457 Chapter 457: Assassin’s Pride II (2/2)
”Your Sensei is here too!”
”Huh?”
Hearing the voices from her maid, Melina glanced downward. Then she noticed me. She quickly placed a hand on her skirt and jumped off the railing, back into the balcony, before she could reveal anything improper. Not that I was interested in anything a fourteen-year-old had to show, anyway. Even so, I avoided my gaze.
Unfortunately, in her flustered moment, Melina miscalculated and fell off the railing – in the wrong direction.
”Uh, she's not going to fall off the balcony, is she?”
”…eh?”
The maids were used to Melina's antics and assumed that she would land safely back in the balcony, but at my observation, they panicked and spun around with half-shrieks forming in their mouths.
”Lady Melina!”
”No!”
Fortunately, Melina wasn't that unskilled. She flipped over, grabbing the railing, and then spun about to land back in the balcony, safe and sound. Seemed like the training she went through had served its purpose. I was heartened to see the ease with which she moved, her practiced movements allowing her to circumvent the instance of danger.
Melina Franklin was certainly no damsel in distress, and no spoilt, pampered princess who required a prince to rescue her.
Placing both her hands on the railing, and assuming the dignified air of a noble – the only signs of embarrassment being the crimson flush of her cheeks and the slight trembling of her arms and legs – she spoke without establishing eye contact with her maids.
”Please guide Sensei to his room.”
Then she disappeared back into her own room, shutting the doors to the balcony before any of her maids could respond. I could hear the voice of another maid yelling from within Melina's room, as she tried to ensure that her lady wasn't injured or hurt.
”Good to see Melina again,” I muttered, not sure whether I should be amused or taken aback. Amelia nodded politely.
”I see you've met her before.”
”Um, I haven't just met her before. I taught her in my dad's dojo as well, before you guys moved back here.”
”Ah, I apologize for all the troubles. Lady Melina had no problem staying in Jing Tian City. Unfortunately, there were certain family…problems, and she was forcibly recalled here.” Amelia bowed very deeply and apologetically. ”Even though we have caused you so many troubles, I am relieved that you accepted our lord's request with good grace and are willing to make the trip all the way here just to continue your tutorship of our lady.”
”It's no trouble, really.” I raised a hand to assure her.
”Shall we, then?” Amelia gestured toward the front door. Before she could do anything else, the doors flung open and I caught sight of a couple of elderly butlers coming out to greet us. One of them offered to take my luggage, but once again I declined, assuring him that I could handle my own baggage. ”Your room is this way.”
”Thanks.”
As we entered the mansion, the maids and butlers dispersed, with only Amelia remaining to guide me toward my room. I manually lifted up my luggage and followed her up the stairs, to the second level where a luxurious corridor lay, featuring multiple rooms.
”This is where the servants' quarters are located,” Amelia explained and moved toward the corridor. ”We would put you in the guest room, but it appears that you'll be staying here for the next three years or so, or at least for the long term, so it wouldn't be practical to house you there.”
”That's no problem at all,” I told her. I wasn't expecting to live in the guest room anyhow. I was here as an employee, so it made sense that I was housed in the employee quarters. Though I suspected there would be readers inflamed that I was accepting my treatment as a ”servant” or some bullshit like that. Just look at the comments for Magic Emperor. ”Just be a servant, what a waste!” As if being a bulter or serving a family would somehow turn the story into trash or whatever. Some readers really loved to project themselves into the story or the main characters and whined when things didn't go the way they wanted. That's not how you write or read a story, dudes. ”I'm sure the accommodations you provide will be more than adequate.”
”I'm relieved to hear that.” Amelia nodded. And then she paused. ”I don't know if you're aware of the family circumstances that our lady has been drawn into, but…be careful. There are certain members of the Franklin family who aren't taking the decision to hire you as her private tutor too kindly. They might make your life difficult. And they aim to make Lady Melina's life even more difficult.”
”Because they want to ensure she doesn't inherit her father's position as head of the Franklin family?” I asked. Amelia's eyes widened briefly, and she glanced around the corridor before nodding and dropping her voice into a whisper.
”That certainly is the main cause. I see that you're already appraised of the situation. However…”
”Rest assured, I have no intention of getting involved in the Franklin family politics or the whole drama over who should be the next head. My only goal is to teach Melina swordsmanship and turn her into a fine swordswoman deserving of the Franklin household.”
”That alone will have political repercussions…for, if Melina becomes an excellent swordswoman, her claim to the position of head would be that much greater. Be careful, because there are certain people in the Franklin family who will do everything within their power to prevent that at all costs.”
”I will do my best.” I hesitated for a moment and then narrowed my eyes. ”Is one of them Kureha Franklin?”
Amelia just stared at me silently for a long while, and then she finally sighed and averted her gaze.
”I'm afraid I cannot comment on that.”