You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 76

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Even though Paige was following us a few steps behind, to primarily take care of me as she always does, the Duke took it upon himself to open the door leading to the Library.

He was a gentleman from head to toe, after all, so he wouldn’t let Paige open such a heavy door by herself.

The way he accepted my selfish request was very cool. When the Duke wrote on my notes to accept, it was unexpected but it felt very nice for some reason. I don’t know how to explain it... But it was as if we were the same for a second...

...

Anyway.

Although Anne was very nervous as I wrote down the idea I got after seeing her Father’s complex eyes, she was also expectant to hear an affirmative reply from him. She must have thought that interrupting his work was a bad thing to do, and I do think it’s not something that should be done so carelessly, however, this workaholic man has been working every single day without fail ever since we came back from the Royal Palace.

I know this very well since he visits us three times a day and always leaves to continue working.

Therefore, taking half a day to chill out is alright. He needs a rest. He deserves that much.

Also...

’Come on~ It’s his freaking birthday!’

At the very least he shouldn’t be working as hard on his special day. Hence, I approve for him to take a break.

Making our way outside the glass door, a beautiful spring day awaited us.

As we walked through the corridor, holding the left arm of the Duke as he escorted me, the warm light of the sun fell on us without reserve. The wind wasn’t as strong as last time but it felt nice as it blended with the cosy heat from the beaming sun.

Taking a glance at the green grass, bushes, big majestic trees, and wildflowers growing below, I looked further away to the side that couldn’t be seen from my bedroom.

Far away, where the sky met the earth, chains of mountains could be seen. Going from rocky and pointy mountains, I looked from their peaks downwards to see the closest sights that began to appear become semiarid hills, and then, become green undulations. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

The few white peaks afar looked so tiny since the distance must have been various kilometres.

It was fascinating how the plains seemed naked of any other life besides grass and a few rocks here and there... Yet, as they approached the castle, bushes and trees, even wildflowers or herbs could be seen.

The trees were unmistakenly different species from the ones I could see in the forest to my bedroom’s side. They were obviously also fewer in number. I could actually count them on one hand since those trees only appeared right in the middle of the castle’s territory.

Three big trees.

Full of leaves and almost white trunks. Like hair, their leafy branches fell from high up, swaying to the dance the wind was entangling them in. The sound of their chaotic but also harmonious collision was extremely relaxing. And the little tweets of birds could be heard in between, giving life to the melody of nature.

On one of them, tiny hints of fuchsia flowers decorated its branch’s roots. The one right on the corner where the corridor and the Library’s building met was said tree.

The first time I crossed this bridge-like corridor... I walked more to the right side so the trees below didn’t enter my sight. The only thing I mostly looked at, was the building at the end and the broad sky above it. Back then, I was fixated on breathing the pure air and feeling the fresh air caressing my hair.

It was my second day here... And to me, I had died the day before to wake as Marianne at the time... I guess I just wanted to feel that I was truly alive as the sensations were absorbed by my unfamiliar new body.

Hence, my memory of the backyard wasn’t very clear.

’How nice~ I wonder how comfy that tree’s roots are~?’

As I paid more attention now, the place at the skirt of that tree seemed very appealing. The idea of finding a nice place to pass time made me excited.

"Does the sunlight not bother you, Dear?" — The Duke said, interrupting my thoughts.

The sun was falling directly on my face. Although I didn’t mind it, his hand came to cover the sun from hurting my eyes. He knew well that I was watching the scenery. Because, as we halted our leisure steps, he positioned his hand high up so as to not interfere with my view.

’Oh gosh... Anne... People say that daughters tend to fall for men who resemble their fathers in some way.... I’m afraid we might stay single.’

At his polite and gentlemanly act, I threw a little joke to Anne because of his lovely attentiveness.

Kidding aside, if there is any other man as thoughtful and kind as the Duke in this world... He must be already taken. I’ve no thoughts about falling in love, but that doesn’t apply to Anne. Our situation is complicated, so.... How will that work? If the time comes... what will happen?

