You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 65

’I only ate a measly piece that day... I didn’t even get to try the other one...’

Now I feel sad...

There is no way a family of such high status would save those "passed out" desserts stay in the Dukedom. There is no way such a thing as a refrigerator exists here... 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’... ah... Right...’

Since I was lost in thoughts, I had forgotten we were still hugging with the Duke. But now that I recalled it as I felt dejected, might as well take advantage of it.

Buring my face on his shoulder, digging into it disheartened by the loss, I started to pout inwardly.

’Sir~ my pastries~ what happened to my pastries~~ I need sugar to recover~~ give me my daily doses of pastries~~~’

"Oh... no... don’t do that sweetie, your forehead will sting if you rub it in this rough fabric... hmm? Look at me... ah... it’s already a bit red..."

Breaking the hug, he tried to see my face and started to gently brush my forehead with his thumb, trying to appease the red shade it took thanks to my whining. I felt even more dejected because I wanted him to comfort me and ended up making him take care of me again...

’Well... he did say he likes caring for Marianne.’

"Haha... are you sleepy again? You keep trying to maintain your eyes open."

’I’m not Sir~ I’m sad~ let’s go buy pastries again~’

My eyes were looking downwards and barely opened since I felt gloomy, but it felt nice to know that at least our eyes were showing something. I kept pouting at him inwardly because it was actually making me feel better.

"Hmm... Don’t go to back sleep now. You should eat breakfast before that, alright? Hold up a bit more sweetie."

’Hng~ Breakfast is the problem Sir~’

Just as I finished my inward sentence, the knock on the door confirmed my deductions. Paige was outside and announced her arrival with the so promised breakfast.

’Fufufu~ I knew it.’

I felt a bit proud that I still had a good sense to calculate the timing of such important things.

With a wooden cart, she brought a bunch of little plates on it. As soon as she entered the room, she displayed a wide smile at me and greeted me cheerfully, forgetting the solemnity in the voice she usually did whenever the "Good Morning" bow came.

However, she wasn’t the only one who entered the room.

Right behind her, followed the Butler, Mister Thomas.

With great politeness, he announced his presence and entered the room. The first thing he did was look at me and wrinkling his eyes with a cute smile he greeted me warmly, expressing his relief to see me doing well.

"Miss Marianne, Good Morning. I am pleased to see my Lady fairing so well today. This elder was quite concerned about your state... it is so delightful to see you have overcome such difficulties. Please stay healthy Little Miss."

My cheeks began to flush out of his sayings. Marianne was feeling shy all of a sudden and averted her gaze a bit from him, only taking a glance now and then. The butler was speaking politely and his expression showed fondness as he conversed. More than a servant, I felt like he was prominent enough to be mistaken as a nobleman with such outstanding stance he portrayed.

How he stood straight and serene made me recall old times in my past life. It was pleasing to see the butler, who gave that warm vibe a grandfather would give. Therefore, I think Anne thinks a bit alike.

I don’t know how long he’s been serving the Duke, but Mister Thomas certainly seems to know his way around here. It wouldn’t be weird if he was here even before Marianne was born. I’m guessing that is the case since he called her Little Miss just now.

"... What brings you here?"

Then again... the Duke seems to feel quite differently from us. At least right now, he doesn’t seem at all pleased to see the Butler here... given how his eyebrows drew together, glaring at him as he asked.

’... Is it something like... Does he feel his secretary came to get him to work?? In the novels I read, some Butlers also did the job of a secretary... like a right-hand kind of relationship....... Heh, so even the Duke hates work~’

"... My lord... please, respond to the Royal letter..."

"... I told you I would read it later. It’s most likely Fran– the Emperor acting on a whim..."

"Yes, Sir... I understand your point... However, the Royal courier has been ordered to not go back without a response... It might be an important matter if His Majesty sent it with such instructions..."

I could see how Mister Thomas was anxious about the matter. It’s obviously something to be nervous about.

