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~'
