Chapter 518
"Vitor, Theodore, both have a claw in hand, right?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Then come in." — Letting the two walk into the burgundy Calla’s chambers, the Duke peeked at a surprised and curious Marianne who within felt a hint of happiness wondering of the sudden appearance of the scholar she had not seen for many weeks and months. A grin was restrained in the duke as he found her essence cute compared to the maturity at times she carried, and walking back to stand before her, his hand extended to introduce those she already knew. — "Marianne, I take it that you already know their names yet let me say them again. Here is Theodore who you have met at our household guarding the many books in our vast library and Vitor, the loyal guard and knight I have placed by your side to protect you."
"..." — In the silence she was to continue to fake, Marianne nodded. Looking at the father with further intrigue.
"There is something I have not told you, however. Theodore here is not only a scholar in our household’s library. You may not have seen him outside the walls filled with books yet Theodore here is actually the hidden guard I placed on you for protection. That one I told you about yet did not introduce."
’Huh?!’ — With wide eyes, Marianne looked at her father baffled, going back to look at the one she once called purple worm out of childish mischief, seeing how in the seriousness the young man wanted to maintain, embarrassment coloured his cheeks while a pair of thick glasses were placed properly over his nose bridge. — ’HUH???! HE was my guard in the shadows???! The purple- I mean, mister Theodore?!’
"It does sound surprising, doesn’t it? Haha. Yet that is not all... before telling you the true reason behind my calling these two, they have something they wish to tell you themselves."
"???"
"... Go ahead." — The Duke said, inviting those who with severity lowered their heads in respect. Stepping forward now that the permission was given.
"Lady Marianne" — The scholar began. — "In the few opportunities we had to meet, the task of guarding you from the shadows was given to myself... the honour was taken with appreciation and my wishes to protect you were as strong as the respect I hold for your name and person."