You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 83

[Father,

I beg you not to misunderstand my request.

Yet, ]

His pupils dilated in surprise, trembling in disbelief at the last sentence written on the paper.

[I need wine]

"... Wine?"

’... She... She took so long... only to write this short text... asking for wine???’

"Why... Why do you need wine, Dear?... You are aware that Doctor Deslys restricted it from your meals some time ago..."

Although he was shaken by her unexpected request, a part of his heart, felt relief from being mistaken on his previous assumptions, and while she began to write again, an old concern was reminded thanks to the topic the child had brought up.

’Has... Has her restraint reached its limits?’

The way she never let her cup stay empty during the Royal Spring Ball, never letting go of it, flashed on his mind.

Consequently, once he read the next few words Marianne added to her previous letters, Orland could not avoid but find them dubious.

[We need to celebrate!]

"..." — Alternating from the fishy excuse to her innocent visage in silence, the Duke proceeded to speak with intention of leading the conversation in another direction. — "Well... Sweetie, I know you want to celebrate... However, we must follow Remi’s instructions for now... H– However! Do not fret, Dear. We will indeed have a celebration today."

The way her eyes looked downwards made him lament rejecting her request for a toast.

Although Orland knew that it was him who had asked Remi to restrict her intake of alcohol, it was all out of concern by the big amount he witnessed her drinking every dinner before being struck by the huge fever she was still recovering from. Adding her reluctance to abandon her glass at the ball... only made those concerns a matter to be cautious of.

Thus, with a hint of guilt in his hidden actions, the Duke brought up the tiny celebration scheduled this year in his name as a way to relieve his guilt and Marianne’s disappointment.

"I wished to share this day with my dear family. That is the motive behind why I have asked to resume our daily dinner’s from today onwards... There is no better way for me to celebrate... than having the company of my dear children..."

Taking her hand in his, Orland explained to his daughter his true wishes. Even though the time they spent together was extremely wonderful, he also adored his other two children and desired to spend his days with them too.

Seeing the marvellous sprouts he had been blessed with in this world together, was his biggest joy.

Despite the fact that he was clearly more concerned about Marianne as a result of her condition and lately delicate health, his love for his son and youngest daughter was as big as the one he held for Marianne.

It was only his fortune that they were comprehensive enough to let his utmost attention go to the second-born child. Yet, deep inside, Orland knew he had done wrong. As well as losing part of Marianne’s growing phase, he also lost a few with his other two dear children.

Now that she has started to show progress, he truly wished to enjoy the happiness all of his children brought him with their mere existence, peacefully and without any restrictions.

’All three of them are so different... But all of them are as lovely to my eyes... Even though they are not children anymore... I will never forget the tiny hands I used to caress when they were small babies...’

Pausing to recall those tiny and lovely hands along with the bliss he felt every time he managed to touch them, the way they appeared delicate and precious, so much that his rough big hands could hurt them by a graze of them... his countenance displayed a longing gaze at the remembrance of their soft touch, filled with love for the youths that were now fully grown adults.

"... Since... You are able to walk further now... I–... I truly wish for us to take part again in our family dinners... Do you feel well enough to... receive... and accept my request, Marianne?"

The little pause before her agreement... Left a hint of doubt within him, very deep, in a corner of his mind.

It would take time for him to know... What that doubt, that had been unconsciously planted inside him... concealed in its roots.

*******

After failing my attempt to get some wine, I even had to agree on joining the family again for dinner from now on.

’Tsk... Yeah, sure. "It can’t hurt", a peanut... It actually did some damage to ask...’

"..."

... Well... There must be a balance in one’s luck, this time I must have emptied my "luck bar points" by all my accomplishments just this morning.

’Fuuu... At least I tried.’

Resigned to accept this operation’s outcome, I strived to comfort myself with the fact that sooner or later... I would have to join them again, like it or not.

After receiving his appreciation, we changed topics and talked about Marianne’s grandmother. He mainly spoke about our physical similitudes and how she was the one who had Sylfinnier’s blood in the marriage with his father. I felt curious as to why it was him who had the Duke’s Title because I am quite sure there are other blood-related people besides the ones under this Castle’s roof... Therefore, I’m interested to know how is it that the family chooses the one to become Duke...

’It was mentioned in the main story... But it was information that got drowned by the other things happening at the time.... At least... the Author did say something useful to me for once... I need to watch out for more family members...’

Anyways, we spent our lunch peacefully with delicious meals to enjoy again, and once the arrival of afternoon felt apparent, the Duke saw it as the cue to take his leave. It was thanks to his timely departure that I was free now to continue with my plans for today.

