You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 517

Ways to avoid his desires to take over his control were thought of after that. Remaining in his bureau, Zeleskiaz also took in his hands the tasks a right hand had been doing in his stead in hopes to also demonstrate the compromise of his soul.

’I must resume my tasks so those around know it is not a whim... as the Empress I want I cannot bring shame to her... my bad reputation, although true in most of it... I cannot let her suffer from it...’

— Will you come to meet me later? —

"..." — Repeating the question she asked as they separated, Zeleskiaz felt troubled while organizing his duties and with the clear goals stated in his core, a sigh left him... — "I will meet her tonight for the last time... we ought to change our ways if... if we do not want to lose approval..."

Nervous yet determined, Zeleskiaz worked thoroughly through the day, being joined by the right hand again. Meanwhile, he who had aided with interrupting the new couple’s meeting made sure to inform a daughter of the details arranged given the courtship agreed.

"I have talked with his majesty and as I told the crown prince we will meet later to discuss more on this matter. We also need to make a private ceremony so the two may compromise on what is to fall upon you if this courting is fruitful."

"Oh... I understand. I thought we would wait a little more before doing a ceremony. Yet, if it is what you and his majesty believe is for the best, then we shall heed your words, Father."

"... Yes. Well, there are traditions solely the royalty holds when it comes to betrothals, we need to follow them so the people will not look bad at both of you."

"Ah, yes. His highness... h-he told me a little about that." — The daughter said, feeling shy as she thought of the little time spent hidden alongside her suitor.

The intentions of the Father were simply to interrupt the new couple’s encounter, for he knew this news was not one he needed to tell immediately... however, the shadow he had placed on his daughter had told him about the hidden place they went to and could not follow, deciding to end his tasks in hast... aware that he should not leave some matters for later about his daughter’s courting.

’Cursed be myself!’ — Orland cried inside in pain and frustration at the apparent sweetness a youthful Marianne demonstrated when thinking of a suitor. — ’All of this happened because I opened my mouth yesterday! A moment of pity led to this! If I had not told Marianne she should be thoughtful to the brat since he showed concern while she was asleep I’m sure my lovely bird wouldn’t have accepted this- this-... this atrocity!’

"Then... father, how are we to deal with these matters? Is there any way I may help with our family’s situation or with any preparations? I do not want to make this a burden when I know these are busy times for your heart..."

’!!... Hng... my sweet adorable child... to think HE charmed you of all people...!’ — Blinded by the adoration he kept for his daughter, Orland clenched in pain his chest. Dramatic, as it was his selfishness as a father unwilling to give his daughter, the one causing chaos in his mind. — "My beautiful bird, you do not need to worry about that... The Empress decided to take care of it as it is how tradition mandates. However, she will of course call for you for some of the preparations."

"The Empress herself? Wow... I will need to show my appreciation later then... gotta ask the princess..."

’... "wow"? "Gotta"...?’ — To the expression his daughter used, Orland’s head tilted slightly, curious of it for a moment yet quickly realizing that the daughter was one he knew and yet also needed to get to know more.

A fond smile started to take shape in him as he saw a bit more of a Marianne that mumbled to herself for a moment, moving slightly different yet still retaining the essence of herself who he initially knew. — ’This must be a hint of who Elizabeth is in her speech and movements... haha...’

"Marianne, sweetie, I know you want to be attentive now that a compromise has been met, yet as I have just told you, preparations are needed... and so it will take some time to make this fully public." — Orland said interrupting the busy mumbling of a preoccupied Marianne, meeting her energetic stare so it could go back to calmness.

"Oh... Yes, I could see that would be the case."

"Therefore, patience will be needed."

"Yes... yes, of course." — She said, understanding that her wishes to give a hand in preparations would come once time demanded, unaware that the father meant to bring another subject to the conversation... the true reason for coming back to her side as soon as his conversations with the Emperors, and his house’s subjects had met an end in a rush.

"... But there is one thing I do need to settle from this moment on with you."

"? Certainly, please tell me, father. What is this that you wish to settle?"

"..." — A moment of silence was shared as he looked severely into the grey of his daughter’s eyes, feeling satisfied with their unwavering beauty that was solely heightened by the shade of the hair she had inherited from her mother. A little chuckle left him, feeling as though for a moment in the purity of his child a grown woman overpowered the little child he could still find within Marianne... and he moved towards the door of his daughter’s chambers calling with the fingers for that other he also needed to come in their presence.

’It’s fine... I may be extreme in this decision and she might find me unpleasant when doing so this fast... yet it is a must... my child I trust yet that man is a man... this would happen eventually...’

With such thoughts, his hand opened the door, and outside the chambers, two men stood... two men Marianne already knew.