You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 501
The deepness of the hues he had inherited were met with awe before the overwhelming maturity his father showcased like never he had seen before, paying utmost attention to the pause with which the Emperor would let out the beliefs kept in his heart from the past.
"And yet... The time we took to get to know each other even while already married... Was the best of our younger days... So wonderful that to this day I recall the sweetness after the bitterness with a warmth that makes me want to repeat that wait if given the chance to live it once more."
The expression in the Emperor’s face surprised the son although no clue of it was shown in his demeanour. A father’s demeanour he was not used to witnessing, was now letting his sentiments be learned by one that had not cared ever since conscious of his surroundings.
His memories were simple as even if he knew affection was shared by his parents, it was not in him to learn more of its deepness for indifferent he had been for a long time of his father’s being unlike of his mother, who as the Empress raised the royalty’s children while the Emperor decided a distance many others would also choose for reasons each held differently.
Thus, a sense of discovery settled in Zeleskiaz as the sound of his father’s voice took a speck of warmth he had not known he owned.
"... Your mother never lost that beauty of hers... her character is a wondrous labyrinth leading to comfort and warmth..." — With a smile, unaware of the thoughts crossing his son’s mind, Francois mumbled. Curling his lips the more he thought of the wife. — "Phew~ she’s been difficult til this day and yet I am always glad that I waited and that the wait did end~ You’ll one day feel just as I do, trust me on this occasion."
"... I will."
"... Heh... Good." — At the quick answer even if aloof as his usual character, the father smirked pleased at the readiness of his acceptance to place his trust in him. Standing from his seat, straight and still to take a glance at him as he also saw no wish for the firstborn to come join him in a more close talk while sitting by his side. Deciding in the spot that this much had been enough of keeping each other’s company. — "Alright. We seem to have discussed what we should have. I will leave you now as I suddenly want to see the beauty of my wife since I have no need to wait around like some young man I know, hahaha~"
"... She should not have ended your wait."
"If she hadn’t you would not have met the cute child~ be grateful for your parents union." — In a good mood, the Emperor paced next to the son in a tease, who followed his walk, right behind, so as to leave the stances they were in. Feeling odd in the satisfaction earned from this kind of exchange unlike any other they had before. — "Take the wait as a good opportunity. Do as many romantic things as you have dreamt of for the girl, do it so she falls in love with you as strongly as you are with her... Buy her more flowers so she can gift you more things you can wear, for example."
"... How... did you know she gave it?"
"Women do things like this. It is apparent as you only wear the crown’s jewels I once did and that one’s not one of them. Besides, your mother once made me a beautiful ring with the gems she found before meeting me, from her homeland. And she cooked for me many times. Whenever I give her flowers she cares for them. Don’t you know I made that greenhouse so the flowers that cannot survive as easily in the capital’s weather may do in her care?? I hated how sad she became whenever a flower that was not to last in the garden died after a few days... even though she tried to care for them... Sigh... my adorable Ingrid..."
"... Is that so? I did not know that."
"Tsk. What would you know when you’re always indifferent? You obey your mother yet don’t know her at all. You better put more attention on what our lovely Marianne likes or you will end up waiting even more than I did."
With such comments, both left the Emperor’s stances. Crossing the doors with Zeleskiaz in deep ponder after listening to the suggestions given. Hence, the son did not stop walking behind the Emperor, bringing up the ruler’s curiosity although it was the son himself that would let him know of the reasons behind his follow.
"... How long was it that you waited?"
"... She took a year before coming to the Empire and after that, I had to wait around eight months before my touch was truly welcomed."
"..."
"..."
The son’s silence talked for itself and transmitted the beliefs immediately to the father who in mischief chuckled within, happy to cause conflict in an inexperienced one.
The steps continued to be given, almost leaving the pondering crown prince behind, nevertheless, his mind found a path back from his concerns to find their answers.
"Then... um... what kind of gifts could I give the lady other than flowers?"
"? You don’t like flowers? I don’t think it is the cute child that is not into them..." — The Emperor answered disguising his maliciousness, conversing while walking down the corridors, casually... receiving questions he found amusement at.
"I will give her flowers, yet what else can I gift?"
"I told you that you need to use this opportunity to learn what is it that she likes. You can’t have me telling you everything. If you get to know her as you should you will come up with ideas on your own. If you learn what she likes, giving gifts will be easier. Besides don’t only focus on gifts there’s more to it than gifts."
