You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 82

They kept holding hands as they waited for Theodore.

Orland believed that today had been such an amazing day, to the point that he was even able to show his love for his daughter by caressing her thin and beautiful hands to his heart’s content after many years without any useless worry.

"... You have long fingers, Marianne... They make me recall your Grandmother’s when she was younger..."

Looking at the young girl’s hands, nice memories flowed from the familiarity his senses were catching from his daughter’s hands, letting the protagonist of those memories be mentioned in his sayings.

His Mother was a graceful woman, with long hair and big eyes the same hue as his, Orland remembered how her hands looked and felt as he held Marianne’s, summoning emotions from a far past.

’... Marianne has many features pertaining to the Sylfinnier’s... Mother would be ecstatic to witness it...’

In the meantime Orland thought about this, the one by his side began to act up again.

Lifting her other hand she stared at her fingers intensely. The one inside her body as well as the real Marianne felt curious and delighted by his unexpected comment, and showing him every part of her hand, she gazed at him with interest, as if her eyes were saying "what else is similar?", to him.

"... Hahaha... Well..."

...Tip...tap...

The sound of steps came to be audible to him and, knowing they wouldn’t have enough time to broaden into the topic, the Duke made a new promise with his daughter.

"... Should we talk about this during lunch? I believe Theodore is about to arrive."

Nodding profusely in her slow movements, she understood his suggestion, and just as he had said, Theodore arrived shortly after.

Handing the book with a respectful and expectant attitude, the scholar gave a short introduction to it.

"My Lady, this book is from a contemporary author to the writer of the previous novel, I believe his writing style will please the Young Miss’s taste."

Bowing to him, Marianne expressed her gratitude and took the book in her hands preciously, just like she did last time. The one inside her felt doubtful about the Scholar’s choice, nevertheless, the woman was appreciative of the wonderful samples these unique books were.

Turning, her head to peek at the Duke, she sent a message with her eyes, convinced that her Father would understand its meaning.

"Oh. Are we ready to go now, sweetie?"

Her fast response proved him right and glad that his understanding of his daughter’s gaze was improving, Orland agreed to her decision to end the library visit. However...

"Umm... Sweetie... May I have a moment with Theodore? I will go right after you."

As she left without questioning his request and giving a goodbye bow to the Scholar, they stayed in silence until her distance was enough to ensure their voices to not be heard.

Orland adopted the prominent stance his Title provided him. With the serious, admirable and strong countenance of his true power as the Duke of Sylfinnier, he cut to the chase and bluntly warned the young man accompanying him.

"... Theodore... Be sure to not cross the line. Although I know you are a good lad... I won’t overlook... That you grew under the Umbra Quadrigis’ teachings."

*******

I waited for the Duke at the majestic entrance of the Library, where Paige awaited. She took my books to carry, and it wasn’t long after that Marianne’s father came out of the tall building.

We made our way back into the Castle, and as soon as the Duke opened the glass door, we met Mister Thomas, who had an obvious upset expression on his face.

"... Ah..."

The Duke slightly flinched once he found the Butler further in front of him, and, leaning closer to me after halting his movements, he whispered.

"I... forgot to inform Thomas... about my free morning..."

I chuckled at his troubled expression. He was certainly conscious of Mister Thomas’s respectful presence and knew well enough that although he was his servant, the elder held a bit of authority over him, even if it wasn’t displayed in a straightforward manner.

"Good day, Little Miss. May I borrow His Grace for a moment, My Lady?"

I gave my consent and waited with Paige at the side of the hall while they spoke. I saw how the closed eyelids of the elderly Butler never opened enough to see his eyes and I could see how the Duke, nervous about the Butler’s attitude, tried to maintain his composure while he actually felt troubled by his misstep in informing his absence from the office that morning.

I believe the Duke was sorry about it since his work must be as important as his social position, and given that Mister Thomas must be the one who mainly helps him with all that work... He must feel bad about overlooking the elder’s time and effort.

’In the end... The Sir is a thoughtful gentleman. He doesn’t like to bypass others with his actions.’

Watching the scene with patience and being sorry for the Duke’s apparent awkwardness, I waited, making a resigned expression on the inside.

They quickly wrapped up the issue and we continued our way back to my bedroom.

As we went into the hallway that led to it, he sighed.

"Haaa... I wonder where is my head today..."

His comment made me laugh. It was typical for a busy person to say such things, and he fitted that setting to the dot.

The fact that he was so busy made me realise something I hadn’t thought of, even though it is a given to think of this when these important dates arrive.

