CHAPTER 644: CHAPTER 644

Only exhaustion could I feel after the exchange. My unmatched calmness remained as my blurry sight clarified. Not many answers but clues at least were given. Slowly the questions were piling up and yet I had an unshakeable belief that the answers would be found sooner than expected. Yet the time and place were not suitable for myself to contemplate lengthily in the unavoidable hidden secrets the gods were keeping from me while demanding my cooperation...

"... Ouf..."

"?!... L-... Lady Marianne..."

"! M-Marianne!!"

"Sister..."

’Ah... the ceiling is so high...’ — For a second I looked above to then see and feel how my blood and extremities pulsated resentful of the damage I had just overcome. The eyes of those I knew were looking at me filled with disbelief from a distance... A feeling very well excused for any common man would have thought I would not stand again at this bloody scene of me.

Even so, there was a view I did not think I would find and witness, for my recovery had never been this fast.

A weak frightened Karina kicked the air... while his high-... while Zeleskiaz’s fearsome nature was displayed in its gruesome splendour.

He looked big and terrifying while she seemed helpless in danger. The sight did frighten me since I could imagine the pain his clutch caused her. But much more once he turned to show a smile that disappeared as soon as he met my stare.

"BLuh-! AH! Kh! Co-cough!! Gasp!!"

"My Lady, you are awake!!" — Faster than a blink after throwing Karina far away, I saw her collide against a wall and table, he came to me in an instant. His eyes were dissipating the bloody red to welcome the ultramarine with hints of rosy shades while his countenance appeared mortal and no longer infernal. Loving as if innocent from any sin with a weepy glint in his eyes... — "Ha...! My... my lady...! Gods... thankful I am..."

’Ngh...’ — His strength was squeezing me in a fervent embrace. The blood in my face felt dried up, uncomfortable, yet I could feel the air lose some tension while I observed over his shoulder how the shocked eyes fell on me. Wishing by the pressure of their watch to simply refuge myself in the dangerous arms holding me that were quivering as I felt his nose sink in my nape. Making me flich as I felt what I believed... was a tear.

"Fuhh... my lady Marianne... ngh..."

’... Is this perilous prince... crying...?’ — Feeling empty in disbelief. Hurting to think about it, I finally placed my hand on his wide back. Not being able to properly understand or consider anything much for I was dragged away by his sudden jump.

"STEP BACK!!" — I heard him growl grasping me strongly, taking from his vest an artefact that once dropped to the floor a two-bladed sword elevated from its light. Crashing against an attack I saw coming from the ground.

I would have screamed if not for how terrifying the slash of the attacker provoked. Half of the candelabrum fell where we had been a moment ago. The tail that had appeared like a whip and sliced it down went back into the floor but dark claws with pointy bones that opened as if their meal had escaped twisted like rumbling fingers. Ready to chase it back.

I felt a breeze the moment after I blinked and five of the claw-like fingers lost a piece.

"Tsk. BIEL!! BURN THE GROUND BEFORE IT ESCAPES!!" — Zeleskiaz ordered. Holding onto me while both of us watched the creature go back into the nook it came from.

"F*CK!! EVEN IF YOU SAY THAT, THERE’S NOT MUCH TIME TO DO ANYTHING!!"

*Crash!*

"Tsk... too late..." — After stabbing a sword at its centre. Clemente who rushed on his own to stop its escape, mumbled. Leaving everything in silence for nobody could get a good grasp of everything that occurred. Even myself.

"... my lady..." — After leaving his weapon on the floor, it was sucked into the artefact again. Turning to check on me. Touching my limbs and feeling the blood over me to ultimately look me in the eyes. His hand caressed my cheek and ear; bringing me close as he sighed weakly leaning on me as if cuddling his countenance against mine. — "I lost it....."

"..." — His frown and his tightened eyes ready to tear up confused me as to what it was that he had lost. Yet they opened quickly after, decisive while I still did not know what to make of any of this.

"Take both women, Karina Valzerie and Theressa Sylfinnier into the ceremony Hall. We will solve this right now. Talmhach! Follow us there and treat the Ninth there!"

"?! Y-Yes, your Highness... B-but... Is it advisable? The Ninth should retire to her chambers for a better treatment..." — The royal physician who was hiding under a table said. Making me wonder if that was truly the best option.

"... My Lady... I do not want to lose you from sight."

"..."

"I am afraid... and the involved ones, you may be needed to witness the interrogation."

I do not know what the truth was. A speck of me doubted because of the smile he wore before seeing me alive. The meaning behind it... I thought it was the real madman I had not seen until today... and honestly... it frightened me more than I would have wished.

*******

"... Orland. Stand, we’d better go as well. Zeleskiaz is right."

"I know."

I heard Dad and the Emperor exchange while the crown prince lifted me. I met my dad’s gaze and as he reincorporated he came to stand before us, stopping his highness to quietly look at me.

There was a lot his exhausted hues wanted to say... but his hand came to my face... not touching it while his expression adopted much pain.

"..... Are you alright?" — After dropping his hand and sighing to himself, he gently asked.

My nod took a while, for even if I was not going to die the events did take a toll, mostly on my mind. How it had come to such mayhem was still impressive... but, while following behind the handcuffed Theressa and Karina, I slowly accepted that whatever unfolded, whatever they were to say after all the commotion, I certainly wanted to hear it.

The crown prince laid me on a long couch, sitting next to me as he made the physicians take a look at my limbs and... well, every bit that exuded blood unnaturally tonight.

"Carefully examine her left arm..." — He told Talmhach once he took my left hand to observe the bloody nails and puffy skin bathed in red. — "Her sister said that a ring with a needle pricked my lady’s left arm which may have caused all of this."

"?! I will carefully look for the injury. Thank you for the information, your highness."

"I don’t understand! Why am I being chained?? I was dragged suddenly and almost killed without reason! What has happened outside??! I demand an explanation!"