CHAPTER 651: CHAPTER 651

Her ponder lasted more than the servants would have appreciated. Their caution had come from the worry about the sensible mood the ninth has been under for some weeks now, however, while she considered the information, eventually her resolution came to reassure her servants and friends.

"You do not need to hide these things from me. It is best if you tell me once you learn about it..."

"We apologise..."

"... if you learn something else do tell me. You are the ones I trust most so this should not happen again. I cannot bear to lose those I trust right now..."

"Yes, my lady. We will not do it again."

The fact that a story in which she was not alive also had a situation like this worried the child. Having feelings for one involved also troubled her heart... nonetheless, little was in her hands to do something about this fact and instead more was for her to learn in the coming days.

"Sister, may I come in?"

"Yes, come in Theressa."

"Hello... oh, are you not cold next to the open window? It is soon that snow will fall... You are not using the chimney either... You might fall sick, sister..."

"It is cold but... I somehow have this need to feel the cold for now. Paige, please close it for now. Theressa is here so she might get a cold due to the change in temperature."

"Ah, it is alright sister do not mind me."

"It is fine. I should not leave it open all day. I don’t want to fall sick as you said." — Walking towards the younger sibling, Marianne smiled, appearing more mature than she already elegantly was in Theressa’s eyes.

The complex bond of the sisters had strengthened after the deathly experience at the ball and although caution was still present, the cold shoulder Marianne had persisted in giving to Theressa had slightly lowered to allow more closeness between the sisters.

"Father said we must go to his bureau. Apparently, he has some matters he wants to talk about with us."

"Oh, then we’d better hurry. It must be important if he summoned us two."

"Y-yes, but... may I talk with you for a moment? There is something important I must tell you."

"?... what is it? You look concerned."

"... it is about the ring and that one task you gave myself... The one about collaborating with that person who came to me at night so we could gather information..." — The fear in the golden hues did not transmit fright at what the information was. The fidget of her restless hands and nervous expression was a hint that what conflicted the girl was mostly the reaction Marianne could have at what would be told.

Much too composed she had come to her door. Much too prepared she seemingly was to explain what she was there for.

Marianne’s brow raised, instinctively sensing the tension in the little sister. Deciding to keep being nice... as long as the girl was wise enough not to lose such clemency with her decisions.

"Have you found out something?"

"... I... I have."

"What have you found out?"

"But!... F-first I want to apologise!" — Unable to have a composed sound, Theressa’s voice trembled while she fell to sit by her sister’s side. — "You told me to tell you whenever they came to me but... I lied..."

"..."

"I... I said they have not come to me after that first time. Yet with last night it makes it the sixth time."

"..."

The silence of the ninth had come with a change in her demeanour and disposition. For the second time, Theressa had met her gaze while telling what she had kept from telling her and different from the first time, Marianne’s grey was waiting not expecting anything. Decisive and confident her hues were fixated on the younger sibling sitting near her. Unapproachable but in wait to listen to what was left so she could deliberate whether this late honesty was worth forgiving.

A gulp was forced down Theressa’s throat understanding Marianne’s quiet was the last opportunity she had been granted. Gathering finally the bravery to fully tell her motives.

"It was at the second time that they appeared before me that I decided it was best to keep quiet until I had made sure... last night I finally managed to ascertain my beliefs and also my sister’s to some degree."

The truth was fully told to Marianne, clarity came to her along with Theressa’s sincerity yet their father summoned was due for them to attend and little desire to remain still made Marianne dismiss any strong opinion from being told then and there.

"... I see." — Was Marianne’s reply to Theressa’s story. Standing right after from her place to reach the entrance to her chambers. Keeping the coldness in her gaze and sound as she did not wait for the follow of her sister. — "Now that you have said this... let us go to Father’s bureau."

*******

"Crown Prince."

"..."

"Your Highness, his majesty is addressing you."

"..."

"Er... your highness-"

"Don’t." — The Emperor after sighing at his heir’s absorbed demeanour ordered the servant. Telling them to empty the room with a swift movement of his hand. Waiting until silence was the only accompaniment to Francois and Zeleskiaz. — "... Crown Prince."

"..."

"Tsk. ZELESKIAZ! ARE YOU DEAF!? I AM TALKING TO YOU!"

"?... Has the assembly finished?"

"Hah... unbelievable this is... Can you not tell? Everyone left a while ago."

"... that appears to be the case."

"..."

"Since it has come to an end, before I take my leave, can His Majesty give me a reply? It has been five days already."

"You don’t even care about the issues at hand. Are you able to tell me what we discussed during the assembly? If you do I will grant an answer."

"The investigations will be made about the spreading illness and its source. Aid will be given although the patients will need to be under strict watch. The borders will strengthen the security yet we also have to strengthen it here in the capital as Latrishk’s prince is still here. Paul’s supposed clue will be followed by the Robus Pars shadows although we well know it might be fake information."

"..."

"That was all of it, simply put. May you tell me what your reply to my request is now?"

"Sigh... It is too soon, let a few more days pass-"

"I cannot. That woman has been here three days already, I requested this a day before this happened and have behaved as you requested ever since my beloved left without even receiving notice of it. I believe I have already let enough days pass... I write letters I cannot send for I hope to tell the words written myself. I am not able to endure a few more days of this sh*t your MAJESTY."