Michael lay in bed, staring at the ceiling long after his discussion with Melody. The conversation lingered in his mind, its weight still present. A feeling of helplessness tugged at his psyche, but his mood wasn't overwhelmingly grim.
The fact that Melody had opened up to him was a significant step forward in their relationship, altering their dynamic considerably. What had once been a connection built on the comfort of a butler and his young miss now felt more like a partnership—though not the kind of partnership they were pretending to have. No, it was a bond grounded in friendship.
To think that Mary was the King's sister... Michael sighed inwardly, a hint of unease settling in his chest.
Suddenly, everything about the attention from the young nobles in the academy made sense. Melody's relationship with Magnus, too. They were indeed cousins—Magnus being the second prince.
