You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 75

We walked through the hallway with my arm around his. Before leaving my bedroom I went for the two books I had to return making sure I also brought with me the little notes, and, as we came out, the Duke instructed Paige to arrange the snack I previously asked to take with me on my outing when the time for it came.

The Duke did not take long to offer himself to help carry the books. Since they were actually heavy, I accepted his offer with the intention to save my little strength to carry the portable canvas later. Our strength tends to empty quite quickly so I have to be careful not to use it all before then.

Seeing the plain cover of the book above as I handed them to him, he saw the title of the novel "Companions and Peons" and the Duke instantly took the opportunity to have a little chat about it.

"I see... you were also reading this novel... This one has some years now. I read it a long time ago... If I’m not mistaken... this one ends after they discover the lady who disguised as a suspicious peon was the Daughter of the noble Lord who had set traps on the protagonist’s manor..."

Giving it an indifferent glance to the book, he made those comments. Hearing that his recollection of the book fitted what I read, I nodded a pair of times to confirm his guess.

"Ah... So I’m right... Hmm..... I wonder what the author wanted to write for the continuation of the story..."

"...!"

’... No... Don’t.... Sir... Don’t say anymore...’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"The author disappeared after the publication of this book, so I never got to know..."

"..."

My outside definitely did not show my inner reaction. They differed completely, just like black and white... Just like oil and water... My outside and my inside were polar opposite.

’NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! YOU D*MN FOUR EYES!!!!!’

My heart tightened in pain, frustration and hatred.

’I knew it!!! That b****r worm!!! That shitty son of a– AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHH!!!! I’ll kill him!!! That dirty backstabbing di***ole!!!..... Hic...sob... To hell.

I’ll murder him and send this novel’s original story to hell... Don’t mess around..."

I could feel how the strong bite I gave to my lower lip out of rage on my inner self was powerful enough to make my physical jaw hurt as if I had clenched it. It was frustrating how I had accurately foretold this outcome and still hurt enough to knock me out.

’Why would you do this... Why... You... Bloody pi****ick tw**... You a*se wa***r.... Di***it....’

...

Sigh...

My soul was twisting in anger. Yet, I was conscious that this outburst wasn’t good for Marianne to hear nor to display, although he can’t see or hear it, in her Father’s presence. Hence, I breathed deeply multiple times as my inner self, and taking advantage of the second the Duke was taking to ponder as he stared at the books in his hand, I managed to barely come back to my senses.

Blinking to dissipate the bitterness left in my eyes, I lifted my gaze to look straight ahead. With my mind back on track, I proceeded to apologise to Marianne. My behaviour just now, however I see it, was not appropriate.

’I’m sorry Anne. I got a bit hot-headed.’

And then, my resolve was announced to her.

’I might mess with some people from now on, sweetheart... You see...I have a bit of blood in my eye... So I’ll have to carefully drain it out.’

Although I smiled at her as I said it, I was not happy. She knew this as well, because the short shiver I felt going down my spine transmitted her awareness about what I meant.

I’ve been dealing with a lot of stress ever since I arrived here and it all would be fine if no one had messed with my hobbies. This was literally the drop that spilt the glass.

We all know that the worst you can do in life is trigger a pacific person.

I’m a pacifist. And I’ve been triggered. Therefore...

’I might become a bit savage....’

Four eyes... Theodore... You better watch out brat.

"... Dear?"

’Oops, he must have noticed my coldness.’

Tilting as innocently as I could my head, I turned to the Duke trying to conceal my evil plans.

"We have arrived."

Standing in the middle of the upper end of the wide stairs in the Castle’s Main Hall, right in front of the half arched glass door, the Duke stated the obvious.

I guess that being lost in thought had deprived me of noticing how we reached the place where we are to separate.

Sighing to my foolish mind that wasted this precious little walk with the Sir for useless matters, I regretted being so on edge about it.

’Though I won’t change my mind.’

The Duke was staring at the light entering from the glass door as I looked down.