Ignorant of my emerging concerns, Anne felt proud of the playful compliment I had just whispered to her. Knowing her... these little questions... will only burden her. It’s already difficult for her because of that psycho. And as I see it...

It hasn’t happened yet.

So. We’ll work it out IF it happens.

Shaking my head as to forget those useless concerns in development and answer the Duke’s inquiry, I thought of asking him the same question.

However, I was too lazy to do it on paper. I wanted to come across as cool as he did. And so, no better idea than doing the same he did came to mind.

Lifting my left hand without much thought, I drew it closer to him and tried to block the sun from falling on him.

But... Even after standing on my toes to gain more height... My hand still couldn’t block it from getting on his eyes.

I knew he was taller than me... But I didn’t feel that much of a difference as I had with that kinky prince.

’Hmph... Why are you so tall Sir?? Now I look stupid for trying!’

I pouted on the inside as I playfully scolded him after realising how I had overlooked his real height.

"Hahaha... How kind of you, Dear. It’s fine. I do not mind the sun. If anything... I’ve been waiting for this Sun for a long time."

His giggling made me feel better. If I didn’t look cool, at the very least, my foolishness might as well look cute to him.

Although I didn’t understand what he meant by waiting for the sun, it sounded kind of poetic and it made me feel a bit shy. Glancing to the front to escape his gaze for a moment, I saw how close we were to arriving at that gorgeous artwork of an entrance.

The mysterious material it was made of was very intriguing. The last time I visited, it was clearly of a shiny but also matte snow colour... But now... It looked... peachy? Rosy? Is the light playing games with my eyes??? Maybe it’s the distance?

’... I want to see it up close.’

Tugging on the Duke’s arm, I turned to him and repeatedly looked back at the intriguing door.

"Oh. You seem excited... Haha, Alright sweetie let’s go."

We began our march towards it again. I didn’t mind being treated like a child for my eagerness since I was indeed acting a bit like one. It felt as if I was asking for a toy or a candy that had caught my attention to be bought for me, and the idea actually made me laugh a bit since the comparison was funny.

’It’s fine to act like this once in a while~’

If it’s our Marianne acting up... it’s surely quite charming~

Stopping a few steps before the entrance, I felt my eyes open as wide as they could in awe to observe the magnificent door. That weird matte with the shiny mixture was still there, however, little glints were present and the peachy and rosy shade I had seen from afar seemed stronger...but... also translucent?

’... What’s wrong with this door?? It’s very different to the last time I saw it....’

I knew it was of a material I didn’t know of... But this... How interesting...

Marianne’s Father must have known of my surprise and curiosity. Given how even I noticed my eyes going round, he would never miss such reactions from us.

The way he stayed silent for a few seconds to then lean a bit to peek at me proved it. Therefore, his next comment was expected.

"Isn’t it pretty?"

’... Yeah...’

As if in a trance, I nodded in confirmation.

"... It’s been a while since I’ve seen it too..."

"..."

"... The Claye Theuros Glass... It’s truly a marvellous but strange archaic material..."

’Clay... What?’

"When I first saw it change its shades according to the current season, I was amazed at how different and entrancing it appeared... Did you know that this gate was here even before the castle was established?"

’What??? H– why??! Where did it come from then???’

Turning to look at him in disbelief, he continued his teachings.

"It is said that when the First Duke of Sylfinnier was given these vast lands, he travelled through them to learn about the lands his father had earned unknowingly as an inheritance to his offspring... Once he walked into these plain and endless lands we are standing right now... In the middle of them, this door stood firmly."

’... No way...’

"It is said that it had no apparent colour then, but when he touched it... all kinds of shades emerged from a charcoal sphere and a second later... it faded."

"..."

"... To see it again... He decided to build our family’s Castle here. On the lands that must have bared its existence."

"..."

’... Now... Why wasn’t this awesome information said on the eff*** book???’