You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 95

My hair was pulled up in a half-up braid, a seemingly simple, but refined hairstyle.

The guilty sensation didn’t take long to be forgotten thanks to my quick to distract mind, and so, right now I just feel proud that with these stiff hands I was able to be part of the production of this pretty hairstyle.

’Our hair~ So prwettwy~~ So long~ hehe~ I think I will keep doing this... You have so much hair and it’s so smooth and healthy Anne... I think I unknowingly found a new hobby~’

I moved our body to see better how our hair fell down our back. It was like looking at those models in shampoo advertisements all shiny and enviable... The real thing in front of me looks as good and maybe even better than those on TV because, excuse me, but this one has no camera filter.

Cent per cent natural, girl~

Gasp!

’No time for narcissism! We gotta go!’

I caught a glance of Paige as I swirled to look at our appearance in front of the mirror, and seeing how hypnotised my young maid also was by how we looked... the image of the number one fan flashed through my head in a blink.

Turning as I lifted a bit of my skirt to walk better and prevent my already weak legs to tangle with the fabric, I speeded up as much as I could manage to execute the next step of our plan. Find the Duke.

"Ah! Miss, you are already going? What about your make-up?!"

’No need! I don’t want to blind the poor Sir!’

Ignoring her nervousness as she tried to retain me longer, I walked to the door.

"Ah...ah... My– My Lady, wait for me! Where are you going, My Lady!!?"

"..!"

’... Good question...’ — Halting on my hasty path, we flinched to the realisation that we had no real destination thought yet.

Where should I go? I only know the way to the entrance if I’m lucky, so... Where could the Duke be at this time in the morning??

’His bedroom? The office?... The washroom???’

I don’t really know. The only place I barely know how to go to... is to his office...

After a second of consideration, my head rolled in her direction. Right behind me, my cute maid fidgeted confused by my abrupt pause. I knew I shouldn’t ask for directions with gestures since it would be troublesome and, honestly, I’m feeling quite lazy after all that hair combing and... this bothersome communication thingy just adds to my laziness. We’re running against the clock so we have to be efficient.

Feeling up my legs side, I searched for the helpful post-it notes, and thanks to this, I realised that I wasn’t bringing those life-saving notes with me.

’Me and my tiny chick brain!!’

Going back to the chair I have left them in while I changed my clothes, I retrieved my saviour communication device and began writing as I made my way back again to the door.

There is no leisure time, my instincts are telling me that if we don’t hurry our plans and effort will go down the drain.

[Guide me. To Father.]

"Yes. Yes, Miss! I will take you the~re??!"

’Alright, get going. My hunches don’t usually fail me. Hurry, hurry, hurry!’

Driven by the adrenaline born from my rush, I placed my hands on her shoulders, turned her around and pushed her with my little strength to get going immediately.

She continued to walk fast in front of me, always giving little glances back, monitoring if I was following her pace. Once we were about to come out of the hallway and arrive at the Main Hall where all the stairs connected, Paige spoke energetically, seemingly infected by my rush.

"My Lady, we need to go up the stairs! Be prepared!"

’Uh? We are going to the third floor??’

The stairs to the third floor became visible just as I looked further in front. The stairs were long with steps I wouldn’t be able to guess their amount by a simple glance and, for some reason, the fact that they weren’t as wide as the one from the first to the second floor made them look like they were quite slanted... Which almost felt as if they were coming at me.

’Huh..... Were they always this intimidating?? Not like I’ve seen them much but...’

We arrived at the start of the one that came down from the side we were coming and just as we were about to begin our climbing, we heard a voice from above.

"Marianne?"

’... Ahhhhg... Great... Abort the mission... We’ve been discovered. I repeat... The target has discovered us..... Dang it!’ — Finding the Duke standing all the way up the stairs we were to go up just now... Disappointment drained me of my little energy.

