CHAPTER 650: CHAPTER 650

’So she is trying to impress Vitor now... Paige has not said it but... she’s quite in love... I wonder if Vitor knows she is after him... does she know too? I have heard some women not realising even when it’s obvious..."

"... are they good to your taste my lady?"

’... Heh, that cannot be it. She must know.’ — The lady thought as she gave the cookie another bite, finding the doubt absurd once peeking at the young maid. — "They taste delicious. I would take them out of the oven a few minutes before, however... so they won’t be as toasted."

"! I will try again tomorrow!"

"Ah! Do not take them away~ they are still good to eat, we should not waste your efforts, Paige~"

"But..."

"It is fine~... Vitor, Theo, would you like to taste them too? Give Paige some advice."

"I... My lady Marianne I am not knowledgeable about sweets..." — Theodore said, troubled at the task. Coming closer to the quiet knight.

"Hmm... what about you, Vitor? You liked the cookies served at Clemente’s, right?"

"... *munch*... good. I like them."

"T-truly?!"

"... yes."

"Hehe~ isn’t that a relief, Paige? They do taste good."

"Yes, my lady~"

’Ouff, so cute these two... I wonder how this story will unfold... I should ask her about it later.’ — Marianne thought, expectant to share this kind of talk with a friend. Releasing a sigh after finishing another cookie and drinking a sip of the milk while the fall of the rain became louder.

"... is there any news?"

"... besides yesterday’s letter from Noverrne’s duke, none other has arrived today..."

"I see... *sips*... I should read and reply to it today *hooowl*... oh goodness, it’s colder today, huh."

"Should I close the window now, my lady?"

"No... I would like to feel the cold for a little longer."

After the lady had returned to the burgundy calla’s chambers that night of the ball, her father who waited for her had already made the arrangements to leave the Palace the next morning. Her health was taken into account of course as the duke of Sylfinnier would not place his child into danger, and so, with the permission of the Emperor, the secret departure occurred without a say from Marianne.

— Talmhach will come with us during the journey to ensure that you are well in health, yet we must leave, sweetie... I... I do not feel comfortable leaving you and your sister by yourselves this time here. I know it is not what we agreed on... but tonight’s incident was also not something we could have foreseen when we discussed this back at Noverrne’s. —

’There was not much I could say to oppose him... I had little arguments to even make up an excuse not to return... Dad has had enough worries... I shouldn’t be selfish and do as he says so at least he has some peace of mind.’

Reflecting again, Marianne convinced herself it was the right thing to do at the time. A side of her was also tired of pulling the string by herself. Time was something she also hoped to own for a moment. Solely a period of time to prioritise herself in which she could stop thinking about the problems to come and the sadness she hides in her heart.

As she had been told, Marianne did not attempt to alert her suitor about her departure. A small feeling of guilt and regret weighed on her heart because of this... yet the feelings were complex to untangle at the time and little wish to fight was inhabiting her spirit after so much dejection had accumulated because of an evil’s interference.

’Is he not writing to me or is it that his letters are not making it to finally reach me again? Or is it... that just as I have... his hand does not have the will to pick the quill and ink this time?’

Pained, her eyes closed to feel the shiver the cold and humid wind summoned as it stroked her visage shamelessly. Making a tight and surrendered smile as she shook the thought away while caressing the feathers of Khibi, who rested between the covers on her lap.

’I fear the moment I have to think of what to say in the paper... I wish we could simply talk face to face... a letter feels like it will only trick us into a fake truce...’

— We were not alone. I am sorry. —

’... was that even true, I wonder...’

"Um... my lady?"

"Yes?"

"Er... truthfully... three days ago..."

"!? Paige, you mustn’t!" — Theo, knowledgeable of whatever Paige was about to confess as he saw it in her confident expression, jumped in alarm.

"However... I believe my lady should know this..."

"We agreed not to tell!"

"But..." — Paige mumbled, sorry to bring tension to a calm ambience.

"..... I did not agree on anything."

"Tsk, Vitor, you...!"

"??? Alright, what is this all about, Theo? What are you stopping Paige for?? Why would the three of you act like this so suddenly? I don’t understand." — Marianne stood up driven by the wonder, letting Khibi fly away and stepping away from the table only to see them share doubtful and opposing thoughts with their eyes.

"..."

"You are worrying me. What is it that you are hiding from me?" — After becoming more severe, the servants of the ninth became silent with lowered heads. Her gaze fell on them with mistrust and it was ultimately the maid, who brought the issue up, who cleared up the doubts of their now afflicted lady.

"Three days ago... news about the palace arrived. His Grace Duke Noverrne might also tell you about it in his letter but... It is said a lady wearing red was invited to stay at the royal palace, since she wore red one of the princes must have made the invitation although it is also said that it was made after the prince of Latrishk requested it."

"Oh... however, why would you keep that a secret–" — Stopping her own sentence as she considered well what was told by the maid, Marianne’s breathing was cut for a moment, slowly losing grasp of the covers wrapping her as she deduced why they would hide it from her. — "... you said, Clemente might mention it in his letter..."

"... yes... my lady..."

"..."

"... Lady Karina Valzerie has entered the palace as a royal guest three days ago... after what happened the night of the winter ball we did not know what to think so... given your demeanour after the attack as well... uhm... well... I am sorry my lady..." — Paige said in the name of the three servants. All of them were ashamed but mostly worried by the shock in their master’s visage.

’She’s at the palace...? Wearing red... w-why...’

"Ah! My lady, the covers..." — Reaching out before it fell off, Paige fiddled with the cloth in her hands, taking a look at the two knights that quietly watched with concern the still figure of their master.

"..."

"M-my lady... are you alright?"

"... I am alright... it only surprised me slightly..." — Still, apparently not over the shock, Marianne answered almost like a reflex, taking her seat as if tired while Paige placed the blanket over her shoulders again.