I ate in a good mood. However, I stopped eating before I was too satisfied. If not, I might get sleepy, and I have something I need to do.
I went to my desk and wrote a little note. I went to get the bell and rang it again. In a blink, the maid came in. She saw I had finished eating so she headed toward the table. However, I cut her path at the second step. She was clearly surprised. Her eyebrows lifted very high, her eyes wide open.
I lifted my hand showing her the note I wrote a moment ago.
Tilting her head and glancing at me cautiously, she read the note.
[Please, inform the Duke I want to pay him a visit.]
"...! You need to see the Duke, My Lady?"
I nodded. Again.
'Anne, I have a feeling people will call us by this nickname: "Nodding Lady". Such a befitting name...don't you think so?' — I said, sarcastically.
Cooperate with me da*n it!
"I! I will inform the Duke immediately! Please wait a moment, My Lady!" — The maid, oblivious to my current frustration, replied, immediately flying outside the bedroom to execute her mission.
"..."
'... She's like a storm... so uselessly energetic...'
Well... She's at that age after all...
"..."
'I hope I can visit him today... but I might have to wait a few days. He IS a Duke after all...'
I began folding the paper out of boredom, trying to remember how to fold it to create a crane.
'It's been years since I made origami...'
While doing so. The maid knocked three times in a rush on the door and entered immediately after. She was out of breath.
'... Looks like she ran quite a bit.'
Before speaking, she took a long breath to regain her composure.
"My Lady, the Duke is waiting for you."
'That fast???... Excellent Service. I give it five stars.' — I said in my head giving double thumbs up.
Outside the door, an old gentleman in a black suit was waiting.
'... Must be the Butler.'
When I Headed out, He greeted me with utmost politeness.
"This way, My Lady. I will guide you to the Duke." — Pleased by his politeness I suddenly felt in a good mood.
'Here goes our speciality! A gracious nod attack!'
**********
The Butler showed me the way to the Duke's office.
It was located on the first floor in the opposite direction to the dining room almost at the end of the corridor. Once I arrived, the Butler knocked on the door and, after clearing his throat, began to inform my presence.
"Your Grace, Miss Marianne is here."
...
"Come in."
I had expectations about the office. Like... Well, usually in fantasy or historical novels, the Duke's and their office's vibes are generally...serious? Gloomy? Maybe a little spooky? He didn't give off that vibe when we had our family meals but... I believe in work and personal matters should not be mixed together. So, this Duke might have that belief too? You never know...
However, his office had nice ventilation and light, and bookshelves full of books covered the walls on both sides. At the centre, two large pearl white couches facing each other with a centre table that had drawings painted with gold were placed in between them. A little further inside, a beautiful desk that had a dark wine colour, was overflowing with books, stacks of papers... and my eyes caught a glance of a few empty ink bottles. The Duke of Sylfinnier, her... "our" Father, was standing next to his desk.
I was still standing at the door. Once my eyes met his... somehow... an overwhelming sensation came over me.
The Duke was beaming with a happy expression, his eyes were shining.
"Marianne! Dear! I heard you wanted to see me. Please come inside, and take a seat. Let's have some tea together. I asked them to prepare blueberry tea for you. You used to like it before." — He said, letting out a small laugh.
I swiftly moved to the couch he pointed at with his hand. As I sat down my eyes were looking at the floor, but after I sat down... I found out I couldn't lift my sight. This was mine, not Marianne's doing. Our body was telling me she was relaxed and elated to be with her dad. But I...
'This is something I know nothing about...'
A father's love for a daughter... is something I couldn't experience in my past life.
'I... Somehow... I really... like this...' — This thought came as I lifted my eyelids and my eyes rolled to look at the man in front of me.
'The loving gaze of a father for his daughter... directed at me... at us... at you, Marianne.'
Ah... hahah... I might cry. Weirdly, I feel happy.
'By the way... he said blueberry tea??? I like that one too!'
The Butler poured us the tea and along it he brought a plate full with biscuits.
"I heard you just had breakfast, but help yourself if you want, sweetie."
I nodded. But this nod was the most energetic one until now.
To the raise of his hand, the Butler showed himself out of the room.
I took a sip of the tea after taking in the aroma.
I just... merely enjoyed it, forgetting I wasn't alone. All of a sudden, the Duke started talking in a soft voice.
"It's been so long since you've come here..." A face full of longing was drawn on him.
"When you were little you used to come here to practice your writing, and talk to me about the dream you had that day or just look at me working..."
While he was speaking, I listened to him attentively. My eyes fixated on him, intrigued at the unknown emotions contained inside his eyes. He then lowered his gaze to his teacup, which he held with both hands.
"I wish I could have heard your voice better at the time... now I wouldn't struggle with the blurred memories of how it sounded." — A sad smile invaded his face.
I see... this man is suffering too... If he knew his own son is the one who made Marianne like this... poor man...
But he's at fault too.
'Sir! I'm sorry, but this is called neglect!'
It doesn't seem like I can show him our smile... I don't really want to. But he looks like he's gonna cry at any moment... I found him pitiful.
I stood up. He had a bewildered face, he was clearly confused at my sudden action.
I walked to his side and sat beside him and locked my eyes on his. I placed my hand gently on his hand. The Duke's eyes widened alternating between my hand and my eyes. And so, I softly closed my eyes and nodded my head lightly squeezing his hand.
Somehow, I think he understood the intention behind my actions. He had a soft expression again and a sweet smile. Then, looking at our hands, he grabbed mine with utmost care and placed his other hand on top of it and stroked it.
"... I see... My baby has grown up a lot..."
We stayed like that for a long time. Sometimes, he would lift his gaze and look at me, as if he was craving every detail of my face in his memory. After a while, He stared one last time and with his thumb traced from my temple to my cheek.
"...My beautiful baby..."
His smile was so warm... that, a thought crossed my mind.
'This man... might be a fool for his daughter...?'