He could see in his daughter’s eyes that she had agreed to his departure.
"Alright... Alright, I will be back imdiately... Don’t leave your chambers, alright?" — Giving her another peck on the forehead he stood to leave.
"..~" — Playful, the child once again agreed. Moving in a leisurable nod to support the concerned man.
"Haha... Alright... One last one~" — Happy, he gave another peck, strongly this ti to get the courage to depart her side and get infected by the lovely energy she emanated and he lacked. — "I love you. I swear I will co back... Oh! And! I will make an exception this ti, Young Lady! The next ti, no desserts!"
"!!?!" — ’Pfff!!! Mister!? What happened to the desperation??! Haha!..... It’s a joke, right? He’s not serious about the desserts, right Anne??’
She had chuckled on the inside at how clumsy the Duke appeared. Clearly trying to cheer Marianne up just as she had done with her playful essence with him, Orland’s affection reached the two souls within the body.
And she, who transmitted the two spirits within, continued to jest so the fading one stayed eager. Even in the disappointnt of letting go of her parent.
"... Prince? I believe it is wise for you to also take your leave." — Hardening imdiately at the man who remained still in his spot, Orland asked without disguising his glare.
"There is still sothing I need to address to the Lady."
"..... Alright."
Orland gave his back to the man. Not forgetting to gesture to his child a repetition of the trick he had taught.
’... Mister... I get it. You don’t trust him. And I can’t bla you... Man~ if you knew ~...’
Waving to the man she nodded comprehensive of his apprehension.
"Aindreas, I leave her in your care... Other than Paige and Rémi, don’t let anyone else in here."
"... Nobody, Your Grace?" — Following Orland’s discretion the man asserted.
"Nobody... Not even my family."
"... As you order."
Bowing to each other, Orland left the room. eting at the entrance the exasperated maid that had been waiting nervously outside for any news.
The maid was one of who the Duke needed the most to converse with, as things required to take a change when it ca to Marianne, the Lady Paige loyally served. Hence, the disposition to comnce exchange was there from the beginning. Although the young maid was as willing or more so than the father.
"Your Grace! My Lady! How is my Lady!? Can I see her? Has– sniff! Has she fallen asleep?... She’s not... She’s nwot shick ish sheee~~!?! UuuUhH... Sob! Sniff! My Ladie~~!"
Part of her whimper had probably reached the people inside for Orland had not closed the door in ti.
Nonetheless, almost accustod to the young woman’s sensibility to his child, the Duke sighed sorry to the girl whose eyes had already beco red and puffed from the falling tears.
"She’s alright, Paige. Please call down. The Royal Physician and... The Crown Prince are with her."
"Ah... Haa... Thank the goodness of the divines at Izeneya... My Lady... nngh... I thank you great gods..." — Exhaling in relief, Paige softly said. Holding her chest tightly to pray in appreciation.
"..."
"Then... I better compose myself before I greet my lady..." — The maid smiled. Slightly ashad yet glad to learn about her Master.
"... Yes. Marianne cares for you, so... do try, child."
"...Yes, I shall do so Your Grace. Thank you for informing this server."
"... Paige. There is sothing I need to discuss with you besides that."
The girl who had attempted to act properly opened her eyes in surprise. Holding her halted breath before exploiting.
"... IS MY LADY TRULY AILING??!?!? MYLADIEEEEE~~~!!!"
Sobbing like never before, Paige wailed like a lost child. Disheartened. Incredibly loud, for her character was weak when stressed by concern for her ladyship.
"It’s not–!"
"Waaah! My poour Laidiee~!!! SOB~"
"Paige–"
"She’sh thooo fraiiiiil~~...huuhunn... Hic! Why dish happen’~~!!"
"Paige!"
"Hic!!" — Straightening at the strong sound of her na, she jumped. — "... Hip..... yesh....Youd Graish..? Hip!"
"... Goodness... Child... It is not that she is ill... Sigh..."
Shaking his head at his loss of patience, Orland sighed already tired by the little exchange they have had until now and for the hurdle that could co from what followed.
"Paige, co with for a mont. I need to have a talk with you. But not here... Follow . We will speak at my post."
"... Is it–"
"It’s of utmost importance. Take this ti and stroll to compose yourself. Then you can co back to my child."
