You Think I Won't Talk? Chapter 105

These thoughts about a ti when I can’t keep my existence a secret soon went away.

"My child, you seem down? Did you not have a good night?"

His talkative self made leave those thoughts behind with his nice and thoughtful words.

Along with his usual pause in wait to escort us to the little living room, his affectionate eyes made focus on what today brought us. Because, even if I can sohow foresee what could happen... Nothing is set in stone yet.

Everything changes, so having these concerns is useless.

As always, I will do as I see fit to the circumstances, always veiling for the outco that will bring happiness to the people Marianne loves... And I secretly appreciate.

I answered his question by making an honest gesture, trying to imply that I had a so-so night.

This much should be fine to be sincere about. We are not perfect, so we can have good days and bad days like anyone else.

The Duke opened his eyes in surprise to my head’s hesitant movent and quickly said as he halted his steps.

"Oh, Dear..... Is that so? Maybe yesterday’s news wasn’t that welcod for you?..... Sigh... Are you tired, sweetie? Do you wish to rest more? I can have breakfast by myself... If you are not feeling well, you should rest a bit more..." — Marianne’s father said with a concerned face, but at the sa ti, a sorry and warm one.

Stroking my face, I knew that at the sa ti he showed his love with those careful caresses, he also checked out my health condition, which sent a squeeze to my heart. It felt nice to have soone worry this sincerely for us. Soone who had no hidden intentions behind their kindness besides veiling for our wellbeing... Felt truly comforting every ti I experience it with this gentle Sir...

I thought of my family because of this. My original family.

I loved them, I truly did. But... I never felt this kind of unconditional love from them.

When I went lost... Uh... They did seem to finally be freed from the desperation my disappearance had put them through once I escaped and was found. But... My mother’s first words to after thanking God that I was finally there with them were.....

"Uhuhu... Elizabeth... You bad child...! Sob... What would I have done if you never co back?! Who would take care of your mother if you’re not here?? You ungrateful kid!!"

Haaaa..... Although I know how mom has always been... Those words... How could she say that when I clearly didn’t plan to get kidnapped??... Sigh.....

And then my brothers just supported her with things like... "You should have been more careful" or "this all happened because you have no sense of danger"..... Which in a way is true but... Gosh... I was all beaten up in a hospital bed... Don’t they know of ti, place and occasion??

Well, I’m also dense... so I guess... it just... Runs in the family...?

Anyways, the difference in treatnt is truly huge, and the fact that the obvious focus of his concern is our condition and nothing else is truly pleasant to receive.

Therefore, unlike with my real family, I wish to spend more ti with him even if I’m feeling under the weather. He is nice to have around and, honestly, I’m not the only one who thinks so.

Marianne feels it even more strongly than I do.

She is his daughter after all, and there is no way I can forget how highly loved he is by my baby red panda. Her heart flutters in joy as soon as his voice is heard on the other side of the door. I believe it wouldn’t be wrong to say that she’s like a puppy who knows their beloved human has co to drown them in cuddles whenever the common sequence of the two-paced knocks and a following dead silence cos every ti al ti is near.

Just like that sequence signified his arrival and cheered her up, it also ant for that with his arrival, that al is soon to be served, therefore I can fully confirm that his presence is quite a nice one in more than one way...

’... Hmm... Yeah..... He might be nice to have around... But... he’s still my rival. I won’t lose to you, President. I will reign this fandom one day!’ — Recalling how far ahead he was of in the fandom hierarchy, I stared at him with the dull usual face hiding my playful inside glare while all these thoughts crossed my mind.

The Duke stayed silent for a long while waiting for my delayed answer, but, I was way too lost in thought to deliver one. The weariness was also not helping focus on what I should actually pay attention to right now, so even though he kept waiting, I wasn’t going to answer any ti soon.

Hence, he spoke again later, seeing that no response was to co.

"... Dear?"

’Ah... Right... Uh... What was it–?’

"... Paige!"

"..!"

