CHAPTER 649: CHAPTER 649

The thirst for her had dried him out from the inside as if he had never known better. Nervous he became as if no other caress had ever existed between them before. But by far, Zeleskiaz felt more remorseful... for even as he wished to lose himself in the moment, his senses could still listen to every little oddity and noticed it was not only the two of them in the room anymore.

’... had I been more selfish... had I not cared for what she was to tell and stolen her ten seconds ago... if I had, that umbra’s presence would not be an issue now...’ — The crown prince thought. Cursing the lady’s Father for being too protective by sending Theodore back to secretly watch the couple. — ’Being respectful... it couldn’t be more annoying right now...’

"At this moment... it seems impossible for me to do something about it, my lady."

"... what? Why?"

"... I will take you back to your chambers. Yet could I borrow your stack for a second?"

"..."

"Please."

Hate for himself was growing. The anthracite was dull after what could be called a rejection was given. Her closeness and endearing readiness transformed immediately into distance once his hand unfolded in wait for her stack, for the realisation while ignorant of the reasons sobered Marianne up from the seduction love easily set up.

"Here it is."

’She’s outraged... have I messed up so horribly?’

Taking the stack after she pushed it into his hands, averting her visage while a thick sigh left her, Zeleskiaz clenched the stack regretful of the choices he made. Writing quickly his reasons and giving back the stack while also wrapping her hand around his arm to escort her path.

"?! Release my hand."

"Read what I wrote while we go."

"?"

[ We were not alone. I am sorry. ]

No sound came from her after reading his words. Only a troubled glance and a troubled essence governed the woman while they moved towards the stances she owned in the Royal palace. Her distance remained... and his affliction could only find a speck of hope in the hand she allowed to softly stay around his arm.

"... Let us meet again tomorrow... If I may, I would like to come and share breakfast with the lady." — He said, softly to her.

Marianne’s nod came without energy, standing still before the doors of the Burgundy chamber. The words he wanted to say could not able to be told at her demeanour and so Marianne’s door eventually closed, leaving Zeleskiaz with sour feelings as nothing he had wished for today was going accordingly to his desires. Such cold separation... was the drop that took out any peace he managed to carry.

*BANG!* — "CURSED BE ALL!! DAMNED THE HEAVENS AND THE DEMONS!!! F*CK!"

The crown prince yelled after finally finding himself in the privacy of his dark chambers. — "What is it that I have to do, huh?! Why do I seem to hurt her when I want to cherish my precious love!? For f*ck’s sake!?!! D*mn it!! Bloody hell!"

*CRASH!*

"Huff...huff... I want to hug her and kiss her... I want to marry her so nothing can make me stay away from her scent and her dulcet puffs and giggles..."

Sitting across the broken glass, Zeleskiaz felt the tears welling up in his throat. Frustrated by the lost grasp he had of himself and the love he chased. Thinking again about the fear and wrath her bloody image provoked during the ball.

"... I should have never made that promise... I should have killed that woman the moment she crossed our path... my lady... why... why can’t I erase those who hurt you like I want to... why... why do I feel like I am losing it all while trying my best to do the things you deem right for you..."

— ... please do something about it...—

"Uff! D*mn it... She’s lovely..."

A wave travelled him, shockingly delightful at the sound and words recalled. Zeleskiaz stood as if guided by the sensation, standing at the frame of the window that had become his refuge ever since she first came to the palace.

The cold wall became the support under his hands and the soft light falling on her balcony became a heavy torture... an exhalation full of grief was the outcome, followed by a faint mumble.

"I’m tired of it... of this."

The news that would come to him would arrive too late. The night continued to shower everyone with tense emotions... Those troubled by the love for the other would not be able to meet or avoid the decisions made nor would they be able to stop what the evil nor the deities had cautiously prepared to fight each other.

A chosen, the child Marianne is... a protectee, heir of the fated, Zeleskiaz had become... and the witch’s patience had no more reasons to remain after failing tonight.

*******

Six days after the winter ball took place, the rain became an everyday melody, slowly threatening to turn white in snowflakes.

The flowers had finally decided not to bloom as much nor remain dry, disappearing from the now burned green beds they used to rise from.

"... in a few more days, the trees will have no more leaves to cover their branches... I could not notice how fast the seasons were changing..."

"Indeed, it does feel like the scenery abruptly changed, my lady." — Paige answered her pensive master taking a good look at her demeanour while she sat at the table close to her chamber’s window. Feeling a sense of deja vu for she used to sit and watch her household’s surroundings from that same place a year ago, solely that now her poise was not dull, dreadfully quiet nor as concerning.

Well wrapped in a blanket, the lady’s cheeks were lightly rosy, healthy and comfy. Much more humane as she did not care for appearances whilst in her chambers with those she trusted.

"Mm... this milk tastes so well..."

"I also brought some cookies... I-I made them myself after the lady told me about those you fancied the other day."

"?! Truly? You have been spending more time in the kitchen lately. How sweet of you to make some for me, Paige~ why don’t you sit and eat some with me? You have been working since very early today."

"Ah... well, there is not much we can do in this weather... besides..."

"Hmm?"

"I-if the lady can tell me if they suit her taste I will appreciate it."

"?... oh... ohoho~ I see, yes certainly I can do that." — After realising the glance the maid gave to a quiet knight, Marianne chuckled to herself. Having some entertainment at how obvious her friend’s actions had become.