Michael descended the front steps of the manor, his eyes falling upon the luxurious horseless carriage parked on the driveway. Three familiar figures were nearby, two females and a male. Just a single glance was enough to discern their identity. "Ah, Michael you’re here." Brian Winterborne turned, raising his hands in a welcoming gesture. "My lord," he bowed calmly, "my lady." Upon raising his head, he saw Mary nod at him with a smile. Behind her, his eyes met with the woman he’d spent the most time with since being at the manor. During the past few years, she’d grown in both height and elegance. If before she had been a small doll, she now seemed like a budding young woman. Her blue hair was no longer braided, allowed to cascade down her back like a waterfall. Her sapphire-like eyes sparkled with intelligence, while her button nose and high cheekbones perfectly framed her face. She was garbed in a white dress with notes of black and orange, contrasting with her icy blue hair. Melody rolled her eyes, her annoyance at being made to wait was evident. Michael chuckled inwardly, almost as if he’d expected this reaction. "Are you confident?" Brian asked, placing a hand upon his shoulder. "Excellent," the man exclaimed, patting him a few times with joy. "The entrance exams are notoriously difficult, out of those whose applications were accepted by Arcadia, less than thirty percent manage to pass this exam." Michael nodded impassively. Worrying at this stage would not be beneficial. He had come this far already, there was no way he could falter when he was so close to attending the academy. Thus, he didn’t even consider the thought of failing. "Father, we should be going now," Melody prompted. "Yes, yes. You get in the carriage, I want a few words with Michael first." He said, waving her off. Michael caught the flash of irritation that spread across her features, but this only amused him more. Seeing the woman getting worked up over something so small was quite satisfying. But she did as she was told, walking up the steps into the horseless carriage and shutting the door abruptly. The lord and lady ignored it, their attention focused purely on him. "Alright, listen to my words carefully Michael," Brian leaned in, his tone serious. "I know we agreed that you would only need to keep Melody safe while she attends Arcadia, but things have changed..." he said ominously. Michael frowned, wondering where the man was going with this. "For reasons I can’t exactly get into right now..." he shifted, looking somewhat pained, "I’ll need you to act as Melody’s fiance while you’re in the academy together." Michael blinked incredulously, almost not believing what he was hearing. How blatant does he want to be? He was able to figure out the man’s plans the day after he was appointed as Melody’s personal butler, but even if he hadn’t—such a request was basically revealing his cards. Michael resisted the urge to sigh, instead deciding to play along. "M-My lord... Has miss Melody been told this information?" he asked, feigning embarrassment. "Yes of course. She was quite delighted when I told her the news, I assure you." He replied, letting out a hearty laugh. Delighted!? I bet she was trying not to laugh at your terrible plan, he mused, composing himself. "I will fulfill my duties, my lord." Michael bowed with grace. "That’s my boy," he exclaimed, patting him on the back a few more times, "I’d be lucky to have you as a son-in-law one day... gods willing." "Thank you, my lord." Michael replied, but inwardly he was resisting the urge to facepalm. It seemed that subtlety was not this man’s strongest asset. "Michael," Mary stepped forward, the past few years not damaging her beauty at all. "I’m trusting you with our daughters safety, please do your best to protect her," she asked sincerely. "Please be assured, my lady. I will protect Melody with my life." He stated. Before they could respond, the carriage door opened, "We’re going to be late..." Melody shouted impatiently. "Alright go," Lord Winterborne said, pushing Michael towards the carriage, "remember our words, we’re counting on you." The source of thɪs content is n0velfire.net Michael descended the stairs and stopped before the carriage steps. He turned around and bowed deeply, "Thank you for your trust and hospitality," he said earnestly. These words were sincere. Despite their terribly executed plan of trying to have him marry into the family, Michael knew that the two nobles were good people at heart. They had treated him well these past three years. "Get your ass in the freakin’ carriage already..." a harsh whisper entered his ears, causing a small smile to pull at the corner of his lips. He lingered for a while longer before acquiescing. Michael ascended the step and hopped into the carriage, sitting in the seat opposite Melody, his sly grin now fully bloomed into a dazzling smile. "My my, someone is impatient this morning," he teased. Melody sent him a glare, "Says the person who showed up late," she replied harshly, "I’ve never heard of a servant that makes his own master wait, then calls her impatient." "Servant? Master?" Michael tilted his head, feigning confusion. "Haven’t you heard? We’re now meant to be acting as if we’re betrothed, shouldn’t you be calling me your darling fiance?" "You wanna die?" the girl shot back, raising her left hand. Her orange mana danced dangerously on her slender fingers, ready to move to action at a moments notice. However, this only made Michael chuckle in response, a sense of victory filling him. The carriage shook briefly and began to move, interrupting the standoff between them. Melody shot him one more annoyed glance before lowering her arm and sitting back in her chair with a slight huff. "Please fasten yourselves in," a voice called from the front. "Would you like some assistance, my dear?" Michael asked, the words sounding far too jarring for even him who had said it as a joke. But Melody simply ignored him, deftly fastening herself onto the chair with the belt-like leather strap to her petite waist. Michael let out an awkward cough before following suit. "Please keep your arms and legs inside the carriage at all times. We will now be departing for Arcadia Academy." The coachman said. In the next moment, the carriage accelerated, its nose tilting upwards as it soared into the sky, quickly gaining altitude.