You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 417
Severe to the carefree talk of the former Duke, Zeleskiaz’s gaze met those of the Son he wanted to support taking a tense moment to scrutinize on his presence that did not hesitate when before him to nonchalantly answer with bare politeness.
"..... I am sure it will be as you say... Sir."
"... It is a must as it will be our duty."
"Indeed. Duty."
’... Oh dear...’ — The former Duke, sighed within, amazed.
It was known by Dolton himself that there was not much admiration in his son towards the heir to the Empire. And the silent glare both shared at the Crown Prince’s agreement made the older man entertained. For even if tense, it was a rivalry he could understand coming from both young men of difficult character... ignoring other reasons.
"Seeing that you agree, I should leave so you two start getting to know each other."
"It’s not-"
"It IS necessary!" — Dolton interrupted the crown prince whose eyes stared at him stunned by his brazen interruption, extracting immediately a nervous chuckle from the former Duke that escaped his ominous mood with charming jokes that did not convince none of the young men. — "Hahaha... Goodness, stiffness between you cannot remain forever, don’t you think so? Therefore have a good talk, young men haha...!"
"..."
The pats Dolton gave the difficult nobles were source of his impulse to hastily leave their presence, rolling his eyes as he walked away in relief... although, with a sensation of doing wrong to his child.
’Sorry son, but the man is threatening... you need to learn how to deal with him like I did with his majesty~’
"..... Your Father’s generation of dukes appear to like interrupting other’s words."
"... an impulse it was." 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
"Surely it was." — Zeleskiaz roughly sighed. Taking a sip from his cup to drive his gaze towards the woman he refused to lose sight of. Taking a moment to ponder, and ask the host what he wanted to know. — "... when are the dances starting."
"... Should not be long before they start... Is His Highness awaiting the pieces?"
"I am. I’ve come to like dancing... Duke Noverrne."
"... How unexpected."
"Unexpected is your lack of awareness."
"? Pardon?" — Clemente, composed yet surprised within told the Prince, wondering if it was truly his ears that failed to listen correctly. However, the harshness of the heir in his presence steadily enhanced... and was not inclined to let his wish to warn the Noverrne’s Duke be untold.
"Listen... I am not to play fools with you. Pay attention to who you must. Don’t lose track of it, Duke Noverrne... I’m only patient right now for I won’t let my fame strengthen in a bad manner anymore. Yet know... your doings and your glances... I dislike them."
"It appears to be some misunderstanding in his Highness’s vision of myself."
"No. There’s no misunderstanding."
"....."
"You... you’re not one who would add an impromptu to a revised speech. Noverrne." — Leaning threatening, Zeleskiaz purposely lightly disarranged the neck of Clemente’s vest. Receiving an immediate glare as he retrieved his hand so the man could sort it back to its rightful place. — "Even to this little thing you pay mind... Yet you turn a blind eye to one I won’t allow you to."
"... You are mistaken."
"I am not."
"You are. Your Highness. I do not need your person to allow anything of my personal choices, including to turn a ’blind eye’ as you say."
"... Hah... You’re as shameless and as reckless as I thought, d*mn idiot."
Annoyed at the thorough opposition to his orders, Zeleskiaz’s eyes flared with displeasure and little patience. The taunt from the new duke was obviously on purpose for not once did his gaze lower in respect to his high position. Conveying with the glance Clemente gave to the woman Zeleskiaz was courting, how little was his care over any threat the crown prince could become.
"I do not believe my decisions are shameless nor reckless in the slightest." — Answering to the controlled yet visibly bothered Zeleskiaz, Clemente did not lower his head before the prince. — "Manners I do have. And I am to honour them even if it is unthought of my person. His highness, however, appears to forget manners before those he finds unpleasant... unlike myself at this very moment."
An intense look in the eyes of the new duke was given by Zeleskiaz, whose jaw suffered from the restrained anger before growling discreetly the notice Clemente was deserving at his taunt.
"... Unpleasantl... certainly you are more than that. Clemente. Yet you are also reckless as I told you... Said manners... I am keeping them right now for if not your household’s ruling would go back to your father tonight after losing his foolhardy heir."
"..."
"I do keep my manners for some people, nonetheless. Be grateful... that today I am not the same as a few months ago solely because of that one you are turning a blind eye for too obviously."
*Crash!*
"..."
"Crave it in your head, this sound and sharp pieces... know what letting this glass break to your feet means, Clemente. Your path to her... I’ll make it so your feet bleed and lose movement because of your mad audacity... Your blood will stain the ground and take your life before you reach her."
*Crack...*
Turning away from the Duke’s presence Zeleskiaz walked away without a hint of the kindness only one lady knew about. Stepping on said pieces of glass without a care. Leaving behind a composed yet unmovable Clemente, who bowed appreciatively to the servants who rushed to clean the sharp pieces of glass the Crown Prince had purposely dropped.
"Oh your Grace, what happened?"
"We heard a glass breaking... my... it has spread to your feet."
"A small accident, that is all. Do not feel concerned, enjoy the ball, lady and good sir." — Proper, Clemente calmed those apparently concerned guests. Pacing to trace the warm ambience the hall had prepared for the celebration, watching the nobles enjoy of their meaningless conversations, looking the way the rough crown prince had walked to find another spot, one much more empty of people while the amiable lady he had been warned for could be appreciated.
