Chapter 600: Chapter 600
With red governing his hues as if no hint of ultramarine ever existed in his glint, not moving at all, still and distressingly unwavering... too aware that a simple move could put an end to this accustomed event without any glorious thrill and instead fill its closure with chaos and blood.
"Oh, your highness, do not be so cold~! We are supposed to dance now, come, come- ?!" — Getting her hands pushed away as they tried to grab him, Karina only stepped back; grinning successfully at his dangerous being that looked at her terrifyingly destructive. — "... Does the crown prince plan to become a statue? It will not be good in the eye of the guests... my deAr?!?"
Stopping her hand which wanted to touch his face this time, Zeleskiaz took hold of the woman’s wrist; shaking her brusquely, looking into her eyes with wrath showing up through his skin, power and menacing aura.
"I’ll kill you."
"..."
"I’ll feed you to the lowest and foulest beasts. Cut you bit by bit while still alive so you can see it. They’ll drink your blood as your life ends. Heinous f*k*ng wh*re."
"... Are you sure?" — She asked as if indifferent to his menace. Seeing how their meeting would end fast as she expected given Clemente’s previous reluctance. Hence, Karina felt confident... smiling as she got closer again to provoke him. — "You will ruin this day only for me? Do it fast or else you will let me live again today, just like every other time... You will excuse yourself again because in truth... you would never kill myself... dearest lover."
Silence governed his mind when noise was everywhere solely because of the excruciating storm desiring carnage. Zeleskiaz’s force was fully placed on the grip he still had on his nerves, alerting those who could sense the sudden quiet his aura had summoned at the struggle in deathly promise for bloodshed.
"!? Your Highness, Crown Prince!" — Clemente, only a few steps away called. Moving Marianne hurriedly to stand in front of himself, hoping it would calm the madness even if slightly aggravated by it. — "It’s time to return our partners, don’t you think?"
"..."
"Your Grace, you have returned so quickly." — Freeing herself, Karina went to Clemente, who stepped away as she wanted to force closeness. Taking her by the arm to flee as fast as they could since the brazen woman’s actions could be fatal if not. — "Oh! W-wait! Haha~ We shall dance more next time, Your Highness ~!"
"..."
Zeleskiaz watched her intently as she moved away outrageously confident in her happiness, feeling strongly the emptiness of his hand... as he only tried to make sense of what this all was about.
Marianne, in the meantime, stared at him... also confused for the man continued to stare at the track the duke and lady took... coming to a determination after a moment of contemplation.
’They were holding hands weren’t they?...’ — She thought, for she saw how the woman released herself before going with Clemente. Closing her eyes as she shook the unnecessary ideas. — ’Tsk! It does not matter either way... She’s now far like we agreed with his grace. I should talk his highness back into himself for now... if I actually can...’
Moving to stand in front of him, Marianne knew she could only gesture or write for communication at this time. Ultimately deciding to use her touch to bring the man’s attention back to her. Lifting her hand to place it on the hand he held up... to be quickly avoided as he noticed her intention.
"?! Do not!" — He said, surprising her and hurting Marianne without realising it beforehand. Reacting instantly as he saw the disbelief in her anthracite. — "I have her filth... I cannot let you be smudged..."
"..."
She understood his meaning after a while. The dread in his being had been dismissed as he was now near the beloved to his soul and softness was newly found in his gaze and demeanour the more she stayed in his view. The change caused her to sigh as the difference was astonishing... for a few moments before he could have scared the gods into giving up their divinity and yet now he appeared a lovely beast, lost in wishes to be pampered by its owner.
Nevertheless, even as she understood, her wish to hold his hand would not retreat at this kind of reticence. Therefore, she picked the handkerchief in his vest. Delicately laying it on his hand so as to cover the filth he believed to have. Grasping its shape tightly, with intertwined fingers as she smiled at the down, bewildered man.
’Now it should be fine. Isn’t that right, my prince?’ — Hoping he would read the sweetness in her eyes, Marianne gracefully admired him, caressing the man’s limb as he usually would whenever her heart fell in distress. Producing troubled delight in his core... for the guilt of staining her even slightly was restraining Zeleskiaz from finding consolation from the beloved Marianne.
"... I should make someone burn this thing later." — He said, sorry for her gentle solution. — "... It may not be the right time to tell this truth, yet... you arrived at the right time, my lady..."
"..."
"If not because I promised..."
’Yes... I could see it was not looking good, haha...’
"Either way, all I can say is that there is something odd with that woman."
"..."
"Avoid ever being on your own with her, my lady." — Thinking on the short exchange, Zeleskiaz’s severity enhanced... much more as he caught a glance of how carefree Karina behaved after interfering with their delight.
*******
We did not manage to get a moment alone to talk further after that. His warning truly alarmed me since I believe the crown prince would not have said that if not concerned about what could happen. However, the song we were dancing to ended soon after, making the next part of the oficialitiation commence since it was all about the famous activity the guests were by far more excited about.
"I wonder who may receive confessions today. These many fair ladies are drinking tea in this garden. Who may be the ones picked and mistaken for flowers? Huhuhu~" — Now the ladies said bashfully, chatting with each other, waiting for the men to come back from their mission and look for their desired woman’s appreciation.