You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 485

With an apparently calm demeanour carrying himself gentlemanly in an appealing outfit, his lids lifted to reply to my father. — "Duke... I was about to knock. I apologise, yet I am as surprised as yourself."

"... Ahem... yes. Uh... do excuse my overreaction... I did not expect your sudden appearance, your highness."

"... It is alright..."

"Marianne." — While I met eye with the crown prince, Dad called my attention. Asking with a slight tilt of his head if my wish differed from the petition I asked the day before... and I peeked at the prince once more, feeling fluttery for the answer differed strongly after a meeting Dad ignored occurred at these clergy chambers last night... and I lowered my head, nodding quietly, hiding my embarrassment, in acceptance of the crown prince’s presence... who was now my suitor. — "I am leaving... However, do be thoughtful as you stay, your highness. My child is still recovering."

"... Yes, your Grace, lose concern... I will be careful towards the lady."

"..."

"... Vitor, I leave it to you." — Dad said as he left, giving such an order to Sir Vitor as he left... and yet, even though the Sir was about to enter my chamber as Dad’s order implied...

"Vitor... could you..." — The crown prince said, giving myself a glance to which I felt like shrinking... aware of what it meant, as it was his way of telling the Sir to remain outside, opposing Father’s instructions.

Sir Vitor glanced at me in silence expecting my approval... and I nodded... ashamed to contradict an order Father had given so quickly. However, as Sir Vitor is, he turned on his feet without opposition, closing the door himself at the petition we had made.

"..."

Instilling this nervous thrill of silence we both held... we were now alone while feeling awkward about what we had agreed... Myself felt tingles numb my tum as it was a great delight I experienced once I noticed my gift decorating the core of his vest... where his heart was near... combining it marvellously with the shades of his clothes that suited him marvellously.

"... Um... Greetings and good morning, My Lady..."

"... Good morning..." — I said timidly trying to control the smile I wanted to show, peeking at him who appeared as shy as myself... warming up with entranced bliss with such simple exchange and causing in myself the wish to tell what made me happy. — "I see his highness is wearing my gift... it suits you, truly..."

"My appreciation... I wanted to wear it as soon as possible."

"His highness looks wonderful with it... it pleases myself."

"... Nonetheless, the lady looks majestic in such dress and shade."

"..."

"... It is good to witness."

To the shivers his compliments provoked, I had to lower my head to hide the delight, feeling the blush give it away anyway, while I felt the fair distance we kept... unfair to my heart.

’Gosh... ~ he’s so dreamy a man~’ — I thought, wanting to relish in the charm, although I knew I could not keep him standing forever. — "Um, your Highness, do come in and take a seat. I will ask Paige to serve you a cup of tea so you may find comfort."

"! Ah, no... It is alright." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Yet... hospitality is a must..."

"I came here to see you, so... That is what you may serve myself with, my Lady." — The limb he had carefully grabbed to stop my steps, was stroked by his fingers as it fell to hold my hand... and a tremble, one sweet and tender to his touch, sound and expression, heated my cheeks further as our fingers intertwined at the cue of his words... closing the distance I wished I had shortened with as smooth gallantry my prince had...

"... Alright." — I said while looking at our hands. Taking his touch with a welcoming grip as his actions warmed my heart up. — "If the crown prince says so, I will forget the tea this once."

"... Haaah..."

"? Your Highness? Is something wrong?"

"My lady... for a moment, the bliss of these hours appeared a dream... gaining this touch it still appears so, although I believe my sanity cannot be as cruel to fake this courtship we agreed to..."

"..."

"I was nervous to wake from it once that door opened, my Lady..."

"... hah...haha~"

"?"

"Your Highness... I was as nervous as yourself..." — I laughed at the adorable things he conveyed, holding his hand in both of mine. Happy that we were experiencing similar trouble at this new start.

His lovely eyes, which were by far more beautiful than the shades of my dress intently looked at mine... and I hoped for the depths of my feelings hidden in such words to invite him to lose the nervousness... observing them take over the trouble he had a moment ago, holding both of my hands in his while that one we intertwined was pressed by his lips... looking at myself with the deepness his craves many times invoked in the ultramarine and red.

"My Lady... If what you tell is true... Then, perhaps I can tell what has not left my mind after last night."

"What would that be? For it to not leave your thoughts... do tell, my prince." — Surprised to the notice I asked, attentive to the expression he carried while keeping myself close.

"Well... we did agree on courtship... Therefore we ought to tell our families about it."

"..."

"When I saw the Duke this morning, I thought for a moment if I should go with him so I can inform him. This is a must and I have been wondering about it since last night... Yet, the lady’s opinion is important to myself... I believe we should... decide on it together."

"..."

"My Lady?" — At my baffled silence, he asked. Probably noticing, as I knew well how my expression conveyed the trouble this question invoked within me. — "... Is it that you do not wish to announce it? Therefore your silence?"

"?! N-no... that is not what I wish..." — I answered appalled at the mere idea he could craft at my stillness. Taking the moment he allowed myself to quickly think about the situation at hand. — "It is solely... that father is now facing many matters concerning myself and our family... I... I was thinking about it..."