Chapter 401
I was able to catch a glimpse of the surprise in his eye before his fond smile invaded the Duke’s expression. And thereafter... His nice voice conveyed sweetness as he replied to my gesture.
"Oh dear... yes, you did so very well... the very first one I heard it so clearly my motion halted... And I rushed to you... the fact you continued doing it led me more easily to your side... did you know that?"
’hehe... yes... I figured... It’s good I was so desperate... right?’
"... Thank you, Marianne... for calling me at the time and being as gentle a child... No... A grown marvellous woman... yet still my dearest child I wish to pamper." — Taking the hand I had used to gesture the snap of our nails in both of his hands, Marianne’s father fondly said to us with deep sentiments I could even feel in the air around us. — "... Nonetheless, this will be the end of our conversation for today."
"??" — ’Huh? But we just started~’
"After such a day you are to sleep and gain the needed rest, take your medicine when told and nothing more... Close those eyes you have, my feathered child."
’But... mister...’ — In my face that was more expressive now, I know I showed my dejection... slumber had been molesting me for a while... one that was simply out of tiredness unlike it was from faint before while at the forest... and yet, I was uselessly fighting it. Marianne and I together... since we wanted to be with her father after not seeing him for so long and as much as we wanted to. — ’You’ll leave later won’t you...? I-... We don’t want that.’
"... Hm... what kind of expression is that? You wish to fight sleep, my dear?" — Tapping playful our nose he said, bringing our pouty eyes to meet his that lovingly looked at us as always. — "That cannot be."
’..... Why not... I don’t want to sleep.’
"... Sigh... is it not amazing?" — Suddenly he said. — "You are acting just as you did when you were small... I can even hear you in your silence, sweetie... you don’t want to sleep... why can’t you stay awake... will dad go to work again tomorrow..."