"... It’s..."

My eyes followed his voice, and encountered him looking up to the door... maybe, he was looking even further to what was outside it. The light falling on his figure was beautiful... and its beam extremely suited him.

’Spring light suits him... As expected... He’s a child born and loved by Spring.’

"It’s been a while since I visited the library..."

I had been watching him with attention. Therefore... Even though the light was bright... The dark in his eyes as he said that... couldn’t escape my eyes.

*******

The view behind the big glass door that led to his so familiar Castle’s Library, had Orland petrified.

The memories of countless hours he spent there making research on fields he never thought of studying flashed through his eyes in a blink.

The cold winter he spent locked inside of the tower... only coming out from time to time to stand in front of the door of his then extremely sick little daughter’ chambers, made him swallow the hint of grief it sent to his body.

’It’s been a bit more than four years since I’ve been there...’

After unconsciously blurting out loud the fact that it’s been a long time since he has gone there, the thought of calculating an approximated time since his last visit crossed his mind.

Orland did not notice how his daughter was also paying him the same attention he usually gives to her everything. Therefore, the slightly stronger but still soft pull she gave to the arm she had her hand wrapped in, surprised him. Breaking his concentration on the warm lights flowing through the glassy transparent door, to turn it back to the one who deserved all of his mental vigilance.

"Hmm? What is it, sweetie?"

Her eyes looked a bit brighter thanks to the radiance of Spring bathing her visage, seemingly struggling to cover her in a warmer and unrestricted light. The hint of sandy glints on her eyes made him smile, forgetting what had him distracted a second ago.

After holding his gaze for a second, as if she was considering her next move, his daughter took the little stack of papers he had gifted to her. Curious to know what she wanted to say this time, he tried to peek at the message she was currently writing at a considerably fast pace.

Although she was to show it to him after completing the words, once she did, he had already learned what it entailed.

[Father... Could you take this morning free from work?

I would like to spend more time with you as I explore the Library.]

He spaced out as soon as the request was finalized.

’She’s.... asking to spend more time with me...’

His chest was heavy with countless emotions... So heavy that they travelled to his throat, closing it with the overwhelming growth his feelings were experiencing.

’I would never refuse my child’s request..... Marianne’s second request.... Is to spend time with me no less....’

Moved by her sweet petition, he leaned over to grab the pencil tangled between her fingers as she exhibited the notes. Aware of how difficult it would be to say the words himself with such a closed throat, Orland proceeded to write down his answer, just below her elegant letters.

[Me too.]

She was staring at his hand as it moved to write, and immediately after, she looked upwards to look at him. Her big eyes shined preciously as he gave her a fond expression with a hint of resignation.

He had a lot of work to do. Much more than general.

Since the day Marianne had fallen ill, the Duke of Sylfinnier had abstained from participating in the various political reunions held at the Royal Assembly Hall at the Main Palace.

His workload had stockpiled vastly since his absence required him to go over every document seen on those reunions.

From clauses, planning, new laws enforcement, royal petitions, economic and political new strategies... among many other issues, were usually approached in those meetings, which were held a minimum of twice a week.

As one of the only three Dukes in the Frotschter Empire, one with a larger territory, and, therefore, the one that held the most power, his vote significance on the approval of any discussion made in those instances was imperative.

For Orland’s fortune, during this time, he had the full support from the Emperor to not attend the weekly meetings.

Regardless of how he would pester him in his letters to take good care of Marianne, as he asked for reports on her recovery progress, whine about how long it was taking her to do so and so on, he would also show his concern and support for his old friend... attaching new pending documents with each letter.

"Don’t forget to do your work, my reliable Duke."

Recalling his duties and at the same time his annoyance every time he was informed a Royal letter had arrived with that sentence at the very end of them, the Duke felt even more eager to take that morning off.

[Then, Should we make our way to the Library, Princess?]

Writing again on his daughter’s papers, he handed the pencil to her and said out loud.

"Let’s go together, my child."