While Skymender fell into deeper thought, the room fell into a momentary silence.
After a few seconds, as nobody had anything else to say, Master Shang stood up.
"Let's go. We've wasted enough time here."
Skybelle nodded and stood up.
She said goodbye to everyone and gave Skymender a hug before leaving.
Following their departure, the Duke and his wife stood up.
After hesitating for a moment, the Duke spoke. "We will leave Melly here for a little bit. You two should get to know each other. Not as servants, but as future husband and wife."
After a talk between Baron Sky and the Duke, the Duke and his wife left, leaving Melly behind.
Baron Sky sent Melly and his Mother out of the room, leaving only Skymender behind.
"I hope that, after today, you learn that your actions have consequences." Baron Sky said.
Skymender nodded seriously. He understood very well, far more than a child his age ever should have.
Seeing his serious expression, Baron Sky was slightly satisfied. However, for some reason, he kept feeling that something was off.
Regardless, Skymender was let off of room arrest for the sake of Melly.
They were brought to the yard, under the supervision of servants this time.
However, the servants were far away and could only see them, not hear them.
Melly walked up to Skymender. "Lord Skymender…"
Skymender waved his hands. "None of that anymore. I'm afraid I can't handle the consequences."
Melly's face turned sad. She looked down at the ground and pouted. "Why not?"
Skymender was confused. Was there something wrong with this girl?
Well, it seemed that she had wanted to become a servant in the first place.
Skymender considered everything briefly and spoke. "You can stay a servant, but it must be in secret. To everyone else, we are now engaged."
Melly's eyes widened in understanding, and she hastily nodded.
From then on, an understanding between them formed.
And time passed for everyone.
Skymender was now eight years old. Melly was nine.
Upon reaching the age of eight, children went to school. This was how it was and how it had always been.
Both Skymender and Melly would be starting school this year. Melly had been able to start last year, but she had opted out and waited a year so that she could be placed in the same grade and class as Skymender.
Perhaps people in this world matured faster than usual, or perhaps Skymender was mature for his age, but now he truly seemed like a young lord.
He stood in front of the gates of the Academy. Standing next to him was Melly.
It was time to experience school. Waving goodbye to their parents behind them, Skymender and Melly walked through the gates and stepped into the academy.
This academy was the top within Baron Sky's territory.
Melly was only able to come because the Duke sent special instructors to join the academy while Melly was here.
Whether there were higher-ranking schools in the Kingdom or the Empire didn't matter until they reached the age of fourteen. Only then would their future begin to be decided by school.
But until then, they could learn as much here as in any other academy in the Kingdom or Empire.
The performance in the earlier years of school, for nobles at least, was almost entirely dependent on the children themselves. As long as they wanted to learn, someone would be there to teach them.
Talent naturally played a large part, but they were not lacking as nobles.
Melly and Skymender walked into the first class. They naturally drew a lot of attention. There were only 5 nobles in this school now.
Melly and Skymender were two.
Skymender's older sister, the 3rd daughter, Skytear was another.
Skymender's older brother, the 5th son, Skymerge was here as well.
Finally, the 6th child of the Sky Barony, Skytore, the 4th son, was in his last year here.
You attended this school from the age of eight to the age of thirteen. Skytore was in his last year, and Skymender dreaded having to see him.
He was… interesting to say the least.
To be more accurate, Skymender could not stand him. He was… interesting, once again.
Skymender did not know how to put it without insulting Skytore.
The first class took up the whole first day as they were brand new students. They went over rules and regulations, most of which Skymender could break without consequences but probably wouldn't.
During most of the time, they received stares from other students. Skymender and Melly acted as if they didn't see them. They didn't have any interest in making friends here.
Luckily, this was still the best academy in the Sky Barony.
All of these people were rather smart and would not bother them unnecessarily.
Skymender did not see any of his brothers or sisters in school that day.
The next day, school was different.
They received a schedule and had multiple classes. Their classes were the exact same.
Even in this school, there were differences between certain classes. They were assigned to the top-tier classes.
Only a few students were in the first class, maybe ten in total.
This class was math.
Throughout the day, the pattern of small classes continued.
After math was English, History, Science, Arts, and Basic Physical training.
Both Melly and Skymender did well in all of the classes on the first day, and this continued throughout the week, month, and even the first year of school. Both Melly and Skymender were exceptional.
During all of this time, Melly stayed in Baron Sky's house along with the rest of his family.
Naturally, she had her own separate room and even her own servants.
At the end of the year, Skymender and the rest of his family, including Melly, attended Skytore's graduation.
He had not made it to the Imperial school, though nobody was surprised.
He would attend the Royal school only because he was forced to by his parents.
Everyone sat through the graduation ceremony. Afterwards, Skytore came up, glad to finally be done with the first few years of school.
Skytore was big, tall, and had tanned skin. Simply put, he was an idiot.