39 The Lesson (1/2)

”Is something wrong, Sir marss?”

Michael snapped back to reality, noticing that everyone were currently looking worriedly at him.

”S...Sir Marss?”

He turned to his side, noticing Firnell stare worryingly at him with a slightly tearful gaze. The blue eyes shimmered benath the radiating lanters hanging from above, making him fully realize his sudden change.

'Did all that happen in my head?'

Michael tapped Firnell's shoulder while brightly smiling at her, trying to ease her growing unease.

”I only spaced out for a second! No need to worry.”

Seeing him smile like this, she retracted the previous expression and replaced it with the usual blush. Turning back towards her plate.

Looking back at the rest of her family, they also seemed to calm down. Not dwelling on what had been done much longer.

Trying to reignite the flames of joy, Lissanna began to speak to him once more. Bringing up a rather different topic than one would expect.

”Sir Marss, tell me, which one of my daughters do you find the most appealing?”

As she said these words, the familiar seductive smile slowly bloomed on her face. Aiming both the marked green pearls at him. Wanting to see which one he would choose to look at.

Not falling for this sort of trick, Michael winced at her while rubbing his chin.

”You see, Miss Lissandra. I have neither spoken to your eldest daughter before, nor do I know her name. As such, Firnell will naturally be my first choice.”

Everyone at the table smiled, including the sister who had not uttered a single word until now.

”Ho? Then you wouldn't mind if we left you two alone for a while?”

Hearing this, both parents smiled at each other.

”You are right, Fiorell. We should let them be as of now.”

The father was the first one to followed up.

”You are right, dear. Let us leave them alone.”

As Lissanna finished up, the trio pushed their chairs back and stood up. Not planning on staying here with them any longer

”It was a pleasure meeting you, Marss darling. May we meet again.”

She spoke for the other two, now walking away from the table. Following the line towards the door he and Firnell had come from.

Seeing them slowy leave, the girl next to him began to blush even more. Not sure how to go on from here.

”I...I am very happy you t..took your time meeting them...”

Her eyes glistened with the constant build-up of tears, making them shine like blue crystals reflecting the rays of yellow light.

”S...Sir Marss. If you would like...W...We can go to my room...”

A soft pant escaped from her small mouth as she continuously stuttered. The warm pockets of air kept hitting his face as she unconsciously leaned closer.

'This girl sure is different today.'

”I would be honored. Please, show the way.”

She weakly smiled at him through the tomato red face, placing her hand onto his and leading him away.

Firnell lead him towards the door which they originally came from, the one filled with all those strange paintings.

She placed her hand on the solid door knob, and it slowly opened. Giving of a stirring creaking sound as it moved.

Seeing the familiar hall once more, now lighted up by the dinning room's powerful lanters, he got a better look inside. However, what came was not as expected.

'Where did all the paintings go?'

Right now, the only thing filling the dim corridor was the familiar row of candles. The previous images were no longere there for display.

'Did those three remove them when they left?'

Before Michael had another chance to dwell on this, he saw the girl infront of him stare confusingly at him.

”Is something wrong, Sir Marss?”

Seeing her expression, he could only lay the thoughts in the back of his mind, Giving her the usual calm smile.

”No, no. There is nothing wrong.”

A touched look was eminent on her face, and she once more pulled him away.

Exiting this haunted passage, they then walked up towards the first floor near the entrance of this place.

Finishing the flight of stairs, Michael looked around to see if anything noticeable changes had happened here too.

The same human shaped stautes were still spread around the room. However, now resembling a sort of maze.

'Wasn't there also league's of maids and servants here just a few minutes ago? Did something else come up mabye?'

Firnell noticed his sudden change, and instead of trying to ask what was wrong again, she lightly dragged his hand towards a new set of wooden steps. Most likely leading to the second floor where her living quarter would be.

”M..My room is just up here. I'm sorry if it's tiring to walk. B..But my dad likes when it's s..spacey, a..and..”

'Why is this girl always explaining herself? Well, whatever.'

”Don't think about. Let's just go.”

He took the first move onto it, wanting her to calm down a little.