You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 617

"Very well. I will bother you with that then, Theo."

"! I-i-i-it is n-not a Bo-bother! My lady!"

Running to get what I asked, Theodore commenced to look for the books. It was funny to see him act like the scholar I first met... although his shyness at times made me wonder if it was something I did that made him go back into acting like that or it was only him truly just confused by his role.

’He mumbles so fast I barely get to hear what he’s saying... was my preference this time so stunning?? He seemed troubled. Yet what to do? I need to familiarise myself with that kind of subject.’

"Hehehe~~ long-haired man blushes a lot! Ninth must have smiled beautifully at the man~!" — The mischievous Estelle laughed while rushing back into my strands, standing on my loose hair and playing with the brilliant strands that were part of my Alis Abyssi. — "Is the ninth still mad at the big man who shelters Fenrir? Has thou heart shifted to the—"

"It is so nice you came back Estelle~ did I not tell you I needed your aid? Where did you go? This here is the book I need you to check~"

"Oho~ The ninth missed Estelle, I see~! I am here so be at ease, this is easier than changing one’s wings!"

Acting as if I had not heard her tease, I smiled gulping down the annoyance. The fairies were curious and innocent most of the time, ignorant also one could believe... to the extent their words lacked awareness of others’ feelings if too entertained by their unique ideas.

’If I start a discussion I will only grow more enraged with her... hmph... does Estelle think I am so fickle? I have yet to let my heart shift for another man!’ — A tad pouty, I stared at the creature flipping the book’s pages with serious spark. Recalling the last encounter with the crown prince and the sour taste it left in my core. — ’I was saddened, yes... he directly rejected me... it was humiliating since I felt timid to take the step... but...’

— His Highness is leading the chase. Given how important it is to find Paul before a day passes, he probably won’t be able to come back and say goodbye, sweetie. —

’... He has always treated myself gently and sincerely... perhaps something I do not know is yet to be discussed... I should not take it to heart... his distance lately, I know it was out of respect to our courting... right?’

"Ninth, ninth!"

"Hm? Is there something that caught your attention, Estelle?"

"Ninth! A tiny bone was hidden in this book!! It was cursed! It must belong to the witch!!!"

"?! Truly?? Let me see it."

"This is it. However, ninth, maybe you should not touch—!? Ack!! I was about to tell you not to touch it~~~!!!"

"?! It shattered?!"

"Ah... sigh... as expected of the ninth... your power has grown enough to dismiss these kinds of tricks of sorcery."

"Has it? Seeing what my touch did it does not seem like a good thing..."

"Hm? Does the ninth not feel it? I can sense purity becoming wholly in your core." — The fairy said as if obvious, making myself confused but more frustrated to have lost a piece of proof. She sighed strongly once more, jumping to stand on my finger to let me know more. — "Perhaps as it is not as strong as your being is able to achieve you do not feel anything as noticeable... however, this book was messed with, ninth. It was probably showing what the witch wanted to show and not its true contents."

"... it makes sense since what I first read in these pages differs from its current contents."

"What did the ninth read?" — Serious, without a sign of laughter Estelle inquired, looking up at me with a glow even myself could understand was concerned.

"Um... it was a story about a couple."

"A couple?"

"Yes, they had some problems and the man and woman would act suspiciously. It seemed like he loved her but it did not seem like that was true in the end and on the other side the woman seemed to suspect him but still loved him deeply although it didn’t look like it in the beginning... I am not certain, yet I recall the woman killed him in the end after finding him with... oh..."

"?? With what, ninth?"

"Uh... She found him with his ex’s piece of a bone..."

"..."

"Estelle, do you know something about the witch’s story I just told?"

"... no, ninth. Estelle doesn’t know... the guardians may know, however, they live far within Pulchra..."

"I see... I might need to look a bit more into this in some other way."

"Estelle shall help if allowed!"

"Thanks..."

It appeared to be a hint that led to a dead end. For a moment I believed something would be discovered at last about the broken bones witch past and being... yet only her presence around myself was confirmed once again.

Time to eat came and morning was over, leaving the afternoon for me to wander around the mansion a bit more, accompanied by Theressa of course, who appeared happy to pace with me instead of being left behind like I did to test her back in the palace.

"Sister, it has been so long since we have been home. The comfort is clear don’t you think?"

"... it has indeed been a while."

"Yes. Perhaps after we finish the stroll we could go to the lounge above. Should we eat a snack together and bring Khibi with us?"

"The lounge above?"

"Yes, the one on the third floor."

"... the one your mother prohibits myself from entering?"

"Ah... um... I was not—"

"If you wish you may go join her now, I will refrain from crossing her path if I am able to yet you are free to do as you like."

"No, I... I did not know you were not allowed... I apologise."

"You knew." — I replied, coldly, for I could recall how she was there when the duchess kicked me out many times as a child. — "Although you may have forgotten like you did with many other things."

"..."

"... It is alright if you go. I would like you to surveil the duchess a tad at the same time... maybe you are not the sole affected one."

"? Affected... what does sister mean?"

It seemed like a dangerous thing to confess this early to her. Much more since I knew there was some cleaning to be done in this household. Therefore... I had to hold off on the explanations.

"It is complicated." — I replied after a pause to which she remained attentive. Following behind to eventually agree. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"Well, if sister needs myself to do it I will."

"... truly?"

"Yes. Is there anything in particular that I should be wary of?"

"... you said you sensed something familiar to the woman you met when we arrived. If you sense it again while with your mother try paying attention to the circumstances in which you do."

"Alright. Um... do I take someone to follow me?" — Clearly aware that I did not trust her she asked taking a glance at my two knights. Surprising me slightly yet not enough to move my heart foolishly.

"If I send anyone to follow you, it will only hinder your task. You may go on your own. Take the chance and distract your mother since she seems to have missed you."

"... I understand." — She nodded at last. Needless of my reply for it had been settled. Yet soon enough, after a short silence, her sound came to me again. — "Er... sister?"

"? Are you not going? Why are you still following me?"

"I-I am going... however..."

"?? What is it?"

"... I will go back with you for dinner."

"Hm? Okay?"

"A-alright."

Acting odd she went back through the corridor. There was certainly something she wished to ask given the look in her eyes. Maybe it was something she was struggling to inform as well... who could actually tell, truthfully? It was solely herself. A hint of distrust was laid in my heart nevertheless, and a tad of anxiety for the probability of being betrayed soon grew as I knew she was to meet the duchess alone.

"... Vitor, Theo."

"Yes, my lady."

"Stay alert once Theressa comes back to me. If she meets the duchess maybe her old ways may appear again."

"Understood, master."