "sweet dreams" kind of sentence he gave. Averting my eyes from his, I quickly began to fall into a deep slumber.

*******

Orland went back to his office with a tired body, but with a revitalized spirit.

Ever since the day he came back from the Royal Palace, his mind was in endless turmoil.

All kinds of thoughts and emotions were experienced during those two long days until now.

The instant this all began was the exact moment he met his daughter at the entrance of the Guests Palace.

Orland was waiting patiently at the entrance. He was feeling nervous because he was unsure if his decision of going back to the Castle, with him as a companion, would displease his daughter.

The rest of the family members did not say anything about it when he announced this two hours earlier. However, the look in their eyes was enough to tell him they were not completely in agreement with his decision.

For a moment, he thought of telling his son, Paul, to be the one to take his sister home.

He knew well that his daughter would feel more comfortable if his son were to accompany her on the journey. Nevertheless, he found this as an opportunity to share some time with Marianne and take a look at her demeanour.

She was not feeling well the second day, and since then, he couldn’t take the initiative to visit her to see for himself that she was doing better. Only by the reports, Paige would give, was he able to know how she was doing. Yet, he never felt completely at peace with it.

He had to see with his own eyes that she was doing well, that she was not ailing, that she was not falling.. Nor leaving.

"Fuuu...."

A long breath left his lips, trying to attain control of the increasing anxiety.

’... She should arrive any time now.’

Distracted by his thoughts and nervousness, he failed to notice the almost inaudible steps of the one he awaited.

The beautiful child appeared out of the blue in front of him. Her stunning beauty put to shame the flowers at the Empress’ Garden and the nymphs that guarded the deep forests of Dawn.

’Oh... my daughter has become so pretty... what will this father do with all those bad men who will swarm around her...’

After staring at her with these thoughts, the Duke laughed at his foolish concerns and showed an elated smile.

His daughter filled him with pride but also with childish worries, which was extremely pleasing in a way he did not understand completely. Coming back to reality, he greeted her happily.

"... Oh Dear... Good Morning Sweetie."

Watching her pretty eyes, he noticed the light she had recovered was still there, untouched.

Relief quickly ran through his body, lifting a weight that had him on the ground for the last couple of days.

She bowed to him in a polite greeting, responding to his. As she lifted her head, he noticed a red shade on her face, mostly on her cheeks. The thought of her physical recovery not being complete pained him greatly. She was frail in his eyes, and her getting sick of something as little as a headache, seemed enough to take her down and throw her to bed.

His hand reached to her burning cheek and, without hesitation, he asked the girl about her state.

"Are you feeling well? I’m... worried since you weren’t feeling well the other day..."

Filled with concern, and frightened of the answer, he waited for a reply. Little flashes of old memories kept appearing in that short time and his heart tightened at the desperation they brought. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

But then, the marvellous gestures his daughter displayed to comfort his distressed soul were so cute and blunt, that he didn’t get to grief for long.

The lifted fists in front of her, clenching as if saying "I am strong", and " I am fine", were truly small and thin. Even though those fists and thin arms did not comply with her messages, the eyes that looked right into his... were surely ones of a strong person.

Seeing such eyes was such a blessing that his voice got weak as he answered her.

"I see... that’s... such a relief..."

Even though he felt rejoiced by these sights, Orland kept a hint of uneasiness in a corner of his mind. There were many things that could happen and he was sure that her recovery was bound to be unsteady. Her heart was the one that was sick... the heart of her beautiful soul was the ailing one... and when it is the soul that is ailing... a breakdown was as sure to appear as how the sun is certain to come up in the morning.

As usual, his thoughts were starting to wander in bad directions.

Yet, regardless of the pessimistic possibilities and emotions that had slowly started to engulf his mind... Orland didn’t miss the slight tug at his sleeve.

As a work of magic, the fingers that pinched his shirt’s fabric broke the flood of negativity.

Those emotions were quickly replaced.

Now, he felt intrigued.

Intrigued by what she was planning with those unwavering eyes.