CHAPTER 653: CHAPTER 653

*Knock, Knock* — "May thy worth bridge our Primal Regnant’ road again... We welcome you, Lady Marianne, Pristina Pars."

The sound on the carriage was of the servants waiting. No more time was there for us to calmly converse before going into a new scene.

I opened the carriage’s door after their official call rang around. I took a quick glance outside before stepping out and saw the woman wearing red right behind him who was my suitor.

His stern look met my eye... and a throb was sent down to my heart as his scary look turned artfully childlike, immediately moving; rushing so it would be his hand that would help me step down.

"My lady!" — I heard him say shaking my soul to feel happiness again. Smiling back at him as I waited for his aid to arrive... hoping to make it as annoyingly enviable as that one wearing red that stayed behind. — "My lady... carefully, let me hold onto your hand."

"... Thank you, my Prince."

The way Zeleskiaz stared at me, appeared like waves of lilac shades thrived with elation at my reply. The loving squeeze he gave to my hand seemed to be his patience reaching a deal to wait for my feet to reach the same ground. For once I did... he deeply bowed, kissing my hand over the gloves for a time that was too long to remain nonchalant.

"Welcome back, my dear Pristina."

Almost too enraptured in the delight of seeing him again, I almost forgot Theressa was to step down too. Turning for a moment to help her out, which he also did as we broke the daydream.

"... Um, Theressa is also..."

"! Lady Theressa, welcome back as well."

"Thank you, your highness." — Assisted by Vitor, she said. Much elegant that she made myself proud. We shared a knowing look for a second until Zeleskiaz decided to continue the welcome.

"... I will escort you inside. The cold is not for the ladies to endure." — He said, offering his arm as gentlemanly as he always has, stroking my hand as we moved through the cleaned entrance.

The more we walked the more we came closer to the place Lady Karina stood. However, it appeared like his highness had no intention to make a pause for us to say a greeting, much less to start a conversation.

’Oh now... no matter why, I do not want it to be like that.’ — I thought as I understood such was his plan. Stopping him once we got close enough. — "Greetings, Lady Karina. It amazes me how you have come to receive us in this cold. How have your days been?"

"... Good morning, dear Ninth. As you demand my respect, I could not miss this opportunity to greet you."

"Too kind you are. After what happened the last time we met I would have thought you would resent me. Yet it is a relief that is not the case."

"I would never... the conclusion was as it was supposed to be. To prove my innocence such was the most peaceful way, that is what I have come to understand."

"Oh~ thank goodness you understood~" — I said, quite delighted by her submissive attitude. Deciding I was done with my nice act for now. — "Ouf~ Now, it is quite chilly outside~ My prince, please do guide us inside. It was a long trip so I would love for my sister and I to have some rest now."

"Of course. We have it all ready for my Lady."

"Oh, truly? What have you... p-prepared if I may inquire?" — I asked, slightly forgetting shame for a moment until I met his endeared eyes.

"Honeyed tea... warm desserts, milk and of course your chambers have been warmed up in advance. We also prepared a nest for Khibi."

"... Honeyed tea. Such a luxury in this weather..." — I said while looking around and grabbing one last snowflake as we walked.

"... having you..." — I managed to hear him mumble.

"? Pardon? I did not hear that."

"... It is nothing... It is best we hurry so my lady may warm up quickly."

It did not seem like nothing... yet perhaps the place was not the adequate to persist. I took a glance back, making sure Theressa was following us and Karina’s calm expression shook me slightly. There was this innocent, harmless kindness she owned still in her being, expelling as if oozing for her being was not able to contain it... Yet at the same time it felt deathly... as if as big as that apparent purity was... as big was the darkness lurking around her.

’Maybe... she will drop her act sooner than we hoped.’ — I thought, ready to embrace that stage.

*******

Once at my missed Burgundy Calla’s chambers, I was welcomed not only by the promised sweets but also by my dear friend and maid Paige who was sent in advance to arrange my luggage.

I hugged her, for it was rare for us to separate and chuckled at the shyness of her greeting Vitor again. And to my surprise, the fairies I had left behind were around, looking slightly different as if resembling snowflakes with their thin wings.

"Ninth, ninth! It is I, I, Estelle!"

"Estelle! Do not! I was to greet the ninth first!"

"Humph! Erna is to tell everything! Estelle also wants to tell the Ninth many things!"

"... Lovely the two of you look... do not fight when we have not seen each other in so long, good fairies friends of mine."

"~!! Yeees~ loved ninth~ Aenean’s vessel is difficult to play with~~ we have missed the good kind ninth~~"

I chuckled at their energetic little beings, wondering what it was that they were actually talking about, for all I could think for a vessel was my pretty tear which I never leave behind.

"?... is sister talking with the fairies you told me about?"

"Yes, they apparently were waiting for us as well."

Theressa came in as well of course, asking me this as I had no wish to hide the little beings anymore from any of those present and as soon as greetings were over we rushed to get our hands on the warm teacups waiting for us. Relieved and relaxed... feeling how the trip started to weigh down on our bodies.

"Fuhh... so delicious... I love this scent." — I sighed, pleased by the familiarity and the air in this room where I could feel my spirit flourish as well as my accessories.

"Mm... it is indeed delightful." — Theressa said, leaving the cup after a sip, deciding something on her own. — "... Sister, I think I will go to my chambers for a moment. I will be taking Royce with me of course."

"... Alright. We shall meet later."

"Yes." — Confident, like I had been hoping her to be, Theressa made a reverence. Nodding a goodbye to the crown prince who had remained quiet. — "If you will excuse me, your highness."

"... Go ahead, Lady."

"..."

I gave another sip from my cup. Too focused on the taste and accustomed to this kind of interaction with my little sister after so many hazards that I forgot how unusual this kind of scene was for his highness... but furthermore, in my carefreeness and distracted self, I even forgot about his presence. Realising it only at the playful whispers of the winter fairies.

"Hehehe~ the small one left the man with the ninth~"

"Will they kiss?? Happy the man with fangs must be~~!!"

"Oph! Ah! Cough! Cough!" — I choked for a second, burning myself a little since their comments surprised me. — "Oh, goodness..."