I would glance at him and respond normally. After all, nothing that strange was happening.
The Duke was affectionate by nature only that right now his affection was being shown much more because he probably felt a little anxious.
’As always, We can’t bla him for doing so.’
If I were him, and couldn’t enter my child’s chamber after she had a crisis the night before, I would freak out until I went bald.
’... It’s good he still has all of that cool hair.’ — Peeking at his slightly dishevelled hair, I thought. Imdiately... getting bothered by it.
He was always very clean when eting us, so seeing how a few strands of his hair had co to disrupt his perfectly combed hair made a little restless.
’He doesn’t look ssy at all... But... Ugh! Nope. I don’t like it.’
Seeing that sothing was amiss has always irritated . So I had to do sothing about it now that my eyes wouldn’t stop going back to look at that pair of strands popping out of place.
"Hm? Marianne?"
’Excuse for a mont, Mister.’
Standing from my seat, I cleaned my hands on the napkin and ca to stand next to him so I could fix those strands.
"What is–..."
I knew he would be surprised since I didn’t even announce my impulse. But as I carefully combed his incredibly soft hair with my fingers, I took a peek at the Mister, who lowered his head slightly to let do as I wanted.
’Hehe~... You’re combing Papa’s hair, Anne~ aren’t you happy~’ — I teased Marianne, who also summoned so blush to our cheeks just as the adorable Duke had done.
’...hmm... There. I think now it’s how we like it. Hehe~’ — Giving him a few glances to make sure no rebellious hair was acting funny, I gave the nod of successful satisfaction at the handso hair of Marianne’s Father.
"... Was I dishevelled, sweetie?" — Lifting his sight to look at , the duke sweetly asked with a delighted expression.
And I answered with another little nod as I sat back down. Making a kind of asuring gesture with my fingers to say he was juuuust a little dishevelled.
"I see... Thank you, dear."
’Mhm~ No problem, Mister...’
— We cannot let Daddy look bad, right? Hehe~ —
Taking my cup of tea I accepted his thanks, saving the joke to myself since I was sure Marianne would get triggered if I teased her again.
"... You are very sweet an existence to , Marianne. I think you should know that."
The Duke then suddenly told us. Looking at us intensely, with brilliant eyes.
"..."
I... We didn’t know what to say to that if I’m being honest. But I think he didn’t want a response from the get-go.
"A sweet little bird I have as child~ So kind and gentle~ so nice and tender~ she cares for her father~"
Playfully, the Mister turned to say in a singsonged tone as more marmalade was placed on top of his slice of bread.
Making chuckle inside at how adorable the things he ca up with to say were, we also moved our head in the rhythm as he did in joy, waiting to get our share of that nice-looking bread.
The Duke gave us the piece we deserved, never letting his smile fade. And I sohow got to the thought of how wonderful it truly was that the Duke had such a personality.
’If we could speak, we would probably act like a pair of silly father and daughter, fufu~’
It made ponder on how it would be once I recovered Marianne’s voice. And I kind of got a little impatient for that ti to co.
’We will have fun... I’m sure he will laugh much more then because we have similar taste in humour hehe~’
Envisioning those days made us feel more eager.
With the help of the Crown Prince, we have progressed very well in developing our sound and I am positive that once our jaw loosens properly, we will be able to finally speak.
... Oh. But...
’We should be going back to the Duchy now that the Sumr Ball has ended...’
That ans our nights’ peace will co to an end... Paul will be there after all...
And...
’I guess... Our practices with the Crown Prince will also stop...’
Sigh... That’s a problem. He was very helpful... If not for him, my volu would be as faint as the crawl of a snail and I wouldn’t last humming as much as I do now.
"..."
"Hm? Sweetie... Are you already satisfied? You haven’t touched the apples you like."
"..."
I had started to pick at my plate without noticing while in ponder.
’..... I’m not done eating but... Hmm. I guess I feel a bit down now that I realised about this.’
We won’t be seeing him in a while...
Hey if you think about it... In a way, we are kind of switching psychos.
Heh.
Although kinky doesn’t feel like one at all to now.
’Ouf. How annoying.’
Pinching the apple I was taking my ti looking at, I ate it to sweeten the sour taste the return to the duchy signified to us. Knowing that the Duke’s eyes were watching my every movent and that he would probably notice at my pause that sothing bothered since he was as attentive to us as he was the first ti I saw him.
"... You seem upset suddenly. Pinching the apple so violently... I wonder what nuisances my sweet child."
Making an apprehensive expression while looking at us, upset that sothing was roaming my head; so adorable that I felt like giggling at it since he was intentionally saying it with a pouting lip to make us change our mood, the duke glanced at us full on playful character.
"....."
He kept silent. Not directly asking what it was that I was thinking. And watching him drink his tea, once more in blank ponder, I felt content at his comfortable presence. Eventually getting to a whimsy decision.
’You know what... I will say it. It can’t be that bad. Since he ought to know that even though we had our share of troubles here, we did have a bit of fun, right?’
I told Marianne my sudden idea sincerely thinking it was not that bad of a belief. Maybe this way, if we ever receive another invitation to the Palace, Marianne’s Father won’t be as reluctant as he was this ti.
I won’t forget how worried he was when he asked if I had done sothing to the Crown Prince to make him invite out of nowhere, haha.
We should prioritize that he knows we are not unhappy if we get another invitation... Furthermore, he should think otherwise.
The post-it notes had been brought by Paige since I had left them at my bed when the Duke walked us to the table. And reaching it, I started to write the answer to an unasked question.
[ I was thinking that soon we will be going back ho, Father. ] — I wrote and showed him calmly.
Yet the pause he took felt slightly... No. Too quiet. So quiet I felt he froze for a second.
"... Ah... Yes. We are going back the day after tomorrow... Are– Are you reluctant to go back?"
"....." — ’Did we unintentionally hit a nerve?... He seems a bit disturbed by this.’
His reaction was slightly weird. However, I was adamant about telling him a few good reasons why I was down about it. Reasons soone would actually buy since they were truthful for the most part, although hiding the one crucial reason that made not want to go back.
[ I believe I will miss his highness, the Third Prince. We beca good friends and his Majesty was truly nice whenever we t. I suppose I beca accustod in a short ti to the people here. ]
"... Ah... Yes, we should show our appreciation to them personally before departing..... Nonetheless, we have to go back... After all..." — He said a little hesitant at the end, lowering his gaze for so reason.
"At ho waits your Brother and Mother... so we should go back... right?... You also miss them... right?"
"..."
Now, his expression was simply a smile trying to hide the awkwardness in his eyes.
To his questions I knew he wanted to answer but... My stomach revolted at the thought of writing I did miss those two when it was a trendous lie.
’No.’
I nodded. Saying the truth on the inside. Refusing to leave such a disgusting lie on paper since I felt it as if it was a testimony of what I had to hide from the Duke.
"... Alright..." — I saw a light frown form in his deanour as he sighed the word. — "We are going back... But... First. We will assign the guard that will accompany you from now on."
As is forgetting the downward mood he had been displaying, Marianne’s father lifted his eyes to say formally and with determination.
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