If it’s a Royal letter, then, most people would read it as soon as possible since it’s from the rulers of the Empire. Yet, Marianne’s Father appeared to be irked merely by knowing it arrived, and on top of that, he had to read and answer it too.

’Is the Sylfinnier Duchy so powerful to treat a letter from the Royals this indifferently?... Or does the Duke just... hate the Emperor?’

"..."

Either is cool. I like this new setting I’m seeing here. Another thing the author of the original didn’t mention to put on the list.

"Sigh... alright, I will reply now. Bring the letter here since it won’t take long."

Giving up to Mister Thomas’ reasoning, the Duke made an annoyed face and turned the other way to answer him. The Butler approached us and took the letter out from behind, where his hands were hidden.

The Duke watched him close the distance in a bit of surprise, and once he saw him pull out the letter, he added.

"... I see you came prepared..."

"Thank you, My lord."

I could tell with how he glared at the elder that the "I wasn’t praising you" sentence crossed his head.

Their interaction was very enjoyable. It was refreshing to see Marianne’s father act this way. And by "this way" I meant to see him pout like any working adult who knows a day of work is awaiting them.

The scarlet envelope with golden edges he handed to the duke, had a shining gold sealing wax with the characteristic figure of a crowned wolf, representing the emblem of the Royal Family, Fenrir, imprinted on it.

It looked very sophisticated to the times. Even my personal papers didn’t have as straight smooth edges as those.

Since it is a distinctive envelope of the Royals here, I’m sure that the material is not only expensive to make for its colour, but those golden edges... something tells me those are truly decorated with real gold.

As I observed it, the Duke proceeded to open it. When I saw how the seal broke because of that, I felt a twinge in my heart. If it were me I would have opened it carefully to save the pretty looking seal wax... it kinda hurt to see how he just... crushed it.

Taking out the letter, the Duke unfolded it, and then, his brow rose in confusion just as his eyes fell on what was written. I saw how his eyes moved immediately to look at the end of the letter and then, how they read in hast the contents of it. He looked quite serious as he did it and it made me a bit nervous since his vibe got colder in a matter of seconds.

Without raising his eyes from the letter, he seemed to be struggling to process the information he received. Though I don’t really know what the content is... the way his expression is changing from serious to angered incredulity... only can mean that those were bad news for him.

I kept glancing, alternating between the back of the letter and his face. His silence kept going for a while and it was freaking me out.

If he reads a letter in front of me and acts like it’s nothing, then it’s all fine. But don’t go and make it this dramatic. I used to read novels for more than six hours a day, so don’t go and expect a veteran drama fanatic to not be curious about it. The suspense is good for a bit to make the climax more awaited but...

’You gotta let the twist out, for it to be enjoyable! This is not something I’m reading and can wait to know the answer on the next episode!! This is... kind of(?) like reality! Reality doesn’t give you cliffhangers for this long! They usually just throw the twist without mercy! Like a cold bucket of water on your head!!! So give me the twist Sir!! I’m dying to know!!!’

On the inside, I was shouting at the Duke, who was ignorant of how many hairs of my inward self I pulled out in frustration to the incredibly long silence he used to bring up more tension.

As if answering my desperate begging, the Duke said, still looking at the contents.

"... Thomas..."

"... Are there bad news, My Lord?"

"... This letter... is from Zeleskiaz Reynold Di Frotschter... the Crown Prince."

’Wooooah!!! That long-haired original male lead?! Sir! I know him!!! I danced with the guy!! Oh gosh is he like... Don’t tell me.... WAHaHAha! Don’t tell me that idiotic Theressa already made a move?! Oh gosh! UNBELIEVABLE!’

"...! His Highness, My Lord? What does the Crown Prince..."

Leaning to see what the contents said, the Butler went silent too.

"... Sir... this is..."

"... An invitation to stay at the Main Palace."

’Huh?... That’s all?’

"Yes, but..."

Leaving his sentence unfinished, the Butler turned to me and seeing how, along with the Duke, both lifted their gaze to look at me...

’... Uh... What’s this bad feeling I’m getting...?’