CHAPTER 659: CHAPTER 659

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’What do I do.’ — Only his own breathing could be heard in the trance he suddenly fell. — ’Should I kill them so I can have her and so the duke won’t know it???’

"Ahem... gosh."

’It might be an extreme measure but... I want to kiss her. I want to devour every little piece of her lovely flesh... s-should I do it?? S-should I take her so there won’t be another escape but immediate marriage?????’ — Losing every bit of sanity, Zeleskiaz’s head became a hurricane with chaotic thoughts.

None of what his Father the Emperor had lectured him about a few minutes ago mattered. Neither did the revolting encounter with a delusional woman. All of his senses pertained to her... to the love he almost turned the Empire into rubble only to have her back in the Palace.

’You are so beautiful... were you as adorable before?? Could it be that my beloved... is what divinity aims for?... pure thoughts... how can I have them when her eyes ignite further what I thought was finally a controlled desire...’

*Gulp*

"My kind prince—"

"Yes?!" — Too excited, Zeleskiaz stepped closer, even making her step back out of surprise. Causing her laughter after seeing the annoyed expression a guard meant for the shadows had.

"... pff... he-um... haha—ahem... um... My prince, do you think I should pay a visit to his Majesty now?" — Acting sweetly, on purpose to see more of this apparently innocent side of him, Marianne asked. Moving endearingly so his hypnotised violet would follow her feminine motion. — "There is not much time left before lunch... what are your thoughts?"

"... my thoughts?" — Blank at the request of his opinion he asked. Knowing well his thoughts should never be told.

"Yes. What would you like to do?"

"... what I would... like?" — Another gulp, this time much hazardous as her innocent tilt, mischievous as she hoped he would lose composure, was inviting the poor and thirsty tamed beast to forget any self-imposed restraint.

"..."

"..."

"... Your highness?"

"Lunch." — As if he had woken up after trailing every inch of her body, he answered conflicted by almost falling prisoner to desire. Alarmed, for at this time it was clear to anyone that the distance had made him weaker to her charm than ever. — "It is best we have lunch. Otherwise, it might become difficult for my lady."

"Indeed... after the long journey, I have become hungry."

"Me too..."

"? That is rare to hear from my prince."

"... I skipped this morning’s meal."

"Oh, that is not good. You must eat properly so your body is healthy."

"..."

"? Is there something wrong?"

"No..." — Hipnotized by the way she leaned over the desk to get the letters on the other side, Zeleskiaz lied, rapted, flabbergasted at everything going through his mind while his body became unable to respond in a lucky strike. — ’Everything is wrong... oh love... m-my love, an animal I am. Insane I have become...’

He knew well the feelings he had for the woman. Nevertheless, while apparent, although the love did not subside, his thoughts were all concerned with losing her like. Therefore... after having her read some of the many letters, after having her smile and return the same grievances he went through, no more concerns were plaguing his being. The only thing left... was loving her as crazily as his soul does.

’How was it that we used to interact??? All I am able to craft are ideas of having her in my arms!!’

"Then it is decided. My prince, is it alright if I take these letters with me?"

"Huh?... o-oh, of course... You are the muse. It is a pleasure for me if my lady finds them worth keeping..."

"Hehe... I want to read them again tonight... so of course they are worth it~"

"....." — ’At night...’

"Alright~ then let us go back to my chambers, I need to leave these at a secure place so I can read them again~ Vitor, Theo..."

"Yes, my lady."

Frozen in place, Zeleskiaz’s mind drifted senseless. Not listening to what an enthusiastic Marianne did while his heart beated drunk with delight.

’Is she a dream?? How is she able to say such a—... am I dreaming?? Should I truly kidnap her so I can finally love all of her???!’

"My prince? Aren’t you coming?"

"... Y-yes."

"We must hurry. It will be our first meal together ever since I left after the autumn ball~"

The scene of Marianne, playful in dulcet sound, somehow could not be more fitting for the woman he is in love with. The image of her being mute resounded and Zeleskiaz’s chest swelled overwhelmed, for she appeared the same... yet her sound made her essence even better than what he met at first.

’A mystic lady...’ — He thought, moved by how her everything was magical to his soul.

Following behind he observed the woman fascinated by the way her movement felt even more melodic, even more lovely while elegant. Her everything made him fall in love over and over with every blink of her eye... Zeleskiaz was possessed once again, numb of thoughts, ensimismated at the art she was. So attracted to what he had missed in this period they were apart that nothing besides loving her governed his mind.

’Soon... I should ask for her hand in marriage soon.’ — The young man thought as the woman carefully saved the letters, gingerly blushed at the watch of her suitor whose devotion trespassed his body in lovesome spirit. — ’If I manage to do well what the emperor asked in return for my menace... then, surely...’

"Um... is it alright if my sister joins us later? I believe she will eventually come searching for me..."

"If it is alright with my lady it is alright with me."

"Hahaha~... it is not completely alright for that to be your logic but... thank you, my prince."

’Surely... I will make you mine, love... oh, entrancing love...’ — The hand he was to place a ring on was observed as if prey by the crown prince, and a grin almost devilish emerged slightly at the thought of having her as the Empress to his side. — ’Marriage... I wanted it but... it seems like it won’t be enough now...’

Little could he prevent what more was to be unveiled. In love with both of them, their passion was now the trouble to convey and detain in such an exhilarated state. Yet just as they wanted to express this compromised devotion, telling in its fullest how it was love what this courtship has actually possessed from the very beginning, claws would interfere. Claws different to Fenrir’s, smaller and as mortal. Claws from a woman whose existence should not be but in the works of darkness came to take what was never hers.