You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 620

"..."

Standing at the door, the hand that had reached out to open it stopped unable to touch the knob, frightened as the image of his smile and golden eyes flashed ominously in her mind as if to welcome her once more.

"Are we not going in ninth~? Your hand is not holding the knob, see?" — Flying to land on her hand the ignorant fairy said, causing the tremble to travel her body until the inner side of her lip was bitten in frustrated misery. — "You need to hold it and then we can enter, yes?"

"I know..." — ’He’s not here and I need to get in there to properly surpass my fear... Paul will not get myself to lose anything else.’

"Then open it, ninth~ we do not have all day! Fairies also sleep!"

Showing indifference to the fairy’s comments her hand opened the door and stepped into the room, feeling the common chill she was used to experience ever since her brother decided to make her days confusing, uncertain and helpless.

"... this is it..."

"Blergh! How can Estelle clean this?! It reeks, ninth!!!"

"... I know..."

"?? How? How does the ninth know? Does the ninth see what Estella sees?? Weird. That is weird, ninth!!"

"I cannot see what you do, however... it makes sense for myself if it reeks as you say." — Watching the place... a nightmare resurfaced as her anthracite traced each corner of the place. Recalling the way she had been beaten and dragged, how she was forced to stay still for hours and talked to sweetly in threats... drowned and cuddled... locked up as well whenever he did not manage to make her understand a lie.

"? Ninth?" — Curious, the fairy followed Marianne, who walked towards the mattress in Paul’s chambers. Staring at the shapes carved on the wall next to it that once she pressed a certain place of its decoration the wall would loosen... allowing her hand to push it and find the dirty room where Paul would lock her when younger and annoyed at her misbehaviour.

"... please Estelle... take as much time as needed... clean every trace of stain from my home, I beg you..."

"Ah... the tears of a ninth... Estelle is sorry, dear ninth..."

With downcast glint, the creature flew to hold the fallen tear splash through its tiny hands, saddened and restless. Slowly going into the child’s strands to hold onto them in a guilty hug. The fairy knew that what would be found was similar to the Duke’s bureau... however, the hidden place was not only rotten in curses but also in memories and suffering. Estelle desperately hugged the ninth’s hair, hoping that the tears would eventually cease.

Nonetheless, it was not out of pain that tears fell from Marianne’s lids.

A void had opened bottomless within Marianne’s heart... the acceptance of her past. Both of them... provoked the void to find tears as if its filling would cure the dark of it. For in the shady room she opened, strands from when she was young lay on its ground along some small clothes Paul had kept from those days as if to make it alive.

’... I hated this place since it looked big and endless once he closed this door... it gets so dark... I cried myself mute asking him to get me out... I pulled my hair out to distract me from the fear of the dark and loneliness... I ultimately discovered thanks to those nights that keeping shut was what would get myself out... slowly... I learned that it was best not to talk... as he had told me... it would keep him as my nice brother since everyone else hated me...’

A smile of disbelief was drawn in her visage, knowing deeply that everything her tormentor had said was a lie to keep her by his side.

Frustration and the seemingly endless helplessness from her younger days caused her heart to tremble as if fresh in her skin while a worried fairy embraced her strands sorry for the hurt of a ninth’s soul.

The eyes of her brother when still children made her miss such warmth... yet coldness was everything his lost gaze left in her heart as she recalled how the vibrant gold turned deadly as they grew up.

"... it truly reeks..." — Marianne mumbled. Feeling deep within a sense of loss as she conceived the idea that, had she learned of an evil one sooner, had she been announced as the ninth sooner... had she not submitted herself as easily to the manipulations... Paul’s being could have been saved like her youngest sister’s. — "His time passed... it reeks... any chance rotted away in here..."

Sadness was willfully coming and going every day during her stay at home. The interactions with her family members were more meaningful the more she owned her new soul, discovering truths and lies... seeing more within them as an old self added to her wise eye.

And yet... many times, there was the memory of a dear one that calmed her sadness down... igniting her curiosity for it had been quiet without having a glance of the man.

’... has he been very busy? Is he... thinking about me... missing myself like I miss him?’

The attempts to convince herself that there was a reason behind the distance he placed back at the palace were repeated every time she thought of the crown prince while looking for the comfort love could grant her soul. Every nook of the Sylfinnier’s household was visited and cleansed after staying a little longer at her request... allowing the artefacts to recognise her as the owner of Calla’s blessing, Fenrir’s curse... and Jørgen’s blood. Although such a fact would stay a secret for they were meant to help the child later on.

*******

"We have prepared a magnificent dinner to welcome you, Orland. Hahaha~ my friend how good it is to have you here at last!" — Dolton said as he hugged the guest effusively. Smiling widely while his son, the current duke of Noverrne stood to his side, amiable while welcoming the awaited guests of their house. — "How was the ride? I can guess it has been a long and straining path..."

"Our homes are far apart even though we are close to the capital, what else can you expect, Sir, hahaha."

"There you go calling me Sir again! Are you trying to make me mad, Orland?! You are at my home, talk comfortably my friend! There is nothing to be afraid of! Hahaha~"

"Afraid?! Alright alright, Dolton. Don’t take it to heart. You know I do so out of respect."

"Sigh... Respects cannot be eaten, my friend... But, oh my goodness! Where are my manners? I cannot give you all of my attention when these beautiful young blossoms are here as well! Lady Theressa, Lady Pristina, I welcome you dearly to our humble home, please excuse myself for behaving childishly with your father."

’Haha~ it is fine isn’t it?’

"We do not mind, good Lord. Knowing the friendship you share it delights us to see you getting along so nicely." — The youngest answered while Marianne remained silent as supposed to. Bowing gently in agreement to her little sister’s words... while peeking at the young current Duke... and the young girl who was also a guest in the Noverrne’s duchy standing a few steps behind the man.

"My lady Marianne, how have you been? It is an honour to have you with us." — Stepping forward, Clemente decided to welcome Marianne first, unfolding his hand to take hers in polite greeting. — "Your Grace, the day is already fading for you to stand at the entrance, how about we move inside so you may have some tea while dinner is served?"

"! Well said, son! Come on in, Orland! Let us talk more inside, your children must not get more of the cold breeze this end of autumn brings! Walter! Do help bring our dear guests’ luggage inside. Do not let our hospitality look bad."

"As you say, my Lord."

"Thank you, Dolton."

"Lady Marianne... may I?" — Offering his arm to the chosen, Clemente wished to guide the friendly lady inside. The glance of her father was quickly retrieved, satisfied by the attention of the young man for such behaviour was appropriate for in truth the main guest was Marianne not the Duke.

"Theressa, let’s go." — Pleased by the importance Clemente properly gave to his guest, Orland grinned taking with him the youngest of his family. Bowing to Karina who quietly welcomed them as well as another guest.