You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 621

Marianne, already locking her arm with Clemente’s did just as her father and sister, greeting the young lady, although she would talk to her and join their walk as they stepped inside.

"Lady Marianne, I never thought I would have the pleasure of staying where you do as well. It has not been that long since I last saw you yet it feels like a long time has passed. The season is already changing after all."

’... mhm...’ — Unconvinced Marianne simply nodded, wondering what bit of her words she should believe.

"My lady, about your last letter, since your arrival was near I decided to reply in person. I hope you did not find my lack of response as an offence." — Placing no importance on Karina’s company, Clemente decided to say. Receiving the shake of her crown followed with her warm smile that had expected such as the reason. — "... You will be staying for a few days so I hope we may share many conversations while you are here. Mother has difficulty joining us tonight, yet tomorrow morning I could take you to her if you like."

’Oh my... I wonder if her health is alright...’

"Has his grace been exchanging letters often with the ninth?" — Intruding in the friendly conversation, Karina asked.

"... Lady Karina, is there a problem?"

"I did not expect his grace to be the kind to exchange letters with a lady. Besides, the ninth is also currently in courtship with the crown prince, therefore—"

"Your insinuation, halt it immediately, lady Karina." — Clemente said, stopping his pace. — "Lady Marianne and I converse in friendly terms to arrange this meeting. As a guest do not place the Noverrne’s name in hazard and recall the manners taught by the Baron."

"!? Goodness, t-that was not my intention... I... I solely found it curious for it implies the good relationship between the ducal families... I wondered if you had a friendship from long ago... my apologies if you misunderstood."

The lady was stared at by Marianne and rigidly watched by Clemente’s eye while her head lowered at the sharp response the Duke stated. It appeared harsh as it was quickly done by the man, yet unbeknownst to Marianne, Karina had been disrupting Clemente’s tolerance throughout her stay at his home all this time... Placing sentiments within a calm man he had never experienced in the past.

"How words are told is an important matter, Lady Karina. It would be good for you to keep that in mind." — Polite, Clemente added, holding the sigh in his lungs. Inviting Marianne with a gentle demeanour to walk further inside.

Acting cordial, Marianne simply followed Clemente’s guide, saying no word as expected from her mute fame, yet bearing curious thoughts on the exchange as knowledge from a past was her privilege and suspicions from her present added to the contemplations.

’They... don’t seem to get along as they did in the novel...’ — She thought, relieved that it could be the case.

Small talk was enjoyed at the lounge, mostly between the Duke of Sylfinnier and the previous one from the Noverrne’s while the younger ones joined from time to time at their invitation. Nonetheless, as friendly as they had become, Marianne and Clemente shared short thoughts in between, written in her stack and replied with respectful whispers by the current Head of the House.

[ Our fathers have been friends for a long time apparently. ] — Initially, she wrote after seeing how lively the men were.

"... Friends and rivals father says." — Clemente answered, dissimulating the glance. — "As dukes, they compete to perform well."

’It makes sense...’ — She conceived, observing for a little more. Growing impatient the more they talked without a thought. — [ For them to be rivals they get along too well... it appears they forgot about the meal and us, Your Grace. ]

"... Indeed, it is getting late."

Not long after, the meal was reminded to the older men by Clemente who moved as soon as he read "I’m hungry" from his esteemed guest. Dinner was shared in a friendly ambience and the guests were taken to their rooms right after. Peaceful it was... and yet an odd taste was left in the ninth’s mouth after seeing Karina’s behaviour match what a novel in her previous life described.

’She’s... nice.’ — Marianne thought, unable to shake the suspicions and instead feeling them intensify. Knowing that the woman was to be watched, for her beloved was once destined to be Karina’s... as well as the friend she came to visit. — ’Too nice... Just as nice as a female lead should be, haha...’

The details of a novel caused her insecurity as she thought of the man her heart missed... aware that, compared to the story told in pages, the crown prince had yet to do any of the passionate exchanges he dared to with Karina with her.

"Oh don’t think about that! How silly I am... it is completely different!" — She murmured to herself as she turned to sleep, bummed to fall into comparing herself with another woman... Missing his hands and taste while longing more to be earned once time allowed such caresses.

The next day came seemingly natural and the visit of her friend knocked at her door that morning, keeping his word to take the chosen to his mother which had been the sole motive to invite her as a guest to their mannor.

"My lady, I have come as accorded." — After taking a moment to appreciate the freshness of Marianne, Clemente greeted her composed, bowing respectfully to find surprise in her hand inviting him to step inside. — "... Have I arrived too early? I shall wait outside if Lady Marianne is not ready."

"Hahaha, it is not what you believe, your Grace~" — She answered after he was already inside, having closed the doors to ensure no one would hear her sound, entertained at his overly polite formalities and troubled expression. — "Since I arrived we have only conversed through my stack. I wanted to at least greet you properly today, with my sound, that is."

"Oh... I understand... I thought I had inconvenienced your morning preparations... Did you rest well, my lady Marianne? Hopefully, you had no trouble falling asleep at an unfamiliar place."

"Uhm... I did rest well, these chambers are truly comfortable. My thanks I must give to his grace."

"... That is a relief." — Staring quietly for a moment, his head finally nodded, lightly smiling as her demeanour showed her as gentle as ever.

"...? Is His Grace alright? You seem a tad out of sorts. Were you unable to sleep well last night?"

"I am alright, it is solely... I did not expect to hear your sound, Lady Marianne. I thought we would be more discreet about it. It took me by surprise."

"Ah, haha... If anyone who is not aware is around I will remain quiet. I only felt it was a pity since we have not seen each other in a while and you are the one friend I have revealed this secret to."

"... I see." — ’Friends we are’ — He thought feeling a small sting through the heart, thinking back on the day of her courtship officialisation he had hoped to change such friendship... yet did not get to do so out of respect... and a hint of cowardice.