You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 383

"Haaah... what a bother this is..." — Irritated by the sudden difficulty, she sighed heavily. Ironing the front of her skirt with tired hands as she pondered once again on the many uncertainties she had in mind about the sister she was to look for.

’... It could be that she simply was mad at what happened... If I were her... what happened yesterday would have annoyed me too...’ — Theressa conceived. Still unconfident for the beliefs instilled in her from a young age clashed against those new ones the little time spent with said sister developed.

"..."

The neighbouring path and tents framing it were briefly observed by an unconvinced girl, who now attempted to find a hint of which direction to take to find Marianne’s whereabouts.

’... Yet how can I be sure that mother is mistaken?’ — Sad, the girl’s eyes looked down at her unbudging feet that had yet to take the first step. — ’That day... I heard her voice... why she said no... or why she trembled while holding me strongly... I cannot seem to understand why.’

The many thoughts induced a conflicted headache and eventually, impulsed her feet to move for something to be done in sight to clear her doubts.

’If Mother is mistaken... only if I truly become closer to her I shall learn it.’ — Decided, she commenced to pace through the established road. Holding hopes that if her mother was mistaken... — ’And if I am correct... perhaps... Sister could aid me to win his love...’

Certain that the kindness of her sister would be vast if her beliefs were correct, Theressa held strong optimism that the gentle Marianne in her visible amiability with the Crown Prince would provide the help a younger sibling needed to find happiness. Ignorant of the apparent attraction the Prince and the sibling held for one another.

With determination in her steps, her gaze searched for the reddish brown stream of hair Marianne flaunted, without results as the sister was nowhere near to be found.

"Where on earth did she disappear to?" — Holding to the skirt she raised so her walk would not tangle, Theressa gasped tired of searching, not allowing her concern to be told even as her chest wavered to the worry.

People were around. Knights and servants of the Empire wandered carefree in the camping site. Therefore, wishing to get a hint of Marianne’s whereabouts, one of the distinguished knights was approached.

"Greetings Good Sir." — She commenced, standing prominently. — "May I inquire if you have perhaps caught sight of my Sister, Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier?"

"Greetings to the young lady... Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier? That is no less but the Precious Ninth am I correct?"

"Yes."

"... Hey! Have you seen the Ninth anywhere near?" — Void of a satisfying reply the Knight immediately asked one of his fellow men.

"? No. She has not come this way at the very least. Has something happened?"

"Ah... I apologise, Young Lady, it appears to be the case the Ninth has not come this way."

"... I see..."

"Is something the matter? Did something happen to our Precious Calla’s Confidant??" — Becoming alarmed at the moment of pondering Theressa took to answer, the Knight inquired concerned. Receiving a quick response from the young lady.

"! Oh, no... No, it is not anything to worry about. I shall look somewhere else. Thank you good Sir." — In hast, Theressa walked away from the site, commencing to craft true worry as none of those she asked later for Marianne had a clue of her location.

’Where is she?! How come no one has seen her??’ — Stopping for a moment as she had gone around without pause, the young Sylfinnier gasped tired of her walk. — ’... Has something truly happened?... D-did she faint somewhere no one has seen??’

"..." — The men she had previously asked were glanced at again. Causing her concern to settle as true worry. — "I should tell someone. Something might have happened to her."

"Tell what."

"!?"

"I saw you from afar but... what is this you’re saying, Theressa? What happened to who?"

"Paul?? Wh- what are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at the hunting grounds at this time??" — Surprised by the sudden appearance of her Brother, Theressa jumped. Trying to control the chaos in her voice as she knew the man was sensible when it came to their sibling.

"... I decided to come back and get a bow and another knife to hunt. Using a sword all the time isn’t that wise... Yet you haven’t answered. Why are you here? Who were you talking about."

To the coldness of the golden hues they shared Theressa swallowed nervously after catching a glimpse of the sword on his waist, clearly used to earn hunt.

The awareness of the child was such that she knew the notice could enrage the brother.

At her father’s good care and more so by her sister’s petition after the day her hand harmed Marianne’s, Theressa was protected from the older sibling, although not as thoroughly for the threat of his presence was efficient enough for her to learn there was animosity held towards her person by Paul. Being this moment... the first encounter she had with the sole brother.

Hence, at the intensity of his stare, the youngest thought carefully of what to say... for she knew an angered Paul was not to be in her favour... for once, when his wish to separate Marianne from every other by breaking her spirit had started, Theressa had experienced the disturbed sibling’s violence after she physically retaliated against the mute Marianne.

"... I was searching for our sister."

"..."

"I cannot find her... No one has seen her."

"... Really? No one?" — Calm as if not interested, Paul asked giving a brief look at their surroundings... Although failing to completely hide the hint of satisfaction at the news.

A chill went down the young one’s spine, aware now that Marianne’s disappearance had to do with their brother.

"... Paul... is this your doing?... Where is sister Marianne?"

"... I wouldn’t say it’s my doing." — Nonchalant to the accusation the man looked directly into the suspicious glare of his little sister. Telling with unalterable calmness an unsettling matter. — "As far as I know... Theressa... It is you who might come out as the culprit."