You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 698

"... I will see to the miss’s wounds." — Theodore said after feeling the silent nod as deeply as Vitor. Using his knowledge of a closed clan for his master’s sister’s sake. From a few steps away Jasmine observed, releasing her little brother and standing to look around. — "... you said Marianne crossed this wall?"

"Y-yes, sister... sir T-Theo and I... we saw it." — Calming himself down, little Dioclecià recalled his brother’s hopes about his stuttering, glancing at the wall before continuing. — "She seemed to be t-t-talking with o-one of her f-fairies... and little after, she entered the wall and d-disappeared."

Jasmine looked around once again, knowing that a fairy should indeed be roaming the place. She could not see her but could sense her.

"Dioclecià, come here for a moment." — Checking the boy’s clothes thanks to her powers, inside his pocket, there rested Estelle, waking up at Jasmine’s reach.

"Gasp! Is the ninth back?! I took care of the boy too!... oh... Oh, lovely princess! Aenean..... goodness what has happened while Estelle rested?" — Unbothered and sleepy, the creature was confused but quickly understood the situation. Much more when seeing the ninth’s sister having difficulties.

"! The small one! Estelle will heal her—"

"Do not." — Jasmine stopped her. — "Your strength must be saved for I also will need to cross this watery wall claye... Although I must wait here until my other bits are back."

"... s-sister? W-who are you t-talking to??"

"I am talking to the fairy as well. Do not be afraid." — Jasmine with a kind smile she rarely granted said to her little brother. Knowing that sooner than later the last mission of Aenean would be executed. — "Has it been long since she left?"

"It has been a while." — Theodore decided to join while finishing first aid on Theressa. — "If everything went as our lady hoped for, she should be returning soon."

"Alright."

"Princess... is this... is Aenean planning to heed the Bloomcrown?" — Estelle, downcast asked. Sad about what this meant for the admired guardian spirit. — "The season and the need for your last bits... is this the time you have been waiting to let sorrow be fully felt by your core?"

The dreams Jasmine had for many years were recalled fast as if fresh. The difficulty, complexity and lack of awareness of the feelings they summoned made sense tonight and she smiled at the creature she supposedly met for the first time tonight, sharing the concern in her small body and weary wings.

"Yes..." — She sighed. — "It is finally time."

As if watching herself the fairy in a human’s body allowed a tear to shine, hoping that soon, through that wall her own would return, that one owned by her new friend.

As if her sole goal depended on its return, they waited in tense silence, hearing only the tremors coming from above. And eventually, the tear came back. Yet not on the hands of the owner who called it her treasure, nor in the ones she had dropped for him to pick up. The wall started to go back into its original state underground. Shaped as columns... falling helplessly to let a single man appear in the middle of it.

"... someone’s there." — Theodore and Vitor raised protective. Going forward as they knew it wasn’t their lady who stood there. Yet as soon as they recognised the one approaching them, they lost any will to lift their weapons against him.

"... where’s this? Where is Marianne?" — He asked the stunned eyes watching him, fearing what could be told. Meeting the eyes of one he also cared for lying terribly wounded. — "... Theressa..."

"Dad?... how come it is you?" — Her figure was examined quickly as he went closer. Kneeling so her face could be watched clearly as he suffered the view of her limb and the uncalled shame she displayed. — "um... s- th-this was my fault... we tried to make sister escape and... er..."

"My dear goose, I am so glad you made it to a safe place." — Giving her a kiss on her forehead the father dismissed any wish to offer apologies from the girl. Turning around to congratulate his knights. — "You protected my youngest as well... well done Vitor, Theodore... Paige."

"!? We failed you, Master!"

"The lady is injured and what is more we ignore the whereabouts of Lady Marianne!" — Falling to their knees the men cried defeated at the kindness of their master while a maid cried just as defeated next to Theressa. — "Your appreciation is undeserved... useless we have been..."

"... Marianne is here at the Palace. Paul took her with him so we could escape the manor." — Orland calmly answered while fixing Theressa’s dress and hair. Smiling at her while swallowing the pain of seeing blood over her small frame. — "I see one of my lovely blooms slightly dishevelled yet still alive and as lovely as I can remember. The other will be safe as long as she remains as clever. You did well. You did what your hands could. Lift your heads... for you have been wounded and there should be no shame in you."

"... kh... we... we don’t deserve your kindness, master...!"

"..."

"Sir. I am sorry to interrupt but how did you cross that wall? It should be impossible for you." — Jasmine, now in a hurry, had to interfere.

"... Marianne dropped this. She probably did not mean for me to pick it up, but once I picked it up, it guided me to the library."

"Give it to me." — Bossy, her request seemed like an order while her aura appeared delighted. Her hand unfolded waiting for it and yet, Orland doubted. Frowning at the request of the princess.

"This is my daughter’s. With all due respect. Why should I give it away to your highness?"

"Dad..." — Troubled, Theressa tucked on his shirt, seeing how her father was also injured and losing strength to defend the princess who had also saved her. — "... what... no..."

"It is mine to have and use." — Jasmine retorted unfazed by the displeasure of the duke.

"I do not know about that. All I know is that it belongs to my daughter."

"..."

"... dad you’re... you’re bleeding..."