You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 66

From the eyes of the Butler to the Duke’s, and then to the cursed paper in his hand, my eyes jumped from one to the other completely lost on what the issue was.

By the look on their faces, it seemed like something really big was happening without my knowledge.

And it really... pissed me off.

’... I can’t talk... but I hear everything... Don’t just stare at me and say something. This is obviously about us, so why won’t you stop the dramatic suspense and just tell me what is going on?’

Is this the con of being in the world of a novel? Will every time be this overly full of suspense? I’m chill with reading it but not experiencing it... maybe these guys know they are in a novel so they act accordingly?..... Hahah... Now I’m speaking nonsense again...

Aware that my thoughts were about to wander further from the main issue, I brought my eyes up to meet the Duke’s gaze again. Slightly tilting my head, my stare went from the paper to the Duke repeatedly.

’This is me saying: "What is that~? Would you ple~ase~ tell me Father~?", Right now.

Sir, I’ve said this before. Get the hint. I know you are better than me at that.’

It was obvious he felt uncomfortable with the pressure my stalking gaze was putting on him. But I did not stop, regardless. I want answers. And I will have them no matter what.

’This is a good time to let you know how annoying a stare can be, Sir. If you don’t hurry up, I will start using a judgemental look, and I am quite sure you don’t want that to happen–...! D*mn it Anne! I’m threatening someone here! Don’t get in the way!! He’s the one in the wrong anyway, what is so difficult to say for him to be so relucta–’

"Marianne, did something happen with the Crown Prince?"

’Huh?! Huh... now you are talking?... I was in the midst of a conversation here...’

His interruption caught me off guard. I guess I shouldn’t get so into my complaints when there is a situation like this... since my eyes flinched, opening a bit more to his sudden inquiry.

Thanks to that, Marianne’s Father got exalted by my reaction.

"...! So something happened?! Marianne, what... what–...... Did the Crown Prince do something to you?"

The Duke’s expression was serious and showed obvious concern for the possibility of my answer being affirmative.

’Huh... wait... where are the notes? I can’t just answer this by nodding. It will only mislead these two.’

Searching in my surroundings, I found the little post-it laying by my left side. I reached for it and immediately began writing my testimony-like message.

[The Prince helped me get out of a difficult situation with an ill-mannered nobleman. After that, he invited me to share a dance with him and, as a show of appreciation, I accepted his invitation. That is all that happened with the Crown Prince, Father.]

’Since he has a bad reputation I suppose they are thinking he did some kind of atrocity against me. Luckily, he didn’t point a sword at me, so you can rest assured that nothing like that happened, Sir.’

Thinking this while the Duke and the Butler read my message, a tiny realisation came across.

’He really seemed a bit crazy in the original but... at that time... he was acting quite normal...? I mean... like an average not so ill psyched Male Lead...? When I say it, it sounds wrong but... hmm...it kind of makes sense to me...’

Am I speaking nonsense again? Did my brain get worse by sleeping so much?... Wait, shouldn’t we be eating breakfast right now? I almost forgot I’m famished.

Also, the pastries, I can’t forget that too.

I hope we will wrap this up quickly...

"You.... Dear? You are saying you danced...? With... The Crown Prince?..."

’Yeah.’

Almost like a reflex, I nodded to answer.

I just don’t care anymore. If it’s the Crown Prince, then, I haven’t done anything wrong. I was a total lady when interacting with him. Furthermore, if it is about someone who did something wrong, then that would be the Crown Prince himself.

’He disappeared without even saying goodbye. No manners at all. Just because I won’t answer with spoken words does not mean you can go and diss me like that... hmph, now I’m a bit annoyed.’

"... Nothing else happened? He didn’t act violent or... disrespect you in any way?’

Shaking my head in negation, I answered promptly again. This little interrogation should end with this.

’He just left without warning. But it’s not that bad, so I won’t say it... I’m also feeling lazy to write it down.’

"... Then... why...?"

Casting his gaze on the letter, the Duke mumbled.

’How would I know? You don’t even tell me what that says... Anne, your Father is acting stingy. Smack him too.’

