" It's been a while "
" Ah... yes it has "
Talking in that cordial tone of his, a warm smile gracing his lips, it was the same way he had always spoken to me and the others
' So what the heck was with his vibe earlier? '
Watching him continue with the same pleasantries as always, I couldn't help but feel like something was off.
Replying to his words on reflex rather than thought, I focused on that feeling of mine instead. It was weird, the emotion and intent I felt from him were both the same yet different from before, as if it had been twisted in or added on in some way.
' He is still pure in the way he acts with me, yet another side came into existence alongside it, the side he had while speaking with the other professors '
Yet that made no sense, after all for something such as pure intent to change it would need at least a decade or two
' Or for something impactful enough to happen '
" I hope that your stay in arcane has been pleasant, though I guess the pillars of fire wasn't the best first impression "
Bringing me out of my deliberation was the mention of the pillars of flame that had appeared a while ago, and the main subject I wished to speak about
" The staff here will make sure to accommodate you to the best of their power so if you are in nee..."
" Did something happen? "
I had been raised to adhere to noble etiquette at all times yet here I am having cut him off midsentence, and I had done so quite rudely at that, however all that I cared about was hearing his answer
I needed to make sure that the students will be safe, and even more so that he was fine
No matter how I looked at it, he felt different. Even his actions back then were at complete odds with how he usually is
So, I needed to know the answer
" What? "
I had never been the patient type; I always felt that it would be best to simply be straightforward when it comes to such topics
However perhaps suddenly asking someone if they were okay in the middle of a seemingly casual conversation wasn't the best idea, as all I got back was a look of clear confusion from Nicholas
" Um... well... It's just that you seem different "
Trying to explain myself, I went over stating how I had a bad feeling about the pillars of fire and that he can ask me if he needed any help
Having finished explaining my reasons I looked toward him only to find a rather peculiar sight. Now staring at me keenly with those violet eyes of his, Nicholas who usually wore warm smile was instead fashioning a mild smirk as he watched me.
Hands prepped on his desk he seemed at total odds with the seriousness of the situation I was speaking about
" I tried acting like him... he was much more put together after all... "
" What are you..."
He was going around muttering such things with a smirk glued to his face his entire demeanour changing continuously changing at a moment's notice, looking at me with a different look than before he started questioning me his eyes full of curiosity
' Like a cute puppy '
" How did you know? "
" Excuse me? "
" That I was different, how did you notice "
' What is going on with him??? '
For some reason he seemed to enjoy this situation, instead of the warm visage he usually had, his currently demeanour was a weird mixture of childish wonder and something close to overbearing confidence, as if sure that I would answer, there is also something else hidden inside that I simply couldn't identify it yet
" No wait... before any of that what about the fire? "
That however didn't change the current situation, I needed to know of there is any danger, so I brought up the situation again hoping to get an answer this time
" There was an incident, but I can promise you that it had been dealt with, however because of the sensitivity of the matter it would probably only be publicised in a week or so, I can't say more but there is no security risk so stop fretting about it"
And got it surprisingly easily
It felt more so like a confession caused by wanting to get this conversation over with, yet all that I cared about was that he was speaking the truth this time
" Then there is no danger "
" Indeed "
" I see, that's good "
Resting my hand on my chest I let out a deep sigh
' This seems like a hard subject to ask for anymore, so I guess I'll have to wait till next week '
" So how did you know? "
That thought was interrupted by Nicholas's question yet again
" Um... "
" I wasn't a good actor before, had a rather annoying tick as well, yet I am certain I am a rather great one right now
So it really makes me wonder how you were able to figure out that I was pretending
I indulged your curiosity, so can't you do the same for me? "
Tilting his head slightly as he said so, it baffled watching him out himself so openly, yet the longer he watched me the more I realized that I wouldn't be able to dodge this question
I myself wanted to know about the sudden change of his behaviour but considering the current atmosphere, he wouldn't say anything before I answered him first
' I'll just make up a suitable excuse and ask him what happened after
Something that won't make him suspicious '
So thinking quickly I said the first thing that came to mind
" It because I like you "
And I immediately regretted it
" Excuse me??? "
It was Nicholas's time to be baffled, but I already said what I did so I went on even as my face grew hotter
" People generally know the person they like
So when you acted a bit differently, I realised it immediately!!! "
" No... can you calm down a second... that doesn't explain how you saw through my acting... and why are you rhyming??? "
" It's the heart you idiot!!! "
" The heart???? "
This time Nicholas looked beyond confused, in fact I myself had no idea what I was saying yet for some reason I continued
" Yes!!
Logic never applies to matters that involve the heart!!! "
" ... "
" Yes that's how it was, it is because I liked you that I was able to figure it out "
" But we have only been on one date, and we didn't know each other before the academy? "
" That doesn't matter!!! "
' Why are you making sense!!?? '
At this point all I could see was red and whatever sort of restraint I had before this was gone, revealing thoughts and feeling that even I didn't know I had
" You are exactly my type if we are simply talking about looks!!!
And well even if you changed you are nothing but warm towards me and still treat me purely with the same love... "
" Lady Isabella... "
" To tell you the truth I found you who was acting cold to everyone else extremely attractive and knowing that you only act this warm way toward me is the best thing ever!!!
It is just like all those romance novels I have read!! "
" No please... the room isn't soundproof... "
" And finally, those eyes full of curiosity were nothing if not cute, though if you act condescendingly again, I'll give you a smack do you understand!! "
" Um... yes ma'am "
" Good now I'll take my leave "
I fled the room
His change of behaviour can be checked at another time, all I needed to do was get out right now
Barging out I closed the door behind me as I leaned slightly taking deep breaths
' WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST SAY!!!! '
Having gotten out of the situation I was in I finally realized the absurdity of my words
It was only while I was hoping for the whole to open up and swallow me whole did I finally realize the others who stood in front of the door
All around me the servants and professors that had been in the room earlier watched me with a stiff expression their body frozen, some women including Sophie faces completely flushed
" With a student? "
As those words came out from Sophie's mouth, I dashed forward jumping out of the nearest window