CHAPTER 606: CHAPTER 606

Looking away, visibly annoyed, Zeleskiaz was sulking while Khibi hops mischievously to make fun of him, moving around flamboyantly so he would look at her teasing behaviour.

’... is he jealous that I exchange letters with Clemente?’ — Trying to contain the giggle at this obvious realisation, I covered my smile with the letter, deciding to quickly read it before he crafted more absurd ideas in his head. — ’Originally they were meant not to get along, haha... they will continue to do so I guess but this is far too cute for me to take it seriously~’

"Hm... hahaha~ I should reply once I go back to my chambers. Paige, could you hold onto this for me?" — Calling for her so I could hand the letter to her, Paige offered her hands obediently, giving me a funny look along with an odd tone of agreement.

"Certainly, my lady..."

"?... what is it?" — I asked her as she made some gestures to make me look at the crown prince.

"Ahem... n-no, it is nothing, my lady." — She said... while grimacing and implying the opposite.

Perhaps she got the same idea I did, although she appeared concerned about it unlike I was. He was still looking away as if showing indifference and even Khibi had left him alone after no reaction was earned.

"Your highness." — I broke the silence again.

"Yes?"

"... I would like to inform you that I may soon be leaving the palace for a few days."

"?! Why!?" — Forgetting his poise his head turned to me in a flash.

"His Grace said I can finally visit and meet his mother. I was told a while ago that she wants myself to design an accessory specially for her and his household is far from here I believe. I will need to stay there a few days to attend to this request."

"... You’re going to stay at Noverrne’s? Alone?"

"He said to invite my father so... No, I do not think I will be going alone. If father says otherwise I still will take Theressa, Paige and my guards with me too."

"..."

"...? Is there something wrong-"

"Are the lady and that Noverrne too close? Why are you so ready to leave and what’s more... so delighted by his simple letter?"

"... Do I look delighted to your highness?"

"My lady was smiling fairly and laughing joyfully at whatever words he wrote on that sheet."

"... hah... was I?"

"It is upsetting to see when I am around, truthfully."

"... Clemente and I are good friends who share similar interests. Besides, our parents have been close for a long time... it is shocking for his highness to show such jealousy to be honest."

"? I am not jealous. It is... different."

"Is that so? If so it was my misunderstanding." — This time out of patience, I answered quickly and strictly. Holding back the displeasure this conversation has brought to me.

"... when are you to depart? I would like to see my lady off and wish you a safe journey."

"I need to discuss it with father first."

"... alright... once arranged do inform myself... I suppose like Noverrne does, I can send letters to you as well."

"... No, you cannot." — Serious, I said, feigning to have more interest in Khibi than in our conversation. Feeling malicious although I understood his good intentions.

"??... How come I cannot send letters to you yet that man is allowed?"

"But of course you cannot do like he does, your highness. A friend of mine he is while you are not."

"... Lady Marianne, you must be saying this to mock my goodwill yet I find no laugh in it." — The reproach and dislike in his voice was apparent now. My eyes lifted to meet his frown and as we locked eyes, he added. — "Who am I that I am not allowed to send words to my lady? I now find this question painful, aggravating, to even ask for a reply."

"Sigh... you are so upset that you cannot even tell what I am truly trying to say, your highness." — Slightly annoyed as I saw his eyes waver, restraining the rage and unintended hurt my teasing summoned, I returned to him the frown he had been giving me for a while now. Lastly, I made myself spell it to him so no more sour taste invaded our space. — "You are my suitor, you cannot send letters like a friend would. Or at least I hope for that to be the case. The contents and intentions should differ."

"..."

"Your dislike seems to be fading now. However, the attitude provoked by your jealousy was unpleasant for myself as well."

"Unfair it was for me to do that. I apologise... If possible I will also pay a visit while you are away." — He said trying to hold back his smile now after offering the expected apology. — "Since I am your suitor it should be all right to send letters and often pay a visit so as to make sure everything is in order with yourself."

"If you do, it will be very much appreciated."

"I will. I will gladly travel every day to make sure you are faring well."

"... Pff~ alright~ I understand, haha... Hmm~ now that you mention a visit, I have yet to visit you at the training grounds." — I then said, too aware that not going earlier was solely because of how busy I became dealing with the business, Khibi’s upbringing and Theressa’s release from the physician’s care. Because otherwise... I am a hundred per cent sure that I would not be feeling as frustrated as I have lately. — "Would it be alright if I go tomorrow and the day after to watch?"

"The lady is always welcome whenever she wants."

"I shall go tomorrow then~"

Like that... unexpectedly, my uneventful days started to change again thanks to a little new compromise I made out of covered lust.

*******

"My Lady, the Crown Prince has already left for his training."

"?! What?! So early? But I am not ready to leave yet! Vitor, you said he would leave at five thirty in the morning!"

"Yes, it is five thirty-two now."

"... aren’t you a funny one?" — I told him while he tilted his head, not understanding the joke. — "Is this truly the right moment, Sir?"