On the inside, I protruded my lips and responded with a sarcastic expression. I’m starting to feel like the odd one out, and I don’t like it.

’I thought we were close, Sir... Should I be dramatic and let this leave a scar on me? When I’m able to talk I will bring this up and ensure my vengeance is completed against these two old drama kings.’

"..."

"Marianne, you have been invited to stay at the Main Palace as a special guest... Personally invited by the Crown Prince."

’Yeah... well, that much I can tell from what you said before and how you looked at me just now... but, what about it?....’

"..."

’...huh? w–wait, actually...’

It just hit me. This Male Lead would never do that if I think of his description in the original novel. This is indeed suspicious.

"It says you may stay for at least a week... and that ’Sharing the company of Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier will be greatly appreciated by the royal family’... I am sorry dear, but this doesn’t seem right to me... I would expect such a thing from Francois... but..."

’... Francois??...... Oh! The Emperor!’

"..."

’...! He calls the Emperor by his name!?!? Woah~ this Sir is fearless~’

My jaw actually dropped by how he referred to the Emperor. Shouldn’t one show a bit of respect since he is the ultimate authority in the Empire WE live in???

Yet, he’s calling him so familiarly!... Maybe another unsaid detail of this novel is about to be revealed here.

"... But this is certainly not his handwriting..."

"..."

’...So... are they like... pen pals or something?... Should I ask about this?... Should I even care right now?... Hey, Anne, help me a bit here would you.’

For a while now, this girl has been acting like this has nothing to do with her. She is actually diminishing her presence in this body on purpose. I’m not dumb, I can tell these things since she HAS kind of disappeared before. And, I don’t know if I should be proud of her for learning from my shamelessness, but...Even after I called her up, she is not... responding(?)...

Saying it bluntly, she is ignoring me.

Taking advantage of the minute her father was quietly considering whatever idea he had about the Crown Prince’s matter, I started to think back on the attitude I always show to this girl.

I can’t really help it. If this were a person to person relationship, I would show her the side that doesn’t let my weird thoughts out. That is to say, the normal chill self, not the chaotic self that goes on in my head. The natural filter that kept most of my weird thoughts inside and just blurted out part of them would make a huge difference in her perception of me. The barrier of having ur own body would make up such great filter.

However, since this is a soul to soul relationship... even the only filter that could make me look like a more stable adult won’t work since it’s not actually available in our case.

So... the question is... Am I a bad or good influence on this girl?

I think I can be in a way but also not in another way... Also, I kind of feel betrayed by her acting like this... Oh! But maybe... Does she rely on me? Is that why she is stepping aside?....

Let’s just think that’s it. I have a feeling I could get hurt if I hear the truth.

"Well..."

Just as I concluded my concern’s deliberation, with a peaceful closure for my mental health, her father continued to speak.

"You have just started to recover, so for the time being, I will send a reply asking for their understanding that you are not yet in a good condition to accept their invitation... I will see more into it later... Thomas, could you take care of that? Since it’s not a letter from Fra–... Ahem... from the Emperor, there won’t be any problem if I don’t write it myself."

"I understand, I will take care of it, Sir."

"Thank you."

While leaning back on his seat with a leg crossed over the other and his left hand rubbing his chin, the Duke blurted all that out without taking his eyes off the paper in his right hand. The way he talked came off as if he was just talking business. But then, when he was about to call the Emperor again by his first name, he seemed to recall that it wasn’t appropriate for him to do that because he cut off mid-sentence and corrected his way to address the Ruler of the Empire.

Handing the Royal letter to Mister Thomas, he turned back to look at me and said all I wanted to hear.

"We shouldn’t duel more on this matter. You haven’t even had breakfast yet, and we are already talking about such things... I am sorry, sweetie... you must be starving by now."

’That’s right Sir~ Let’s forget this and eat~’

Keeping my eyes on him, I tried my best to show with them how pleased I was to hear him say that. I aimed to at least make my eyes show the dreamy way I’m looking at him on the inside. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Paige, you can go ahead."

Now, with permission from Marianne’s father, Paige would finally serve the long-awaited breakfast.