You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 74

Forcing myself to forget my silly ideas, I made my attention go back to the situation unfolding in front of me.

Feigning ignorance to the awkward stillness Marianne was emitting as her soul presence diminished... I changed the subject and threw the first random thought that came to mind to distract her and make her "come back" from the obvious "distance" she was taking.

’... I– I wonder which of these dishes have the Duke’s favourite~? I– I’ve... never asked him which ones he likes~’

As I followed the Duke, standing up from my seat and, after reflexively taking the hand he offered in my bewilderment, I walked to the fixed table next to the window Marianne used to stay all day at. I managed to come up with this question as I looked through the dishes Paige started to meticulously arrange on it.

My gluttony impulses calmed down thanks to my previous... Joke. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

...

That’s right! It was a joke!!

Somehow, satisfied with this new term to call my rambling. I shamelessly felt confident again.

’It’s all about the mindset, darling~.’

This thought came out clearly as I inwardly shrugged in satisfaction, and decided to not care a monkey’s f*** about whether my outruns are mature or not.

Why do I have to act mature when I like being silly and playful? My girl has been living with me for only a few weeks and we will be cohabitating until... we... die... Which, jokes aside, I truly want it to happen in a far away future.

So! Even though she might find me a bit weird at times... She has to get used to it.

As well as it’s not healthy for her to keep her soul suppressed, it’s also not healthy for me to do it.

I know I actually don’t do it. But being overly conscious of her reactions and trying to accommodate to what she finds "normal"... this idea has been on my mind for a while. And that on its own puts a bit of a limit to my inside freedom too.

Although I do think some of my thoughts might not be "good" for her to hear... I don’t think they are bad influences. It’s just that I have seen more. And those no good thoughts are just things she’s not used to since she lacks the experience. Hence, I get her shock when she learns about them.

My girl has to grow. Mentally.

And also, grow accustomed to my personality.

Just like I accept her, she needs to accept me. As I am.

Refreshed by the understanding I got from the revelation the simple word "joke" gave me, I took a seat at the chair the Duke had pulled for me to sit in, as I proudly thought to myself how wise I am.

Casting my eyes on the table, then I asked Anne.

’So? Is his favourite one here? I recall him liking the pumpkin soup... Does he like pumpkins, Anne?’

Glancing over the dishes I tried to look for any that had pumpkins in them since he seemed really delighted when he ate the soup that time.

Since I was distracted by my own curiosity, I failed to notice how Marianne had also been searching for the one she knew he would like.

"It is quite the banquet... Tell Enos I truly appreciate his efforts, Paige. I am sure we will find these wonderful plates, extremely luscious... It would be nice if I can meet him later to tell him myself.

Thank you, Paige."

Delighted by the pompous meal, the Duke gave a heartfelt thanks to Paige and the one who prepared the food as she poured the fragrant tea on our teacups.

Hearing his humble ways to show gratitude to his servants made me all proud of him being Marianne’s Father.

"It is our pleasure to serve you, My Lord. As long as Thy Grace finds satisfaction in our services, no greater honour could be bestowed upon us... Therefore... Let the God Asclepius, and his offspring, Hygiea and Panacea grant our magnificent Lord great health for years to come. May Izeneya, The Glorious Ethereal Planes, hear our prayers and honour our Lord with unending blessings."

Her graceful and honest fondness as she gave her best wishes to the Duke with a deep bow of her head... had blown up my mind with how elaborated a praise she gave.

I felt like these interactions came right out of a mediev–... Wait. It DID come out of a medieval settled literature work. Duh.

Accepting her good wishes, the Duke slightly bowed to her, and then, Paige did as she recently does, and announced her leave.

"Then, I may take my leave now. Do enjoy your meal, Your Grace, My Lady."

Seeing how she left the room, Marianne’s Father also did as he usually does.

"Go ahead, Dear. Let’s eat."

I was accustomed to this routine by now, and so, the way our body moved with decision as soon as he gave us permission... really shocked me.

My hands went straight to a dish that looked like a kind of gratin... of which I completely ignored its filling. Taking a big sized piece of it, my hands moved to place it on an empty plate, and then, handed it to the Duke without hesitation.

All of this was certainly Marianne’s doing.

No doubt about that.

However, what made me giggle over the startle she gave me as she selfishly moved our body as she pleased, was the reason that motivated her actions.

’So you did know which one he likes~? Fufufu... Were you in a hurry because you wanted to be the one to give it to him~~? Hmmm~?? What a cutie you are, Anne.’

Teasing her in delight to her eagerness, our cheeks warmed up to her shyness as we glanced curiously at the receiver of her attention.

Drawing closer the plate we just served to him, Marianne’s Father spoke with playful interest in his voice.

"Hmm? Are you giving this to me, sweetie?"

Taking the silverware fork into his hand, he pinched the dish and took a piece out of it. Peeking at us before giving it a taste, he smiled, and next, took it into his mouth.

"Delicious... It’s been a while since I had one of my favourite dishes... The mild flavour of pumpkin and potatoes is the most wondrous..."

Bliss exploded from our chest and spread out through our body till it reached our fingertips, tickling them in joy. Both of us were happy. Anne most likely was because the dish she thought he would like was successful and brought delight to her Father. Meanwhile, I was happy that my memory of him enjoying the taste of pumpkins was right.

"Have a bite as well, Dear. Let us enjoy this meal together."

Serving me a piece of the same dish, he encouraged us to start eating.

Without a reason to decline, moreover, the little swirls on our tummy only made us eager to savour the tasty looking food in front of us, we took the fork and proceeded to attack.

Eating in elation to the marvellous combination of great company and tasty food, we enjoyed our special breakfast in a bright mood, exchanging dishes as we tried them and listening to the Duke’s thoughts on them as he praised Mister Enos for his unwithering skill to make such delicious food.

Almost an hour passed, and, considering today is a special day, before the time for the Duke to inform his departure to do more work, I wrote on the notes the little idea that sparked spontaneously in my head.

[Father, I had planned to visit the library this morning and take a walk outside in the afternoon.

Therefore, May I accompany thee halfway to thy office?]

Mischievously adding a bit of the traditional medieval way of addressing I’ve been witness of today, I excitedly stood up from my chair and walked to his side to hand him the message.

Bewildered by my sudden actions, he took the post-it trying to conceal the confusion on his face.

Making sure his eyes were now on the, more beautiful than normal, handwriting, I made the full of politeness reverence I had done before when I met the Emperor. Unfolding a hand in his direction as I took on my tips a bit of my skirt, I invited the Duke once again on the inside.

’It is I who desires to escort you on this occasion ~ Thy Grace~’

The second of quiet atmosphere that surrounded us as I bowed my head awaiting his response, ended with his graceful agreement. Placing his hands on mine and smoothly changing them from me holding his to him holding mine, he answered as he stood by my side.

"It will be my pleasure. To have thy precious Princess company... May I be blessed to hold thy hand just a little further."

Looking upwards at him, lacing our arms, ready to head out, I felt the same excitement that made me wake up earlier today grow stronger.

’Today is indeed a great day!’