"?... yet the time is correct, Lady Marianne."

"..."

"My lady... it is because you would not get up when I came to wake you this morning..." — Paige said, hugging the comb with which she was still combing my hair while I already felt ashamed that I had thrown a tantrum when I knew it was my fault that it came out to this.

"O-oh... that’s right... I am sorry Vitor, my bad."

"? You’re bad? Was there something bad?"

"My lady says that when she is apologising lately, Sir Vitor." — Paige told him who had yet to understand how my ways with words have changed throughout this month.

"Oh."

"Yeah, sorry. I’m a little anxious. I don’t really know where the training grounds are, but you guys have been there, right? Vitor? Theo?"

"Y-yes, we have. We may take you there once you are r-ready, my lady Marianne." — Theodore said, stumbling on his words again as he fixed his glasses. Something he often turned back to do although I fear he doesn’t truly have speech problems... it is probably because of his previous duties.

"Thank goodness... then, is the snack I asked you to prepare ready, Paige? Maybe on our way out we could go pick it up."

"Yes, my Lady. When I said it was for the crown prince the kitchen became immediately busy. By the time we leave, it should be ready to go."

"Alright, then let’s go."

"Oh, but... I have yet to decorate your hair..."

"The fairies will do it anyway, they like playing with my hair. He has already left so I don’t want to arrive there so late. Tomorrow I will make sure to wake and get up as soon as you come in, Paige, I swear!" — As if trying to convince her, I finally made it so we could leave for the training grounds. I instructed one last thing to Theo so I could be at ease. — "Theo, please make sure to keep an eye on Theressa while we are away, I will ask a fairy to also track her for today but... You know we cannot let our guard down."

"I will tell an Umbra to aid with that. I’ll be back in a second."

Disappearing with the skills his clan taught, he came back soon enough to leave me speechless with surprise.

"We may leave now."

"... Theo I still cannot get used to you being so skilful when at the library you truly seemed to be just a common scholar."

"... a-a disguise it was..."

"Yes, yet you still stutter as if in disguise..."

"... I get confused at times."

"Uh-huh..."

The changes in myself increased as days passed and eventually the attitude I portrayed for everyone to see loosened up with those closer to me. It was much more comfortable to be myself as I knew how my character came together to form a consistent self now that I am a sole soul. Bits of the me who was born here and bits of the me that came from elsewhere came together in a very satisfying way... and so, today I can feel myself more confident in my thoughts and who I have become. Although that doesn’t mean I won’t keep on changing...

A thought never changed, however: hoping for happiness and making those I love happy. Who I love also did not change... while some things I felt troubled thinking are now things I have acknowledged that do not need to be restrained in my thoughts if no one else will know.

’If not for being busy I would have visited earlier! They may have already started the training by now so I won’t see when they take off their shirts or anything like that... BUT it doesn’t matter! Kinky will certainly be there~... hehe~... we only meet in the day so I haven’t had a slight glance of his chest at all for a while now... I’m sure he’s more handsome without his blouse!!! Oh gosh! Oh goodness!! Isn’t this considered like a sneak peek as they call it?! Once we confess we want each other in marriage this kinky man won’t have more excuses to keep this distance because of fear of disrespecting me!!... IT WILL BE SEXY— ahem. FABULOUS!!’

Eager, I followed Vitor and Theodore who led the way with Paige by my side, letting Khibi rest at my chambers while Erna and Estella joined us outside to play with my long strands.

I did not think the place would be so far when going on foot... hence, a little out of breath, it was once Vitor said we had arrived that my spirit revived.

"Master, it is here."

"?! W-where are the men??"

"... Down there, my lady." — Looking down, Vitor made me get closer to the veranda. Finally seeing and noticing the loud noises they made while moving around.

"Training has only just started and you are already out of breath?!"

"Huff, huff, Sir it’s... hff.... Kh!"

"Your answer should be: the opponent’s breath is what my blade takes! Run fifteen laps without water and you’ll have another round against me once you finish, let’s see if then you have an excuse."

"Urgh... d*mn it..."

*BAM!*

"ACK!"

"If you’re not up to it then why try being a knight? Stay in the dirt if you so like. That’s where your head will end up if you continue to mess up. NEXT! AND IT BETTER NOT BE A F*CKING LOSS OF MY TIME!" — I saw the man kick the other so he would scram, resounding his roar throughout the grounds. Unarmed while the others held real swords, he moved quickly to tackle the next one he called out and smash him to the ground to roar once more. — "NEXT!! YOU IDIOTS HAVE A D*RN WEAPON, DON’T FALL OUT!!"

"..."

"... how many do you think he killed ever since joining the morning training?" — Suddenly, while I stared blankly at the scene below, I heard Theodore ask Vitor in a murmur, both severe while pondering seriously about it.

"Why would his highness kill? It is simple training isn’t it? — Paige asked for she remained behind with them.

