Honestly, I don’t plan on giving her a speech about this.
I think she has had enough of those even when I didn’t intend on giving them. And I believe we have advanced enough that a little warning is all she needs to finally use her cleverness and see on her own how things are with the little hints I give her.
From now, I will be finding hints for us, but if she doesn’t realise them as I delay them to her on her own, her growth will be hindered.
... Sigh... I would be such a wise mother...
"...."
... I shouldn’t get distracted now.
"My Lady, I will prepare your night refreshnt now. Please give a mont to heat the water." — Paige declared just at the right ti.
’Thank you, Paige.’ — I said inside ending out pondering for good.
"..."
’... You’re still concerned. Am I right, Anne?’ — And resuming our conversation at her quiet stillness, I asked the obvious.
"..."
’I am also concerned.’
"__"
’It’s natural, isn’t it?’
Leaning back on our couch I made our hands cross to hold our arms.
’It’s natural to feel concerned. I’m human, you are too. We won’t go into much detail about this since my intention is not to weigh you down by reminding you... It’s actually the direct opposite of that.’
The easy way I accepted my concern and my mortality had her in a bit of a shock.
I have shown myself the most strong I could for her. I am indeed strong, but not invincible. Sothing that has also been shown to her but given her reaction it’s not sothing she has co to accept and perhaps even deny... This is also why we are still having trouble resolving our current situation with our siblings and condition.
Lately, she has seen... Rather, felt and listened to break at a few traumas I cannot get over yet. So I know she’s aware I have my own issues... At least more clearly now.
Taking aside my weird personality, of course.
It’s ti she gets more conscious of my limits. Obviously not in one go. As I said before... Hints... I will leave hints and more hints so she grows to comprehend.
Hence... A hint. The first one this clever bird the Duke always calls has to unravel for herself.
’But... Marianne... Keep in mind that... Things change.’
"~...?"
’Heh... So you say that’s obvious?’
I mocked her response.
’... Then tell how is it that obvious?... The things that change... What do you know about them?’
"....."
’Think about it. The hint I’ll give you... Is for you to trail back from this mont to the first mory you have. From that... What can you tell of the uncertainty that keeps you on concerned tiptoes?’
The confusion in our body was so extre that even I felt confused for a mont, although I was already aware of where I wanted her to arrive.
"My Lady, here is your honeyed tea."
Paige arrived with the tea we were accustod to drink before practising. Right on ti to give the cue to halt any intent Marianne could have to take the answer out of .
’Thanks, darling~ so tily~’
Receiving the cup of tea, I changed back to my carefree mood, blinking sweetly to my friend who unintentionally was helping instruct the baby red panda.
’Sigh, this slls so good~’
"....?...!...???"
’Ah. No. Nope! I am busy~ this tea is even tastier tonight, huh~?’
Ignoring her vibes and signs that wanted to know my aning, I used the pretext of enjoying our tea to dismiss her persistence... Which I actually also plan on building up with this sche of mine. She could be more persistent, giving up on everything should be left behind in her nature.
"Umh... Miss Marianne, I wanted to express sothing that had impressed this morning." — I heard Paige say.
Oh? This is rare~ Paige doesn’t usually start the conversation... How nice~
’What is it? Hehe, is it our hotness? Because it surely has beco quite–’
"His Highness also likes this refreshnt."
’-cough! Crazy!’
"Is that not quite an interesting coincidence?"
’Cough hum! Yeah! A crazy coincidence you should forget, Paige!!’
Thank God we are a statue!!
Our choking actually seems like our hand just slipped a bit losing a tad of support but nothing more... We could have burned ourselves if we weren’t as stiff!
Managing to react to the surprise, I nodded to Paige giving her reason, tilting our head too, and closing our lovely lids so she wouldn’t notice my shock.
"Since we have learned this, I shall be prepared for the next ti he visits my Lady."
’uh... No, you... You shouldn’t bother...’
Am I bleeding?? I’m sure this is killing . Internal bleeding. Her innocence is deadly to right now...
"Hehe! He did say he would like that when he left, did he not?"
’... Paige..... I’m sorry... Please just stop...’
That idiot! He fooled my lovely Paige this much!! I can’t even look at her right now!
’Should I kick him down there when he arrives?? Fooling my little Paige because of his misleading references!!’
Our hand trembled in fury at the man who couldn’t hold his tongue.
’I got it with the balcony comnt! Why ntion the tea?! He just wants to ss with , doesn’t he??... Oh~ I should totally... I should totally hit the pair he has hanging down there today....’
"..."
"... As it is late now, I am to retire, My Lady. Please rest peacefully tonight. I shall see you in the morning." — Smiling sweetly, Paige told us with gleaming eyes. While we powerfully fought with my raging self on the inside with a calm exterior.
’...Good night Paige...’
Dismissing my silly drama, I turned to watch Paige.
Leaving the cup of tea on the centre table, I took her hand. Wishing her a good night more closely since I feel after what she said this morning, I should, in any way I find the opportunity, show my appreciation for caring so much for us.
’Go rest well too and stay away from bad influences... Any besides mine. Because I’m fun.’ — Patting her hand, I added. Glad that she smiled widely in that tight-lipped expression that oddly suits her.
"hihi... Good night, My Wonderful Master... Ah! Please drink your tea while it is still warm. Do you have a certain al you wish to have tomorrow? I have made friends in the Palace’s kitchen, hehe~ I could get a special treat for My Lady if she wishes."
Oho~? Dayum~ those are good connections she has there... But nope.
’You would probably have to wake earlier for that. Being a maid is already tough. You should just rest... But if you want to surprise ...hehe!’ — Shutting my eyes to say this I also tilted my head as I shrugged my shoulders a little playful, since I know it was her kindness that drove her to offer this.
"!... Alright, My Lady. Now I am truly leaving your presence... Sleep nicely."
Probably understanding my gestures, she bowed, letting my hand go softly, which she had held preciously as we conversed with a content expression.
She looked back a few tis waving back to my waving hand that saw her off. Leaving on my own in the lightly lit room with few candles as the ti to sleep was indeed near.
I felt pleasant having her continuous company today.
Often, she would wait outside the door, but today she stayed near. And honestly, I feel relieved about her doing so.
I always felt bad whenever she went outside... Only waiting for to call her with the bell when she could have just stayed with all the ti...
’Sigh... I hope she continues doing this.’
It’s good to be alone but... I felt it today. Not being surrounded by people after being visited all the ti here in the Palace, things can be quite boring with only the two of us.
... Having her around is nice. Even though being on our own is not bad... I guess one gets accustod.
’If we have more ti for ourselves maybe our dancing sessions can co back~... In the sessions with the Prince, I keep humming opera songs because I’m sure he will be all "what the heck?" if I start singing so rap or sothing...’
Pavarott*... I hope I’m singing Nessun D*rma properly... You left too high a barrier for any to surpass... And I don’t really know the lyrics.
’The "Vincero" part is aweso though. Whenever kinky asks to make the pitch higher I sing that part hehehe~...’
Drinking my tea, I told Marianne, who seems to enjoy that song too.
’You could feel it right? One feels all empowered by that song~... If only I had any talent with instrunts...’
"I suppose I arrived earlier than I should have."
"!?"
"Good evening, Lady Marianne."
The voice ca from where I was supposed to open his entrance. And I turned imdiately, slightly regretting not doing as I had planned... Closing the glass so I would be the one to invite him over.
"My Lady is yet to finish her tea... Nonetheless, may I join you in the anti?"
’... When you’re already here... I wouldn’t kick you out, Crown Prince.’
If anything, I would have invited you anyway.
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