You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 472
’... You’ll say it?’
’Yes... I-’
’Because if I’m honest with you... I think if I’m rude enough I can be killed by the gods and... don’t you think that’s an epic way to fully die?’
’... Eli... how are you able to say that in this situation?’
’... even I wonder...’
’...’
’Yes... so... you were saying? My sanity is coming back now.’ — Regaining the composure I should have, I said to my baby red panda, feeling weird about my own behaviour... which hadn’t changed much from when in her body but felt odd now that I could clearly see the judgment in her face. Her narrowed eyes stared at me for a moment... exhaling... making me recall the sensations she sent through a shared body to transmit these very gestures I wasn’t able to see back then... making me think how amazing... and quite mesmerizing an experience this is... although I feel embarrassed by it.
’The agreement you made, was under the agreement I made.’
’Ah... What kind of agreement was that?’
’... Those from Izeneya when meeting with myself, said that... were you to sacrifice yourself for my life’s sake... my wish would be granted...’ 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶
’... what wish?’
’At first, I wanted to believe you would not do it... because I wanted you to keep existing... but then they said you agreed to stop existing... huff... it pained me... so strongly Eli...’
’Well... We knew it could happen one day... it was either that or mesh... we shouldn’t-’
’Yes, and that’s my wish.’ — Interrupting me Anne said, squeezing my hands tightly while looking me in the eye with that determined grey of her gaze. — ’Both of us will cease to exist individually... because I cannot be happy if incomplete... if I am without you.’
’Uh... but...’
’Eli... I can’t be happy if you’re not there somehow... you are one of those I love most... I-... I might love you more than I love dad...’
’Um...Well... I don’t swing that way but- Ow!’
’Eli!!’
’Gosh! I can’t with the tension, Anne!! I’ve just come back from a tense goodbye, you know!! I need some forced laughter!!’
’I know you resort to it when tense..... Yet I won’t laugh... Unless you agree to come back as one with me...’
’...’
’... sigh... Alright, do say it this once... It bothers myself to know what you might be thinking after I have said such.’
’Hehe~... I was thinking that’s quite the confession, sweetheart~’
’Goodness...’
’Even so... Before I say anything... Being more serious... about the people we love... uhm... have you... er... you know...’
’...’
’Come on... you know what I’m talking about...’
’... I haven’t talked with him yet...’ —Finally answering what I wanted to know even while reticent Marianne blushed as if in syntony with me. — ’It does not feel right... it’s as if... if I say I love him... it will not be with the full of it... It is as if my love is also incomplete when towards him without you Eli... I want to talk and clear the doubts... However, in the end, things didn’t go just as you once knew... maybe believing that story you read would still happen made us overlook something...’
’I know... both of us thought about that while in the cabin... We even regretted leaving like that...’
’... when I woke up he called us his beloved...’
’!!?! Oh my gosh!! Really?! And what did you do?!!’
’What do you mean what did I do!?? O-Of course I didn’t do anything! Am I not telling you it feels wrong to say I love him without you?!’
’..... right...’
’... I got a little excited, do excuse myself.’
’Sure...’ — I told her, quite surprised, yet not losing the opportunity to say what I was thinking. — ’You could have kissed him at least...’
’... dad was there, I couldn’t do that.’
’Oh? But you wanted to~ huh?’
’... After having you around, it did feel as if that was what I should have done...’
’... Huhu... look at you, you’ve grown so much~’ — I said teasing her while she fought the laugh.
’Therefore?’
’Hm?’
’Will you agree now?’ — Smiling, probably already aware of my answer, Marianne asked me. Letting my jokes go since that was my way to soften tensions... and she had gotten used to it so gracefully that she even knew how to get me out of them. — ’Your word is all that is left...’
’... I...’
’Also,’ — She interrupted me as I was about to reply. — ’There are other little things I could tell you... but I’ll only let you know about them if you agree.’
’... are you blackmailing me right now?... You, Anne...? With gossip no less????’
’Yes.’
’...’
’I did learn a few things while with you, Eli.’
’... hahahaha~ Of course, you did~ I’m a great teacher~’ — I laughed without holding back the pleasant feelings, hugging her tightly as this was the best reunion ever. And as she hugged me back... there was nothing left to talk about... — ’Let’s go back as one...’
’Hehe~ Really?’
’Yeah... I did say, I wanted to see you happy... now we both will...’
*******
After her wish to speak with the father was told with indifference to his touch, Zeleskiaz who had been agonizing from grief at the beloved’s state and the turns the circumstances around her had taken, also felt light relief while her sound raced one last time before his leave with the softness he always dreamed of.
— Thank you, my prince... —
Some of the concern had been placed into tranquillity as a word had been directed to him at least. And he hoped for the better... telling himself that there were enough reasons for her to so adamantly ask for her father’s ear and not his.
’Many things must have happened... it’s not odd for her to wish a word with the Duke... I shouldn’t overthink... s-she’s finally awake... that’s all that matters...’ — Moving aware of the steps to take so assistance would be there once the father and daughter ended their talk, Zeleskiaz announced the news to the physicians and the Emperor... who would jump from his seat in delight, hugging the gloomy son in his enthusiasm.
"She’s awake?!"
"Yes... she just opened her eyes-"
"That’s marvellous, son!! This is great news!!! The cute child!! Your beloved!! She has overcome death!!!"
"..... yes..."
"... What is it? Why aren’t you happy?’
"I am happy."
"... Then why are you frowning."
"It’s nothing... I wish to go back soon... that is all."
