You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 622

"... Er... the answer to the letter, won’t you give it to me, Clemente? Last night was not the time yet you said you would answer now that I am here."

"Oh! That is true." — Lightning up his demeanour to the remembrance Clemente’s severity softened, showing new brilliance in his eyes. — "I used honey as you told myself, disguised as flowers, hummingbirds did arrive. Mother was delighted to see them since she could not go outside for a while. Your idea was successful, many thanks for it brought joy to her demeanour for a while."

"That is wonderful~ when you told myself she was depressed for not being able to watch them as she has been in poor health, this idea came to mind. Was the duchess better after that?"

"Yes. Mother asks the servants from time to time to have it done by her window. It has brought her spirits up. What you said about massaging the birth of her thumb has also relaxed her. She asked myself to do it only so we may talk a tad, however."

"Hahaha~ how lovely. I am glad that is the case. Spending time with her is your delight, right?"

"It is indeed... Lady Marianne is quite knowledgeable in ways I do not expect. It is fulfilling to converse with you and have your advice. I owe you many thanks by now."

"Hahaha~ it is alright~ his grace also has his unexpected sides." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"? Do I?"

"The great care you have for your Mother. His Grace looks distant, yet it is apparent to myself how much you care and respect your parents. It is an admirable nature to have."

"It is only natural."

"... Not at all. There are always exceptions to the rule." — She smiled deeply telling something else with her eyes. Nevertheless, she would continue over his perplexed pause. Ending what could become a troublesome subject. — "Perhaps we should leave now? The duchess must be waiting."

"... My lady."

"Yes?"

"..." — Stopping her before the knights guarding her opened the doors for the chosen, Clemente met her calm gaze. Taking a moment to reconsider a thought he restrained himself from telling when asked if he was alright, yet coming to convince himself by the nice elegance of the woman that telling it... probably would cause her more surprise. — "I wish to add that... Your demeanour has recovered and enriched your beauty."

"..."

"It is a relief to witness and see it from up close... I wanted to convey such thoughts to you."

"... Well... All I can say is how nice it is to hear such a compliment from yourself and this early, haha... Your Grace can also tell such flattering things. It makes myself feel shy~"

"Ah, t-that was not my intention..."

"Haha~ I am jesting with you, silly. Thank you for saying that... I have recovered yet there are still some worries wandering my mind..." — Lowering her crown while recalling the love she was suppressing and the free danger, Marianne’s smile turned sad in the eyes of the duke. Troubling him for a second while she resumed the talk. — "Nonetheless, knowing I was to visit you and the duchess lifted my spirits greatly. A change of air and pace was sure to serve myself well. Besides, there are things we cannot talk about as freely as we would like to in letters. Let us go do as must and then take our time to enjoy the occasion."

"... Alright, as the lady wishes." — Stepping ahead to stand by her side, Clemente decided not to ask more so her smile would remain. Offering his arm and hand... which purposely lost its glove that morning as he knew Marianne was alright for him to touch. — "Do let myself guide you."

"... is it alright?"

"? For myself to offer? I believe it is a must."

"No... for myself to take his Grace’s hand."

"... I do not understand."

"You avoid such a type of contact... I recall such. I do not wish to cause you discomfort even if it is a must."

"... I do avoid it yet it is alright once in a while. Besides..."

"? Besides?"

"Lady Marianne would not cause me discomfort." — Looking straight into her eyes, after saying the truth his heart started to race, nervous for the first time, as if what had been told should have been restrained instead. Not knowing well how to continue as the lady’s expression was apparent in surprise. — "It is alright if it is the lady... ahem..."

"..."

"... er... I d-do not mean anything odd by it..."

"O-oh n-no, I am sorry... it only surprised me a tad for the duke to say that, haha... I appreciate that I do not cause you discomfort. It is an honour..." — Slightly confused, she answered as she raised her hand to take his, touching the palm softly before reassuring there would be no problems if it became difficult for him. — "E-Even so... if it becomes uncomfortable be sure to tell, I will understand his grace as I know it is an effort you make."

"... Alright." — A tad saddened, he nodded, glancing at their joined hands with a sense of loss... for no effort was weighing on his shoulders even as he knew there was direct touch between them. A victory it was, yet it never would be told. — ’... It is no effort... it is a delight... was I to tell her that would it trouble her this time...?’

Leaving the thought behind, Clemente guided Marianne to his Mother’s whereabouts. Throughout their path, he showed the places he could not introduce to the lady the night before because of the time. Her silence was kept as previously told, yet her visage communicated what her lips needed to restrain, letting him feel delight at her attention while also conflicted to feel this much ease by her side.

’This is fulfilling to a fault.’ — He thought while glancing at her profile.

Not much thought travelled through his mind besides that. Clemente was in a blank for the most part... yet odd he felt. Frustrated as his conscience knew there was not much to do about the sensations inviting his heart.

"... Inform our arrival." — He gently told the servant at his mother’s door once they reached it. Putting aside the concern so the visit they arranged could finally come about.