You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 73

Letting my face rest in his hands as I tilted it on one of them, I felt pensive as I stared into his eyes.

It was interesting that, although I felt that way, not a single thought was able to materialize in my head.

I wanted to think of something as I watched him. Anything. Yet, nothing took form in my mind. It was amusing in its own way, how I wasn’t able to fill my blank mind with anything, which usually... never happens.

In silence, I kept my eyes on his. I just looked into them with nothing in mind for a long time, until, eventually, one thought arose.

’... His coal eyes... Also have hints of ashes...’

There wasn’t much meaning in it. It was merely an appreciation of their beauty. And closing my eyelids ever so slowly... The next thought followed.

’... What a beautiful inheritance the Knight left~...’

Relaxed by how nice it felt the warmth of his hand against my cheeks and palms... My breathing became so peaceful... it gave me the feeling of being... Fine.

I felt fine.

Just... nothing felt bothersome, the normal heaviness didn’t matter, my mind was empty... Nothing seemed to perturb my inner stillness. It was like I was enjoying the silent and unstoppable pass of time...

I just...

I just felt pleasant.

Then, Marianne’s father spoke.

"Mhmm... Sweetie~? You are not going to fall asleep are you~?"

In a soft singsong tone, his voice reached my sanctuary like mindset... But... as amazing as it might seem... It did not disturb my peace. The nice sound of his voice... only added joy to it.

I denied his question rubbing my cheek on his hand as if I was saying no. And, slowly, my eyes opened. The light reflected in my eyelashes gave the first sights that entered my eyes a tangerine coloured illumination, bestowing on my entranced state, a dreamy ambience to reality.

Lifting my gaze, my eyes opened and conveyed my woken mind by the dazzling light.

"... Oh my~ what pretty eyes my child has~..."

Tilting his head, as to get a better view, the Duke rubbed my cheekbones and, freeing my face from his hold, he switched to clasp my hands now, grasping hold of them immediately since I had them wrapping his.

Giving them a light squeeze, he gave them a peck and affectionately continued to speak.

"Dear, I hope you haven’t gotten tired yet... You still have things to do today."

I chuckled inside. He will never stop acting considerate... and I must say... that, even though at the beginning it was a bit irksome for him to be so overly cautious, right now... I think if he stopped acting this way... I would really miss it.

’... This much is nothing Sir~... From my experience, if the manifestations are good ones, no big repercussions will come... So, you can rest assured... I will eat today’s breakfast and might even get seconds by how well I’m feeling! hehehe.’

Smirking to my confidence, I squeezed back his hands to convey my inner thoughts as I nodded with my head, lightly.

"That’s good... Sweetie I-"

Knock knock.

The knock on the door interrupted his words, and after letting a little sigh out of him, he answered the call.

"What is it?"

"It is I, My Lord. Paige. Breakfast has been brought for the Lady and His Grace."

"Ah.."

In a low voice, he glanced back at me, who did the same since we were both looking in the door’s direction. Lifting one eyebrow and giving a resigned grin, he whispered as he leaned towards me playfully.

"Finally..."

’Hahaha, that’s right Sir! We’re starving here, Paige!’

With a firm nod as I tightened as well as I could my eyelids, I turned as fast as I could to look at the door, from where Paige was sure to come in.

"You may come in."

Acting proud, he said. And then, with an accomplice glimpse, he smirked, mischievously.

"Good Morning, Thy Grace, My Lady. Please excuse my tardiness. Wherein today is our Lord’s day of birth, Mister Enos, our Head Chef, wanted to start this marvellous occasion with a special meal, as our Master deserves, to share with Miss Marianne.

Once again, please accept our apologies, Thy Grace."

"..."

’..... She said what?’

The fancy and extremely polite way of asking for forgiveness went straight out of my mental process as soon as the words "day of birth" entered my ears. Now, my steady mood was at last disturbed by how shocked I was to hear the unexpected information I got there.

’You got to be kidding... So when he said it was the best gift... It was also because today is his birthday...?’

"...."

What has me a bit more astonished, is not only the news about his birthday but more importantly... How Anne seemed as surprised as I was about this.

