Adrien found himself embarrassed all over again. Life was so much easier in the modern world. He picked himself up off the table. There's no use in crying over spilled milk. I've dug this hole myself, might as well make the best of it. But as long as I know not to get too carried away. And he had a feeling that Mikyle would be able to sweep him away without a second thought, bundling him up in strong, fiery emotions.
"You're right. On paper, he is great husband material. But it probably won't develop that far since we both have our own titles that we will be inheriting." Adrien felt his heart twist just a little for some odd reason. Is it because I'm not even sure of my own words? If Prince Mikyle was anything like his elder brother, then Adrien was positive that gender and looming titles won't stop him, but that was only if he took after the Crown Prince in stubbornness.
"I thought Lord Cedric was set to inherit the Mallorne County?" Lady Aefre's head was tilted just slightly to the side, confusion written in her bright blue eyes.
Adrien nodded. "He is. My maternal grandfather has informed my mother that he wants me to learn how to run the Vespa County and Merchantry from under him after I graduate." He wasn't sure if he should be revealing this much to someone who was practically a stranger but he figured that since she already knew about his crush on Prince Mikyle, then it should be fine. It wasn't like she didn't already have enough on him to ruin his reputation if she really wanted to.
"Oh? That makes sense." Lady Aefre mumbled quietly under her breath. "Your father is the reason why the Count of Vespa purchased the title and land from the crown."
"What was that?" Adrien asked, unsure if he had misheard her.
Lady Aefre's eyes cleared, no longer deep in thought. "It's nothing. I was just thinking out loud to myself. Lord Adrien, my sister will be holding a small dinner banquet among friends for James and me tomorrow, would you like to join us?"
A small banquet? I should be able to handle that, though I wonder what a Duke's daughter considers 'small'? The Original Adrien had never been to a banquet before so Adrien had no memories to draw from to figure out just how many people would be at the Ceciles Manor in the Capital tomorrow.
"I would be delighted." Delighted? I still can't believe this is how nobles speak. It's cringy and confusing. Adrien was unused to this flowery way of speaking and wasn't quite sure just how he felt about it yet.
* * * *
Mikyle packed up his things, done with the last class of the day. His future-sister-in-law shared the class with him, so the two of them left together. They headed down to the main entrance where the royal carriage was already waiting for them.
The sun wasn't too bright and there was nary a cloud in sight. The smell of the flowers in the nearby gardens was sweet without being overpowering. It was a beautiful day and Mikyle was tempted to stay at the Academy longer and look for Adrien, but he clamped down on his impulses, not wanting to do anything rash that could jeopardize his newly budding relationship.
"You seem like you are in a good mood," Lianna commented, a smile gracing her lovely features.
Mikyle's grin widened when he thought about the bashful kitten agreeing to go on a date with him. It had been an unsuspecting, but very welcomed, development. "I am. A shy kitten has finally allowed me to get closer to it."
Lianna's amaranth eyes sparkled. "Is this the same kitten from the entrance ceremony?"
"It is."
Lianna chuckled, seemingly pleased about Mikyle's happiness. "Are you planning on bringing him home?"
Mikyle understood where she was coming from. Nathaniel had proposed to Lianna within the first month of meeting her, then brought her to the Palace to live so that she could learn her Crown Princess duties once all her classes at Tris were done for the day.
But Mikyle wasn't the Crown Prince, so there was no need to take such caution. He also didn't want to rush into things and risk scaring off his little kitten. Mikyle shook his head. "I don't want to scare him off."
Lianna nodded her head, understanding Mikyle's worries. "This is the first time you have actively chased after someone. The Queen Regent and Queen Consort will be happy to hear the news."
Mikyle's smile stiffened. He had momentarily forgotten about his family. If they found out that he liked someone and was even planning on going on a date with them. . .he didn't even want to imagine. He placed his thumb and index finger against his forehead and lightly pressed them into his skin, messaging his temple and the bridge of his nose. "Don't tell them yet, especially Nathaniel." He added the extra warning since Lianna and his elder brother shared everything, not keeping any secrets between them.
Lianna's smile widened. "I won't, but you have to introduce me to him first once you win him over."
Mikyle's red eyes sparkled as happiness filled him once again. "Shall I introduce the two of you to each other tomorrow then?" His voice was smug, and he was practically boasting at this point.
Lianna jolted up front her seat, almost falling out of it as she became startled over the meaning behind his words. "You've already asked him out? And he said yes?"
Mikyle nodded. "Yes to both."
"Wow," Lianna breathed out, feeling stunned over the news. "That was quick. It hasn't even been a week."
The corners of Mikyle's lips curled up, a proud smirk splayed on his sensually thin lips. "I knew what I wanted." Mikyle had never been the indecisive type. If he wanted something, he went after it no matter what or how many obstacles laid in his path. If he wanted to hide something, then it stayed hidden even if it meant keeping it a secret from his beloved family.
"Do you even know anything about him?" Lianna questioned, finding this situation odd yet extremely amusing.
"I know his name, I know the name of his siblings, I know that he likes to read, and I know that he likes to draw and is exceptionally good at it." Mikyle easily listed that limited number of things he knew about Adrien Mallorne, wanting nothing more than to see that list grow.
It still stunned him with how fast he had fallen, especially when the boy was practically a stranger. But it didn't matter. Mikyle could easily find out more about the boy. He could directly ask the boy or even discover things by observation, or he could do things indirectly by having Phillip look into him.
Phillip Montgomery was the closest thing to a friend that Mikyle had, besides Lianna. He was also Mikyle's co-conspirator and right-hand man. He was someone that Mikyle had complete trust in.
"That. . .I actually don't have any words. I'm baffled with how quickly you have fallen when so many young noble ladies and lords have thrown themselves at your feet," the shock evident in her voice.
"You're not wrong," Mikyle admitted as he gazed out the window. "Even I'm surprised. But there is something about him that is so. . .alluring." He released a sigh, finding that the words he wanted to use were alluding him.
Lianna smiled softly. "As long as you are happy."
Mikyle turned to look at Lianna to let her see just how much he appreciated her words.
He was just turning his head to gaze back out the window when a magnetic surge rippled through his bloodstream. Just as Mikyle became alert, miniature fireballs rained from the sky.