You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 446

Sudden weariness was heavily felt by his whole body as the needed hope allowed some relief in his being. Welcoming it as Zeleskiaz took a second to feel the conflicting emotions, deeply... determining himself to not drown in these suppositions.

’Whatever may be... my love was also suffering...’ — He thought gaining the impulse to finally stand. — "If this is what I hope... I will not allow you to suffer. Much less because of misconception..."

Ready to go in her search his first step halted. Glancing again at the misplaced stain on his blouse.

"Tsk!"

Unnerved, his hand lifted and ripped the corrupted fabric off his blouse, dropping it as if putrefied, looking thoroughly yet speedy his entire self to get rid of any other place that could have been disgraced by that other woman. Making sure no forced hint of Karina would remain in himself... for solely Marianne’s he was to be...

’I have to find her. We need to talk... We need to talk about everything we couldn’t before.’

Rushing through the corridors he knew Marianne had to follow given the direction she took, Zeleskiaz started to concentrate so his instincts and skills would help his search to end sooner. However, the more he moved and advanced... the more he lost sense of her being.

"... Where is she...? I cannot find her aura... not even her scent can I find..." — Immediate concern started to grow up from his very stomach, unsettling his vessels and mind.

His ultramarine hues deepened in their fiery red, now looking for those who were to watch and protect her from a distance while hiding in the shadows... However, again... — "... None is near... I can’t find a speck of them either!"

Zeleskiaz’s concern solidified at the oddity of the situation. He could find many others inhabiting the grounds of the Palace yet nowhere could he trace the one he desperately wanted to find.

The Prince’s strides started to search every hallway he crossed as well as every door and column... Calling for her as no hint could be found.

"L-Lady Marianne?!... My Lady are you around?!"

"..."

"Lady Marianne?!"

"?... What happened, Your Highness? Are you also looking for the Ninth?"

"... Why are you looking for her? Did you see her?"

"I did... she was unwell... I am looking for her since her demeanour was concerning-"

"Where did you see her?! I cannot find her! Where was the last place you saw her, Clemente!?"

Baffled by the demeanour the Crown Prince also showcased, Clemente looked at Zeleskiaz’s appearance... keeping silent to ponder the words he would say at what he could suspect.

"... Did you do something to the Lady? What is this appearance you carry? It is no wonder she was so affected-?!"

"I never would do anything to Marianne. Cut your tongue and let it rot before spouting b*llsh*t, f*cking Clemente." — Pushing him off balance after taking him by the collar, Zeleskiaz swallowed the rage Noverrne’s comment provoked to focus on his surroundings again, sniffing the colourless air... missing her whole existence. — "She’s not here... I can’t find anything to lead me to her..."

"Whichever the case... She should not be far. It hasn’t been long before we separated."

"... I can sense a hint of her brother... even that disgusting woman... Yet why can’t I find her?!"

"?! Wait, I already searched that way!"

"Yet I haven’t! Don’t get in my way with your idiocy! Something’s obviously amiss! Never have I lost every lead to her being!" — Turning to face Clemente who followed behind him, Zeleskiaz broke in concern... for she had completely disappeared from his skill and beastly nature’s senses. — "... You don’t understand..."

"..."

"She could be in danger..."

"Don’t you recall I am also helping the Duke? I certainly understand."

"You don’t. If you did... even if it maddened me, you would have followed her properly when you saw her un-... well..." — Suddenly, a little heaviness lifted from upon them, making the heated men meet stunned gazes as both felt the veil be lifted... One they had not noticed falling upon them.

"Was that... a forvirring veil that just lifted?"

"... I can feel a trail of her scent now..." — Both shocked, swallowed... Remaining frozen until Zeleskiaz instructed without space for any delay. — "Bloody hell... Go back to the hall and get the Duke. I’ll follow the trace."

"... tsk."

The stomps he gave in a rush were enough for Clemente to simply follow the Crown Prince’s orders... and following the trace, Zeleskiaz arrived at the spot where no more of her could be found. His eyes looked everywhere in the desolated corridor finding a few strands of her hair lying on the carpet where her brother had diminished her power... as well as small gems he had seen decorating her wondreous dress.

"..."

Appalled by the sight, Zeleskiaz lowered himself to the floor to pick up the pieces and carefully hold the strands of hair... frightened for it was everything he could recognise of her existence even with the skills and beastly senses he inherited.

— She’s... not gone... khkhu... —

He heard the deity tell his soul. Making him swallow up the fright to take action.

Meanwhile, as the Duke of Noverrne rushed to Orland’s presence, Zeleskiaz now rushed to his bureau and chambers. Searching in the first one for the right hand he had prohibited to meet Marianne out of selfishness so no more peace would continue in this palace.

The thunderous opening of the doors made Biel jump from the nap he had accidentally fallen into and he who could not permit any delay, came quickly to stand before him. Taking the tribal poniard he once took away from the lost beloved to halt any stupid babbling the right hand could utter.

"Uh?! Huh? Wha-"

*Shwing!*

"-t...? H-Hello, Your Highness...?"

"Wake your ar*e up."

*Gulp*

"Prepare men and their weapons. We’ll head out now."

"Huh? Why-"

"Do it quick, I’ll go for my weapon and join you after taking care of something."

"?? Wait, at least explain what’s going on! Did the war with Latrishk break already-"

"Marianne’s nowhere to be found. We’ll go in her search. Is that enough explanation?"

"??? Wait, but, how-"

"I don’t fucking know!! Stop asking sh*t that’ll make me lose it, Biel! I’m this close to killing every single soul in this cursed Palace!!"