You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 407

Silence was maintained by the crown prince after the cutting answer of the princess...

"..."

... Which I respected since it didn’t seem like my mute self should even try intervening when it came to these two.

"Lady Marianne, shall we go inside? If we stay here for too long, the Duke will start missing our presence."

"He can wait a little longer."

"So it is only to Lady Marianne you will show respect today?" — Judgemental, Princess Jasmine lifted her brow as her arm was already locked with mine. Having her own considerations after sharply staring at the Prince. — "Hmph. Of course not. Therefore, let us go. We ought to pay our respect to the celebrated. He was kind enough to invite us personally don’t you know?"

"!?" — ’Huh? Wait why-’

"Let us go together, lady Marianne."

"! Wait."

"... What is it?" — The Princess said as she halted our steps since we started moving at her force... without him in our company. Which wasn’t really... what we wanted to be honest.

"... Lady Marianne’s escort is I."

"And so? You should join our walk then. Do not stay behind now... Unless you intend on letting us lose face before those we came to visit, if so do remain here, Brother."

’!? Hey! But we-We can wait for him~~! Really~~’ — Being dragged again by the princess who didn’t care about anything, we glanced back at the crown prince who was left behind sighing frustrated, meeting our gaze as his first step was given...

"..."

’! Gosh!! See??! D*rn princess!!’

The butterflies that had only enjoyed of a little break thanks to the princess’ interruption... the first one we would have during this Ball was violently lit since within its whole... that wonderful smirk he gave us as he followed our path was the smallest of the many exciting actions he would do for us tonight.

*******

My attention was not entirely focused anymore on the beautiful place we were in.

The man that was following us was now standing right by our side, pressuring our conscious with his prominent stance.

His arm felt the hottest even if away from us since it had not been offered back to us, solely because the Princess had me clutched in her grasp and at such... he couldn’t really offer it.

We were announced just as if it was a Royal Ball, and we paced into the hall, finding sight of the new Duke Noverrne surrounded by nobles, who even so left those many so a greeting would be given to us.

So clean and tidy as the second male lead was, he came to us, standing tall and admirable, severe... as only he could be while appearing kind of nice.

"Crown Prince and Princess, having you here at this humble celebration is an honour to our household. My deepest appreciation for assisting even as I am aware of your tight schedule."

"We could not have missed it. A Duke for our Empire is a valuable part of its prosperity. Instead, we are regretful for, sadly, the second prince could not attend alongside us."

"Having thee is already a great honour, your Highness, Princess Jasmine." — Bowing deeply to the Princess who answered, the little-... ahem, the Duke then raised his brow to glance at the Crown Prince who responded aloof to the cue to initiate conversation. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Congratulations."

"My appreciation."

"..."

It was awkward to witness, but still understandable. Male lead and second male lead... rivalry is deeply sowed there... Right in their character’s cores.

"... Lady Marianne, Ninth. Having you here... I am hopeful it is because your health has been recovered as you expressed in your letter."

’! Oh... Hehe~ Yes, actually I-’

"Were that not the case, I assure you, Duke Noverrne, my lady would not have assisted this event."

The Crown Prince’s quick answer on my behalf of was clearly... not nice. His coldness was palpable in his tone, just as I used to imagine it was while I read it in the original book.

Therefore, I stared, quietly... (I didn’t have much choice in that though), keeping my thoughts shut for a second because it wasn’t polite in a way.

I saw from the edge of my eye how the princess sighed as if she saw that coming and then I looked at the duke, who answered calmly to Kinky’s hostility... talking to me instead.

"... My Lady Marianne, have you not brought your stack?"

’?? Hm? I-it’s right here...’ — Looking for my post-it notes I answered with a gesture, making him continue to speak with an answer.

"So you have brought it with you. I was wondering if his highness was to be your interpreter today as he answered in your stead. Were that the case it would trouble me for I wished to converse with you."

’Uh... yes... But dude don’t be so blunt...’

"I may as well become her interpreter if my lady so kindly wishes for it. However, what is there for you to converse with the lady that such a comment came out of your mouth? Is it perchance something I cannot listen to? Hah!... It cannot be. Right, Duke?"

’!? Dude! Not you too!?’

"... Crown Prince. Lady Marianne is the Ninth Calla’s confidant. Such is enough a motive to bring anyone’s interest for further conversation with the lady. Nonetheless... even with that being the case, is his highness reticent on letting the lady converse with myself? Is there a reason behind this strict manner you are showing towards her freedom which I am not aware of?"

"...."

"Is there?"

"At times when it comes to Lady Marianne, I am to become strict as you mention. Duke." — Seemingly indifferent to the silence we were making as the two went head-on into an apparently controlled discussion, the crown prince said after giving me a glance, which was met by my stunned wide eyes since it was getting more and more complicated an exchange the more was implied by the Duke.

Solely maintaining himself firm yet wearing a severe expression I had forgotten was his original before others, then the crown prince added. — "You say you sent a letter inquiring on her health? Am I correct?"