Chapter 537
"Sweetie!" — Orland interrupted as he ignored the good wishes of a young Duke to his daughter, being followed by a crown prince, whose sour stare met that of Clemente. Looking at him intensely irritated by what his hearing was able to listen and could tell was changing in Clemente’s behaviour while he also noticed how the young duke’s hand did not let go of Marianne’s whom, solely once approached by a careful Orland, would release it as her visage was held preciously to be welcomed and freed from the blindfold covering her sight by her father.
"Ah... so you did wear it... pardon my childishness, Marianne. I wanted to be by your side the moment you first saw it and so requested this of you." — The Duke of Sylfinnier said after kissing the daughter’s forehead, untying the cloth to meet her youthful grey that shined happily at the sight of her father who she loved and trusted, feeling relieved of the effort made as it pleased his innocent wishes. — "My lovely bird... how brilliant your eyes are... just as brilliant and pure as the day they first opened to meet mine... Clemente, my utmost thanks for taking Marianne here after my selfish request."
"It is the other way around, Sir. It is I who is grateful to you for letting me do this... much more as I am certain the Ninth will be ecstatic once she sees what has been prepared in honour of her name." — With a held-back chuckle, Clemente said, indifferent to the grudge sensed from another one a few steps away, who had remained placed right next to a younger sister who had prevented any unnecessary controversy by keeping Zeleskiaz at the spot the Duke of Sylfinnier had assigned for the assistants to stand.
"You need to behave, brother. Otherwise, lady Marianne’s surprise will be ruined by your jealousy!" — Jasmine had whispered in reprimand to the little impulse of her older brother wanting to separate his love from the man that shared her carriage. Gritting his teeth with dislike, uttering no response... yet hating the privileges given to one he did not trust close to Marianne.
"The wait must have ignited her curiosity after all." — The nonchalant Clemente, however, continued. Unbothered by the deathly glare of the retained prince. Choosing to interact slightly mischievous towards an anticipating Lady and her father. — "Is that correct, my lady?"
"!"
Entertained for a curious lady was trying to peek over her father’s shoulder hoping to catch a glimpse of the so-awaited surprise, Clemente added, letting her father learn of her intentions, and causing her discreet attempts to be found out.
"! I see my child is eager to know what it is that we prepared~ If so, there is no reason to make any more of this delay. My daughter, I must say it is not as much as I would have liked to gift you... yet it is what I believed could be a tiny demonstration of how glad I am that another year has passed and you continue to blossom beautifully, elegantly and most importantly... Healthy, my dear." — Orland said moved while he thought of a small and precious baby he could no longer hold in his arms, naming her with inspired heart... Moving aside while he showed the building behind him with pride and newly found delight. — "This shop you see before us is now yours, sweetie. It is a pastry shop like those we enjoyed some afternoons in this capital which in its second floor you may also find an exhibition of the unique flower accessories many have been wanting to acquire from you personally."
"....."
"I have invited a few people so we may inaugurate this place that stands today here solely for you, my lovely feather. You will need to give it a name, however. It is yours to name after all, haha~"
"....."
Dumbfounded, Marianne, stared at the big building whose architecture stood out between many good and high-value neighbouring shops, baffled by the tables already disposed to open a business, luxurious and certainly expensive... wondering what other eccentricities she would find once she dared to go inside.