You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 634

I saw Father’s sigh of relief, as well as Theressa’s. The Sylfinnier’s duchess’ indifference was not a surprise, and then I experienced the warm welcome of fellow ladies and amiable respect men paid as we paced by was also received... Although the gossip, their murmurs after seeing me did not lack and couldn’t be properly hidden.

"I thought she would not show up..."

"Sir Paul’s whereabouts are yet to be known. Was I in the ninth’s shoes I would have remained hidden..."

"Was his highness late because of her? She is now in courship with him."

"The crown prince is in charge of the search and has yet to find him..."

"Yes. That is concerning..."

"Is it?... Concerning are the customs in the ninth’s family if you ask me..."

’... they know I can hear them...’ — Annoyed, I controlled myself so the displeasure would not show. Continuing our walk... which was stopped by his highness.

I looked up at him, who was looking somewhere else. It was only a moment and I tried to peek at what he was looking at but I was a tad too late for we resumed our way quickly and all I managed to see was a group of people moving in haste, helping someone I could not recognise.

’?? Did someone faint...? Did he see what happened and stopped to watch??’ — I wondered as I caught a glance of a scared woman holding onto her dismayed partner.

"... Son? Your entrance was striking enough thanks to the cute child... why do more, huh? Don’t cause more scenes, yes?" — The Emperor, receiving us said while giving the crown prince a strong pat on the shoulder, making it seem as if not truly happy while granting us a smile.

"I believe you are mistaken, your majesty. I have done nothing."

"... HAHA... AM I?" — Holding the gaze of his son, the Emperor asked once more, having no reply and deciding to greet myself who wondered what this was all about. — "Let’s leave that behind. Marianne, you had us all waiting, cute child. Your father interrogated me a moment ago since you had yet to appear. I am glad it was simply us being paranoid, haha~"

’Haha... I suppose I cannot blame you, mister.’ — I shrank with a sorry smile. At this point every little oddity in my actions could affect others like this... good or not, I have yet to decide which it is, however.

"Your majesty, my lady will feel pressured if told that." — The crown prince then said, interrupting his father’s laughter. Making him raise a pleased brow.

"Right... A jest it is, Lady Marianne. Do not take it to heart. We have missed you dearly in the Palace. The ninth’s company does make a difference in its ambience."

"Indeed it does." — The Empress said joining the conversation and taking my hand warmly. — "Lady Marianne, if the Ball allows do come sit with us after the ceremonies are done, Jasmine and I would love to converse a little after so long. We have been looking forward to seat and talking again with you."

’Ah... I would love to.’

"Right, now that we have said that, we must take care of the ceremonies. We were waiting for you to proceed, Crown Prince." — A tad disheartened by the reminder, the Emperor sighed while looking at his wife. — "Should we get going?"

The conversation was very light for them as Royalty. Natural in a sense to my being... although a new feeling was added to their address.

I had always felt welcomed by them. Nice they had always been in their respectable hierarchy but... even though I had this little contemplation after the officialisation of our courting... meeting them after a while made it more noticeable... how they had started to treat me more like one of their own...

’... I feel a tad overwhelmed...’ — I conceived while my chest experienced some pride out of it. For as far as I knew as one of this world and from the knowledge from another, a royal’s welcoming attitude was not an easy feat and yet... they granted it to me. — ’There is nothing much I have done so far... yet they are so nice to me...’

"How many debutantes were due for this Ball?" — The crown prince asked after a second of ponder.

"Three. Winter never has that many."

"Luckily it will not take long." — The Empress added to the answer her husband gave. Patting my hand while dedicating me an elegant expression. — "Precious Ninth, do enjoy while we are gone. Pardon us for taking our son with us so soon after you finally reunited, fufu~"

’~ Haha~ Th-that is alright, it has always been his duty anyway...’ — Ashamed that she was apologising even if playfully, I nodded at the Empress. Peeking at the Crown Prince who stood next to me with a complex demeanour. Meeting my eye, to which said demeanour tensed. — ’?... Is he unwilling?’

"Hm? Did I just hear you correctly?" — A man I had never seen before, of dark honey blonde curly hair that fell tidily til his shoulders, of green olive hues and of a skin that owned a natural light tan approached us joyfully with a thick accent. Wearing a vest slightly different to those most men wore because of its length and puffed shoulders... Handsome, certainly... and discreetly yet greatly adorned with jewellery only a royal could wear so nonchalantly. — "I heard the Empress call this beauté... the Ninth?"

’? He said ’beauté’? Does he...’

"Prince Niccolò, this is Lady Marianne Elise Sylfinnier, Calla’s Confidant, Pristina Pars... Were you absorbed in conversation that you missed her being announced?"

"I must have been..." — The man said without taking his eye off of me, stepping closer and taking my hand suddenly. — "Charmante dame, je suis émerveillé par votre beauté."

’?! He’s speaking in French!’ — I thought delighted for I could understand him. Making me blush while surprised to be told ’Lovely lady, I am amazed by your beauty’ as a first greeting. But I felt more surprised as the hand of someone else came to stop the man.

"Prince Niccolò, do recall that this is not Latrishk."

"... My~ That is true~ I am sorry good Zeleskiaz. The Ninth had me hypnotised. My body moved on its own~"

"Control your body."

"... ha... are you-"

"AHEM! Haha~ The ceremonies. We must go take care of the ceremonies, son." — The empress interrupted, with a hint of nervousness I had never seen before.

"Ceremonies?... Oh~ the ceremonies! Being that the case, I have arrived timely to keep you company, ma jolie fleur~"

’?? Is he flirting with me???... I am a "pretty flower" yet I am not yours, Sir...’ — A tad bewildered by his character, I tried to step away. But it was his highness who stood between us even though the Emperor had tried to take him away with him.

"I said to control your body. Keep your distance."

"... right~ right~ I am not at Latrishk. I keep forgetting, good Zeleskiaz."

"You won’t get a chance to recall the next time you forget."

"Oh~?"

"Goodness. What kind of sight is this between two Princes of different lands? Anyone would think war could start from how you provoke each other. Brother, you should follow our parents as it is getting late."