You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 89

With the same discretion the Duke had asked, Thomas abided by his order, taking his leave smoothly to prepare the desserts the Young Lady enjoyed.

As he made his way outside the room and as he executed his mission, the elderly Butler walked around with a fond prudent smile which was hidden under his groomed moustache.

’My Lord is happy... And Little Miss Marianne... The lovely and kind lady has not changed at all... That precious child..... How wonderful to see her again... The one we all knew, that is...’

The thought he had after closing the door to the office had established that grin on his expression and, delighted to recall her cute attitude when she was a child, Thomas cheerfully went to get the tea, pondering on which of all her favourite sweets should he bring.

Meanwhile, the Duke stared with amusement at said child, who seemed busy observing the hidden paper.

’She didn’t even notice when Thomas left... Does she know I am still here? Haha’

The idea seemed possible by how concentrated she seemed. That is why, to make sure, Orland spoke to her in an attempt to inquire on what had her so focused.

"Marianne? Is there a problem with your... Uhm... Item? I believe that object doesn’t have an identifying name I know of..."

Immediately lifting her gaze to look him in the eyes, she carefully listened to his words, and, lowering the object on top of her, she took out her stack of notes with her pencil. Orland paid attention to her eager hands writing new letters and patiently waited to read her words.

Taking the stack from across the centre table as she handed it to him, Orland leaned to obtain it and initiated to read its content.

[There is no problem with it.

However, may I ask for a cleaning cloth to use on the quill? I want to maintain its tip as clean as I can. As to its name... I will tell you in a moment.]

"Mhmm... I will ask Thomas to prepare an appropriate cloth for you... But why will you tell me its name later?... It only makes me more curious..."

To his words she also leaned over, holding the object close to her as if she was protecting it, his daughter extended her other arm asking for the little stack of papers. The sight was so... Foreign to see in his daughter... Yet... The way she looked up to him with determination and how her hand moved up and down to insist on the devolution of the stack...

’... Hahaha! Goodness! This child!’ — Amused him so much that he had to contain his laughter at her adorable act of impatience.

"... Cough... Here, Dear."

As soon as he gave it back, she stayed leaning over and holding the item with her arms over it. Basically holding it in between her armpits, she started to write once again, holding the stack close to her face as she did.

’Oh gosh... This... I hope she won’t act like this in public..... This position she has taken... Hoho... Dear me...’

The thought of her not being mindful of her appearance to the public eye crossed his mind for a second as he watched how inhibited she was as she displayed such a pose in front of him.

Although he did not mind it at all because every side of her was lovely to Orland... He knew other people would not look at her in good light like he always did.

Nonetheless, he quickly disposed of the thought, not even letting it become a concern.

The reason behind it was quite simple.

’... It’s alright... She knows how to behave. My child is clever and graceful. I trust her good judgment.’

He truly trusted her intelligence... And even if she failed to act accordingly to etiquette...

’... And I also trust the other nobles’ good judgment... To not touch my children.’

A dark shade passed over his eyes.

Orland was a rational and pacific man. Yet, he was confident of his own power and the one that came with his Title.

The Duke was proud of his lineage, but most importantly, he knew very well how to use it in a hierarchy.

If anyone were to touch what he values the most in the world, His offspring...

Orland would never show mercy.

The dangerous flicker showing in his eyes quickly disappeared thanks to the little movement he saw from his vision’s corner.

It was the hand of his daughter handing another text to him.

"Oh. Pardon me, Dear. I was lost in thought."

Excusing himself for taking a second to notice her delivery, the Duke jumped to reach it and read it as he also leaned forward.

[Father, do you recall my promise to show you what I would do with this object?

I have come immediately to show you!

Please accept this humble gift from me. I have made it with utmost care and I wish Father to own it.]

Lifting his eyes in surprise from the little message, he found her leaning again. However, this time... In her hands one of the large papers rested, letting its weight fall where her hands weren’t supporting it.

Once his eyes fell on what the large piece of paper contained... Orland’s eyes opened widely in disbelief to the marvellous art she had brought to him.

"..."

In silence, he left the stack of notes on the centre table, and slowly proceeded to take the paper offered to him. Ever so carefully, because it was a truly precious gift he was receiving.

Placing it on his lap, he observed it in awe. It was merely painted with plain obsidian ink. However...

’... It’s so beautiful...’

The details of the branches, how the shades were painted with a skill he didn’t know it was possible to acquire with a quill, how the lines differed in thickness giving realism to the flowers, the pillar, the vines, the background.....Every fragment was incredibly fascinating with how clearly difficult it must have been to portray such magnificence...

Nonetheless, what had taken all of his attention until making him completely mesmerized... Was the tiny bird, in the centre.

’... Oh, God... My little bird..... My lovely little bird...’

He was enchanted by how beauteous of a drawing she had made for him. And so, his gaze kept observing every little thing within it.

Only stopping once his eyes found a familiar, but slightly modified, message in the corner.

[I Love ——— you, Father.

——— I have used it, I —— —— have made sure to show it to you first.

The bird was waiting to be drawn. I believe it knew how much my Father likes birds. If not, I have the great luck to capture it in a drawing.

I hope you find delight in my gift. It was made purely to show how much I love Father.

With love, your daughter.

Marianne Elise Sylfinnier.]

Seeing the few scratched words being replaced by new ones. The two initial ones made him tear up in an instant. And as he kept reading, new words were added to the older message.

Orland was full of joy as he read the artful ideas she had about the bird’s presence and when he reached the last sentences...

’... "To show purely how much... She loves me"..... "With love..... My daughter".....

Then again... How can I not cry after this...? Marianne will dry my eyes from all the tears of joy she will continue to make me spill...’

He took a long deep breath now. He needed to convey how grateful he felt to receive this treasure with the grace it deserved.

"Marianne... Dear... This gift... Is so wonderful, I have no words to express its magnificence... To think such grace resides in your hands... I am speechless at your skill, but... I cannot thank you enough for taking your time, and even gracing me by giving it to me... I can tell..... How much care came into making it. I love it. And I love you, my Dear Daughter.

I greatly appreciate it... I’ve gained another little bird... Haha..."

With a heartfelt thanks... Orland was beaming as he told his daughter all he wanted to say, completely elated by her continuous show of affection he has been experimenting on this wonderful today.

*******

’Oh my f***ing God... I never thought... He would like it this much...’

My face must be completely red like a tomato right now. The praise the Duke gave to my drawing... I’ve never heard such heartfelt thanks from anyone I’ve given a gift before...

However, it isn’t his praise that made me blush so strongly.

’... Ugh!... His expression... He looks so happy it’s blinding!! And... How he said he loved it!!! Oh God, how embarrassing!!!’

I wish I could crawl in a hole, the gift wasn’t much for him to like it so much...

But, he truly seems elated to receive it. Saying he loved it even!

’... I feel shy, Anne... It’s weird coming from me, right? Heheh..... But I... I’m so happy he liked it...’

Peeking at him as I hugged the canvas against my chest, trying to control the bewilderment coming from my timid self, I smiled inwardly at the sight of a happy Duke carefully grazing with his fingertips the lines of my drawing.

He truly seemed pleased... And seeing the way he fondly touched the bird at the centre... I felt accomplished.

’I... I’m really lucky to have found that pretty bird heheh...’