Chapter 60: Pawn (2)

“So?” Michael said, one leg crossed over the other as he stared at Melody on the other chair. His voice was almost too calm, especially considering the circumstances.

For the past three years, he’d been a passive bystander, forced to go along with the Winterborne’s plans. Originally, Michael was under the impression that the deal was mutually beneficial for both parties—allowing him to justify the situation.

However, since arriving at the academy and being thrust into what seemed like a political nightmare, he was beginning to think that the dangers far outweighed what he could possibly gain.

And judging by Melody’s demeanor, it was clear she knew much more than she had been letting on.

“Care to explain yourself? Why is it that nearly every teen our age is after your hand?” Michael began, his voice even. “Who is Magnus?—and why did he call you cousin? Is he related to the royal family?”

Each question was measured, yet drilling right to the point. Melody flinched at each one, her small body seemingly trembling under the weight of his tone.

She looked pitiful, like a small animal who was facing a fierce magical beast.

But Michael felt no pity. Perhaps if he had not spent the past three years as her butler and gotten to know the real Melody he might have even bought the act.

“So many questions…” she clicked her tongue in annoyance, raising her head. Her sapphire-like eyes held a certain defiance, one that he was all too familiar with.

“Yeah, and you’re gonna answer them all.” Michael stated matter-of-factly.

Melody let out a small harrumph, turning her head, “This isn’t an interrogation. You entered a contract knowing full well that these were part of your duties. Just because it’s difficult, doesn’t mean you can back out n—”

“Enough!” Michael said in a low voice, cutting her off abruptly. He had had enough of her sophistry.

The girl looked shocked, this was the first time that he’d spoken to her in such a way.

Michael felt himself getting irritated. How long would he remain a pawn in the eyes of the Winterborne’s? While he knew that the noble landscape was one of moving pieces and solely rooted in benefits, perhaps a naive part of him hoped that he held more value than this.

Hell, he had even come to enjoy the dynamic and banter between himself and Melody, despite their obvious differences in status. Originally he’d thought that this dynamic could continue and develop further in the Academy—but the moment they’d reached the entrance, things had changed.

The realization of his true purpose as her “fiance” was made clear, and he was thrown into a battlefield with almost no information. Who knew how many silent enemies he’d made by declaring himself as Melody’s betrothed?

“You owe me an explanation, Melody. How can I effectively become your shield without knowing anything? Do you expect me to just throw myself into danger every time someone approaches you like some kind of mindless bodyguard?” Michael said, the irritation in his voice evident.

“I am a person—not just some pawn that you and your family can use as you please.”

Michaels words washed over the young girl, causing her to lower her head. Her earlier bravado was quickly gone, replaced once more by a pitiful expression.

Yet this time it felt different.

“You think I want to do this?” she asked softly, her tone delicate and surprisingly vulnerable.

Michael was taken aback—if only temporarily.

“What makes you think that I’m any less of a pawn than you in all of this!?” Melody’s fists were clenched and her gaze lowered, holding her frustration together. “You don’t know what its like to be a noble…”

Michael didn’t reply. Of course she was wrong, but he was not going to reveal this—not now. At the same time, there was some truth to her words.

He was far too weak to be used as a pawn when he was a noble in the Aurelius household. While it led to a lot of other hardships, he’d never been valuable enough to build relations with other noble families.

“So according to you we are both pawns—but there is still one fundamental difference between us, Melody,” Michael said calmly, withdrawing his empathy. “You at least know what game we’re playing, whereas I still have no idea.”

He spread his arms apart, looking both ways, “I don’t even know what’s going on!”

Michael let out his frustration with no reservations. He needed to get through to her, to get as much information as he could. Every moment he was left in the dark felt like trudging through quicksand.

Just a single misstep could cause disaster.

“Even if you knew, you wouldn’t be able to change anything…” Melody replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Michael stood up from his chair at once, swiftly moving across the room. He grabbed Melody’s small and soft hand, causing her to flinch.

“If you are truly just another pawn, then we are not so different,” he stated simply. “We need to stick together—have each others backs. But for this to work, we need to trust each other completely.”

The two shared a gaze, one sapphire-blue and the other emerald green. Michael could feel the girl’s apprehension—her nervousness. Gone was the sarcastic and playful mask, lifted briefly to reveal the true emotions beneath.

“There hasn’t been a day we’ve spent apart in the past three years, Melody. Tell me now—do you trust me?” Michael pushed, not wanting to waste his momentum.

“I…”

Just as she was about to answer, the sound of the room door slamming open startled the two. Like two kids who’d been caught doing something naughty, they shot back their hands and turned to the disturbance.

Rudy bolted out of the room, his hand held firmly over his mouth, almost tripping over the arm chair as he rushed to the bathroom. In a flash, he entered the door and the sound of loud and violent vomiting ensued.

Both Michael and Melody shared a look of disgust.

A little later, Rudy emerged still half asleep, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

“Ate too much…” he commented sleepily, before heading back into his room and shutting the door.

“How about we forget that ever happened?” Michael suggested, his gaze still locked on the room door.

Melody agreed.

While Rudy’s escapade had interrupted the moment, Michael could see that Melody was far more relaxed now, despite the gruesome scene a moment earlier.

“I trust you Michael, and I’m sorry. I was told not to reveal anything until you passed the examination…” she added, sounding remorseful.

That Lord Winterborne… He sure is cunning, Michael thought inwardly.

If Michael hadn’t passed the examination, there would be no need to give him any information since he could not accompany Melody to the academy. He would also have been sighted by all the noble families while escorting his daughter to the entrance—meaning that trouble would follow even if he joined another academy.

Looks like I’ve truly been a pawn this whole time, he lamented.

But even pawns have the ability to promote…

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