Chapter 598: Chapter 598
’D*mn it, Orland... you sentenced both of us!! Why can’t you behave when it’s about the cute child, huh?!? Bloody a*se! F*ck*ng du*ce! I’m in trouble now, bloody hell!!’
’Kh! It’s my fault, alright!? How was your wife able to come down so fast without us noticing, anyway?! And how does she know about Elenaide and I?! You a*se, what did you tell your wife!?’
’What’s with the glare now-!?!!’
"What is it? You cannot find the Duchess in the crowd that you look at my husband so much?? I can help you if you want... She is right over there, your Grace... waiting patiently for you... do you see? At THAT table..."
’Tsk! Go! Go, now!! Save yourself, Orland!! She’s actually giving you a chance!’ — Already accepting his destiny, too aware of the likes and dislikes of his wife, François’s expression while blue by the reproaches he would receive later, tightened desperate while Ingrid nicely with threatening tone showed the Duke of Sylfinnier where to retire immediately.
"Uh- ah... S-so there she was, haha~ I guess I was not searching correctly... ahem. W-We shall meet again back at the table then, your Majesties..." — Orland said, understanding his friend’s wide gaze and alarmed by the Empress’s character he, not as often, yet had experienced in the past because of an impulsive friend, knew was better to avoid at all costs, proceeded to leave behind the Emperor to fend for himself as he joined his own wife... Solely to continue to observe in her rough silence the dance of their daughter.
"... I will join the watch from the table." — He said while taking a seat. His eye only glanced at her who returned the words and approach with a dry attitude as a greeting, making the duke’s head ache horribly; too conscious of the rough relationship they had turned into after facing their children’s troubles and Elenaide was adamant in emphasise at every chance.
’Haaa... Good lords in Izeneya... Grant myself patience...’ — Orland closed his eyes in pain to be around his difficult wife. Sighing to himself as he tried to concentrate on his daughter’s dance again. Feeling saddened for the ambience his partner incited, was bitter and unbecoming. — ’Maybe Ingrid’s mock and insults would have been better... I cannot feel at ease when Elenaide’s despise is so obvious...’
His eyes followed his daughter for a tad so as to gain some peace of mind with how graceful and enthralling she had become, noticing in the crowd how a young and esteemed duke also watched with a complicated expression his daughter’s dance while accompanied by the lady Orland had met at a birthday’s celebration.
’... Clemente is also having a tough time it seems...’ — He sighed sorry for the young Noverrne who frowned stoically with a glass that could not satisfy his dislike. Also catching a glimpse of the attentive eye with which Karina observed Marianne. — ’Having to escort her everywhere must be troublesome even if he’s well mannered... yet what is with that child... she’s being watched by Zeleskiaz’s men... thoroughly at that.’
Curious, Orland was able to quickly identify the men the crown prince had set. Taking a moment to consider many possible reasons... quickly becoming mad about a far-fetched one.
’What’s the meaning of this, you d*mn brat... don’t tell me you are this shameless because your manly hood won’t survive if that’s the case...’
As the Duke of Sylfinnier thought such with murderous instincts, the melody played for the crown prince and his hand’s chosen turned slower with a sound that promised excitement and playfulness, inviting the young ones to join the celebrated pair who were too engrossed in the moment to care about any outsider’s thoughts.
Hence, it was solely those who followed orders and Orland who became curious that saw a young Duke be dragged into the playful dances many other nobles joined by the hand of a persistent and seemingly pure wish of the young lady accompanying him again.
"Let ourselves join them as well, your grace!"
"No. I-"
"Hurry, hurry! We cannot miss this dance!" — Enthusiast Karina smiled as she pulled the unwilling Clemente to join such rushed songs. — "We must join now."
*******
We had our dance; leisurely and closely... intimately as it was the only way for us to whisper some sweet nothings... or perhaps should I say... for my adorable prince to whisper endearing contemplations while he had me in his hands. Refuged in the noise and the importance of this dance spared only for us.
"There are many wishes I would love to fulfil." — He first said leaning over my head before making me swirl under his hand. Addictive in his sound, soft while providing certainty in his eyes. — "Yet I have learned some limits lately... perhaps, this much celebration will suffice today. People’s awareness of our courting could be my reward while honouring limits."
"Pff~..." — I laughed, astonished to hear him say that when there was no sincerity in this "make do" kind of resolution he basically mentioned. For at every time we came closer together by his guide through the piece, his hand would touch myself gently... deliberately making my skin aware that it was yearned by this flirtatious suitor of mine whose touch felt compromised in showing its resistance to lose a graze.
"? Hm. Dare you laugh at me, my Lady?"
"??!" — Suddenly extending his hand we came apart, making me doubt our next steps as the song was slow for us to quickly come closer again... Yet I saw him grin satisfied, probably scheming how we would reunite after we moved around a tad, causing some awe to be heard from the crowd. — ’Haha... isn’t he being too enthusiastic today? How cute can he get~?! Whoa!’
As I almost leisurely believed in this little truce my heart gained with this scheme of his, my arm was suddenly pulled back, stopping this confused body of mine with his ready palm so as to not roughly collide... yet using the chance to still press my being on himself to taunt me... making me conscious of my naivety.
"?!"