You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 499

The moment that followed his selfless confession shook the ambience of those listening with stillness... until the one Zeleskiaz was sincerely hoping to convey his true intentions decided to reply.

"And yet... You’re not a child anymore."

"Indeed. I am not."

"And you are not truly harmless. Not in the slightest."

"... I am not."

"But then again, what I can gather is that it depends on who you want to harm... is that right?"

"?... Yes...?"

"? Orland?" — The Emperor stood from his seat as he saw the composed in threatening aura friend walk towards the son trying to convince a beloved’s father.

The stillness of no answer submerged the three solemn men in the uncertainty of the answer Orland could give, and yet... his steps walked him past the respectful Prince who waited his frame for a response, causing Francois to ask before the doors opened without a thing being conveyed by the Duke, giving the aid he had told he would give to his son.

"Orland, where are you going? The conversation doesn’t seem as if it is over."

"That is because it’s not over." — The Duke said without sparing a glance back. — "What is indeed over is me seeing the conviction of your son, Francois... and I think this is more than enough for myself to witness today."

"Then what is your answer?"

"There’s no answer I’ll give until I talk with my daughter." — Orland said as his hand opened the door on his own, ready to leave the Emperor’s and prince’s presence, taking a moment before departing his friend’s stances. — "In that point at the very least... The crown prince and I agree... I will not force anything upon my daughter yet I also won’t allow anything if not certain fully."

"..."

"I will give an answer once I get to a conclusion."

The void following the closure of the doors was continued by the silence of those remaining and that one who had conveyed his intentions stood straight and solemn... looking downwards as no hint could he perceive in the last of the words the Duke had told while his father glanced at him, lightly concerned as this time he was not certain himself as to what his friend’s answer could be.

’He remained calm even though doubt was told bluntly to him... sigh... to think I would pity this one son of mine of all...’ — Francois thought, combing his fading golden white hair back with a sigh. Seating back down, to tell his heir to come sit along him, interrupted as the let out of his voice incited the son to speak what he was keeping within. — "Don’t stay standing there, come take a seat so we can talk..."

"When..." — Zeleskiaz commenced in a quiet mumble, raising his father’s brow in alert. — "When do you think... I will be able to marry Lady Marianne?"

"... Son, you first need to get her Father’s acceptance, and even after that you need to prove yourself worthy-"

"But I love her."

"..."

"I... want her to be the wife I can share my soul with. I don’t think I can wait for too long... I’ve already waited to come ask this permission and it’s driving my sanity to a corner." — The Crown Prince added, looking at the palm of his hand that had held hers in a brief stroll between the autumn blossoms... sowing in the Father an idea that would be expressed without care even as he could see the low mood his heir showcased.

"You say you can’t wait? If so... even if Orland says yes to this request for courtship, it will be me who is not to allow you to court or marry the girl."

"?! Didn’t you also want her as a daughter-in-law?"

"You can’t even wait what you should if in love. Are you sure it’s not something else you can’t wait for? Don’t try to fool me with love this love that. Orland said so himself and warned you. We are men. We know men well."

"..."

"You were honest with him but why can’t you be with me? For once you call me Father and yet you act like this. Talk properly like you did when you tried to convince Orland!"

Although he was aware the love his son professed for the Ninth was not a lie he had crafted, the impatience in his inquires was not one any father would agree to when giving his daughter. Thus, so the impatience would not harm the wishes told to Orland, Francois did not hold back the tongue that could unsettle Zeleskiaz’s calmness.

"Or what? Was it that every word I heard you say to him was a lie?"

"... No." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"Then say it’s your lower half that’s impatient, eff*ng brat! You fool no one with that face of yours!"

"... People say I look like you most."

"Shut it! Now you talk, but a moment ago you couldn’t even tell that’s the case!... Are you truly a child!? How old are you already to give love as an excuse to hurry a marriage for the needs of your d*ck? How deplorable."

"I’m twenty-three."

"Don’t actually answer what I already know!!" — Frustrated as Zeleskiaz did not seem to care any further while talking with his father, Francois jumped. Scowling as the eyes of his son looked more comfortable in this ambience he was more accustomed to than in that one with a beloved’s father he needed to behave in front of. — "... You actually can wait, only that you don’t want to."

"Yes... it’s difficult..."

"... You could still go to a courtesan."

"I prefer to die waiting."

"... Haha! Hahahaha! Yes, that’s more like it! Haha!" — The Emperor laughed at the disgust displayed in the Crown Prince’s demeanour at an instant reply. Observing the respectful stance he was still showing even though his mouth did not procure it. Becoming fond of the sight for even though he was not a child... — ’He’s inexperienced when it comes to these matters... he for once looks like a child...’