You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 624

Her words made myself ponder. Aware that no such conversation would be possible with the Sylfinnier’s duchess. I had made clear back in the palace and again at our home... that I considered myself motherless. For a moment, the former duchess’s interest moved myself slightly. Perhaps I had been hiding it in a corner of my conscience... but her offer felt tempting.

Just as she had mentioned when it came to herself and Clemente, I could not have a woman’s conversation with my dear Father about this courting like the one I would with a mother. Even in my past life... the sole woman I could have had these kinds of conversations would not have been my mother but granny Martha, haha...

And so, as I contemplated, my hands did on their own accord as if saying there was only one way to reply.

[ I would also like to talk about these matters with you, your great Grace. I would appreciate it for in truth, it is difficult for myself to converse with my own mother. ]

"... My... is that how it is?"

[ Yes. If the duchess is still interested, I would like to share some thoughts with you. ]

"..."

There was something in her demeanour that transmitted knowledge as to why it could be difficult for me to talk with my "mother". Yet the duchess decided not to tell and simply allow myself to say as much as I wanted to share in the sheets of my stack... which at times I would have loved to forget for I had a voice able to communicate... but cautiousness should remain.

"Hmm... so that is how it is... therefore, your concerns lately are about this unexpected distance you feel now that you two have gone through the officialisation?"

’Yes... more or less...’ — I nodded, ashamed a tad for I still could not tell as openly how close we were before even formalising the courting.

"Child... Even as I would love to say the prince is no good... what you have shared left myself speechless."

’Ugh... t-truly?’

"I have seen how he would roughly take care of those he finds unpleasant. I am impressed he is able to be as caring as you say he has been towards you... Asking every little thing... I would even feel frustrated with how careful he has been... cough... uhm, Carol, serve myself another cup of tea." — Handing her third tea cup for a refill, she turned again to look me in the eye, actually concerned about my own worry. — "His distance must come from this extreme care, darling. He even seems foolish when it comes to love matters. As my eyes see it... the crown prince is scared of... er... f*ck it all up, vulgarly speaking."

’?!?! D-did she just-? She just used such a word did she not???’

"Being physically away is also an obstacle to appease your anxiety... Nonetheless, the sole way you two have to learn his reasons is by talking about it, darling... He is a brute... violent and scary predator... yet he certainly cherishes you... The value you mean to him is probably greater than anyone would think... Even so, you must prevail as honourable, once you talk with him make sure to act confident even if you do not feel so. Men are beasts. We women must establish ourselves confidently so that they shall think twice before trying their tricks."

’O-oh... I see... I will keep it in mind...’

"Look, darling... Let us not fool ourselves... has he truly not tried anything further? Has he not... kissed you?"

’!? N-No?! Why is she asking that??? I never mentioned-’

"Truly?" — Raising her brow, even while sick, she made sure to imply she was not buying the purity between myself and the crown prince... which was kind of correct... although I was not about to confess such outrageous truth. — "Hmph... It is difficult for myself to believe it. He does not look like one who is able to fully control himself even while caring about you so much..."

’..... You are correct...’

"Yet you hope for a kiss at the very least, darling... That at least I am able to understand. Otherwise, why would the distance bother you? Fufu~ good... if you want to you should also take a step forward for it... It is clear he is attracted, solely the opportunity must be crafted... Nonetheless, you still must be careful since a kiss may lead to-"

*Knock knock knock* — "Your Great Grace, it is I, Karina. May I come in?"

Right when the duchess was becoming bolder with her advice, the knock on the door and the announcement of Karina came to forbid any excitement. Letting myself see how the demeanour changed not only in Clemente’s mother, but also in Carol, her maid.

"... She is here again..." — The duchess muttered, sighing as she straightened. Telling with the same strictness her son must have inherited to let her in... colder in sound. — "Let her in."

’Er... Maybe I should leave...’ — I thought. For my stay has been long and given the new visit, it would be appropriate. However, her hand stopped any intention I had.

"Do not leave."

"..." — Solely a nod was the answer I should provide.

"It will be quick."

There was no reason to believe what my head was conceiving with so little reaction. The kind of bond I was quickly developing with Clemente’s mother was probably caused by a one-sided perception. Her ways remind myself of my dear granny Martha, her familiarity while advising me and how welcome she made me feel from the moment I set foot in her chambers... they might as well be mistaken. Just wishful thinking as I do miss a motherly figure... Yet I also refuse to believe the atmosphere she adopted once knowing of Karina’s presence is my imagination.

"! Your Great Grace, you were with the Ninth! I apologise if I am interrupting you."

"Lose concerns, Lady Karina. I was wondering when you would arrive. Your knock on my door usually arrives early."

"Oh, haha, yes. Today when coming here I met his grace and decided to join him shortly for a walk. Since he joined the ninth’s father and the former duke a moment ago, I decided to come back."

"I see..."

"I was also able to converse with Lady Theressa. How pleasant a lady she is. Being next to the ninth has certainly made her more mature."

’... Now... isn’t she saying a lot for someone who just walked in?’ — A little ticked off by how comfortable she appeared in another’s house, I smiled. Hoping to hide well the displeasure, for somehow... her approaching my little sister was not much to my liking when I am so suspicious of Karina’s being.

"Is that so... That speaks very well of the ninth’s influence... I see you have brought another flower with you..."

"Yes. Every day this vase earns new beauty. Does it suit the duchess’s taste?"

"... It does. Thank you, Lady Karina."

"You are welcome."

"..."

"... Well, I had thought I would make the duchess some company, yet given that the ninth is here, I will take my leave. I shall visit you again later, your Great Grace."

"How thoughtful of you. I shall wait for your visit then."

"Yes. We shall also meet later, Lady Marianne. As today is your first day in the duchy I hope you had a good night’s sleep. Now... If you will excuse me."

"..."