CHAPTER 658: CHAPTER 658

Behind me, Vitor and Theo followed silently a pace I was unknowingly fast in. Little could I care, however, for in the meantime I vented my anger with unreasonable thoughts.

’Who does she think she is? She did not even wait for a response or invitation to enter his bureau. Has she become accustomed to doing it that she does not even care about it anymore?? And what? Visit what? A greenhouse??? She made it seem like a daily arrangement of sorts they had... I am who he is courting so why is she the one blushing when talking about him!??? Why was she there in the first place?? Why is she surprised about ME who HE IS courting being there???! The guts she has! Does she think I will not budge? That... t-that little bitc—!?’

"?! My la—"

"Shush!"

Pushing back my two guards I hushed after seeing that not so far from where we now hide... There stood a certain man and a certain woman.

’... the meeting with the Emperor must have finished... but how vexing... Karina met him first...’

"Er... my lady, I do not think we should be hiding— I apologise." — Theo said with a cautious whisper, receiving my glare although I knew he was correct.

"Shush..." — I frowned as I peeked to see down the corridor.

... Too close to my liking they were... she kept her hands to herself, yet her body language was flourishing with seductive essence.

’... tsk... look at that snake in the grass... d*rn her...’

I was able to see they were talking, but I had to hide at one point for Zeleskiaz glanced in our direction.

The three of us were shocked at how fast we all hid with wide eyes and at the count of three we went back to peek at the scene again.

"... they are still talking..." — I mumbled.

"... yes, however... I believe it is her who is talking... not him."

"... True." — We all agreed.

There was not much meaning in remaining there watching a conversation we couldn’t even listen to. At one point I sighed while I only paid attention to his manly profile. Thinking about how he would probably go to his bureau once he escaped that woman.

’Maybe I should get going...’ — I thought, anticipating our meeting after reading so many of his letters.

I did as I thought in the end... but I wish I had done it earlier because... The way I managed to witness how he dedicated a playful smile to her... now cannot be shaken out of my head.

’Tsk... why would he make such an expression?... it... it didn’t seem like he hated her at all...’

[ — Don’t ignore my summon. You’d better come to me tonight. — ]

... Such a line... he would say it to her in the novel I read in my past... why am I thinking about that now!?

’... no... don’t be an idiot, Marianne... don’t make the same mistakes twice.’ — Knowing well how it turned out the time I jumped to conclusions I shook my head to fix my confidence. Returning to the bureau so I could chant myself into determination. — ’If it is like that, sooner than later the truth will come to light... There is no point in making a scene now... what matters is that I love him... but never at my own cost. That I certainly should not allow.’

[ Let these letters save these words and hopes until we meet again.

Only yours,

Zeleskiaz. ]

’... let me hear the words you wrote with ink... let us become what I hope you also wish, Zeleskiaz...’

It took a bit of time but he finally made it back. His expression was severe as he paced inside the room watching me as I finished reading one letter for the second time.

My mood had placated... and so I remained silent until he said the words so we could talk.

"... I took longer than I would have wished for... was the lady... able to read these?"

"Yes... Yes, I did." — I paused to caress the texture under my fingertips and lifted my head to meet what could be unconfident eyes.

’It’s fine...’ — I told myself. — ’I will trust this man for in truth he has never failed me with lies... It’s fine... It’s fine to be as honest as these letters are...’

"While reading them, I desired my days were as you pictured, my prince." — I told him sincerely, standing from the seat to stand before him. — "Unlike you did, I swallowed and banished every thought for words as I felt I would wither from yearning a reply that could not come for my letters might not arrive, or worst not be read."

"..."

"I now wish I had done the same you did... Selfish I became out of distress."

"I am sorry, my lady. Have I done better and protected your ease properly... until now I have not been able to find Paul nor who interfered with our letters. Because of the Empire’s state I also... I also lost the freedom I had to openly follow your brilliance wherever your foot decided to bless the ground..."

"... well... it has never been easy for us to begin with."

"..."

"I think about you tenderly... and I missed you dearly. As we have met now words to be told have lessened, don’t you think so, my prince?"

"... No." — Surprising me, he said with a difficult breath. Taking my hand without caring what our chaperons may say, gently, politely and manly. — "The words solely changed, my Lady Marianne."

"..."

"It is like a daydream. I feel entranced to have you again close to my side."

"Haha... w-we better stop, my prince..." — I lastly said out of breath and feeling every little thought be blown away. — "Otherwise, I will have trouble meeting the eye of my guards later..."

"Oh... t-that is true." — Nodding to the two, my prince acknowledged the same happy embarrassment. Catching me off guard with a last brazen whisper. — "Timely you were to remind me..... I could have done something I would not be pardoned by your Father if you hadn’t... because of my craves..."

"H... haha..." — The way his words caressed my ear with such seductive lean, caused a fever I have not experienced as passionately as today. My body in its whole shuddered excited... and the split second of expected shame I should feel as a lady was quickly accepted and embraced as what I became. — "Do not... be so mischievous..." — I told him as I turned to the side so no one besides him could see the flare. Conveying the trouble I could not tell with a frustrated glance.

’Gosh... You make me want to be mute again... so I cannot prevent you from doing as you want...’