You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 419

"... I am not a child anymore..." — Discreet he sighed in a soft pout.

"You aren’t. You have grown too tall for me to not need your aid now."

"... Mother, do go rest."

"... I know... I only wanted to at least hold your hand as if we danced tonight, my dear." — Stroking his embarrassed cheek, Norma chuckled. Turning around to enter her chambers as her offspring persisted. Although not forgetting to tell her following instructions. — "... Since you find that young lady pleasant... invite her to a short piece."

"... What?"

"You still have to dance with someone tonight. Or did you think if it wasn’t with myself then you wouldn’t need to dance?"

"..."

"She’s the Ninth, she’s Orland’s daughter, and most importantly, unlike with many, you are not as uncomfortable around her as you are with those you have danced before... Tonight, you should remain comfortable... And furthermore... continue as composed before those who want to probe your temper." — Knowledgable of the displeasure that was inundating her child before meeting his gaze at the Ball, Norma told with the clarity of her brown hues how no detail could be missed from her sight. Letting Clemente remain quiet for she could understand this blatant honesty was unexpected by her gentle son. — "Go back to your guests, the pieces will not begin if the celebrated one is not the one to start the dances. Such was my and your Father’s instruction. Good night, dear."

"..."

"My answer?"

"..... Good Night, Mother..."

Clemente stood before the door until it cleanly closed its gap, staring at it for a split second before veering around on his feet to go back to the Hall as she had told him to.

Blank mind was taking over any overthinking his reasoning could entail in. His mother’s knowledge about what Clemente believed she had not witnessed had been conveyed as mistaken. Therefore, Clemente’s being only accepted such for nothing else was there for him to tell if Norma was already aware of the occurrence, hence, after the man of celebration entered once more the Hall he had left with his Mother, his eyes quickly began to search for the lady she had so strictly suggested for a dance.

’... Over there.’ — He thought once her beautiful stream of hair was spotted. Stepping forward, to do as told.

Walking through the crowd, he bowed to those who greeted him once more, and as he closed onto the lady’s whereabouts... a thought of himself made him nervous.

’... Last time, I was not able to request a dance...’ — Clemente inwardly whispered as he recalled how at the Summer Ball his intention was interrupted by a Crown Prince. — ’Hopefully... she will accept this invitation.’

Coming closer, the Duke of Sylfinnier and his daughter came to stand before him. And standing stiff before both, it was Orland’s warm character who welcomed Clemente to their company.

"Duke Noverrne, you are here. These delicacies have us delighted tonight may I say."

"... That is a pleasure to hear, my Lord. Our guests’ enjoyment is what makes this ball worth it."

"Haha, then I am to inform you, that your household has succeeded. Marianne has been praising your surname for every taste she gets to enjoy."

’Yup! A total success this is, Duke Noverrne. You nailed it with this table. Long live Noverrne.’ — Nodding satisfied and in agreement, Marianne met Clemente’s gaze with pure thoughts. Inciting him to follow conversations so his intention could be told quickly.

"Being the Lady who agrees, it makes me even more pleased with our choices... Thank you for your compliments."

"It is us who should thank your invitation, Duke Noverrne." — Orland said with kind politeness. Remaining silent just as Clemente did for a moment in which he prepared to bluntly tell his purpose.

"... Your Grace, it may be sudden to say this, yet there is something I approached you for."

"?? What would that be?"

"...."

’?? Why’s he looking at us Marianne?’ — Following the conversation unfolding before her eyes the chosen child thought as Noverrne came back to meet her anthracite gems, blinking curious to learn what was to come out from the one she knew as the "Second Male Lead" in a book of her past.

"Although permission is to ultimately be granted by Lady Marianne, I also wish for your approval." — Clemente bowed respectfully, turning his body to solely face the Ninth, unfolding his limb to offer his hand in a polite petition. — "Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars... if it is not a problem for yourself, I would like to ask your hand to join me in the piece that will start tonight’s dances."

"..."

"..."

The Father and daughter shared a glance, both as surprised. Unaware of the many eyes that were as stunned by the scene the Duke had allowed in his Title celebration.

*******

’Now what a... sudden honour this is........ surely.’ — I thought while trying not to narrow my eyes out of suspicion, because even if he was nice to talk to, to ask for a dance immediately after he came back was a little bit weird...

Weird in the sense he obviously had decided it beforehand... Which is not bad but it still gave me an odd sensation.

I glanced once more at the mister trying to see if I would have his approval was I to agree... And I saw it all... the scary transition from restraining his urge to slap away the poor Clemente’s hand... to the quick change into a nice smile. One he usually feigned when he actually disliked something.

"... If you are inclined to accept I will not oppose, sweetie." — He said... making me have the brief impulse to deny this invitation for the sake of Clemente’s and our well-being... But aside from jokes...

The dances of tonight were something Marianne and I had been impatient for from the very beginning. A promise with the crown prince had been made after all... and now that the second male lead had approached us to invite us to dance the starting piece...