You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 574

The ride was quiet. Both chaperons had followed along and boarded the carriage with the new couple, burdening the man and woman with their rigorous watch.

Nonetheless, few words were managed to be exchanged, enough for the ride to feel short whilst unnecessarily crowded...

"The warden has been notified of our visit." — Zeleskiaz decided to inform so nervousness could placate in his beloved’s demeanour. — "Once we get there, he will take us into the tower and lead us to where your brother is kept, my lady."

"Oh... I take it he is waiting for our arrival currently."

"Yes. It was requested so you may move tranquil within the prison."

"... Then... you say he will take us to Paul first... after I meet him, will he guide us to Theressa?"

"... I was told we would. The petition for today was made so you could meet both of your siblings... Although, there is a possibility that you may not be able to have an exchange with your sister, my lady Marianne."

"?... the petition was made, so why is that?" — After a moment of contemplation, slight worry rose in her chest, aware that some condition needed to exist so her meeting with Theressa could not be. Asking cleverly so at least a hint of the truth could be learned from the careful crown prince. — "Is there something wrong with her?

"... Let us say that her attitude has been concerning lately. She has been drugged so her cries can find relief... That is what I was told, my Lady."

"... I understand... Father did tell me that she cried day and night." — With a sense of concern mixed with uncertainty, Marianne observed the outside after understanding the prince was not to explain what could be witnessed better. Trying to find with the aid of silence the peace needed to face her siblings in the sceneries her eye had not been able to catch a glimpse from the palace.

Her solemnity as she prepared to meet the golden hues her siblings owned was respected by the men riding along. Slowly, the smoothness of the carriage’s wheels commenced to rattle as the path changed its grounds. Ultimately stopping where grass appeared dead and burned, letting her notice how it was solely the space around a robust tower, dirty with curious dark flowing dry through its brickwork, that ominous essence predominated on the building. Getting a dull welcome by the warden previously mentioned once her foot reached the ground. Being invited invited inside as soon as he met the eye of the crown prince, following the warden into the tower until his steps halted to give a strict announcement to those others who walked behind them.

"Those two knights that came with you were not included in the request for permission. They must remain outside."

"!... We are the Ninth’s guards. It is a must for us to follow our master."

"The crown prince was the one assigned as a guard in the letter received. You two cannot come. You may wait here for the Ninth’s return or hinder the visit and make your way back for she cannot step foot here without following the rules." — The warden had coldly informed Theodore. Remaining immovable until the conditions were honoured.

Although troubled by the warden’s severe determination, Marianne went into the tower solely accompanied by the crown prince at last. Welcomed by a lugubrious breeze whispering caution to her ear and skin once the gates closed behind them.

"... It is alright, my lady. It is because security is tight here." — Zeleskiaz said to her ear, gently placing his hand around her waist as he paced along her. Helping her steps to not fret at the uncertainty of the place... Relieving her anxiety with the warmth of his care which would remain lightly menacing those others that dwelled on these grounds while they went down instead of higher into the tower, led by a snitchy warden.

"He is in the lower level." — The man said, busy looking ahead, uninterested in the guests.

"... I was told he’s at the traitor’s, where Fenrir would eat whoever."

"Yes, he is. The man appears calm even while surrounded by the hunger Fenrir left in the air... Will the Ninth be alright? The place’s weight might affect her."

"I’ll use my aura to repel it." — Zeleskiaz said, meeting her eye again. Confident as he knew well the place. Nonetheless, once below... there was no need for the prince to become a shield... for us all in Izeneya were with who Calla chose, becoming part of her source; securing the protection mortal humans would not understand even if knowledgable.

"I am to let you on your own from here." — The man said suddenly at one of the steps, recognising how the air and the force ahead could affect him as well. — "Once you finish these stairs, to the left. At the deepest where dark reigns with no flames... there you should meet the man."

"... Alright." — The crown prince agreed, watching how the man glanced at Marianne to continue his way back. Concerned about his beloved who at some point lost more brilliance as she focused more and more on maintaining her calmness at hand. — "... My lady, if there is anything that makes you uncomfortable I will interfere. I am here so nothing will harm you."

"... Thank you... Yet I feel calm somehow..." — Marianne said after pausing the blank in her thoughts. Resuming their pace, looking closely at her every step and alert of the place. — "Nevertheless... the more we go down, your Highness..." — Marianne then said, as she felt a weight too familiar to fear it. Confident of her instincts and the fairies that quietly in curiousness followed her. — "The more I feel there is not much he can do to frighten me at a place like this."

"... That beast’s nature is everywhere! Erna!"

"Yuck...! I know Estella... He’s taking lives with its simple stench!! Awful Fenrir!"

"Awful Fenrir!!"

Marianne, heard the fairies whisper displeased while hiding under her strands of hair. Feeling even entertained in such a gruesome place... Reaching the last few steps of the stairs that ended with the din of a hit, leading them to hear a burst of joyful and dreary laughter that froze her blood with heavy regret.

"Hahaha~! Yes...!" — They both heard in the echoes. Recognising the sound of a twisted Paul. — "My loved Marianne...! I can tell you have come!! The putrefaction feels sweet now that you’re here!!"