*******
"Your Grace, I shall go back this mont. I do not want to intrude any further."
"... It is no intrusion. We are to et later. Enjoy the Festival, Young Clente."
"My appreciation, Your grace. Young Lady." — Giving reverence to both the Duke and Theressa, the second male lead turned again to , also dedicating it to the although he had already asked my hand in farewell, as unbefiting as it appeared.
’He must have made the effort... He seems to still have trouble with touch.’
I nodded to him, wishing to not appear unpolite while I thought of this and it was as I did this that the voice of the Emperor joined the farewells along the Crown Prince.
"My, Duke Noverrne, are you going back this soon?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. It is a family mont I do not wish to continue intruding on. I shall et the Ninth at a later ti."
"I see."
"... It is truly thoughtful of the Young Duke. Surely there will be other occasions to et with the Lady."
"... Yes. That is what I believe, Your Highness."
"..."
’... Male lead vs. second male lead... this is the second ti I see them together... although the tension doesn’t feel as deathly as I read in the novel yet.’ — While an odd silence was kept by all of us, I thought, kind of feeling the seriousness of the situation I was in as many big shots assembled around .
"Well. Although it is a sha, we shall not stop Young Noverrne. The acquirent of your Title is soon to be celebrated, am I right?"
"That is correct, Your Excellency."
"A delight that is... May it be a wonderful celebration. I shall send a heartfelt gift along with my children to show my appreciation to this marvellous house you now lead, Clente."
"His Majesty is too kind."
"It is the least the Empire owes a loyal house like yours."
"An honour it is... Then. If I may..."
"Go on, good Duke."
Another bow was offered by the little Duke, and then we watched in silence his leave. As I did, I failed to notice how the Royals moved closer, ultimately standing right next to us, between the mister and .
"My Lady, if I may. There is a stance where you can be more comfortable with your family mbers..." — Suddenly, the Crown Prince conveyed while I felt his hand near my waist, sohow saving respectful distance from touching while his eyes looked directly into my eyes to then admirably turn to speak with the Duke. — "If his Grace wishes, I shall guide you so you can talk in comfort."
"That is a good idea, Crown Prince. What do you say, Orland."
"... I already saw my child... I am not to take more of her ti."
"!?" — ’What?? No, he cannot say that!’
Hearing the kind Duke say such a thing, Marianne and I even gave a light jump out of disbelief. Also feeling anxious since we needed to make sure he didn’t have any wrong ideas to even say that.
Spontaneously, we went to him, unfolding our arms so our hands could take his, shaking our head so he could learn we disliked his sayings.
"Dear, your day just began with this. Any free ti you have, you should use it to save energy and enjoy this festival..."
His fond gaze told us he understood, but even still, we shook our head again, relying on the post-it notes to directly tell him he should stay.
[ Father, I can also rest in your presence. Do not leave as I have missed your company. ]
Truthful to the wishes Marianne had to ask him a little more ti around, we straightforwardly requested the Duke to stay. But then...
"... My dear child... I have missed you as much and farther more than that... Yet even if I wish to stay longer, your Sister and I ought to go back... Your mother was feeling unwell, you see..."
’... Well... more than unwell, I saw her pop her eyeballs out with that glare she gave ... But I guess she can use it like that too...’ — Recalling the split second I t her glare, I ultimately nodded, unsatisfied yet understanding the duke’s reasons.
"... Enjoy this festival, sweetie. You are being celebrated, do not let this little thing cloud your good mood."
"As much as it pains to say it, your father is correct, cute child. Besides, this festival will continue until the end of the month. Why don’t you arrange a day so you can et and go around with your family?"
’Oh~ that’s a good idea! Although with just the Duke is enough, hehe~’ — Liking the Emperor’s suggestion, I beca eager once more, looking for an imdiate answer from Marianne’s father.
"That sounds better. Will my child forgive if we do as his majesty advised?"
’... We are not mad, though... what forgiveness...’ — I thought, feeling fuzzy by his pampering while another thought erged because of his words. — ’Besides...Doesn’t he have the privilege of instantaneous forgiveness, Anne?’
"~~!"
"Good, it is settled then. We will go now, dear. Take care, lovely bird." — Giving strokes to our hands and a light kiss on our forehead, the Duke told his farewell. Turning to Theressa so she would follow. — "Dear, say goodbye to your sister."
"..."
"Theressa."
"!? Yes, father." — Breaking out of the drooling daze, Theressa ca to reason... although it was late enough to make feel sorry for her, even giving a bit of cringe since I saw how her eyes were (not discreetly at all) looking at the Crown Prince standing a few steps behind .
’Dude...’ — I thought, hoping my expression hid all of that disgusted one I was making on the inside. — ’Stupid dwarf. Be more obvious next ti.’
"Umh, Marianne..."
’... Hey. I’m here. The guy back there isn’t called Marianne, dumb shorty.’
She has a gift to make mad, really. Can’t she look at while she talks to ?
"Father..."
’... Which is it? Wanna call him daddy now??’
The more she took to say a simple bye, the more annoyed I felt. Forgetting the disappointnt I even felt when realising she was scheming sothing.
"Father, may I stay with sister? I want to go around the festival together..."
"....."
"What?"
’... Is she serious?’ — After managing to reload my brain to what she said, I asked whoever could answer. — ’Did she... Did she not even listen to what we just said??? I know he’s handso... but... really??’
"As I said, Father, I..."
"Haa... It appears you were not listening to a word we said." — Sighing, the Duke stopped her sayings. Gently resting his hand on Theressa’s shoulder while she stared, confused. — "On another date, we will stroll around with your sister. We will take our leave for now."
"! Oh, how clueless of ..."
’... Yeah... "clueless"... Sure...’
"Perhaps the lady also is feeling down the weather. Your Grace."
"Perhaps."
’... If it’s her brain... yeah. Perhaps.’ — I joined, starting to wonder why am I here... Again.
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