As if she was hearing for the first time her father had actually been born one day and it just so happens that today is the date he did it... I felt her soul flinch in alarm.

’... How come you are surprised?! Did you just forget it or... didn’t even... know... his... birth... day...??? Wait.’

Giving her a thinking glare as I slowly became aware of an important detail... The realisation hit me in a flash. Just as it is as surprising and depressing to suddenly be hit by pigeon poop, the understanding of why Marianne might have ignored today was her beloved Father’s birthday, was abruptly drizzled in my head.

’... What’s today’s date...?’

A fundamental data that I should have kept track of from the moment I opened my eyes here has been completely forgotten... No, more like, I was so uninterested in doing research on how the world of this novel worked... I just... never cared about the date...

Which is actually very... And I mean VERY, to not say enormously, gigantic, stratospheric or immensely... MORONIC on my part.

’I mean... How.... Could I let such crucial info go unseen... Hah... Hahaha... Marianne..... Give me a whacking. I truly deserve a beating for this horse sh*t I’ve just pulled.’

Although I know the gist of how much time I have until the main story starts... If I don’t know the exact date how can I prepare?

In the beginning, it was fine since I felt more carefree about it. But now I know there is more danger surrounding us since we were apparently about to die two months ago and originally we are supposed to die before the story starts... which... I already knew since the beginning... But! Back then I hadn’t lived what I have until now!!!

’...’

Wait, it might not be that terrible?

I mean come on~~~ we’ve mostly been sick the whole time~ How can I look into it when my mind is so full of everything?

"..."

’It’s already late to regret it. I can live with the shame, so F*** it. I ain’t gonna fuss about this. I already have plans on going to the library after this, so let’s forget it.’

After all, there is still time. I can investigate a bit now, it’s never too late. It’s already done anyways.

Also, I’m very happy about my... No. OUR luck. Cause when it matters, it never fails us.

’We had great timing~... It just so happens that today is the Sir’s birthday~~

AND. It just so happens that today we could smile at him~~~

AND! Coincidentally! Today! Is the day we’re going out to draw freaking sceneries!! Which I promised!! I would give the first one!! TO! THE! DUKE!!!!’

I laughed in disbelief at my ironic victory. I never planned any of this but it all fell perfectly where it should. Ain’t that awesome?

’I think the odds of the universe loves us, Anne. I have no real proof., but also no doubts, sweetheart~’

Proud at my good luck, I shrugged in coolness to Anne on the inside. If only I had a pair of sunglasses...

"..."

Never mind that.

They said it was his birthday. And now that I’ve resolved my dissatisfaction with my obvious muck up, the view of a bigger wooden car, filled with tasty food, which’s smell was brought to my nostrils along with the wind that entered as the door opened... making my mouth moist as it invoked my hunger... My mind was now focused on getting my stomach to enjoy the specially prepared meal and get the Duke to enjoy it as much as I will since the one his servants want to please is him, their cool boss.

’Even though we knew nothing about today being his birthday, it doesn’t change the fact that we want to make him happy. So... let’s act cute today Anne! Today is the Sir’s day! Let’s make him happier and do some fan service for him!!’

I could feel the confusion within my body when the term "fan service" was registered by my body’s roomie. But, driven by the excitement the delicious smell from the food caused in me as it came closer... I ignored her, and blurted some crazy ideas, considering the times this world is set in, to display said "fan service".

’Should we do some finger hearts? Maybe cheeks hearts too? Oh! How about a little finger gun play?? Oooooh gosh, there was that one of searching in our pockets and giving a finger heart as if we "Oh my! Look what I found~" and then, "My Loooo~ve for u Sir~~"!!! Hihihi... Hihi... Heh.....’

"..."

’... Are we K-pop idols now?... ’

Feeling the judgemental silence from Marianne, I realised once again....

’... Why do I become a buffoon whenever I’m hungry and I know there is delicious food awaiting me?’

Pathetic.

The inner facepalm I gave to my soul... thankfully, was strong enough to transmit the pain to my real forehead.

If it’s not that... The heat and sting on it right now... Must be a result of my self-inflicted disgrace.