You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 43

Although he spoke conveying said relief in his tone, The Duke’s demeanour came across as complex. I could tell that... something was still making him anxious.

’... I don’t like it.’

I pouted at the sight. He said he was relieved, but why does he not look like it? Why would he make such confusing expressions? If it’s like that, he should just show that great smile he has!

That’s why I decided to distract him from whatever was clouding his peace.

To attract his attention, I pulled gently on his sleeve. When he locked eyes again with mine, I picked with the tip of my fingers the skirt of my dress, lifting it slightly and delicately. Then, I did a slow spin on the spot and faced him once again as I finished.

Basically, I was showing off my attire. So, keeping my eyes on him, I stared, waiting expectantly for his response.

The Duke seemed dumbfounded at my actions. With a perplexed expression, his eyes became erratic, not knowing what all of this was about.

’Heh... how cute.’

His reaction was endearing. Pressing further for a comment from him, I tilted my head to show that I wanted an answer.

’C’mon~ get the hint~’

"Ah..."

As if he had realised something, his face looked downwards and a soft chuckle could barely be heard. When he lifted his gaze... a beaming smile that made even his eyes crinkle to it, filled his countenance.

"You look extremely beautiful Dear... my daughter is prettier than the ancient crystal flowers and their guardian fairies... It is a delight to witness your beauty, my child."

He said as he made a reverence to me.

Even though I did want to be praised by him... what he said exceeded any expectations I had. His praise seemed so elaborate that it took me by surprise how he said it so smoothly.

’... I don’t know what the ancient crystal flower or their guardians are but... you’re d*mn right!’

Feeling playful, I walked around him as I was inspecting his outfit. It was now my turn to give a compliment to the handsome Duke.

He followed me with his eyes in confusion and when I returned to my starting point, I stood straight in front of him and clapped two times, trying hard to not make the rhythm of it sound too robotic.

’... I hope he gets the compliment...’

He glanced at his outfit with a doubtful expression, and raising his gaze once again to look at me, he asked in confirmation. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"Uh... I look... good?"

I energetically nodded to it, verifying his guess.

’You look handsome!’

To my enthusiastic answer, the Duke seemed a little shaken. However, it wasn’t enough for him to lose composure.

Clearing his throat, he expressed his thanks in an eloquent way.

"... Well... thank you, Dear. Nothing can make me happier than your praise."

His overly polite wording made me chuckle at his lovely attitude. The Duke was truly sweet every time he spoke to Marianne, which made me incredibly glad to see how precious she seemed to be in his eyes.

Pleased by how our conversation had turned, I glanced at our surroundings wondering about the rest of our family members.

Whereas a psycho was sure to come into the picture... I didn’t want to be unprepared.

The Duke seemed to comprehend what I was checking out for.

He came to my side and extended his arm to me as an offer to escort me.

Wrapping my hand on his arm, I pondered about what was making the others take so long. Usually, I was the one who was always the last to arrive. Which truthfully, I find quite fitting.

’You gotta leave the best for the end~ Fufu~’

"... Dear, I sent your siblings and your mother ahead of us. Since you weren’t feeling well the second day... I thought it would be better for you to rest a bit more before leaving since last night must have tired you out once again... I didn’t want to send you alone... so I stayed behind to keep you company."

Answering my question, the Duke informed me of their whereabouts, after placing his hand over mine patting it gently.

"..."

His thoughtful actions made me stare at him with the usual expressionless face. However, on the inside, I was smiling at him, grateful and happy because now I was sure to have a pleasant and peaceful journey back to the Sylfinnier Castle.

Thinking about it... It did seem to be later than the time we set off when we came to the Palace. I just didn’t notice because I haven’t even cared about looking at the clock.

Failing to read my inner thoughts, the Duke asked in a tone where he couldn’t hide his nervousness.

"... Is that... alright with you...?"

Avoiding eye contact, his hand flinched in hesitation.

Sighing to myself, I couldn’t understand why that wouldn’t be the case. For some reason, the Duke was always way too careful with his behaviour towards us.

