You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 388

The certainty in the prince’s sound was the one Orland recognised, and to his acceptance, a more willing reply was given to the man. — "Yes, I better not."

Nodding aware of the founded reticence the crown prince had, Orland slightly chuckled as he was to walk away. Nonetheless, before peeking back at his daughter for a goodbye, Zeleskiaz stopped him to tell little information.

"That thing... it was begging help from a ’master’... It could be around."

"... Did it say anything else?"

"... No."

"... Alright."

After a pause to watch the man avoid his gaze while waiting for a reply, Orland immediately left the subject. Containing the frustration and turning it into resignation once more, for he had heard clearly unlike the hazy ears of Marianne how the monster was attacked by the mad Crown Prince.

’He didn’t let the thing say a thing... haa... can’t even blame the brat.’ — Frowning as he still could understand the prince’s actions, Orland leaned to inform Marianne of his brief absence. Finally going away to leave the prince and his child on their own. Not completely pleased as his expression twitched with the announcement, which he tried to tell with an appeasing sound for his daughter. — "Marianne, sweetie, the crown prince will stay with you for a moment... I’ll be right back."

’... okay... but... don’t go far...’

More awake after the little exercise had helped her disrupted body slowly go back to a common pace of heartbeat and temperature, Marianne slowly shut her lids in response to the Duke’s words. Coming to look at the prince once open... softly showing a sweet lift of her corners to welcome his closer approach.

’... Zeleskiaz...’ — She said within, glad to be with the prince.

"My lady......! Ah... let me serve you some water." — The heart of the prince was shaken instantly, and noticing the mount was already there, he hurried to get the water hanging to its side.

Wanting to care for the woman as requested by her father he kneeled to be near her height, confused as to how to do so and not making her uncomfortable. — "...Um... I am to lift you slowly... Is it alright?"

"..."

"... Do pardon me..."

Her fond stare was enough of a reply, and almost clumsy, Zeleskiaz helped the lady sit on the grass... Taking the moment while her tremorous hands brought the leather bag to her lips as she drank the water to observe the various injuries left in her fair visage, arms and garments.

Saddened even if they had been cleansed slightly by her father for such wounds did not belong in her gentle and innocent body, as the water helped the throat of the lady, Zeleskiaz softly commenced to talk... Apologetic and regretful of the situation.

"I am sorry, lady Marianne... Had I arrived sooner, these wounds would have never found a place in the lady’s skin..."

His purplish hues had a shade of sadness as they looked at the woman, continuing to support her back with a caring hand while the other stroked a few loose strands of hair to tuck them delicately behind her blushed ear.

In her current state, the care of his hand felt delightful... The haze was still invading her consciousness... and yet, the chosen child purposely tilted her head to let the back of his fingers caress the skin he was hesitant to properly touch; lowering powerless the bag to covey the comfort he couldn’t listen but would feel.

’... Had you... arrived later... you wouldn’t have found me...’ — Recalling the utterings the creature had growled moments before his appearance, Marianne sighed relieved of the outcome. Gaining more colour as she could feel his warmth... that one she also had missed and desired. — ’... we wouldn’t be here... like this, kinky.’

Enchanted even as he felt guilty, Zeleskiaz’s fingers caressed her lovingly, endeared by the sight of his beloved who was always kind to his reproachable performance. Yet even so, falling more in self-reproach, for she was able to forgive what he could not.

However, the subject was one he could not allow himself to mention at this time, for the woman’s little energy was to be protected and nourished with no worrisome matters.

"... Do you wish to lay down...?" — He then asked as he knew the effort raced her breathing.

"..."

"... Lady Marianne?"

Finding himself being stared at without apparent response from her gestures nor the glint of her eyes for an unsettling while, the lady pushed him to ask once more, afraid of the meaning her lack of answer could entail. Troubled also, for he was ignorant of how to take care of an ill person he cared for. — "My lady, do you hear me...? Um... is it a fever? H-how do I..."

’... I hear you...’ — Closing her eyes to the feel of his hand on her forehead, Marianne enjoyed his trouble. Moved by his visible concern, happy to be shown the warmth only he would give to her.

Nonetheless, there was a wish in her that once seeing the mane behind him made her want to tell. And taking a moment to lift her hand and take that clumsy one feeling her temperature, a humble attempt was taken.

— ... back... —

With difficulty, her lips commenced telling without a sound. Yet thankfully, proper enough for him to read them.

— Let’s... go back... —

"... Yet... My lady, are you sure?" — Glancing at the horse, he asked once again, receiving a light nod. — "In your state... Will you endure the move?"

’... Yeah..... Please... take me back... Zel...’

The man’s chest wavered unsure if such was the correct thing to do. However, within the men that had arrived, he could see a discussion was ongoing between the Duke and his son, as well as the absence of the palace’s physician that was probably still far, for the man was meant to remain at the palace as it was an apprentice that was to heal those at the hunting grounds.

’They won’t give as good aid... Going back is best for my lady right now.’ — Zeleskiaz conceived, tracing their surroundings and analyzing the people gathered a few meters away from them.