Ch 103: Lucien and Melissa Eating Together

Inside the dining hall, a big wooden table loomed at the center, packed with food.

"Don't think too much and eat whatever you want," Lucien said as he eyed Melissa, who was shifting on her chair uncomfortably. She was being shy.

"Serve her some meat." At his words, a maid standing along the wall quickly hurried over to the chair beside Melissa and, with a bow, placed some meat on her plate. Melissa seemed reluctant at first but quickly accepted with a murmured thanks.

Melissa still seemed far too shy despite the fact that she had already eaten with him at the same table a couple of times. She should have been comfortable by now, yet she remained just as uneasy as she had been the very first time they had shared a meal together.

If he had known she would be this uncomfortable, he would not have invited her to his private villa at all. But she had stayed late waiting for him at the training ground, and by the time he arrived and trained her it had already gotten too late and the academy would be starting soon.

So, he had decided to invite her for breakfast as a way of offering an apology and giving her a small reward for her diligence in training. He was strict, but he also rewarded hard work and effort.

Lucien took a bite of fish and savoured it in his mouth. The flavour burst across his tongue and he had to admit that the food of this world tasted far better, owing to the mana saturating the environment. Though, having lived in poverty in his previous life and having spent his years as a general eating whatever was available, he had never had the chance to dine at an expensive restaurant or taste fine cuts of meat prepared by a skilled cook. So he could not say with complete certainty that this world's food was superior in every sense. But with the experience he had of food from both worlds, the food of this world won out on every aspect.

Just as Lucien was about to take another bite of fish, Melissa interrupted him. He set it down and turned his head toward her.

"Lor-Professor, thank you for inviting me." Melissa's cheeks turned deep red as his gaze fell upon her and she quickly turned her head away toward her plate.

"It is only a way for me to apologize for being late. Don't think too much about it," Lucien replied.

"Mm." Melissa simply nodded.

Did I see her just sulking? Lucien had indeed caught it, that brief flicker of something reluctant and sad crossing her face. What did I even say that made her sulk? He had only told her he invited her as an apology for being late, nothing more.

Lucien narrowed his eyes at her for a moment. Was she thinking something else? Whatever.

He decided against thinking too much about it and turned his focus back to his food.

He had just taken another bite of fish when a knock came at the dining hall door.

Lucien turned his gaze toward one of the maids, a black-haired woman standing near the wall, and she quickly gave him a nod before walking toward the door in steady, measured steps and opened it.

A servant who appeared to be in his late thirties stepped into the hall and bowed his head toward Lucien at a full ninety degrees.

"Speak," Lucien said, after he made sure he had finished swallowing the last bits of fish in his mouth.

"The Vice Headmistress is waiting for you at the entrance," the servant announced, his voice dutiful and subservient.

"The Vice Headmistress?" Lucien muttered, "What is she doing here at this hour?"

He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall of the dining hall and confirmed that the academy had not yet started. He was not late for the morning assembly, and if he was not late for assembly he was certainly not late for his classes that began after the morning prayer.

The servant did not reply, which meant he did not know the reason for her visit.

"Tell her to wait a little while and let her know I am eating breakfast," Lucien ordered sharply.

The servant, already bowed at ninety degrees, dipped his head further in acknowledgment before turning and walking away from the dining hall with a steady, unhurried stride.

Lucien noticed Melissa watching him with a somewhat startled look.

"Isn't it bad to make her wait?" she mumbled, seemingly thinking aloud rather than speaking to him, and Lucien understood then the meaning behind that startled expression.

"Don't worry. She can wait a few minutes and I do not like being disturbed while I am eating," Lucien answered. Seeing Melissa move her lips with no words coming out, he added, "The faster you finish your food, the less the Vice Headmistress will have to wait."

Realization dawned on Melissa and her face quickly filled with determination as she turned back toward her plate. Lucien smiled a little though his impassive face did not let it out.

He too turned his focus back to his food. He hoped that no more disturbances would come his way.

Soon enough, both of them finished their breakfast. And, currently, they were walking toward the entrance where the Vice Headmistress had been waiting all this time, Lucien felt a twinge of guilt when he realized he had forgotten to instruct the servant to allow her inside and have her wait in the drawing room.

Because of that oversight, she had been waiting outside at the entrance of the house, and he fully expected to be met with an angry Vice Headmistress. Truth be told, he hoped she would not be too angry about it.

Lucien opened the entrance door and was greeted by a thunderous roar.

"First you drop the twins at my door. Now you make me and royalty wait at the entrance of your house without even allowing us inside!" Charlotte’s enraged voice crashed over Lucien like a wave and his eardrums rang with pain.

***

On Patreon, you can read 50+ chapters ahead. Your support would greatly help me continue working toward completing the story.

Patreon link: /imissmysun