You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 402

A short pause was taken by Paul, who scoffed before replying to the duke.

"Hah. If she had been at our household, I would have never lost sight of her. And yet, after staying here with knights and everything the Emperor’s guard should give for her safety, Marianne now even flinches at Theressa’s concern."

’... ugh... weirdo-’

"I am sure you would have never lost sight of her. Your concern almost appears obsessive at times, Paul." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"... She’s my sister."

"Indeed, your SISTER. And I am her father. Quit being intrusive in my decisions as her parent."

’..... d-dude... that’s too blunt, but...’ — I thought, staring at my hand that Paul was starting to squeeze making it hurt. Clearly upset at the truth the mister was throwing at him. Invoking nauseating sensations in me since his fingers sinking into my skin felt horrible as I could feel his body’s heat was also being transmitted. — ’ugh... please, enough already... can’t you let go?’

"Intrusive? Does that mean I am to not care anymore what happens to her? Has it come to be that Father does not even wish to hear the opinion of those we care about Marianne?"

"Maybe."

"... Hah. Unbelievable-"

"Yet more than that, it is that it is difficult to trust a child that does not fulfil his tasks because he is too concerned about a sister that is away."

"?! I am fulfilling my duties!"

’Agh! Come on, can’t you let go while you fight??!’ — I practically whined inside for he had stood without letting go. And I think I failed to hide my discomfort at his touch and sudden motion, because probably, my face was showcasing my disgust to some point since little after I desperately requested this in the secrecy of my thoughts even as Paul tried to persuade him, the mister did not pay attention to it and instead told Paul to take some distance.

"First of all, let go of the hand of your sister."

"An order now?"

"With all the concern you say you have, that is no way to handle her. Discussing this before her is more harmful than helpful. Had I known you had yet to learn how to control your behaviour I wouldn’t have allowed your presence."

"Allow?... Are you truly-"

"Uhm! F-father... why are you talking like that to Brother Paul...? His and our concern are the same..."

"That I would also like to know." — Paul said, reluctant to let go and adding to Theressa’s intervention. — "His Grace only goes against me lately."

"... Paul..." — Coming our way this time, the duke even made us feel the fright. since his hand brushed off Paul’s from mine to make him pull away and then simply say what I would call a threat. — "Don’t act as if you don’t know. It’s clearly not me who is against you. Know your place brat. You have no right to try going against me."

"..."

"Theressa, your brother hasn’t been acting properly. You well know such behaviour I dislike. And even if the concern is the same the actions differ."

"! ah... yes."

"Are you taking it out on Theressa now?" — Then the Duchess said. — "It is obvious the source of this mood you have is not because of Paul and her."

"You are correct, Elenaide. It’s because of every single one of you." — Tired, then the duke said. giving me back our hand, gently, while I simply stared at the whole scene not knowing what to do since everything escalated without me noticing. — "You said you wanted to see Marianne yet all you do is talk what will cause discomfort... I’m sickened of how selfish you are."

"... We cause discomfort?"

"Dare debt it Elenaide, or is it you already forgot my warning?"

"....."

The Duke had dismissed everyone after that.

I remained quiet as I saw him fall on the chair, taking his head in both hands, obviously exhausted... and sad from the confrontation he governed.

"... Marianne... I am sorry, sweetie... things shouldn’t have turned like this..." — His sorry expression hurt until today that I recall. And yet even as I pitied the situation he was facing, the interaction made me aware that there was roughness that only became stronger the more absent I’ve been from home.

It was after I shook my head and tried to comfort him that the duke asked about the things that happened to us. Attempting to get it out of the matter we had to talk about.

"Marianne, I know it may be unsettling to recall... much more after this scene we have shown you... yet I will need you to tell me everything you can remember from the attack... From how, where, who... everything you can remember, please tell me so some hint is discovered to investigate your attacker."

"..."

The moment I took was spent to get my head out of the blank.

Before, I would have probably hidden the fact that someone resembling Theressa approached me or I would have not told what the monster said from the very start... but that time I didn’t only tell him everything, but I also told him the time I encountered something similar at the festival.

The fact that I thought the treasure was helping me survive was also written on my notes which I ended up giving him so he could read them again if needed... and in the end... nothing was questioned. What I was telling was simply considered as the whole truth... my apologies for not telling him before also were conveyed... And finally...

"I understand." — The mister said. — "It doesn’t matter that you didn’t tell me before... You telling me now is good enough, Marianne... Everything... I will sort it out so this person who is haunting you won’t reach you again. What you have gone through is more than I would have ever feared you would have to overcome... I am... I am deeply sorry my dear child..."

His hug came as I was waiting it would... and we felt the most relieved after what felt like an eternity.