NOVEL NEXT Everyone’s break: Melanie
Melanie POV
Dad and I are on our yearly trip. Once a year, we travel to random places every year checking for any potential partners or things that we can sell. That is how dad became a noble after all. Well, we are still in the bottom of the ranks so we don’t really feel like it most of the time. It is useful for getting out of situations though!
“Melanie, how has school been?”
“Oh. Been doing great dad. I thought I would get in trouble at some point but Miss Athena has been taking good care of me.”
“The duke’s daughter, huh. Isn’t she trouble? The things I’ve heard isn’t really that great.”
“Yeah! That’s why I approached her first!”
“You did? I always thought she forced you to follow her.”
“You always thought me that if I am forced to take a risk, I should take a calculated one. That is what I did.”
“Hoh? The duke’s daughter was a calculated risk? That’s my daughter.”
“I mean, knowing what I know about nobles. I already knew I’m going to get in trouble one way or another. I mean, when we became nobles, a lot already happened.
“That is true. Once we became nobles, some of our partners suddenly dropped out. We found out that it was pressure from some nobles who were scared of our progress.”
“Yeah. That’s why I needed to be brave. I practiced for days before I could talk to her, you know?”
“And? What did you think when you first saw her?”
“Hehehe. I didn’t really know when I should talk to her. So, uh, I made the mistake of stalking her for a bit.”
“I understand. When I was young, I also had a hard time stating a conversation.”
“Yeah. Then, she just suddenly called out to me. I felt even more scared since she knew I was following her.”
“So, the duke’s daughter is perceptive.”
“Yeah. So, I used all of my courage to step in front of her. Seriously, I felt like a frog in front of a snake. She stared at me. I could feel her measuring me. But I already knew that this was the risk. I probably could’ve hidden myself for a while before other people will mess with me but I chose to do this. If I succeed, I felt that I could have a totally different life and I did. Ever since I’ve been with Miss Athena, my school life has been really fun. Of course, there are some troubles here and there but Miss Athena takes good care of me!”
“That is great, Melanie. I do want to confirm one thing. Are the rumors true?”
“Which rumors?”
“The ones that say that she is cruel, evil, and some similar.”
“Ah. I guess you can say those are true.”
“Ho?”
“Yeah. I have seen how Miss Athena treats other and I guess you can say that its true but she has really been taking good care of me!”
I probably shouldn’t tell dad that she slapped me and stepped on my head.
“She is the type to be cruel to those who oppose her but kind to those under her.”
“Yeah. Exactly!”
“Hmm, I am glad that you are having fun. So, have you found a partner?”
“Huh?”
“You know, a romantic partner?”
“No no no. I’m too busy to think about that. I need to make sure that I am useful to Miss Athena!”
“Even when I ask about a romantic partner, the duke’s daughter is the first person you think of?”
“Huh?”
The carriage suddenly stops.
“Sir, we have trouble.”
The coachman talks to us. I choose to remain silent while dad talks with him.
“What is it?”
“Bandits, sir.”
“How many?”
“We are currently outnumbered but our people are highly trained.”
“The real problem would be everything else.”
“Yes, sir. I am confident that we can survive but we cannot be sure with the cargo.”
“Any sudden moves would lead to them attacking. What should we do?”
While they discuss things, I decide to look outside. I peek and I could see that we were surrounded by people.
“Dad?”
“Yes, Melanie?”
“Their clothes look nice.”
“Hmm? Oh, yes. They do.”
“Doesn’t that mean that they may be more skilled than we think?”
“Hmm, that is true. Bandits usually have dirty and ruined clothes. These look nice and clean. They may be organized. This means that this is more trouble.”
As I look around, I see someone in the distance. It looks like a child? She looks at me and I feel like I know her. She points at a direction and then shows three fingers. Is she telling us to run?
“Dad, I have a plan.”
“You do?”
“Yeah. Can you also signal to the other carriages?”
“Yes, miss. We have trained for communication.”
“Okay. When I tell you, please make everyone rush in that direction. I think we can outrun them.”
“Are you sure, Melanie?”
“Yeah. Please trust me, dad.”
“Okay. No problem.”
I look at the child and I nod. I didn’t think she would notice but she did. So, I see her starting her count. 1, 2, 3.
“Now! Go now!”
As I yell, one of the bandits suddenly gets hit by a rock on their head. Then, our sudden movement takes them off guard as even more rocks are thrown at their direction. I look back and see the child showing a thumbs up as we speed off. Why does she look familiar?
“That was amazing, Melanie.”
“Yeah. I learned that I should be brave and bold from Miss Athena.”
Dad puts his hand on my head and rubs it.
“You must be learning a lot from her.”
“Yeah!”
“Well, if you ever do find a romantic partner in the future. Feel free to tell me. For now, enjoy your school life as much as you can.”
“Okay!”
I don’t really get it but I don’t have time to find a romantic partner. I have Miss Athena, after all!