Chapter 72
*******
"Sigh....Oh... Dear... My lovely little bird’s smile is so endearing..."
Orland was ecstatic by the unexpected developments that bright morning was showing him.
The sight he had been yearning to see for so long it was maddening, was unfolding in front of him beautifully like brilliant silk. Smoothly and delicately painted in his daughter’s visage, the innocent, pure, entrancing happy expression he used to see in his before young daughter... was now alive again in her grown-up figure. Her essence, untouched by the time, was as brilliant and marvellous, filling him in a fascinating bliss just like it did the first time he took her into his arms. Her mere existence was a treasure that no existence in this universe was worthy to possess.
The dreamlike glimpse of a doubtful smile he had months ago, was indeed a mere illusion compared to how precious the real one was.
’I thought my heart would explode when I saw her expression change... Haaa... My bird is so full of surprises.... I must get ready for what might come next...hahah...’
Orland was so rejoiced, that no words could explain the heavenly warmth filling his heart. She was so unpredictable that the expectations for the following surprise, made him eager to improve his resistance to the lot of entrancing emotions she ought to provoke in his whole being next time.
’... I cannot cry every time she gives me such pleasant gifts... What a disgrace hahaha...’
In a playful way, he giggled at the reason behind his determination.
The Duke couldn’t care less about his dignity if it meant the well-being of his children. Yet, Orland wanted to give them a reliable figure to count on, by keeping his emotions in check and showing his self-control over any kind of situation that may come their way. Regardless... He felt as if... even if he put greater efforts to endure the flood of emotions Marianne never failed to summon in his heart... He would never be able to hold them back.
’She is so..... Sigh... I am weak to this child.’
As he watched her open her eyes slowly with her graceful eyelashes, the thought, accepting the cause of hardship to keep his reactions under control, was bluntly told.