The clear severity of the Duke’s expression made her remain silent. Yet the seriousness induced the importance to control her emotions, for the matter called for the Duke to use such harshness in his tone.
Glancing at the room they were leaving behind, Paige followed quietly. Cleaning her tears to do as her Master had asked. Holding the doubts to not disrupt her mind in concern and properly heed the orders, the Master she respected, had given.
Gentlemanly, Orland had quietly invited the young servant into the privacy of his working stances.
"Please, have a seat."
"Huh? But, Your Grace..."
"Go ahead, Paige. It is alright... You must be tired... and so am I..."
"... Yes..." — Cautious Paige sat on the appointed couch. And nervously peeked at the Duke who waited for her.
"... Paige. What we are about to discuss cannot leave this room. I trust that you will keep this to yourself and do as requested since it has to do with Marianne... May I have confidence that such is the case?"
"Yes." — Without hesitation, the girl answered. Continuing with fairness in her expression.
"Whatever it is... If it is to help my Lady, I will happily cut my tongue before ever telling."
The unwavering response lifted his corners with softness.
"... It is good I took you into our household that day child... Yet, fear not... That I would never let your tongue be cut."
’It is alright even if it happens...’ — Paige thought to herself. Happy that the Duke also appreciated the day she began to serve his Family.
"There are a few things I would like to ask of you. First, as you have done until now, please keep giving reports on Marianne’s deanour. Although. If you were paying attention before, please... be ten tis more attentive." — He told the girl, adopting a fierce gaze to imply the importance.
"Perhaps... Have I missed sothing–"
"It is possible."
"..." — Paige’s heart halted.
"But there is also the possibility that you didn’t... Or that Marianne has been hiding it."
"What could my lady be hiding...?"
"... That is what I want to learn. Pay attention to any little detail. Any sign that is odd from how she blinks to how she moves. From her colour, her clothes. Where she goes and has been. With who and with what. Everything, Paige."
"... Yes, my Lord."
"... The second thing is... No matter who it is. Even if it is I... Don’t ever leave her alone with any of our family mbers."
"...."
"Especially her siblings."
"... Master? What–"
"If you learn that she is on her own with either Paul or Theressa, I want you to run to her side or make sure the bodyguard I will assign is with her at all tis."
"Master, I do not understand..."
"... You do."
"..."
The soft eyes of the Duke assured her.
"You are close with Louisa and Debra... I am sure you already can see why I am asking this of you... You are a clever child after all..."
Paige lowered her head in sha but in further sadness.
The girl was indeed close with the other servants her age.
She had seen clues of what the Duke might be implying by ntioning the two maids. Nonetheless, Paige could never tell anything. Since Louisa and Debra never said directly who it was that kept beating them... especially Louisa, in their tantrums.
She recalled the tis when she had caught a glance of bruises in the girls. And also how they would avoid the topic by excusing their leave to serve the culprit.
— Ah~ this? It’s nothing Paige~ don’t mind it, I was just clumsy, haha. —
— But Debra your wrist... —
— Seriously, Paige, you worry too much. I have to go tend Lady Theressa, I’ll see you later, yes? We need to earn our bread~ —
"..."
— Louisa, you know, about that marmalade you made... —
— Um... Sorry Paige, not now... —
— uh? Yes... Alright... Did sothing happen? —
—... She went to rest for a bit... Sothing must have upset her stomach... —
’... Her hand back then was red... I rember she covered it the next day and she did so many tis later... Even her foot... She said she had tripped but... I have heard Lady Theressa’s yelling... Furthermore... I recently...’
"Your Grace. Now that you have addressed it... I will tell you what I suspect..."
"... Speak. Don’t hide what you know."
"As it seems... Master has co to the sa conclusion I have. And there are few things I have not told you because I had no proof."
"..."
"When it cos to Lady Theressa... I believe..." — Fighting the hazard to tell the suspicion to her gentle Master, whose love for his children was known to any. Paige bit her lip to find the courage and the words to say what she knew.
Taking a sharp breeze of air the sound of the inhale was strong. Enough to brazen herself to speak straight into her Master’s eyes who waited to listen.
"I believe Lady Theressa has been abusing Debra and Louisa."
Reviews
All reviews (0)