Chapter 124
The Vast Luncheon lasted until mid-afternoon.
It was only because of the drowsy Lady, blissfully satisfied with the meal, that the Emperor called for an end to it.
Her poise was not one that exhibited tiredness. Nonetheless, her withered lids, falling like autumnal leaves with puffy weight, let her Father notice the girl’s worn-out energy.
Orland had been conversing with his youngest, trying to offer her some dishes she had yet to try and were sure to be to her liking.
"Father... Thank you but I have eaten enough." — Trying to hide her annoyance, Theressa declined, thinking that eating so much in front of the Prince would make her seem disgraceful.
"Hmm... Is that so...?" — Disappointed, the Duke answered.
It was then that he turned to Marianne, finding the adorable child fighting the drowsiness to pay attention to the Emperor who was immersed in telling her a story.
"... Far away... On the lonesome horizon... The Mountain was fascinatingly enormous! Its colours changed with each second that passed and–"
"Oh, Dear... The food must have relaxed you after all the hassle from this morning..." — The Duke interrupted, uninterested in whichever kind of tale his old friend was making up to his daughter.
Caressing her cheek from the side, Orland felt pity for the overworked child, who woke in the midst of the night to prepare and has not rested properly until now.
"Hmm? Is the Lady tired?" — Asked the clueless Emperor.
"It has been a long day for her..."