Chapter 21
"Since we are the only Duchy with Debutante children... Both of you need to go in first. I shall accompany you. As the Head of our house, I ought to go with you and do my duty." — The Duke said, glancing between Theressa and me. — "Theressa please... Do remember your manners, you tend to forget them at times... However, today, We are facing the Emperor. I hope you understand what that means".
As he spoke to us, the Duke had a very serious expression, one that was shown in public, which portrayed the honour and glory of the Head of a Duchy. Nonetheless... I could tell he was anxious when I looked into his eyes.
"Father! How could I embarrass myself like that?! You should not even mention it!" — Theressa said, pouting and trying to act cute. Yet, lastly, she didn’t forget to add some poison to her words. — "You should worry about Marianne."
’Such harsh truths shouldn’t be said~ you dumb dwarf.’ — I thought while I gritted my teeth with an annoyed expression in my head. But... I also noticed I wasn’t the only one who didn’t take that remark well.
I could see veins popping out from the Duke’s jaw as he was gritting his teeth in anger at the rude words thrown by Theressa.
I felt uneasy. The Duke’s worry was expected, but, somehow, he seemed to be more scared by those worries when I first looked into his eyes... Hmm, I wonder what scares him so much...
Now, anger was added on top of it, and The Duke, who is always gentle with me, seemed like the type one should never anger.
Theressa sensed the mood. Thankfully, at the very least, she wasn’t that stupid.
"Father, please do not worry. Let me present myself first. That way, Marianne won’t feel pressured to greet His Majesty first." — She said smiling.
’Tsk! Such a bad liar! She just wants to be the first one to make her debut today... pitiful dwarf...’
A servant came to the Duke and whispered in his ear. His expression hardened and then, he nodded in reluctance, accepting the message the servant delivered.
"Very well... Let’s go, the Emperor has called for us." — The Duke said this as he watched Theressa.