’Hmm... Maybe... our condition makes him uncomfortable...? I guess that could be it...’

Therefore, so that he wouldn’t misunderstand me further, I squeezed his arm and put my other hand on top of his, closing my eyes as tightly as I could.

’This is how it should have been from the beginning! Why would you send me in a carriage with those shi–... awful children!’

I don’t know exactly how he translated the gestures, but I am sure he understood that I was fine with his decision.

"...Then... let’s go back to our home Marianne."

"..."

’...our... home...?’

For a moment... I questioned his statement.

’...Heh...right... it’s Our home...’

Having such unconvinced thoughts about his words, I realised that, in my unconsciousness, I still have not accepted my current reality in its entirety.

’...Even if I know it is real... I guess it doesn’t mean I will accept it so easily...’

Time is the key to acceptance. So, starting with where my home is... let’s make this whole new world my own.

Glancing at our surroundings while walking to the parked carriage, new sights were opening their doors to me. The sights of this world, where fantasies occurred, were to become common to my eyes, leaving the ones of my past... as fictional sceneries.

As we arrived at the waiting carriage, I laughed inwardly at the irony this meant.

The Duke took my hand and walked to my left side. Bowing slightly, he said in a joyful tone.

"Please, let this humble server help the beautiful Princess."

His funny act made me giggle as I saw it.

I bowed my head facing him to show my appreciation as I took his hand, and stepped into the carriage. It was time for the Duke to follow me inside too, but... for some reason... it took him a while to board it.

What made his delay weird, is that he was not giving any orders or anything. He was just standing outside frozen. From the inside of the carriage, I could tell that he was standing motionless in the same spot where he stood to help me.

When he finally climbed into it, before he closed the door, he instructed the coach to depart in a low and cold tone. The playful expression was gone and now a serious one was replacing it.

His actions made me go in a weird direction as to why his sudden change.

’Hmm... Maybe... he wants to poop?’

In my past life, my brothers used to become bipolar if they were holding it in, so...

’He should just go do his necessities... he’s getting old, it’s not good for him to hold it in~’

We took off in dull silence, seating across each other.

Since this time I was comfortable with the company, I watched outside on our way back. As we left the Palace grounds, a road opened the path to the centre of the city. Houses, restaurants, markets, people, dogs and cats, children... an old times city could be seen. I was fascinated by the sight. The bustling of people and the passing carriages, the sounds I used to hear in my old world seemed distant. No honks of cars, no traffic lights, no sounds of motors, no ten floors high buildings, no smoke or polluted air... Most of these things were gone.

I could hear the steps of the horses, the voices of the merchants and the sound of the wheels making their way through the stone-floored street.

There was no stress in the air like in modern times. At least, I could not feel it, since I’ve seen a scene full of noise before.

It was very nice to see. So I maintained my eyes fixed on the unknown city.

While I was observing, the Duke spoke for the first time in the carriage.

"... that... There used to be a toy shop on that spot..."

Looking at where he was pointing out, a pastry shop could be found.

’Why would he remember where a toy shop was? Shouldn’t it be a restaurant or hotel???’

In silence, I thought about this, but then... another question emerged.

’If he remembers a toy shop... it must be because he went there often...’

"..."

’... Then, Marianne... you must have received some of those toys, right?’

Toys from medieval times must be quite special since crafting them is more difficult because the technological advances are still not as developed... Those toys must be a hundred percent created by hand. Owning a toy must be actually a luxury only reserved for noble children.

Staring at the pastry shop, I started to imagine a little Marianne holding a doll or a bear wherever she went.

The Duke must have seen how concentrated I was looking at the shop, because he spoke once again with a softer voice.

"... Would you... like to buy some?"

Turning my head in his direction, I nodded without hesitation. Even though I wasn’t thinking about the desserts displayed, I would never decline if he was offering to buy some sweets.

’Let’s go! You gotta let me choose! You don’t know this, but! This is my area of expertise!’

He opened a little wooden gap that was placed behind him and spoke to the coachman.

"Stop for a moment."

And so, the carriage started to slow down.