Chapter 261 — Back where the Foreign was Welcomed.
Deciding to ignore each other, the old friends then halted their fight of glares trying to think of a topic to break the silence their stroll had instilled by the respectful mute child’s grace.
Childish rivalry had started even before meeting the young Lady on this day. Hence, both had held resentment at the menaces they had thrown at each other before she appeared.
— When she comes to stay here, I’ll make it so she avoids you every da*n time! Heed my words, Maurice. —
— Hah! You’ll be surprised at how the child will ask you later to take her to see her favourite Uncle Frois! Heed my words, Ar*ehole! —
However, even when the rage and the intent to converse with the child was as vivid, their time was cut short as soon as the corridor was crossed arriving at the elegantly guarded by rows of knights Main Hall of the Palace, where not only her sister Theressa awaited, but also the bodyguards they had assigned to each.
"Dear." — The Duke asked for her attention once they stood high at the end of the stairs. From where his other child could be seen. — "Before leaving, I will introduce to you one of your bodyguards."
Severe, Orland informed Marianne, making her notice that the Emperor was also behaving with untouchable authority in his friend’s support before going down the stairs.
"Two others have been assigned, yet you won’t meet them or see them since their work is to protect you between the shadows."
’So it was indeed "them"...’ — She thought, confirming her deductions as they commenced to walk down the stairs.
"... Marianne... About these two... Do not ever mention their existence to anybody." — Turning so his gaze could convey the seriousness of this order, Orland frowned. — "Under no motive. Nobody is to know. Not Paige... not even your Mother and siblings are to learn about this. Understood."
"..." — She jerked in their pace bothered by the detailed order that mentioned specifically those who hurt her.
"You should obey the Duke’s warning, cute child." — Then Francois added to help the tense parent and child, flaunting his power with a playful attitude, although seriousness was the source of such showcase. — "The Ninth’s brigade will not be ready until next week since we have to pick each deserving member carefully."