You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 623

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"Lady Pristina... finally we are able to meet... how have you been? I apologise for not being able to welcome you and your family last night... yet as you are able to see, I have become a tad... unable to move as freely as I used to." — A visibly ill woman who remained as elegant as I reckoned said as she welcomed myself into her chambers. Resembling her son who stood tall next to me, used to the sight while I swallowed my concerns since the duchess’s demeanour had gone paler from what I could remember. — "Clemente, dear. Thank you for bringing the Ninth to my presence."

"It is no trouble, Mother."

"Fufu... yes..." — She smiled nicely. Adding something else once Clemente made a gesture to enter the room. – "Do leave us alone now."

"Huh?"

’Huh?’ — I froze just as he did.

"What is it, son? Do you have something to tell me?"

"Ah... No, it is nothing, Mother. As you wish, I will leave the two of you to converse comfortably." — Clemente said overcoming the confusion in haste, releasing my hand gently off his arm as he bowed to leave, leaving myself while still troubled, not understanding why the sudden cold request and nervous to be alone with a respectful duchess I barely know. — "Once you have finished I will come back... if that is alright with you."

"Yes, alright. Go ahead now, son." — At her words, he bowed, giving me a look before going away.

’... w-why is it necessary for us to be alone?? Am I... perhaps I am not here solely for an accessory’s design???’ — Doing my best so as to remain calm, I turned to meet Clemente’s mother’s eyes, which were smiling at my apparent nervousness. Nonetheless, she kindly invited me closer once a moment of silence had elapsed.

"Do not be shy, dear... come sit beside myself. Let us talk a tad."

’... Her voice is truly kind...’ — I thought as I walked towards her, still alert for even as she was in bed, her being demanded cautious respect.

"... You are a very talented child, Lady Marianne... When I learned the accessories you wore were designed and crafted as you came up with the idea, I could not help but request- cough!... hum... My apologies... I could not help but request your assistance in making one for myself..."

’Ah... water...’ — I searched as I noticed it was difficult for her to talk. Reaching out for the glass on the night table next to her so she could drink a bit of it.

"... my appreciation... lately I solely talk with my husband and my son... they do most of the talking, fufufu... It is refreshing to be the one doing so this time."

’Well... if you knew I can talk it could be different... however... a secret it is.’

"... how did the Ninth come up with these kinds of accessories?" — She then asked, showing sincere intrigue in her eyes. — "I have heard of a motive... yet I would like to learn it from yourself."

[ There were certain flowers I hoped to keep forever as beautiful, and so, this is what I came up with. An accessory that also allows myself to carry them with me. ] — I answered in my stack.

"Hoped to keep... I see... lovely and pure... wonderful a motive it is." — She expressed while staring at a piece she had of her own, one she probably had bought at the shop only to have a sight of the kind of accessories they were. — "Dear... is it possible for an accessory to keep something that is not a flower but is as precious to one’s heart?"

There was incredible softness in her being as she met my eye. I became a tad overwhelmed as it was apparent she had deep feelings hidden in such inquiry, and as I was not supposed to reply, she slowly moved, tilting her head so I would look again at the table next to her.

"Lady Marianne, do please open that drawer and hand me the green box within."

I did as told, careful not to be hasty and put it on her hands curious as to what could be inside. The former duchess caressed the ribbon with her fingers before undoing the knot, opening the box with a tender expression as she took something from within.

"This hair... is the one I cut long ago to make my own first and last brush... and this piece of paper... has the small painting... if one may even call it a painting... I made it with its assistance..."

’... painting...?’

"It is Clemente, my loved only son... the sole I could give birth to... it is not a great painting. As a woman, I was never allowed to indulge in this delightful art... yet I drew him with my own hair after giving birth... as weak as I felt... small he was... lovely... my force came back solely to do this... he would be able to do most of what I could not do as a woman... and he had survived my guts, unlike... unlike the other children I could not bring to this world alive."

Full of longing, she smiled while she showed myself the small piece, surprising me with how pretty it was even as she acknowledged no skill at it, but more so... after sensing something too familiar from her being... something an old and very dear friend I would never meet in this world used to summon within myself. Peaceful inspiration... and admiration.

’Granny Martha... she’s kind of like her...’

"Lady Marianne, is it possible to craft, perhaps not an accessory, yet as beautiful a keeper for this treasure I hope to protect? This is how my eyes saw my son when just born... the desire his existence provoked for myself to paint for the very first and very last time... for who I was able to feel delight every day until this day."

"....." — I remained quiet, thinking how this could be done and at my silence her tone changed as she added. — "Of course, Dolton is also part of my delight, hahaha~... my lovely husband... he honours my value to this day even as I have little to offer... him and my gentle son... are the love that saved myself from losing to this world... even as I lose to sickness..."

’!... she’s... she’s saying things granny Martha once told me... aha... a-although it’s different but...’

"What is it, darling? Have my words depressed you?"

"..."