’Is it because he’s too busy that... There won’t be a huge birthday party?’

From the original, I could recall celebrations of birthdays with pompous and huge parties. It didn’t matter the age, but I believe those parties were done once the person had made their debut in society.

’Hmm... I think the one in the novel..... Was it the second Male Lead’s Father’s birthday party???... Tsk... I can’t really remember...’

Still, it’s a shame we won’t have a birthday party. Just imagine all the food and good wine they would serve there... Sigh...

I tilted my head as I daydreamed about the wine I had tried at the Ball. The taste was still vivid on my tongue, such balanced, kinda toasted bitterness with hints of sweetness at the end while I savoured it... Haaa such a pleasant taste it gave with the first sample sip... Its body was also thick and remained in my mouth with a satisfying strength...

’Oh... How I miss my daily cups of wine...’

Almost tearing up, the remembrance of my favourite delight in the new routine as a Duke’s daughter made me close my eyes tightly with yearning.

After falling ill, the doctor had indicated not to give me wine for its alcohol since my body wouldn’t be able to bear it in my state.

I’ve only been drinking juice, water, tea and all kinds of milk during this time of recovery... and I can’t deny that I tried to convince Doctor Deslys to let me have at least one cup once in a while...

However, the man did not cave to my begging. Not even with an overkill attempt like showing my pretty puppy eyes... Which I failed greatly since it’s quite difficult to accomplish with our stiff face... Hence, I’ve been abstaining with forced patience.

’...These people don’t know that wine is actually a great help to detoxify the body... If I say this without scientific proof... It will just look like an alcoholic young lady, desperate to find excuses to get her so desired drug... F***... Just give me some wine, stinky Deslys...’

"Is my daughter with her mind in another place too?"

Suddenly, the Duke spoke. I turned to look at him, breaking my deep yearning thoughts and caught his curious gaze on me.

’... If only I could say it, Sir...’

He was on it with Deslys after all... I won’t get my wine if I ask the Duke. He’s the most interested in me getting better.

Tilting my head for a moment to one side and then again to the other, I tried to answer him that I was more or less lost in thought with that gesture. I felt like the pause between movements would send a pensive vibe, and luckily, he did get the gist of it.

"Hmm... Is something bothering you, sweetie?"

’..... There is a list of things that have been bothering me lately, Sir...’

".... Should we go inside and talk about it?"

’.... What?... Huh!? Just when...?!’

We were standing outside my Bedroom Door. Without noticing, we had crossed the hallway again. Just like it happened when we went to the library earlier, I had lost that walk time with my random thoughts.

’... I’m so... Haaaa... Will I ever learn?’

We went inside straight away. I felt flustered by my continuous loss of concentration, and so, I opened the door in a reflex and brought the Duke inside, pulling him by his arm and seating him on the couch next to the one I was to seat on.

’Alright. Let’s do it. It can’t hurt to tell him... It’s not that big of a deal..... It’s just one glass of wine.’

*******

Orland was confused by suddenly being dragged into his daughter’s chambers. Although her strength wasn’t even enough to move him from his spot, the constant but slight force put on his arm caused him to let himself be guided by it, and inadvertently end up taking a seat in her room.

His eyes moved without knowing where to lay their gaze and when she took out her paper stack, he watched with attention how she hesitated for a second before letting her pencil touch the paper.

’Is... Is something really bothering her?... Is it... difficult to talk about for her to think so much on what she has to say...?’

How she interrupted a couple of times her hand from continuing writing, made Orland deduce that it might be a difficult issue for his daughter to talk about.

’... I hope... It’s something I can help her with...’

Gulping down in nervousness, the concern of not having the advice or power to help her made him insecure. Orland knew well that... Were her concerns be related to her gender... As a man who only knows of a male’s concerns... It would be troubling for him in more than one way.

Orland was conscious of how different women were from men. They were more sensible and had difficulties men would never understand. At least that is what his mother always told him to make him thoughtful towards the ladies.

’She’s still young... Elenaide will not agree to help her too.... Hopefully..... I’m mistaken and overthinking again.’

As he saw her hand stop for good, one last thought crossed his mind before learning the contents of her letter as he gulped down in nervousness.

Gulp

’As long... As long as she doesn’t ask for love advice...’

Every man knows, how unreliable a fellow man can be. Therefore... Like any loving father, thinking about the possibility of his daughter bearing feelings for an unknown man... Orland felt anxious about the idea and reluctant to even believe in any of his beloved daughters falling for another man.