You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 78

Ahem... Let’s see... I need to make this look cool. If I also manage to seem clever, then all the better.

Then...

[I am quite pleased that you have asked, Father.

You may not see it at first glance, however, the shape formed by my hands’ position, resembles the shape of a heart.

If you’ have ever seen a real heart’s shape, you may differ since it has quite a complicated design. Therefore, we must simplify what our eyes see.

Once I had done that, I came up with this shape.

Now, you may wonder, why have I made this pose previously?

My reasoning is as follows.

The heart is the symbol of love. When we feel love, our heart is the first to react, Father.

You have inquired about my appreciation concerning this wonderful gate.

And so, by showing you a heart with my hands, I mean to say that I love its beauty.]

Giving it a quick glance as I finished my eloquent explanation, I smirked in satisfaction at my genius.

’Perfect. This makes it seem as if I had a great analysis to come up with the hand heart. I actually seem clever... which I am. But this is just right to show it. Heheh... I’m saved.’

My way with words has not withered in the slightest. I made my way out until graduation from college thanks to my hoaxing skills, my hocus pocus, my palaver... this much is easy peasy compared to the countless seminaries I had to defend my projects on.

I felt a bit arrogant as I confirmed that I haven’t lost my touch, even though it’s been a while since I’ve actually given arguments about my determinations...

Not even that, I haven’t even spoken out loud properly, not even once, since I came here..... If one doesn’t have continuous conversations where they actively interact, one’s communication skills will obviously decrease.

This text’s outcome is great for how lacking my communication has been in this world. I can only thank my lively mind that never stops working on its thoughts... (Not always in the best ways since it drove me to these circumstances)... But who cares about that!

’As long as it can also take me out of the trouble, I don’t mind my tiny act of stupidity!!’

Driven by my eagerness from declaring such comfortingly forced thoughts out loud in my head, I immediately extended my hand to pass the note to Marianne’s Father. My proud stance, with a hand on my hip and my chin slightly lifted, born from my resolution on not caring any further, must have shown authority since the Duke cautiously leaned over to read my explanation in silence.

"..."

Seconds passed in silence, and I started to wonder...

’Is he not done yet?... I don’t think I wrote that much...’

He stood there for a bit too long reading my message. I felt awkward maintaining the pose, but I didn’t want to pressure him by moving. Therefore I stood there for about half a minute while he stayed motionless.

I assume he was already done reading it, so he must have been trying to comprehend its full contents or looking at something that had caught his attention there in those long thirty seconds.

Once he straightened up, I only found out by the sound of his voice that he was done with it.

Since he was taking his time, I had decided to close my eyes and enjoy the nice sun in that unique stance. That’s why, when he spoke, I was so entranced by the warmth the sun shared with me that it made my ears flinch at the sound of his voice.

"Marianne..."

Opening my eyes to look at him as soon as he said our name, a serious expression, almost cold, was the one I met.

’...?... W– What’s wrong?’

"... How come you know what a real heart looks like?"

’... I...’

That’s right...

Where could Marianne, who only went to the Dining Hall or stayed in her Bedroom until I came here, see the shape of a real heart?

"..."

For a second the question really shook me. There was indeed no way for Marianne, a girl who knows nothing outside this Castle, to know what the shape of a heart looked like. But, in that same second, my skill worked at an unbelievable pace and formulated the new explanation that would surely save me from his second inquiry.

My years of experience wouldn’t go down this easily.

Writing my answer, I tried to do it as fast and simple as possible. The serious face of the Duke wasn’t pleasing to see, and if he took that long reading my note only to come up with that question... then he must be really concerned about it for some reason.

[I have never seen one in person. However, the last time I came to the Library, while the scholar went to look for these books, I looked through some books as I waited.

One of them had detailed drawings.

I saw it there, Father.]

’... Let’s just pray there are medicinal books in this library... If not, it could be just from an illustration in a fairytale or whatever...’

Handing him the notes with a more quiet attitude than the previous one, I put them on his extended palm, the one that had been waiting for the post-it notes as soon as he noticed I was finished writing.

I swallowed in nervousness. I couldn’t help but feel I was about to be scolded by how serious and dry he was staring at me. Even his eyebrows were starting to grow closer in what I assume was anger.

The silence as he read the note was palpable and giving little glances at him as he did, I waited for him to say something with patience.

"Sigh..."

Hearing his long sigh, I lifted my eyes to peek at him once again.

The scene of the Duke covering his forehead with the notes was what I found, and as he dropped his hand, an expression full of relief and tiredness was shown.

"... Dear... don’t scare me like that..."

’...uh?’

"... I almost misunderstood and thought you had seen an unbecoming scene without me knowing..."

’... Uh... Oh.... S– so that was it?’

"..."

’Excuse me, but I must return your words to you, Sir.

Don’t scare me like that.’

If only I could show him the deadpan expression I’m making on the inside...

Anyway.... By "unbecoming", he must mean seeing a heart in the flesh. Given the era we live in, it must be difficult to see a drawing of a heart... And maybe easier to see in the flesh...

’Don’t worry Sir. We’ve yet to see a dead person, more so their heart. Rest assured, that I also don’t plan on seeing one if it’s in my power.’

I thought as I nodded, meaning to say I understand his attitude just now.

"Haha... Now that I think about it... You are right. That shape does resemble a heart... I have come to learn that my daughter is quite creative and eloquent in her statements... How clever."

’That’s right. I have years of experience, Sir. I am the real deal. You may call me a genius.’

Half-jokingly, I gave a firm nod in agreement to his comment as I inwardly responded to it. I was very calm now that the crisis was avoided, and along with it, I also had succeeded in looking smart instead of foolish in front of him.

’Mission accomplished.’

Staring at him for a moment, I gestured a thumbs up to him on the inside demonstrating satisfaction. We locked eyes and as he sent a soft smile, he added.

"... I’m glad you like your seal, sweetie. As I said before, this gate changes its shades according to the current season, however, if anyone pertaining to our bloodline gets in touch with it, a unique seal will appear on it."

"..."

’Hmm~ So that’s how it is~... Interesting...’ — I said in my characteristic silence.

"... Well, Dear. Should we go inside? You still need to return these books."

Playfully waving the books in his hand, the Duke returned to his usual self and suggested to finally go inside our original destination: The Library.

The guard at the side came out from his corner, following the little signal the Duke sent him. I had forgotten of his existence because his motionless stance tricked my mind to think he was a mere decoration. Therefore, when he came forward to do his job, my shoulders jerked slightly in fright.

The fright was a mix of my surprise and Marianne’s. His sudden appearance made our body stiff for a second. I could feel how her little panic resembled the one I had been feeling every night when the knock on the door announces Paul’s arrival. However, unlike at night, her fear quickly disappeared when the arm of her Father reached out to us to offer his support.

As the door opened, I took hold of his forearm and told Anne a spontaneous thought, born by the delight the situation brought me.

’Everything’s alright as long as we have the Duke by our side. Right, Anne?’

Feeling our chest tingle to my words, we came into the wonderful building in high spirits.

The mystical lights from the ceiling welcomed our arrival, and their brightness made the stillness of the place brim with life. The cosy ambience and the smell of paper embraced us and filled me with excitement. My passion as a reader would always be triggered by the pleasant sensations the smell of books mixed with dust made me recall.

But this fascinating emotion only lasted a few steps. I had a clear objective for today’s visit, and so, I have to act accordingly.

’Now... Where are you... Four eyes...?’