You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 59

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Mother and daughter were enjoying their afternoon together.

Usually, both would meet in the women’s lounge room, to have entertaining conversations and practice their needlework, after sharing a cup of tea in the garden.

On this occasion, they did not go outside. They were tired of the early preparations they had to make for their return. Also, the decision the Duke had made to send them back ahead of Marianne had left a sour taste in the two women. However, they did not touch the issue, and as soon they finished their late lunch, both went to the lounge room to talk privately about the impressions the Royal Spring Ball had made on them.

Elenaide was anxious to know how did her daughter feel during those days, since, after accompanying her on the preparations on the first day, she couldn’t meet her in private because of the duty to socialise with her peers as the Sylfinnier’s Duchess.

Establishing a good reputation among the other noble Ladies was a matter that benefits the Dukedom, hence, the time for her to take a break never came from the second day onwards.

Now, it was finally the moment she had been waiting for.

Theressa did not hesitate to divulge everything to her mother. As soon as Elenaide inquired about her thoughts, a bomb came out of her mouth.

"So? Darling, how did you find the Royal Ball?"

"Mom... I– I think... I have fallen in love..."

Blushing at the revelation, Theressa brought a hand to her flushed cheek, feeling shy as the image of the Crown Prince crossed her mind while saying her feelings.

"Oh my! Honey!! How splendid!! Who is this nobleman?! I presume you already know whose family he belongs to?..."

"Oh, Mother... What am I to do...? This man... is Zeleskiaz Reynold Di Frotschter... the Crown Prince."

"...What?!...... Oh, Goodness My! But– But honey, you do know about his dangerous reputation, right?"

"I know, Mother, but... He was so dazzling! I can’t take his gracious existence out of my mind!... What am I to do Mom? I want him. I want him to be my husband so strongly I might go mad!"

Reaching out for her mother’s arms, Theressa showed the distress she felt out of love for the Prince. Elenaide was not convinced about the one she had chosen, however, seeing how desperate her eyes looked, the Duchess was determined to help her daughter to get what she wanted whether she liked it or not.

Although she was not completely in accordance with how fast her heart had developed such strong feelings as love is, Elenaide took a decisive point into account besides the fact of wanting to grant Theressa’s every desire.

It was the fact that granting it, would also bring a political profit to the family were it to succeed. Even though the Sylfinniers had some of the royal blood in their veins, since the first Princess married the First Sylfinnier’s Duke, it was no more than a speck of their blood that was left in the current generations. Therefore, if Theresa managed to become Crown Princess...

’I would become the envy of those nasty old noblewomen.’

Grinning at the thought, Elenaide delivered promptly her unconditional support to her beloved daughter.

"Do not fret darling. I will help however I can so you can marry the Prince."

"Mother!"

Jumping onto her Mother in joy, Theressa thanked her in exaggeration. She was aware that, to attain her goal, the need of her mother’s assistance was greatly required.

After showing fake tears of happiness, Theressa continued the conversation, feigning the lovely innocence her mother loved to see in her, knowing that such an attitude would delight her and later work in her favour.

"Then! Mother! I will tell you all about my plans! First... Oh! You should know this, I– I never thought it was possible but, it was love at first sight! When we were at the Ball the first day........ The entrance of the Prince......."

Without taking a pause, Theressa described everything about how she fell for the Crown Prince and how she acted immediately to draw his attention; how she made a great effort at the Empress’ Garden and how she succeeded in creating a good image as a Lady.

Refusing to talk about how Marianne had received the Emperor’s attention to not ruin the current mood, she kept talking for hours with her mother in excitement. Learning about strategies to pick men’s interests, and tones of voice she should begin to practice for the times she would have an opportunity to start a conversation with the Prince, among other fancy methods her mother taught her about the ways of conquering a man’s heart, their afternoon went by in a second.

And now, as the night started to take the sky into its darkness, it was their turn to receive the news about Marianne’s health.

Thomas was standing outside their door. The elderly Butler felt conflicted to tell such bad news to the other two ladies of the house.

Recalling how a few minutes ago, the usually unbothered Young Master, burst out of his office without letting him finish the whole message in preoccupation... It was worrisome how the ladies could react to it now.

