You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 512

"Well, that is the reason I have come here. It does surprise me that you are still here at this time of the day, nonetheless."

"... I see..."

"...?"

"..."

"... Is there something wrong?" — Noticing the unprecedented slowness of usually witty answers from his sister, Zeleskiaz asked once more in a demanding tone. Slightly frowning as the ambience appeared amiss suddenly with his presence. — "You appear... unsettled. Jasmine."

"Ah... yes... well, I only just recalled a matter I was supposed to attend to in the appointment I was about to cancel just now... B-but, do tell me, brother Zeleskiaz, given that your tasks have been dealt with, could it be that for the rest of today, you are somehow... free?"

"?... Yes. That’s what I already said. It is correct more or less... Yet why are you-"

"Oh! Then that makes everything easier!" — Standing quickly from her seat, Jasmine made the third prince follow her motion with an acute glare, surprising the Ninth while in her distracted bliss with the noise of her chair and high unusual pitch. — "Dioclecià and I were about to cancel some appointments that could not be postponed today since we did not want to leave Lady Marianne on her own after such a delectable meal. However, if you are to make her company in our stead then that is better. Right, Dioclecià?"

"Y-yes! We know Marianne would not like it if we were to cancel it because of these reasons s-so, it’s a reliEHf!!"

"..."

"Ahem... a relief...! A relief it is..."

After hearing the little prince’s voice break from nervousness, those present held their silence in surprise while the blush turned the child red. Being the princess the one to move first so the awkwardness would end without further discussion nor unnecessary embarrassment.

"Well, it is what it is. Lady Marianne, we will be leaving you in our brother’s hands. I hope you may forgive the suddenness of our leave." — Jasmine said, bowing to the lady who also confused stood to see the friends off.

’? Huh... Uh, y-yes, it is- it is alright...(?)’

"See you later Marianne! Brother take care of Marianne, alright~?"

"Uh... yes...?"

Watching the rushed departure of the siblings, Zeleskiaz and Marianne blinked astonished at the odd behaviour the princes demonstrated while Jasmine dragged with herself the little prince while some of his impatient whispers commenced between them.

"Hehehe~ Marianne’s blushing so pretty~"

"!? Hurry up! Come here Dioclecià! Do not stare!"

"?? Why?? What did I do?? Did you see that sister, hehehe~ we left them alone~"

"Yes, yet do not make it obvious!"

"!? D-do you think t-they noticed our intentions?"

"... They are not dumb... we all know it was weird..." — While walking out of the hall the princess said, glancing back at the couple they left behind.

"Um... Sister Jasmine...?"

"? What is it?"

"... D-do you t-think Marianne... w-will finally become our sister-in-law?"

"?! Shush! Our brother might still be able to hear us!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"But they looked at each other with shining eyes. Doesn’t that mean they like each other?"

"W-we will talk about this somewhere else, now hurry! You will let them know our schemes at this rate!"

Speeding up through the hallway, the princess and the little prince hurried back to different stances... provoking a chuckle in that who effectively listened to the pure murmurs of a youngest while the distance was shortened with the lady he was thoughtfully left alone with.

"... It appears they were in a rush, my lady..." — While taking the seat right next to Marianne, Zeleskiaz smiled softly to the one blushing timidly as with a quiet nod agreed with his comment... moving slightly closer as her hand took his while hidden below a wide table. — "... it is... good I arrived to make you company..."

"..."

’Those two... I’ll reward them later.’ — He thought aware that the opportunity of a hidden but lovely touch was enabled by the actions of two siblings...

And the halt of his heart solely continued as their fingers tangled with each other... gaining the warmth that apparently felt lost while on their own... feeling as if lost in the moment as only tenderness filled his beats whenever his being was with hers.

"Your Highness, would you like us to serve you a dish to accompany the Ninth?"

"!"

"!?... No... no, thank you." — Grasping the hand that almost drew away, Zeleskiaz stopped the approach of the servant, stroking the hand so nothing would be lost without need and squeezing it so the fingers could tangle again as he made sure it would be alright for them to do so. — "It is alright with what is served on the table. I would appreciate it if you could leave us on our own."

"Understood, Your Highness. If there is anything do call and we may serve."

"..."

Making sure every servant present left their surroundings, Zeleskiaz squeezed the delicate hand with anxiety for the desired privacy... turning to look at her once reassured that no eye was left around them and finding the youthful blush decorating her beautifully as the flutter of her eyelashes opened to let him see the eyes that were used to tell more than words.

"... The day of the lady... has it been enjoyable?"

"... it has, yes... It has been a delectable day today..."

"... That may be why the lady’s smile has not faded... It is blissful to know and witness." — Acting as if no separation of their touch occurred, Zeleskiaz conversed tenderly with the love at his side. Appreciating the shy and youthful beauty that now could talk with that tender sound she was to keep hidden from everyone else.

"... Father came to talk to me this morning."

"He did say he would, haha... I... It is shameful to say... yet I could not convince him on my own..."

"... M-my prince..." — Shy by the sweetness of meeting again, Marianne felt thrilled by his sorry chuckle, taking his hand better as he said with a sorry expression... Simply to announce the true source of her happiness. — "My father has approved..."