"Whenever he joined training when younger at least ten men died and twenty made it out severely injured in his first two weeks... War broke out back then and he went there for fun but... it was a relief for those who had to stay and protect the Palace since training wasn’t as deadly... only those who train here know about this, however." — Theodore said, annoyed as if he had seen it. While Vitor only looked down intensely, as if recalling his own hazard. — "He may kill more than he did back then..."

While I listened to their conversation I watched how another one got slammed on the ground, wondering about what Theodore had said. — ’... A madman... he is called that for a reason...’ — I thought. Truthfully not paying much mind to it since I had noticed something else that disappointed me.

I saw him walk towards a barrel, sinking his hand to quickly splash it over his face to resume the workout.

’... everyone’s without a shirt... so why is he still wearing his...’ — A bit pouty, I thought. Actually bewitched by how manly he looked after "refreshing" himself.

"... he hasn’t killed anyone."

"!? How do you know, Vitor?" — Excited, Paige jumped and leaned closer to see what Sir Vitor sees. — "Did someone tell you he has not?"

"... the blood on the ground. It’s not recent and the amount is the same I recall from last month."

"Uh... is it?... it is impressive for you to notice that..."

They continued to talk about how Vitor was able to pick up on such details, a little concerned about it. Nevertheless, what had caught my attention from their conversation had already been responded to: He had not killed recently and that fact made myself proud for some odd motive. My focus was again on him who had knocked five knights in that little amount of time... a little too fast... so much that once the sixth fell on his back Biel came to stop the crown prince, pulling on his blouse in a manner I am now feeling grateful for.

’Oh... yup. Pull a tad more... a little more and it’s open... yup. Hmm... Haha~ he may as well take it o- AAAAH!! HE TOOK IT OOOOOOOFF!!!!’ — Falling on my knees surprised by how fast and suddenly kinky took his blouse off I felt my cheeks burn while my belly tickled cruelly ecstatic by this little peek I got so abruptly. Making those who were in my company jump in alert since it appeared I was about to faint from excitement.

"!? My lady! What happened??!"

"Was she attacked!? There was no sign of it!!"

"My lady! My lady, are you alright? Are you injured???"

’!!! Goodness! I am alright! I am at my best! It’s the best moment of my life! So please! Please ignore me!!’ — Shaking my head and realising I should have nodded, the nice shock made me dizzy but eager to clarify everything was perfect. Being helped to stand while trying to better prepare my heart once I opened my eyes.

"... are you truly alright, my lady?"

’I am... I have never been better... I-I think I saw an eight... an eight pack... hehwehe... let’s see if I can count that choco bar—’

"My lady? When did you arrive? Did something happen to you just now?"

"...."

"?? My lady?"

’... Marianne Elise Sylfinnier... you once thought a reputation needed to be protected... but does it? Is it worth it?... should I faint and fall on him to get a touch?’ — Losing rationality as if choosing it I stared at the handsome suitor stand right in front of my eyes... worrying about me... so handsomely and innocently... without a blouse..... making myself believe he should start worrying about himself given the thoughts I am starting to develop so shamelessly the more apart we remain. — ’... Let’s simply smile.’

"?...?! My lady, your nose!? It is bleeding?!" — Paige yelled out of the blue, scaring me and waking me in the process.

’Huh?! Shut up! I-impossinle! I am not that perverted!!’

"W-was it the walk!? M-my lady seemed out of breath!!"

’Y-yes! That’s it!! It’s not because of the choco ba- wAhH!?’

"Do excuse my hands." — Already holding me in his arms, Zeleskiaz started to walk, nonchalantly as how my eyes almost popped out, unable to comprehend what was going on. My hand, shaking while covering my nosebleed was seemingly useless because now I was truly about to faint because of my heart rate which knew his skin was sticking to my dress indifferent to my perverted fever. — "Biel."

"Yes, your Highness."

"Inform the infirmary that I am taking my lady there. Tell the men to continue the encounters without me."

"... sure thing. I will follow in a moment."

"Crown Prince, it is inappropriate for you to carry the lady looking like that-"

"You may be her guard and our chaperons yet she’s bleeding and you tell me not to assist her? I am her suitor, don’t make me mad now, umbra." — He growled at Theo, who followed behind us. I saw how Vitor and Paige murmured to him just not to mind it given the circumstances yet little could I discern while being carried so fast... and in his arms... such strong arms~ hahwah~

’... I feel dizzy~...’ — I acknowledged. However, I would not let my eyes close anytime soon. His strides were long and we were going down many steps. I needed to hold onto him as well as I could, so I only leaned my head on his firm and strong shoulder while holding onto the other... hehe~ I must cooperate~ a good gurl I am~

Even if dizzy the idea of our closeness was the source of it anyway. My heart and hands would not miss the chance, much less when I have been yearning for his touch after none is allowed.

Dirty-minded I may have become... yet little could I care when it was for this lovely crown prince who was the mischievous one back when we just met...

It was time for myself to get something in return... For myself to be the one satisfying a bit of my desires this time.