You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 564

This last he said made me contemplate on the what ifs.

Originally, in a book where her story was told... This Crown Prince sitting next to me, expressing disgust about Lady Karina... loved her. Maddingly so. Obsessively so... Yet now he was here before myself, saying there was no possibility for even having her near disturbed his peace... That he wanted her dead because of how her appearance unsettled myself that first time and how it now aggravated him.

’I might even feel guilty... she was supposed to have his heart in the first place. Yet... look at them now...’

It was odd a sensation. To know this should not be yet came to be...

"Your Highness." — I then said, taking all of the many thoughts and contradictions in my heart aside. Looking at him visibly restless even as he tried not to show it... and placing my hand on his, even when I knew our chaperons would sooner than later come to make us separate. — "This I will say, I do not want you to take it as if I have paid no attention to how these encounters made you feel. As it is... I was also displeased. Very much so, I acknowledge... However, this you say is not reason enough for you to take her life."

"... Disrespecting who I am and hurting you is not enough? I heard her say I would regret it. And I already do, Lady Marianne. Why would you say these reasons are not enough?"

"Because-"

"Excuse me, yet this closeness... I must intervene, Lady Marianne."

"Ah... It is alright Sir Vitor." — Bowing as I removed my hand, which he had come to grasp with both of his, the crown prince and I seemed gloomy by how the conversation had been going. Hence, we took the moment to placate the emotions. Resuming my sayings without the affliction I had at first. — "It is not that they are not enough, my prince... Yet, no one but us knows them. Were you to kill her in the spot the next time, how would the people react? How would they think of you when little do they know about that lady yet many things are believed about you?"

"... People’s opinion does not matter."

"Indeed... Yet what about my father’s? Do you believe these meetings we have would ever happen again after you end her life so suddenly?" 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"..."

"... There are some other things we need to see thoroughly before we do anything. Please leave this thought aside for some time, Your Highness."

"? My lady? I thought you were saying this so I would desist completely. However... for some time you say..."

It didn’t feel right for me as well. Ending a life is not something I would ever want to have as a choice. That is not my aim truthfully... but what this coming battle entails is unknown to me. Which is why I need to be careful while also thorough.

"There is something I suspect. Hence, I request this of you... For now, simply be alert. Do not dirty your hands unnecessarily."

"... They are already dirty, disgracefully. It is what makes me shameful at times... whenever you accept their touch."

"I will continue to accept it as long as you are sincere, Your Highness." — Aware that this truth weighed on him, I said with honest pain.

What had driven his bloodlust in the past? What had made him a hero and a feared madman?... I knew most of it from another’s story but also from the fame he owned. Regardless, there was more to it... Be it his loneliness, the hatred, the duties or the times we live in, he also had good in his heart. Otherwise... how could he become so remorseful when conscious of what he has done?

How could he be able to come up with such thoughts of preventing my surprise if there was indifference reigning within him?

"... For you to tell me these things. Even when you say you would like to avoid showing this side of you to myself. I appreciate it, your highness. For it makes it possible for myself to place my trust in you."

"Sigh... I am destined to confess it all to my lady... As you say I will do. What I want is for my lady to be at ease. I would hate to inconvenience you."

"Thank you."

It was a clean closure to the matter. Peaceful even though I did not give him the details behind my suspicions. Had I given them, there was a part of myself that believed he would feel more inclined to take Karina’s life... But there was also this instinctive notion that even if he went ahead to end her in an impulse... It would not end as simple as that.

’I do suspect she has something to do with the witch the fairies talked about... it would not be weird if something out of my imagination happens if he tries to kill her now.’ — I thought, convinced that I should hurry to prove my conceptions right before harm could arrive.

"Um... your Highness, this is another subject but, now that that’s settled. I would like to ask if you have time today."

"I have time."

"Truly? It is alright if you do not. Busy you must be... you can be sincere..."

"I have nothing to do. I say so sincerely."

"... Pff, haha~ I will believe you this time although that is unbelievable, hehe~... well, I was asking because I was informed that I was granted permission to visit my siblings. Father made it clear that I am not to go alone just like Your Highness said. Thus... I would like to take you in your word. For you to go with myself. Father also said I cannot go unless you go with me."

"Oh... at what time does the lady wish to visit?"

"This afternoon, a little after lunch."

"Alright. I will inform who is needed and take you there. Rest assured, my lady."

"Thank you again... Hehe~ Now I am confident to go since his highness will be there with me."

"Ahem... it pleases me to hear that." — The crown prince said, probably thinking I did not notice how he felt shy because of what I said. Which even as I felt embarrassed, it was nice to experience the heat since he seemed flattered.