Taking a shawl out of the cabinet I had learned they were stored before, I prepared for my outing.

Making sure to ask Paige to get my snacks and deliver them to me at the front door just as the Duke left, I made sure I was ready and began my way to the Castle’s main entrance.

It was time to finally enjoy the day I had been waiting for so long.

’Heheh! How exciting~ Isn’t it, Anne?’

The tingling on my tummy was all it took for me to continue speaking. I was sure that both of us were nervous with excitement.

’I’ll show you a new side of me! And most importantly, how the world truly looks without the layer obstructing your sights!! Just you wait. I promise it will be the best!’

Full of expectations we walked outside our room, delighted by what awaited us outside these four walls we had awfully grown used to.

Once at the entrance, we met Paige as planned. Handing a meticulously wrapped, in an incredibly delicate cloth, I could feel a kind of box filled with a weight that should belong to the ordered snacks.

’Nice! This will help us gain some energy to make our way back!’

Carrying the portable canvas with my right hand under my arm, making sure the shawl didn’t tangle with it, I took the cloth bag with my left hand and, bowing to Paige sending an "I’ll go now" to her, I took my first steps in solitude towards the designated direction we had previously agreed on taking.

"Be– Please be careful, My Lady!"

Leaving behind a nervous Paige, the breeze quickly enveloped me, welcoming me into the outside we are headed to and taking away with it her voice traces.

From a rocky pavement floor to one flowering with grass and clear dirt wide path, moulded with a previously designed setting, I walked towards the wide iland across that path in front of the Castle. I had failed to see it well the previous times I had boarded the carriages since I couldn’t find a good moment to look at it. I was certainly more preoccupied with the situations at hand at those times.

Even when I had breakfast at the dome with the Duke, I couldn’t really see well what was placed on that big island. Only volumes that implied the residence of greenery there, could be depicted in my eyes. A thick wall of dull bushes was all I could see then.

’Wow..... Wow! Wooow!!! Anne! It truly is as the Duke said! The flowers have bloomed beautifully! I can see hints of different vivid colours on the green stain I saw before from here!!!’

As we made our way there, the seemingly little stains became taller, and bigger, taking shapes and shadows that with every step became more noticeable.

’This is awesome! Anne look at this flower! I’ve never seen a more preserved shape on a flower than this one before!!

"....."

’The one who is in charge of maintaining this garden’s bush wall is a master... He needs a raise for sure...’

Feeling the smooth and velvety touch of its petals with huge care, I felt fascinated by the various flowers decorating those bushes with their vines, framing the centre of the island garden as a wall. Arriving at the entrance that was right in the middle of the wall of bushes, pronounced by how those same bushes lowered their height holding In between the covered by leaves branches, a white half-circle arch, composed of thin swirls and spades shapes, stood strong as the door leading to the inside of the isle.

Hidden by those walls of coloured flowers... Paths of flowerbeds with different exotic flowers I’ve never seen before, dyed by vivid colours, vibrating under the dazzling rays blessed by the sun, absorbing it forcibly, enhancing their beaming beauty... Like mystic roads guiding to the heavens... A beautiful white fountain, shining under the brilliant sun of Spring emerged from its centre, crowning its core elegantly like a diamond.

The glints of the pure water flowing down its peak were enough to blind me by its sharp radiance. The floor surrounding it, as white as the splendid fountain, was surrounded by what appeared to be greek pillars which were topped by thick vines that acted not only as majestic decoration but also as a kind of high awning, leaving a circular shade around the magnificent fountain.

The gradual change from white to compacted dirt where I stood... Didn’t diminish the beauty of the place.

Instead...

’How is it that... Everything harmonises with each other..... ?... Even the sky.... How is it that the sky seems to pertain only to this garden?...’

... I knew well that even with my dull countenance..... My fascination was displayed bluntly on it without discrimination.

’Anne..... Where... Where should we start?’

Glancing erratically through every little spot my eyes met, the conflict of my growing passion to draw everywhere my gaze laid, made taking the decision for the first one, invoke great chaos in my overwhelmed head.

As if I had experienced a short circuit by my amusement, my mind went blank for a second. Only to come up with a humble decision as it forcibly tried to calm down and collect myself.

’Let’s..... Let’s just... Let’s just take a little walk and decide as we go... It’s been a while, so.... I guess I kind of freaked out by my eagerness... Let’s calm down... and take it easy.....’

Giving long breaths out to soothe my beating heart... I crossed the entrance to the Dukedom’s Precious Garden.