You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 538

"Yes, yet the grounds for clients to rest in are still small for my taste. There are some adornments that also have yet to arrive. I was thinking we could make some more arrangements so it is able to welcome more people."

"..."

"It is at a very nice spot in the capital too. You can make it much better if you use well its possibilities dear."

"... dad, that is not the problem here..."

"Then what is it?"

"..." — With concern, Marianne lowered her head. Uncomfortable as it was clearly not as simple as a party that her father had prepared, and troubled as to how she was to convey her thoughts to a good-intentioned Orland.

"... Is it perhaps not to your liking?" — Ultimately he asked at the shy glimpse of his daughter who was not indulging in his attempt to make the gift appear cheap and inadequate. — "I thought you would... it is only the front you have seen, but I also made it so the inside would suit your tastes, dear..."

"No... um... It is beautiful... magnificent..." — Marianne expressed, cheerless while her hands fiddled preoccupied of her following words. — "However, I feel it is too much of a gift for me to receive so suddenly... it was obviously expensive and as I recall it, even Paul did not receive gifts like these, Theressa also didn’t..."

"? What are you saying, dear? It is not sudden at all for it is your birthday today. Put aside the expenses for our wealth is more than able to afford these kinds of little luxuries. What you say is not true in the least."

"? Little luxury? Father..."

"Marianne." — Slightly irritated, Orland stopped any retort she was attempting. Continuing to prove to his daughter that her beliefs were unnecessary. — "Before your debut, yes, I admit I did not give as big gifts as this one... That is simply because you were not of age yet as you had not debuted. However, let me tell you, once Paul made his debut I gifted him terrains at the north of our territory. I will not say how many miles, yet he was given a manor and a mine he has been successfully exploiting that I also found that could be useful for him to learn to manage our family’s wealth. It was great enough for him to even consider moving out."

"Moving... s-so Paul has lands of his own...?"

"Yes. And about Theressa, I was also planning a great gift now that she also debuted but first, we will need to see how she ends up after being judged after all that happened lately... her birthday is a few months ahead so I was also preparing something although I have paused everything of it."

"..."

"Do not think much of it, sweetie. It all will be as it should." — At her little energy, Orland clarified smiling at her as he did not want her mood to wither on a special day this one was supposed to be. — "Truthfully, I was not convinced of what to gift you for a while, but it was at that time we visited the shops here in Dahlka, searching for your favourite pastries, that it was all made clear to me. A pastry shop... Besides..."

"Hm?"

"You never truly received any of the gifts I prepared you before today... Therefore I wanted to give you something you would surely enjoy and would impulse your likes to grow nicely. What I am giving you today is sure to become something greater under your care..."

"..."

"Not even its shadow will be the same now that it will be in your hands... sigh... I am expectant of what you will do with it in the future. Certainly, you are clever enough to make its worth be greater."

A knot in Marianne’s throat was created as her father made her recall the years before this one... and guilty sadness drowned her speechless for a moment, for it was clear in her memories, how at times she would ignore and avoid her father especially during her birthdays, afraid of the beliefs her siblings had sowed in her mind and also a wish to prevent any reaction that could hurt her from those isolating her into depression.

’Right... It does not seem like it happened as we are this close now... yet we were broken as father and daughter before... I would even... not look him in the eye... almost as if strangers...’ — Marianne contemplated, finding some reason in the deluxe gift her father decided to make this time, meeting his sorry eyes that begged for her to simply accept it with as delighted heart as he had while preparing it. Pained by the memories that had certainly scarred his soft heart... deciding to lower her reticence so his efforts were not replied with discontent. — "... It does have what I like in it... I noticed there is a shop window..."

"! Yes, dear. I even have a pastry chef already hired so every pastry you are fond of can be baked! You can decide which ones to put on display once you meet him!"

"Uh... T-truly? A pastry chef?"

"Mhm! Also, you may have not noticed but Madamme Fannie Moody’s boutique is close to here, you can go meet her whenever you come up with new accessories, AND~ Gustav’s is not so far away as well if you want to make something more specific like Pockachin you can also ask him for his help."

"Ngh... dad do not say Pockachin’s name..."

"Why?"

"I am regretting the name slightly..."

"That’s odd sweetie, it is an interesting name, haha~" — After seeing the embarrassment in his daughter, Orland smiled and went to sit next to the now shy girl, ultimately finding her stare to ask a last thing now that there was more willingness in her being. — "Will you accept my gift now, my lovely feather? There is much more to see so it would be marvellous if you accept it without uncalled concerns."

"... I will accept it. I thank you Dad... it was completely unexpected but I appreciate it... just do not go overboard next year, please."

"Oh yes, surely."