Lord Winterborne watched as one of the maids escorted Michael out of the now-tarnished library. His gaze was complicated. It wasn't until a few moments later that he finally composed himself, turning to the young Charles nearby.
"How is your injury?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Charles Gray pushed himself to his feet, his youthful face still a little pale. "I'll recover," he said, pausing slightly before speaking again. "I-I don't understand how he's alive…"
The Lord raised his hand, silencing him. "Go get yourself cleaned up and meet me in my study," he said, turning to a nearby maid. "Fetch Melody and Mary. We need to have a discussion about our newest employee…"
Once the orders were given, the room emptied, leaving Lord Winterborne alone in the ruined library. His eyes scanned the room, a frown creasing his brow, making him appear older than his years.
"How can a child who only knows chore magic cause such destruction?" he muttered, barely above a whisper.
Half an hour later, Brian Winterborne arrived at his study. Like the library, this room was filled with books, but a large, ornate desk sat on the north side, and a fireplace crackled softly in the south.
In the center of the room, a set of lounges surrounded a small table. At his arrival, four figures stood, greeting him with mixed emotions.
Charles, Mary, Melody, and a short figure with a well-trimmed white beard stood at attention. Their gazes were filled with uncertainty.
"F-Father…" Melody's small voice spoke up, her vulnerability evident.
However, Brian didn't offer comfort.
"Sit, we have much to discuss," he said, his tone almost cold.
No one dared to disobey his words. Melody sat beside her mother, her head lowered.
"Charles, explain what happened from the beginning," Brian ordered, settling into his designated armchair.
"Yes, Lord Winterborne," Charles replied.
He dove into his explanation, recounting the first exercise where he'd intended to test Michael's ability to manipulate mana. He spared no detail, even mentioning that the boy had exposed his soul.
Brian listened impassively, until Charles mentioned Melody's involvement.
"You said what?" His gaze snapped to Melody, who shrank back.
"I-I… I was just repeating what you said, Father," she replied meekly.
Brian massaged the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the headache beginning to throb relentlessly. "So let me get this straight… You insulted the one who taught Michael chore magic?" he asked dangerously.
"Y-Yes. I promise I wasn't making fun of him!" she exclaimed.
"You brat…" Brian spat through his teeth, his brown eyes burning with fury as they fixed on his daughter. "Don't you know what you've done?"
Melody let out a squeak, quickly moving into her mother's embrace. It was clear that her father's rage was something not many within the manor had witnessed.
"Who do you think taught Michael how to use magic?" Brian asked, his voice menacing.
The doll-like girl fidgeted, her mouth opening but no words coming out.
"Oh, so now you can't use that mouth of yours?" he sneered.
"Honey… Try not to be too harsh," Mary said, pulling her daughter closer.
Perhaps the lord might have relented as he had in the past, but not today. As he looked at his daughter, his expression shifted through a myriad of emotions, his anger momentarily giving way to something more complicated.
"Melody, the person who taught Michael was most likely his mother or father," Brian stated, his gaze never leaving her. "To insult a boy's deceased parents… How cruel do you have to be?"
At his words, even Mary seemed to realize the gravity of the situation. She moved back from her daughter, no longer offering comfort.
This caused the young girl to stiffen. With nowhere to hide, she turned to her father, tears already streaming down her face. "I-I didn't mean to… I promise!" she cried, almost hyperventilating.
The sight was pitiful—difficult to watch—but Charles and the man with the white beard observed in silence, fearful of interrupting.
This continued for a while before Lord Winterborne raised his hand. "I believe you, or at least I want to…" he said. "Next time you see Michael, I want you to apologize properly."
"Father…" Melody clenched her fists, anger creeping onto her face. "Why do I need to apologize to him!? He yelled at me and destroyed the library, but you're punishing me? Do you love him more than your own daughter?"
Her words were harsh, grating against the heavy silence.
Before Brian could respond, the girl stood up, her body tense with defiance, and began storming out of the room.
Brian's eyes flashed, and the temperature in the room dropped. Just before Melody could reach the door, a deep blue ice wall shot up from the ground, blocking her path.
Charles sucked in a breath, his face filled with shock. "Silent casting!?" he muttered under his breath.
"Who said you could leave?" Brian asked, his voice chillingly dangerous.
Melody froze, panic flashing in her eyes. She turned slowly, her expression showing the shock of her father's actions. This was not the first time she'd stormed out, but it was the first time he'd prevented her from leaving.
"It seems I have failed to discipline you correctly," Brian added, his tone laced with sadness. "Mary… please take our daughter to bed."
Mary stood without a word, her expression solemn. As she approached Melody, Brian waved his hand, causing the ice wall to vanish. The two women silently left the study, closing the door softly behind them.
Lord Winterborne's gaze lingered on the door for a moment before he sighed, sinking into the armchair.
"I apologize that you had to see that, Charles, Vaughn."
"There is no need for an apology, my lord," Vaughn said, bowing his head slightly. "I am glad you are taking steps to discipline her while she is still young."
"Mmm, it was due to my negligence that she has turned out like this. How unsightly…" Brian added with a self-deprecating chuckle.