The manner in which she asked... calling myself darling... stunned me more after coincidentally remembering my dearest friend from my past life. Nevertheless... foolish it was of me to see her in the former duchess...

’I must be feeling lonely... the small painting and tool made me nostalgic...’ — I shook my head as an answer while I chuckled. Trying to forget how Granny Martha once told me the story of how while going against her parents’ wishes she had made for herself her own brush with her strands.

"... after being attacked... my health is not recovering. I am well aware."

"..."

"I felt better for a tad... although I then got worse once the Autumn ball came nearer... I want this crafted, so my loved family may stay with this little nothing my younger self made as a prayer for our happy future... as the gift my soul found in this life... how valuable a treasure they are... and have been."

It was clear as a day of midsummer that the duchess acknowledged little time was there for her to remain next to her loved ones. Perhaps, her family also knew about it... and yet they still behaved as if no trouble invaded their hearts. There was no way for myself to object to such a request... much less knowing how dear this woman was to Clemente, my nice friend...

I had some ideas as to how this petition could be designed, yet I would need the duchess to say which would be the one.

[ It is more than possible to craft. During my stay, we shall find the design that most suits your wishes, your great grace. ] — Ultimately, I said in my notes. Keeping to myself the emotions for it was obvious my place here was not to feel pity but to help a sincere mother leave a good memory for her family.

"My... so it is possible... my many thanks, dear Ninth... it is not a flower so... You do not know how much I have been looking forward to your agreement." — The breath she took as she thanked me while taking my hands was surely the most alleviated for it also relieved my soul as I was able to grant it.

Thinking that maybe it would be good to start immediately, I retrieved my hands so I could draw in my stack a small sketch of what I had in mind. So it could be shown this time; honestly eager from the bottom of my heart for the former duchess probably had stronger feelings attached to the treasure she wanted to protect beautifully in what resembled my accessories.

However, as I was writing down the wish to share some thoughts right at that moment, she used her hand to call her maid closer.

"Bring us some snacks, Carol. Do not forget to make the tea as hot as possible."

"I already requested it, your Grace. Shortly I will bring it for you to enjoy."

"Oh, fufu~ Perfect... cough! Ahem... hum... Lady Marianne, now that my request has been explained and knowing you are to stay for a few days why don’t we talk about some ladylike matters?" — With a new glint in her eyes, anticipant in what could be considered even a childish essence, she said oddly energetic. — "I have heard of you being courted by his highness the crown prince... Tell myself EVERYTHING about it."

’H-Huh?? S-So suddenly?? But... what about the design—’

"Hm?... Were you already drawing something?... Goodness, take your time. Do it calmly, there are other matters- coff! Hum... uff... other matters I want to talk with you. Let ourselves not focus on business only, yes?" — Making me place aside the stack, she cleared her throat, holding her stomach as well; probably experiencing some pain she has not been able to heal properly. Yet acting freely as if deciding to forget the discomfort now that she could converse with someone besides her family members. — "Therefore? How is it that the crown prince convinced you to join him in courtship? Goodness. My son was too slow... I would love to know how that feared hero managed to charm you before my gentle Clemente did."

’Heh... too slow she says... Clemente and I are just friends...’ — A tad entertained by how different she behaved now that she looked for gossip, I chuckled to myself. Taking my stack again to answer. — [ His Grace and I are good friends. Certainly whoever his eye will choose will be a blessed lady. ]

"... Of course she will. Clemente is caring... soft within... You being her friend does make us, his parents, glad, my lady."

[ I am also delighted. A good man he is. ]

"... Yes... You becoming my daughter-in-law would have been better but... it is too late for that."

’Woah, so straightforward, haha...’

"No matter! You have yet to tell me. Is his highness good to you? The announcement of the courtship was not too long ago. Is he romantic? Is he generous? Maybe mischievous, fufufu~?"

’Uh... Good... He has always been good to me...’ — Picturing his profound eyes, those where I lost myself so many times, I blushed. Missing him while reviving the conflicts I was not sure how to appease when away from him.

"... Goodness... his highness is fortunate. To have you say so much with as simple silence, oh darling... In love, you are already."

’!?? I-Is it that obvious?! That’s embarrassing, however?? Does it show this easily???’

"Why do you fret? Love comes naturally... Although with this showcase some of the hope I kept must be utterly forgotten..."

’?? What hope?... Was she serious about Clemente and I??’ — I considered while composing myself, paying attention to her as the maid approached us to serve us the snacks.

"I do not have a daughter. At the age Clemente has, I would have loved to have these sorts of conversations with a daughter... yet it is impossible... even as my son and I are close, we cannot talk about this like women would." — With a hint of frustration, she sipped on her tea. Raising her brow as it was too hot; grinning right after, as if pleased to feel the scorch. — "I suppose you have conversed sufficiently with your own mother about this. Tired you might be... yet if it is alright with you, I would like to hear what kind of man it is that you may be marrying, Lady Marianne."