Filling himself with the courage to face whatever the effect it took on them, Thomas breathed a long breath before knocking on their door, to calm his old heart. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Knock knock

"Madame it is–"

"Kyaaa! Oh my gosh! Mom! You are making me blush!!!"

The squeal of Miss Theressa rang through the door as he attempted to announce his arrival. Closing his eyes, aware that his task has levelled up in difficulty, Thomas called once again on their door.

Knock! knock!

"Madame, it is I, Thomas."

".... You may come in."

"Pardon my intrusion, Your Grace, my Lady."

Entering the room with only one step, the Butler bowed to the two ladies seated next to each other.

"It’s alright. What brings you here?"

"I have urgent matters to inform to her Ladyship and Young Miss Theressa."

"Go on, make it quick. We are in the midst of an important conversation with my daughter."

"... Yes. His Grace, the Duke, has sent me to inform you of the delicate state of health Miss Marianne is suffering from at this moment."

Both of the red-haired women stared uninterested at the elder, raising the end of their brows to the news.

"Doctor Rémi Deslys has already made a diagnosis, and it saddens me to say this, but... the Lady could lose her life in the following hours... His grace has also told me to inform you that he won’t partake in today’s dinner."

"..."

An awkward silence followed. Thomas thought the two ladies were shocked to hear the news since he did not open his eyes as he communicated the last bit of the message, feeling guilty for being the courier of such horrible news to the previously joyful ladies. However, their response to it showed him wrong.

"Mhmm... I understand. You may go back."

"....?... Ah...Yes. Then, excuse me, Madame."

Thomas could not believe his ears. The calm tone, almost to the point of being cold, used by his Master’s wife was completely unexpected.

He knew that, given little Miss Marianne’s condition, the communication with her mother and sister was not how it was supposed to be. However, he was stunned at the lack of concern both showed at their relative’s ailing.

He had witnessed countless family dinners where the atmosphere was joyful and the two ladies showed great care for Miss Marianne at those moments. At times they even said affectionate words to the little Lady. Yet, right now, the indifference they portrayed... was shocking to the old man.

Leaving the lounge room. The butler pondered on what had just happened for a second. Nonetheless, there were still more things for him to do.

’The Little Miss’ health is a priority now... I will ask Doctor Deslys if there is any medicinal concoction that could be of help... Also... more resources to lower her fever should be at hand...’

Planning a thorough restock and additional methods to improve the Lady’s health, Thomas fastened his steps toward a new destination, leaving the concern about the attitude the two ladies adopted on hold for the moment.

Meanwhile, Elenaide and Theressa continued in silence inside the room until Theressa decided to break it, stating the bothersome actions they should take given the news they had just received.

"... Mother, we should go make a quick visit before dinner. Father won’t be happy if we don’t do that much."

"Sigh... I know....... That girl... Hmph! What a talent she has to ruin my mood!!"

"..."

"Let’s quickly get over it. I can wash the bad taste with a good glass of wine at dinner. Honey, do act concerned alright? Your father must be all sensitive because of that thing."

"Oh, mom! I know!"

Standing up to go off to Marianne’s chambers, both walked to the door.

Halting her movement, Elenaide stopped just as she took a hold of the door’s knob handle.

"Ah... that’s... Theressa, honey, do you know where that girl’s room is?"

"... Unfortunately, I do."

"Then you lead the way."

Rolling her eyes as she went a pair of steps ahead of her mother, Theressa guided the Duchess to the room that currently had as guests the two male members of the family.

Irritated at how her existence didn’t cease to get in her way, Theressa cursed at the unconscious Marianne without restraint as they made their way to her chambers.

’That stupid worm... does she not understand when I tell her to disappear?... she should just die quietly and save us the trouble to feign concern for her disgusting existence. Such a pathetic b**ch... I hope she suffers as she goes away.’

Meanwhile, the Duchess who followed behind her...

’Hmm~... should I ask the chef to open that bottle I received from Lady Kinnerk last time?..... She said it was brought from one of those remote countries in the neighbouring lands...? Was it at the southeast... or the southwest... No, no, no... didn’t she say it was east south....’

... Could not care less about the circumstances.