You Think I Won't Talk?-Chapter 530

It was a short conversation... one I did not think would come and the more we conversed the more I regretted inviting her to it.

"Is it alright? I would not want to disrupt this little free time my lady has..."

"Please do. There is nothing much I can do either way, Paige." — I insisted, not knowing how comfortable she would become with such little invitation... which is not meant in the disrespectful side of behaviour but in the confidence she won the more words were exchanged.

As I watched her take her seat, she always procured to remain proper and careful not to act unaccordingly. Hence... we started with little matters.

"... I truly cannot believe how wonderful you look, my lady... You have always been graceful and stunning yet hearing your voice only enhances the marvel... I am overwhelmed..."

"Haha... Paige, your praise will make me blush..."

"It is the truth, my lady."

"I appreciate it."

"... um..."

"Hm?"

"Well... My lady, you said there were people already aware of your sound... Um... May I inquire about..."

"??"

"H-How did the Crown Prince react?!" — After tightening her expression to gather the courage, Paige asked. Startling me so that I jumped in my place surprised by the energy placed on the inquiry. — "He is aware is he not? Was he one of the first ones to learn?? He never left your side during the time you were unconscious, my lady. Even I had to remain away as his highness and his grace were always around guarding your sleep!"

"..."

"T-Therefore... he must have been shocked as well... that is what I mean, Miss."

"... W-Why do you ask about that?"

"?! Miss Marianne, is the crown prince perhaps still unaware???!" — With shock in her reply, Paige’s eyes turned concerned looking at me with grief as I wanted to avoid telling too much of a truth I had not told anyone. — "I would have thought you would tell him first of all of us..."

’Oh lord... she’s right about that...’ — Ashamed that she was obviously too cognisant of something I now can clearly doubt we have not hidden well at all. Nonetheless... — ’L-Let’s see for how long I can feign ignorance... I should test the waters...’

"Why would that be the case? Like... Um... What were your thoughts when believing that?"

"?... The crown prince is very much involved with the lady so..."

"..."

"He has also shown his interest openly... and is always...? My lady?"

"Um, excuse me, I think I did not hear you correctly... ’He is very much’... what?"

"... involved..."

"Oh, yes... haha, involved..."

"..."

"..."

"My lady! You do know he is in love with you do you not?!"

"N-No! You said involved!!"

"His highness knows! Doesn’t he?!"

"H-He does...!!"

"....."

"Do not look at me like that..." — Covering my face while I wanted to hide in myself with how ticklishly embarrassing it was for me to share this with someone I peeked from between my fingers... to see how a smile filled with excitement looked at me with delight.

"What did the prince say? How did he respond?" — Lening with interest she asked... and like a wave of memories, the night of the ball came to mind... to that corridor in which I whispered for him to come to meet me... and how his reaction was adorably frozen... 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"... He... was stunned..."

"~~ My Lady~ your voice must have melted his heart fully~"

"Ngh~ please, Paige, do not talk about it like that, it makes me shy..."

"However, my lady, do you doubt that is the case? I surely do not. There is a gaze his highness only devotes to my lady and it is difficult for anyone to not notice."

"... Nevertheless... it does not mean he loves me..." — Wanting to negate what I desired from my depths I said, aware that I was certain I love him yet not wanting to think he did as well so my feelings would not go crazy in growth...

I knew... yet solely it would be true if he said it...

But even with such precautions my mind was conscious of...

"Once he tells you, my lady will see how this servant was right. Once he requests to be your suitor, my lady will believe me."

"..."

"Mark my words, as once my grandmother said."

"... Paige..."

"Yes?"

"... he has... already..."

"..."

"Officially..."

"..... p-... pa-pardon??"

"..."

We conversed a little more, her trying to keep sane as something else she did not expect to learn was learned... until she recalled a schedule needed to be respected before it was too late.

In hast, Paige brought along with other servants more of the bits of preparations Dad had made so carefully. Of course, we could not talk as much as we would have liked to while getting prepared since ears I did not want to learn of my sound were around... yet we shared a few glances and little chuckles, for somehow... by simply being able to talk a little with her that morning, Paige and I had become even closer, so much that I felt her as my accomplice.

Nonetheless... there were things that would never change in these kind of busy days.

*Groooo~wl*

"... My lady... do be patient... I will try to get you something to eat as soon as we finish..." — At my stomach’s growl Paige whispered to me while it was already too late to even feel shame as I nodded exposed to those strangling my growling stomach.

’Urgh, thanks...’ — I answered in pain. — ’They did bring a light breakfast... dad must have known I would struggle if they made me famish... however... why do I have to prepare this much?? The energy from what I ate has already been used up! Ngh~ It’s been hours daaad, please let it end soon~!!’

As usual, I was to always be a prisoner of elegance... even on my birthday...

Once the torture was over and my outfit was ready to be shown... I was already hoping for the day to end even before looking at myself since it was truly tiring to keep up with the servants going around me... but the day was only starting, and so, it became time to leave the Palace. Although not before I could take a look at what the torture had accomplished.