You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 422

’Sigh... Alright, I’ll go... that kind of stare I can recognise it... I know it a little too well, Mister.’ — I answered with a little reluctance on the inside, recalling the times my mom in my past life had dedicated it to me... only that in the mister it didn’t have as frustrating an effect my mom used to.

It was the "go make some friends" kind of stare. And fair enough, the mister was right. I should start opening my horizons here. Connections are important in my situation and I also have a small business I have to continue promoting, all with the purpose of buying my troops some good desserts and ensuring the best security for my precious self in this dangerous place.

Madame Fannie Moody is already making arrangements to sell them at her boutique... but besides the product, I should also help with publicity.

Smooth compliments came and go with the ladies, making sure they would somehow lead to their jewellery so mine could be talked about. Most were of our age... Marianne’s... or at least they appeared to be since their energy was different to the one I imagined a twenty-eight-year-old lady to have in this setting.

Compliments are nice. I’ve come to like being a quiet person since with these women conversations kept going without much of my intervention and in very flattering ways.

They were adolescents... ones kept in their houses most of the time and dreaming about the life they would live as noblewomen... therefore, it was understandable I slowly came to see them as excited parrots.

’... what a gift they have...’ — I told Marianne while I lost track of what they were even saying since there was so much input from the girls.

Even so, it felt nice... Erna and Estelle, Lady Felicia’s granddaughters were truly pleasant to talk to since they had a more composed attitude than the others. But even though they tried engaging further in conversation with us more than any other, I felt as if I was seeing a small part of my youth while watching the group of young girls...

Like I did in the past, I was still the one who watched and was lost about the conversation, but nonetheless, it was nice to see it from more of an adult perspective now.

’They are cute... they are still innocent... I wonder how they’ll be in a few years from now lol’ — I told Marianne inwardly, smirking since it was funny to let the darkness of an adult come out at times like these.

But thinking about what happened later, I now wonder if it was that darkness I allowed myself to spill through my pores that summoned real darkness to appear.

Either way, it wasn’t anything new to our reality. Being here in this perfect place, separated from anyone who would get in his way... it was obvious that the psycho brother would take the chance and finally take away the peacefulness of a good night.

"Marianne! My sister...!" — I heard from behind. Sending an immediate shudder down my spine as I closed my eyes since I needed to hide how I rolled them frustrated at this predictable scene.

’Haaaaaaah..... Even if he tried he would never sound less creepy.’ — I thought before making ourselves turn around to meet the ashy hair that he placed into shame while the intense gold of his eyes fell heavy on ours. — ’... damn it... I can’t tell what he’s thinking when smiling like that...’

Thankfully, there was still some distance between us, but it was right after our gazes met that he decided to shorten it. Walking straight towards us as if nothing mattered anymore.

Smiling as if innocent he reached us... making us stiffen instantly since his arms without hesitation came to wrap us in a hug I did not think would come this shamelessly.

"Oh, Marianne... dear sister... how I’ve missed you..."

"....."

"You look so stunning... This dress... Your beauty... How have you been? Hm? I..." — Still in his one-sided hug, the warm way he was talking with suddenly lowered in menacing sense. My body which somehow had forgotten the fear he naturally provoked did not know what to do with itself for a moment at the unexpected action he chose.

I was simply frozen in place... becoming more statuesque the more I became conscious of his body touching mine... while I could also tell there was menace in the seemingly nice things he continued to say.

"I’ve been waiting, Marianne... to see you and hear from you... Did you know that?"

’N...no... I...’

"I am sure you are aware."

"..."

"What good relationship they have~" — Forgetting there were people watching us, the mumblings I tried to make sense of in my head stopped, unable to glimpse back at the young ladies whom I heard say such a horrible thing so ignorantly.

Paul wasn’t hugging me now. He had separated slightly to look me in the eye while acting weird as he’s used to, but even then his hands had good grasp of my arms... such a good grasp that after squeezing them, conveying some kind of anger, he stroked my skin... repulsively careful...

"... Ladies, do excuse my interruption. Having found my dear little sister I could not resist the impulse to come greet her."

"Oh, good young Lord Paul, please do not excuse yourself before us. It is truly heartwarming to see the wonderful bond you share with Lady Marianne." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"It is noticeable in our eye that the Sylfinnier’s household not only possesses honour but also continues to value their family’s bond."

"... You are truly kind to say so, ladies. Regardless, did my intrusion get in the way of your conversation? Marianne, were you in the middle of something?"

After misleading the women with false manners, Paul asked... slipping his hand behind my back... annoyingly and disgustingly so that I had to control the shivers from showing themselves.

I was thinking of denying what he asked, trying to remain calm at the same time, but then the ladies around us decided to answer in my stead.

"Oh, we were only talking about tonight’s wonderful ambience. The lady’s taste in garments is truly a delight for the eyes, fufufu~"

"Did you ladies get a chance to witness her dance with the Duke, her admirable father? I was aghast at the fabric’s aid to her already marvellous elegance."