~a week later ~
"Lord Acconite has arrived . He is currently waiting in the parlor ." Lavina said , snapping me out of my focus .
" Urghhh, i was soooo close. Lavina , is it fine to make him wait , just a while ? Please?"
Shaking her head Lavina replied , "I'm sorry , that can't do. We both know that 'just a while' means a few hours . It's rude to make guests wait . Besides , it was Milady who invited him."
It's kind of true .....
Whenever Lavina switched to a formal tone , i knew that i was not going to get away with anything . I tried , once , a few times , many times , and the result was the same , i lost .
Heaving a sigh i got up from my chair , taking that particular stone with me .
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"Welcome Lord Aconite to my humble dwelling , it is my pleasure to welcome you . " i said , curtsying .
"I thank you , and do address me as Maximus , we are peers aren't we ? " He replied , getting up to bow.
" Alright then, address me as Aria if you will " I said , sitting down on the parlor chair opposite from Maximus.
Addressing each other without any polite form of address meant that here , we were equals and acknowledged each other . However , this practice was for use only in private for obvious reasons . If we were to encounter each other in public we would need to address each other properly.
I acknowledge that he has some potential and would be of good use to me...... Either way , formality is too hard , keeping it casual is better .
Lavina quietly laid down the tea cups and snacks , moving to stand behind me .
We talked about inconsequential topics for a while , before i directed the conservation to a more serious topic , in an attempt to test him .
"So Maximus , what do you plan to study in The Academy ? " I asked .
The Academy had a variety of courses besides the standard subjects all students are required to take , students could select additional subjects that corresponded to their future occupation .
To illustrate, if a student wanted to become a Knight in the future , they needed to take the swordsmanship class , which is included in the Knights course .
" I was thinking about being a bureaucrat or scholar . What about you?" He replied , a noble's smile plastered on his face , masking his true emotion
" I haven't given it much thought yet ..."
I have actually decided what to take, just that i could not share my options yet .
" As winter draws closer , i fear that it would help accelerate the rampant spread of diseases in the capital . ...." I said , changing the subject to the latest outbreak of diseases in the Capital slums .
"You may be right ." He said , a note of detachment in his voice .
Sheltered noble brat, you don't even know how horrible it is. You don't know the reality .
I took out a small box from my dress pocket , saying " Here , a gift. "
"Oh my , you shouldn't have . I thank you ." He said , accepting the gift .
Just you wait .
"Could you perhaps put it on? I would love to see how it looks ." I said , insistent .
"Oh sure thing . " He replied , placing the ring onto his left index finger.
Inside the gift box was a ring with a gold band and a beautiful blue stone set at it's center .
"My , it compliments your eyes." I observed .
Maximus had bright blond hair , paired with ocean blue eyes with hints of grey, which was both quite common. He was slightly taller than me , along with him being more muscular .
Once he placed it on , i broke out into small smile .
"Max Reese." I stated .
He froze, mid-sip .
Lavina handed me the report her little sister wrote at my behest, I then proceeded to read off the main points .
" Max Reese , illegitimate child of Viscount Aconite , and son of Seraphina Reese . A commoner. Was reported missing 3 years ago, the same year Seraphina Reese succumbed to the White Plague. " I continued, casually sipping my tea.
"W-what does that have to do with me?" He said, slightly nervous .
He needs to hide his emotions better . I can feel even the most subtle changes in his mana flow
"Maximus Aconite , second son of House Aconite . Strong mana for a son of House Aconite, which has been on the decline. Ignored by Viscount Aconite , abhorred by the Viscountess, hated by the first son .
Now tell me , why is that?"
He broke out in a cold sweat , his mana flow speeding up.
Got ya .
"It's no use , don't bother hiding anything . I know all your secrets , Maximus or should i call you Max instead?
Taken in by the Viscount to be made a pawn for marriage when your mother left for the garden above . Forced to wear the twisted mask of the second son of House Aconite , to obediently serve the very man that did not save your mother no matter how much you begged .
I know everything ." I read off dryly , like reading a to do list.
He snapped out his stupor , defeated , slumping against the couch .
"What do you want ?" He said, emotionless .
"Let's go on a field trip !" I said , brushing away his question .
"Oh and the ring you are wearing is a magic contract stone , if you ever say anything compromising it will activate , and trust me when i say that the consequences are not a happy one . " I added.
"T-there's no such thing!" He said quickly standing up , fear evident in his eyes , his perfect mask falling right off.
" There is , i just invented it . Now be obedient and follow me." I said , getting up to leave the room. He followed me, on guard the whole time .
"Give me time to change , i suggest you do so too. Where we're going frowns upon those with wealth . " I said , heading towards my room to get changed.
I put on the very familiar by now blue and white outfit , my two favorite colors . The outfit was custom made by me using special thread that i infused with my mana, though in light colors , it would never dirty because the thin field of mana around it prevented dirt from touching it .
The skirt stopped just short of my knees , the perfect length for the most mobility while not appearing crude . It boasted long sleeves for colder days , sleeves , which were not necessary as since i was an ice and water magic user , both did not affect . No matter how cold it was , i would never feel cold .
It had a white bow tied around the waist , the bow showing on the side, with the outfit not overly decorated . The outfit was light steel blue , transitioning to white closer to the skirt helm .
For the final touch , i wore the knee high leather boots along with the numerous accessories scattered around my body.
When i reached the entrance chamber , i saw Max dressed in a shirt simple pants.
I guess that will have to do .
"Alright, ready?"
Hearing my voice , he looked up . When he saw me , his ears turned red.
"I-is that really appropriate for a noble girl ? " He said , averting his eyes .
I chose not to answer his question, silently boarding the carriage that was prepared, directing him to do the same .
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Word count : 1356