You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 539

"... No, maybe you should not give me gifts for a while..."

"I refuse. Yet I am to try and not go overboard as you say next year."

"... Alright... Promise me." — Accepting his reluctance, Marianne sighed, casually catching a glimpse of a dubious smirk that made her request his compromise to keep his word. — "Dad, promise you will not give me gifts this big anymore-"

"Ouf! Goodness there is no need for that~ Now, come on sweetie, the guests are waiting. We should get going."

"Dad, promise me! I bet you are already crafting something!"

"Hahaha~ No~ No, I am not~ Why would my daughter believe that?? Nevertheless... Isn’t your voice too loud, Marianne? What if someone listens and finds out you recovered~" — Moving fast so her reproach would not succeed, Orland opened the door, offering his hand to the troubled daughter who was learning a side of her father that had been kept thoroughly hidden for some time.

The duke’s smile concealed mischief as he was sure not to keep that promise, for within Orland a strong desire to pamper his daughter solely amassed further the more closeness she showed in their conversations and confidence in her speech he had almost deemed for lost once.

"I-... I did not speak that loudly..."

"Haha~ Do you think so~?"

"... y-yes..."

"My child, let’s go. There is more for you to see and you cannot see it from here." — Lastly Orland said to an unconvinced Marianne, managing to invite her hand to take his although whispering a little grumble before descending the carriage as her father invited.

"What an unfair argument to use Dad..." — Concealing her amusement, Marianne did as requested. Changing her demeanour to one sincerely pleased, for those that waited inside the building she was gifted were few and ones she felt comfortable in their company and the place itself was a marvel to discover as it was her father who had decorated and made it so she would like it.

*******

"We were flattered to receive the invitation to the Ninth’s birthday celebration today. An honour like this does not come as often as we would like to, fufufu~ it gave our days expectation. Thank you very much, precious Ninth, Lady Pristina."

"I am completely in agreement with you, who would have thought it would be at such a marvellous place? I hear it is now your shop, Lady Pristina, as a gift from your father. I am now looking forward to visiting at another date and have some tea while appreciating the unique accessories you offer!"

In small talk, some of the young ladies said while walking to the arranged seats at a wide and round table where they could share little laughs and easy matters. Enjoying the nice ambience of a colourful and elegant shop decorated with flowers; delighted by the company of a chosen by Calla and Fenrir.

"The place is tasteful in its whole, just like Lady Marianne is." — The princess said while meeting the eye of Marianne, who smiled at the compliment listening in silence to those others who exchanged more words of flattery. — "It is surely to become successful given the impression the ladies have."

"Haha~ It is indeed. The Ninth’s father, Duke Sylfinnier was very thorough while arranging this surprise."

"Yes, although I was told Duke Noverrne’s aid was also part of it for the land was one that one of his close followers owned."

"Oh, is that so?" — The princess asked interested in the details, peeking at a brother who stood far from the ladies and smirking as it was clear to her eye how the conversation was able to reach his ear. — "Duke Noverrne has been very kind if that is the case~"

"Yes, Your Highness, the purchase was difficult to achieve until his aid came... That is what I was told."

’Is that true?’ — Marianne, while she attentively listened thought, doing just as Jasmine had and discreetly moving her gaze to catch a glimpse at the place where the men conversed separated from the women, taking firstly a glance at the busy and new Duke of Noverrne while curiosity filled her mind along with the taste of the recently served dark tea. — ’I should convey my thanks to him later... the place is so nice, so gorgeous... goodness, I cannot believe father says it is not as good as he wanted it... something is wrong with Dad if he thinks that way... hm... Maybe I should thank him when he writes me a letter... o-or maybe I should send the letter first? I could use this as a motive... but is it alright?? It should be alright... r-right??’

Unsure of what to do now that she agreed to become pen partner with Clemente, Marianne took another glimpse towards the men, not meeting Clemente’s eye but Zeleskiaz’s by chance who had been attentive ever since greeting her. Looking sharply and severe this time...

’... my prince...’ — She thought while granting a small lift of her corners, feeling a light fever, although aware that such severity in his demeanour had been caused by the apprehensions of having their relationship still secret at a day when both only wanted everyone to know so closeness could be excused. — ’Sigh... I am also distraught by this kin- your Highness... dad and the guards are like hawks, watching everything we do... and yet this is only the beginning...’

A recall of their greeting today made her taste turn sour, for only a slight touch was enough for her father to alert the guards to keep a strict eye on the crown prince’s behaviour.

— My lady, congratulations on this day that Izeneya blessed us with your birth. You are a wonderful blossom to the Empire. —

She recalled his voice and handsome stance once stepping on the building’s entrance. Reviving the tickles in her stomach at how fresh the meeting felt in her skin... smiling mesmerized... looking deeply into his ultramarine as her voice should not be let out.

— What lovely words to say, your highness. I am sure Marianne appreciates it. —

’... gosh...’ — Remembering what followed, her head lowered to gaze at the teacup in her hands.

Taking her hand away from the prince’s Orland had glared at the two knights placed to keep watch on the daughter and suitor, reviving the embarrassment she felt at the time while trying to leave the sour taste behind eating a bite of fresh apple pie.