’Huhh?! Wait– what? I was about to answer!!’ — It was taking a bit to get out of the daze for so reason, even though I knew I should answer by now. But the Duke didn’t seem alright with waiting anymore. Suddenly, he called for Paige while he held my hands firmly as he displayed a serious expression.

His voice ca out strongly with the authority an admiral would give to their troops when going to attack. I felt like his attitude changed greatly from the one he had a second ago and so, I couldn’t help but flinch a bit to it resounding through the room. However, it was perfect to take out of the unresponsive daze.

Paige imdiately responded to his call and was barely entering the room as he continued to say more.

"Go to Thomas and tell him to send fo–"

Realising what he might do, I pulled on his hands, bringing his face to look at once again. Shaking my head in haste, implying it wasn’t necessary, that he was misunderstanding my silence, I tried telling him with my slow gestures that everything was alright.

"–r... Deslys....." — He finished saying, watching say no as his words were declared with a fading firmness, softening his expression. — "... However... Marianne, sweetie... You seem pale..."

Turning back to the considerate warm gaze he always looked at us with, the Duke rubbed carefully my left cheek, worried that sothing was wrong again.

I shook my head again, lightly this ti, so as to not shake off his hand as I did, and I said aloud in my head.

’If I am pale, it’s totally not because I’m sick!! I’m just low on red blood cells!!! Don’t make say this Sir!’

Closing my eyes in frustration because no woman likes to go around saying they are on their period, I tried to think of a good way to say it was nothing while not disclosing my natural cycle presence.

The mont I ca up with one, I opened my eyes and they t with the Duke’s and then, with Paige’s. The girl seed as flustered as any who knew what was going on would. Therefore, I sent a glint with my decided gaze transmitting her my cool vibes saying "I got this!" so that she could relax.

Once I turned back to the Duke, only to take out my post-it notes to write my next excuse, I found sothing very... And I an VERY, unexpected.

A remorseful expression was on his face. Closing his eyes, looking slightly up, I could see a drop of nervous sweat going down his temple. It was the kind of expression one would do when they do sothing extrely stupid. However, I couldn’t understand why he was being like that.

That’s why the idea of it not being a remorseful expression ca to . Instead of that, I thought that it was... The "Holding a good one in" kind of expression.

We have a record about this issue with this Sir after all... And so I thought to myself.

’... Let’s call Doctor Deslys, Sir... We should ask about your constipation... Also... What a timing you have, Sir...’

This ti, even Marianne wasn’t against this idea I got.

*******

Orland had forgotten.

It took him the few seconds as the maid and his daughter stared at the eyes of each other to recall the reason behind his daughter’s pale countenance.

It was unlike him to forget any matter respecting his children. However, he wasn’t accustod to learn when the won of his family were under their bodies’ biological processes each month.

Even if he was to learn about it, for instance with his wife, Orland would only know because Elenaide leaves their chambers for the days this happens.

The Duchess was bashful to show such scenes to her husband. Therefore, she would rest in a near room to pass those days comfortable.

Nonetheless, other than the fact of sleeping separately, Elenaide did not show any difference in her attitude or mood. The Duchess had grown used to concealing her aching at those tis, hence... Orland has never been fully conscious of what she went through during those days. It had beco a routine for the couple, to the point the Duke thought of it as nothing special.

This was applied to Marianne too. Although he was conscious of it the day before since Paige had implied his daughter’s state that morning, today was a new day. Seeing her usual behaviour as she welcod him was enough for him to forget her condition just like he does with his wife.

However... Now that he has recalled... The advice his Father gave him long ago echoed in his head.

— Don’t ever bother a woman when she’s bleeding, son. Always be aware of their state if they are. —

The image of a hand print on his father’s cheek flashed along his words, and the Duke thought to himself, ashad to have taken his father’s advice lightly.

’... I should have... Taken you seriously then..... Will my daughter also slap , Father?’ — The Duke wondered, regretting how insistent he had been about his daughter’s pale countenance.