*******
The day started early to Duke Sylfinnier. An hour before the sun had started to rise, the Duke had already started to sort work-related matters and, since preparations for The Royal Ball must be done in a hurry, more paperwork has piled up.
'Everything must be perfect.'
The Duke began working hard as soon as he came back from the Royal Palace the day before yesterday.
"You have another daughter who should have debuted already... don't delay it anymore. I know about her condition, so I'll treat her carefully since I understand your worry. If you're still reluctant... take it as a Royal order."
The Emperor's order echoes in his head as strongly as a storm.
'My baby... I must protect her. I have to take all the necessary measures, so she won't get any worse... If something else happens to Marianne...'
The Duke was anxious. His beloved daughter knew nothing of the world. He has believed for a long time Marianne might come back, to the world he was in.
Once he saw the change in his daughter's behaviour, he concluded that what was left was just a shell. She was not completely there anymore.
The physicians could not find a cause, and as much as he investigated, he never figured out what had happened to his little sun.
As the years kept going and her eyes became duller and duller, the same thought was always there... always roaming around in his mind... hunting him... like a curse.
'...She's dying... my baby's soul...my sun...is... slowly dying...'
Pressing his temple, the Duke exhaled an exhausted breath. Portraying a pained expression.
How could he protect her so she won't die completely?
'As long as she doesn't, there is always hope...' — He had always said to himself.
This faint hope kept him going for a long time.
But even if he wanted to care for her and stay close to her, the last words she had said to him, stopped him from doing so. Orland already had difficulty recalling the sound of her voice, but even so, he couldn't forget the words she uttered as a six-year-old.
"I do not want to see you if not necessary. Do not come near me."
'Don't think about it... You have to do all you can so she can be at ease...'
The document in his hand was getting crushed in his hand. Then, a crash accompanied by a huge breeze of air snapped him out of his conflicted daze.
He glanced towards the clock.
'…Already this time?'
"Your Grace!" — The Butler, Thomas, his right hand, was gasping for breath. The Duke raised his brow, thinking something must have happened for Thomas to be so out of breath and even bursting into his office without knocking.
He put down the document in his hand, glaring at Thomas.
"Your Grace! Please! Excuse my rudeness! But! But T-The Miss!"
He raised from his seat with a loud Thud. Eyes widened. Slowly turning pale. "The Miss"... could only be her.
"..W–Wha–t–"
"T–The Miss has asked to see you!" — Thomas cut him off before his master fainted. Smiling, by being able to give such a notice to his Master.
Duke Sylfinnier lost his balance and fell back on his chair staring lost at the mountain of papers on his desk. Yet... He slowly smiled, realising what it meant.
'... Marianne wants to see me...'
"...M-My Lord?"
Gasp!
'There's no time for this!'
"Quickly arrange everything... d- did she already have breakfast?"
"I was informed she already did, Sir."
"Right... then... prepare the blueberry tea! She used to like it so much!... I hear she still drinks it sometimes... also biscuits, you know which ones! Those with vanilla flavour... tell her she can come immediately. Uh... right I- I should... Thomas! What are you still doing here?! Go!"
"Y-Yes!"
"I-I have to... tidy up... Ah! My clothes... my hair... I hope my face doesn't look too tired..."
As the current situation sank in, the Duke stared blankly at his hands which had stopped moving. In silence, a pleasant thought came to his mind.
'My baby is coming here...' — He looked at the pictures he had on his desk. They were mostly all Marianne's rough portraits he had drawn from his memories a long time ago, from when she was still here.
'...I must be careful... this might never happen again... I should show her I... I am here for her, always waiting for her to come back...'
Even though Orland was Duke Sylfinnier and fulfilled his role perfectly, he was a man who loved his family. Especially his children.
Paul was serious, but he cared for the well-being of his little sisters. Theressa had a strong character and was capricious, but even so, she still had her cute and lovely side. But Marianne... Marianne was special.
He knew since the first time he saw her... The moment he took her in his arms and saw her shiny eyes... he knew she was born with a pure and kind heart. As she grew up, he could see she was lovely, even more than he initially thought she could be. He would say she was a fairy because she was too tiny to be an angel.
That's why her changes pained him deeply. Orland could not believe his bright, precious daughter became the way she is now. But he would never lose hope. Even if he died, Orland could not get himself to do it.
'I will always be here for you... my sweet, sweet Marianne... My lovely bird...' — He looked outside the window, which curtains had just been drawn open. Since winter was ending, the day was clear and the garden has begun to grow its flowers again. He felt hopeful, but he wouldn't let himself be too greedy. He has to be cautious for his and her well-being.
Knock! knock!
His heart tightened in nervousness, knowing that the one on the other side of the door was his precious daughter.
"Your Grace, Miss Marianne is here."
Orland had trouble getting the words out. His tongue had stiffened from anxiousness.
"Come in..." The Duke managed to answer to the Butler with difficulty. However... he wondered for a moment if he actually got to say those words. He almost couldn't hear himself answer... His heartbeat... was so loud that his own words got drowned by them...