*******

It was a bit earlier than usual, however, Orland was already prepared to go have breakfast with his second born. Arranging his collar so this peeking shirt didn’t appear disorganised, its chest gap also not puffing unnecessarily too much and checking today’s rest of his outfit, the Duke felt in high spirits as he recalled last night’s dinner. Smiling at the image of his children enjoying each other’s company after a long time, a new idea flashed as he thought of the coming breakfast with Marianne.

’Hmm... It would be nice if we could have breakfast together one of these days...’

"What are you so happy about?"

The voice of his wife interrupted the start of a daydream and along with it, his smile stiffened. Her tone was dry, empty of real interest and deprecating to some point.

"Hmm? Sorry, I was lost in thought. What did you say, wife?" — Unwilling to follow the apparent intention behind her inquiry, Orland behaved nonchalantly, feigning to not have heard Elenaide’s question clearly.

"... Are you becoming deaf now?... It is too early for my husband to lose his hearing..."

Her poisonous tongue did not wait to continue the flow of its venom to come out. Prodding at his vast patience, the Duchess felt somehow sure that Orland would let her comment go without much thought. However, She wasn’t aware that, although he was cheerful at the moment as he thought of their children, he was also on edge by the concerns yesterday’s "invitation" arrival had added to his list.

"Indeed... It is also too early for my wife to lose her good judgement. Elenaide. Do not challenge my goodwill. Remember who you are talking to... Honey." 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Looking back at her who was seating by their mattress, still in her nightgown, Orland portrayed a soft expression while his eyes were serious and cold as his words replied to her lure.

She had been continuously throwing such comments daily. He was a gentleman, raised by a great woman, and saved great respect to his life partner as she deserved. Regardless, her attitude has been quite lacking towards himself and their daughter.

He also deserved respect. Which she was not willing to show in the slightest while acting slyly to disesteem either his authority as her husband as well as disrupting his peace with all her malicious comments on his demeanour.

The woman needed a stop to her reckless and unbecoming behaviour.

A shiver went down Elenaide’s spine as her aloof gaze met his, waking up her forgotten awareness that even if Orland was patient enough to put up and even not think much of her nasty character... He was Sylfinnier’s Duke for a reason.

’This man... I suppose he still has that frightening stare when something is not to his liking..... How come?’

Elenaide had grown used to his elusive, always concerned eyes. Those frustrating eyes he wore for several years after that child finally began to live like the dead creature she should have been.

Seeing the powerful heat inside those apparently weak eyes again... was truly unexpected.

The Duchess felt invigorated to see how strong and prominent his stance looked, yet, at the same time... worry started to invade her being.

"... Husband... I–"

"I am not angry. I tell you this because that is precisely what I wish to avoid, Elenaide..... If anything... I want us... to get along again, Wife."

"....."

No words came out anymore from either of them, as only their gazes stared conflicted at each other.

Orland certainly noticed that Elenaide was surprised by his sayings and, in the middle of their room stillness, he silently walked out the door of their chamber, leaving his speechless wife behind.

Walking through the corridor to visit his daughter once again today while his conflicted mind tried to ascertain if what he had done was the right thing, the Duke took a few instants before coming up with a spontaneous thought.

’... I was... also surprised...’

It took him no time to reach the stairs in his nearly dazed state and, as soon as he closed into it to go down its steps... The figure of a familiar child was found at the end stile of his soon-to-meet path.

"..... Marianne?"

The one he was headed to see... Wearing a pure white dress enriching that innocent gaze she displayed as she lifted her graceful countenance to look up at him... Seemed magical.

With only a glance at her beaming appearance, his inner conflicted tunes were promptly paused, to play the heavenly piece that gorgeous girl often made his heartbeat dance to, filling his previously holed chest with warm and soft tingles.

’Hahaha... Marvellous timing sweetie bird... Beholding your wings is all I need to find peace...’

"Good morning, Dear. How unexpected to meet you here..."

Making his way down, smiling at the awaiting girl, Orland greeted her with a loving tone.

And, once arriving at the last step, placing himself next to her, he asked, leaning forward in a tiny reverence.

"Is it alright for me to ask... which gracious wind brought this little lovely bird here?"