You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 80

The guy seemed absorbed in what he was doing. Writing with a hand supporting his head, as if he was thinking carefully and, at the same time, considerably struggling, he continued mumbling to himself some gibberish I couldn’t understand.

He seemed to be having a hard time, and my evil self felt happiness for his trouble. However, that much wasn’t enough. I knew exactly what would frighten him in that concentrated state, hence, I acted accordingly.

Lifting my hands, I maintained my eyes on the gap where I could see him, and without taking them off from there, with cero hesitation, I Clapped once, as loud as I could.

CLAP!

The noise was so loud that it echoed through the whole building. Even I was surprised at how loud it sounded. This sound was probably the louder I’ve ever done here and might be the loudest on the list even after I start being able to talk. Although I was surprised, I continued to pay attention to my opponent. The purple worm had made a shriek as he stood up from his seat. He seemed confused and scared as he looked around him, searching for the source that had shaken him.

’Heh... A worm and scaredy-cat I see... Nice reaction, I might go easy on you today if you keep it up boy.’

I felt glad that at the very least my body was cooperating with my desire for vengeance. If it wasn’t, then my clap wouldn’t have been as powerful after all.

"Uh!?... What?... Is...someone....?" — Theodore mumbled as he tried to find me.

For a second scare, I silently went around him and placed myself behind him. It was perfect that the place had mountains of books hindering his view, because once I stood behind him... I stabbed my index finger in the middle of his back to show him the one he was looking for was right there.

"WHaooiasSaaaa?!!!"

’Pffft!!!! What the?! What kind of scream is that?! WaHaHAHA!’

As he tried to reach his poked side with his hands without success, he turned around and screamed again.

"Waah?! My! My Lady!! Why... When????"

"..."

’From the beginning you a**... Keep it up. You’re doing quite a good job boy. Your reactions are even entertaining Anne now, so I might even forget about more elaborated revenge and set for this cute teasing.’

My dull face continued as immutable as always, only my eyes were showing my amusement combined with the bit of coldness I felt for the guy.

"Uhm... Ahem! Do excuse my unsightly behaviour just now, My Lady. I was merely taken aback for a moment. I apologise."

’Hmph... If anything, that just now was awesome. If you want to apologise then do it for the children’s book you gave me. Now the Duke must think I like children’s stories or that I can’t read complicated stuff, and so, he even recommended another children’s book for me to study... You f*****, should I really forgive you?’

"Marianne??? What happened, Dear?"

From the floor above I heard the Duke call for me. He was just at the beginning of said floor and making his way around it to come down where we were, he said as he gave long strides.

"I heard a loud sound... Oh. Theodore? You were down there?"

"Your Grace! What an honour to meet you on such a wonderful day!"

Hmm? So he also knows it’s his birthday?... ’Two more points for you. You better give a good congratulation to the Mister, four eyes. I will be grading you now.’

The Duke took his time to come down and once he did, he came towards the hidden desk.

We should have come out and received him, but I noticed Theodore fidgeting to do so, and so, I wanted to keep teasing him by not moving an inch from my spot that deprived him of leaving the hole he was in. He should struggle a bit more.

"Good day, My Lord. I have been informed of the importance of today’s date for the Dukedom. May Thy Grace bask in the Spring Sun that welcomed you into God Adonis’ gardens and may Thee Summer in Izeneya arrive in a far away future, for Thy Grace deserves a Long and Full Life with his beloved flower field."

"..."

’Tha hell???... Tsk. You’re too good, you d*mn worm.... Should I prepare some kind of congratulatory blessing too? I’m kinda behind everyone here with their over-the-top praises...’

Five points. I’ll give you that much for that one scholar.

"You are very kind Theodore. Thank you for your good wishes... I see you have met my daughter Marianne."

"Yes, My Lord. I had the honour to meet the Lady last Frurird, and today I have the delight to meet her along with Your Grace."

’...?..... Another weird term... Frutid? Fruris...??? Sigh... Whatever...’

"I see... Then I believe you were the one who took care of lending these books to my daughter. We came today to return them."

"I understand... If I am allowed to... May I ask the Lady... What are My Lady’s thoughts on the books I recommended?"

’Oho~... Do you really wanna go there, pal? Should I really tell you how I feel about one being a children’s book and the other having no continuation? Huh? Now, do you?’

Before taking my notes out of my pocket, these menacing thoughts crossed my mind, and preparing to write my opinion, I pondered on how to give him a good blow while still being a graceful Lady.

’If only the Duke weren’t here, I would have drowned this guy on curses... You might think of yourself as a connoisseur of literature... But I’ve read one too many books of any kind of genre that would never get to exist here. You don’t know the real grief of getting your novels cancelled or with a neverending hiatus one after the other. If you thought I wouldn’t mind this one, only because it might be common in this era.... You’re wrong, newbie.’

As I started writing, both men continued to talk after a little pause to look at me get into it.

"... That is a nice object My Lady has there..."

"Indeed... Marianne had asked for a similar object before and, inspired by it, I asked for one of a smaller size to be made for her... As you can observe it is remarkably practical."

"... May I ask, My Lord. Who designed this object? It has an awfully simple craft... but I believe it could be quite useful for fellow scholars to have. You may know how curious beings we are and we tend to write down ideas often... However, it is tedious to go around with loose big papers and write them down wherever we find most appropriate..."

"... Well... Ahem... Uhm... You may be surprised, Theodore... Yet, it was my lovely daughter who has come up with this marvellous invention."

"... The Lady?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Yes."

"..."

As I wrote I was still able to hear their exchange, and by how proud the Duke came out I quickly became embarrassed.

’Although, I’m happy the Duke is flexing about me... I’m done with my message..... I’ll interrupt them before this gets troublesome. This guy said he’s a "curious guy"... If so... I have to act quick!’

"Umh, My Lady, abo–"

Before he could even ask, I shoved the post-it notes in his face! So close to his glasses that he wouldn’t be able to continue his sayings!

[Good day, Scholar Theodore.

I ought to excuse myself for my tardiness in returning these books you have so kindly recommended.

As to my thoughts on them, the novel "Companions and Peons" has been quite entertaining. The Author’s overflowing use of interesting vocabulary with a polite and absorbing narration has captivated me greatly.

It is a great shame that I’ve come to learn this magnificent work of art has no continuation to the hang cliff situation it ended with.

In regards to "Legends of our Lands and Empire" I must say it was quite instructing and informative on the legends that make up our culture and Empire, such an interesting and precious Land.

Nonetheless, I believe you said it was very detailed when you suggested it to me, but I had found a lack in said details. Yet, it is comprehensible since it is indeed a children’s book.]

Mumbling as he read at the beginning, rearranging his thick glasses, his voice went lower as he continued to read, holding by the tip my notes to hold them close to see better. Once he was done, he slowly let them go and by that signal, I lowered my hand holding the post-it notes on his face, for him to meet the sarcastic glint I tried to display in my eyes.

’Did you get it? I believe the marked words are crucial in that message. A scholar as brilliant as Theodore Purple Worm who serves the Duke of Sylfinnier ought to know the meaning and emotion behind those outstanding overwritten words.... Right?’

"Uh..." — Without knowing what to say, the scholar let an unsure sound out in reflex, conveying his uncertainty as to what kind of response would be appropriate to give me.

And then, Marianne’s Father intervened. Driven by the curiosity to know my opinions, he leaned over to read my notes.

"What did my daughter say?.... Hmm... Mhmm....?... Dear?"

Turning to look at him, I awaited his following words feigning ignorance with my pretty eyes. Nonetheless, that wouldn’t deceive the clever Duke.

"Are you upset?"