You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 559
After returning from the beloved’s birthday celebration, and even before that, it had been difficult to meet the lady’s gaze like they managed to do before the scene made by a lowly woman soured their day. Thus, the one last cross of their gazes once they arrived at the palace had left a sense of anxiety in his chest, lingering without mercy, intense in its stuffiness. For the innocent eyes of a beloved did not lie in that split moment... and his soul could tell there was something unsaid as the summon from the Emperor came to hinder the desired exchanges.
’She’s concerned...’ — Zeleskiaz thought with distress at the idea. — ’That woman was there so what else was I to expect? I should have explained even if it meant disrespecting the duke... But f*ck... That would also make a bad impression...’
Pained by the difficulties his character would naturally provoke if left unrestrained, the crown prince frowned. Yearning for the enthralling niceness they briefly could experience yet had to end because of an unbecoming third.
"Curse it all... F*cking traditions..."
With such thoughts and grumbles, the crown prince had made his way to an untimely father. Solely to realise there were good reasonings behind the call.
— None of our steps should be unthoughtful from here on. It must appear as if nothing goes on yet all is done under the surface. This you must respect Zeleskiaz. We cannot let anyone notice. Not even the cute child should know... much less with all the troubles her family is under. —
"Haaah... it’s one thing after another." — He now sighed while regretting the brief escape from her sight this morning.
The surprise of finding her figure had overwhelmed the man so deeply that any thought halted at the aery sight of her reddish brown. Taking his breath as none of the complexity seen in their last encounter the day before could be found in her countenance, and rather than a worrisome demeanour, hers was flawlessly demulcent, hypnotizing as her tenderness caressed his spirit with comely gestures.
"Her presence stunned me... She has never been there to meet my eye when I lean in selfish yearning... I could not react properly..." — Holding his head in pain at what this action could cause, Zeleskiaz stared at himself in the mirror. Knowing how his current appearance wasn’t as close as he would like it to go court and seduce his beloved... yet moving quickly, solely to get the waters clean his demeanour from the dizziness, he snapped out of the daze. Immediately deciding to make his way out of the chambers after acknowledging he had no patience to play pretentious when concern filled his chest as to what the lady could think or misunderstand from his doings.
"Tsk! What does it matter? If she’s saddened by this then I have no absolution!"
With such determination, his strides made it quickly to the doors of his quarters; opening them widely and suddenly. Hearing instantly at the motion how a scared yell of a woman filled the corridor.
"WAAGH! I HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING!! NOT YET, I SWEAR!!"
"???"
At the curled sight of the maid, he recognised it was no other than the closest maid of Marianne, causing Zeleskiaz’s strides not to make it past the woman. Looking at her with curiosity as she remained frozen in a truly precarious but defensive position.
"... What is this that you came to do?" — He then said, opening the scared eyes of the maid who quickly stood proper at his sight.
"Ah- uh.... Er, G-Good morning, your Highness. I apologise for the noise I made." — Paige said as she reproached herself inwardly. — ’This is everything but careful!! My lady! This server has failed you!! I beg forgiveness from the gods!!’
"... It’s alright. Tell me what brought you here. Your Master is elsewhere."
"Yes. Your kindness I appreciate. I have come to Your Highness’ presence because of my master’s request this morning. She sent myself so this could be delivered in your hands, Your Highness. Do please accept it."
A folded sheet, one pertaining to the stack the lady owning his devotion is used to carry was handed by the proper maid. Taking it in his hand with slight doubt... to then open it and recognise the letters to be as delicate and lovely as those her hand could only write.
"..."
In a search for privacy, not reading its content, he turned his back on the maid to read the message. Struggling with the nervousness that quickly found an end once he read it.
"... Maid." — After a moment, he said with a tone as fearsome as before... that also owned a slight touch of energy.
"? Yes, Your Highness."
"... How much... does it usually take for my lady to prepare for the start of her day?"
"For her to prepare?... Um... an hour... at most an hour and a half. That is of course when it is a common day..."
"Wait here for a moment."
"??? Y-yes."
Closing the doors behind him, Paige was left alone in a usually empty corridor. Feeling it rare for herself to be in such a place, Paige tried to remain where she stood, noticing how he was taking his time and so, as she waited for him to come back... It was her naive self that started to feel more concerned.
’Was it wrong for myself to answer so easily about my lady’s routine...? It may be something my lady would prefer not to tell him... He is taking a while, however..... Gasp! What if I angered him and he is looking for the right weapon to punish myself with?! Nononono... the crown prince would not do that... I did make a scene of myself yet I brought something very precious to him... a message from my lady no less... that much should be enough to reward myself instead..... Sigh~ My lady, do not worry. Your request was fulfilled even if with clumsiness, solely my promise to go back to you is pending now... Success is my aim. Success is my mission... Success is my name. I am success itself... The very source of success... Success... Successful maid, that is...’
"Here."
"That is who I am. Yes."
"?"
"... Should I take this to my Master, your Highness?" — Repressing the shame from showing itself, the maid continued severe; feigning that no murmurs had been thoughtlessly let out her thoughts. Only being observed by the prince, who in truth was glad that Paige’s head was lowered and had no further interest in her slip.
