Auden began the discussion, "Melina, would you—"
"Miss Melina," Alistair corrected.
"Excuse me?" Count blinked.
"Address her properly as "Miss Melina". She is an unmarried woman. People might misunderstand if you address her so casually," he clarified, a smile on his face. But the smile definitely didn't reach his eyes, which were staring at Auden coldly.
"I believe we are close enough friends at this point to address each other by name, isn't that right, Melina? She agreed to it herself," Auden pointed out.
"It is because you requested me to do so," Melina said. As a commoner, she didn't really have the right to refuse a request from a count.
As an [Archmage], she would sometimes forego noble etiquette, but she couldn't do it so easily now. She had no political influence, and if a noble would decide to hold her accountable, it would bring trouble not just to her, but to everyone around her—Gilbert, Adrien, Roxie, and perhaps even Sunglow as a whole.
However, seeing that Alistair was ready to start a fight over this simple matter, Melina decided that it would be wiser to drop the issue and instead get to the meat of the discussion.
"But it doesn't really matter. We're here to talk about the contract, aren't we?" Melina said.
"Indeed, we are. So tell me your thoughts. Are you ready to sign?" Count Speziale said.
"I'm afraid not. This contract contains many clauses that are not favorable to Melina," Alistair interjected.
Then the two men went on lengthy discussions about the contract clauses. Melina mostly listened, trying to understand exactly what each clause alluded to. Alistair had explained a lot the previous day, but Count Speziale had his own explanation as to why a specific clause was needed.
In the end, Melina chose to trust Alistair. He only had her best interest in mind, while Auden clearly was trying to maximize his profits. The discussion over clauses got so heated that Melina believed that they wouldn't be able to sign anything. Auden wasn't willing to back down and adjust the contract in many cases, while Alistair insisted that signing it in its current state was out of the question.
When it was clear that the two men were at a stalemate, Melina decided that it was time for her to intervene. She knew that the Count wanted to secure her partnership—he'd organized a whole competition for that very reason. This meant that he was unlikely to let her go. She could use that as leverage.
Melina activated
"Melina, there is nobody else in Alemahria who has steady access to Monster Realm ingredients," Count Speziale smiled, likely thinking that he had talked them into a corner.
"Yes, that's why it would be very regretful if we couldn't come to an agreement. We'll need to venture into the Monster Realm ourselves. Perhaps we can search for partners in Su Xien. I hear their country is quite progressive in this regard," Melina taunted while making an innocent face.
"Yourselves? Melina, I assure you that venturing into the Monster Realm is not a simple task. Not to mention that you would need access to one of the passageways," Auden objected, appearing rather calm. But Melina could feel that she had shaken him, if only a little.
"There is a passageway near Sunglow, so it's not impossible," Alistair stated.
For a brief moment, Auden's eyes widened in shock. He hadn't known that. Melina felt that this was the right moment to finish him off.
"I didn't want to use my spare time to head into the passageway, but I'm sure that together with Sienna and Mango, I could manage," Melina said, pointing at her familiars.
Mango was amusing herself by levitating a spoon in circles. Sienna, who had been observing the exchange from Melina's shoulder, let out an approving chitter.
"T-There's no need for rash actions. I'm sure we can adjust the clauses to fit your needs," the Count said, and pointed towards one of the clauses he was unwilling to change before.
After that, the talks proceeded smoothly. Auden and Alistair were able to agree on clauses, and Melina signed the contract. Alistair even managed to reduce the percentage Auden would own from 20% to 15%.
Melina was just happy that she would be able to get her hands on a wide variety of new Monster Realm ingredients. All she could do was read over the list and imagine what she could make from the ingredients. She had used some in a potion, but how would they interact with pastries? She'd have to set aside some time for experimentation.
"Thank you very much for this discussion. You can expect the first shipment of ingredients by the end of next week," Count said, getting up from his seat.
"I'll be eagerly waiting for it," Melina said with a smile, reaching out to shake his hand.
But just like before, Auden kissed her fingertips instead, earning a dissatisfied growl from Alistair. "Remember, Melina. If Sunglow begins to feel too small, then you're always welcome in Tuvia."
"I can't abandon my grandfather and my employees here," Melina said, pulling her hand back.
"I'd be willing to arrange for them to come with you," he said with a smile, his gaze travelling to her left hand. "It's not like you are tied down to anything here besides that."
Is he referring to the fact that I don't have an engagement ring?
Melina hid her hand, feeling uncomfortable. She couldn't become Alistair's fiancée at the current time. Not with how things were at the moment. She hadn't built enough of a reputation to be worthy of him—Duke Sinclair would never approve. She feared knowing what he would say if he knew that Melina was living under the same roof as him.
"I believe changing living accommodations so often would be too stressful for Melina," Alistair said with a forced smile, leading Auden towards the door. "Thank you so much for visiting, but she needs to rest now. Melina always wakes up very early in the morning."
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"Of course, of course. I understand," the Count replied. "But remember, Melina. If you need my help, just send me a letter. And there's no need to send it through Sinclair's name. I'll make sure all of your letters are accepted."
"Thank you," Melina said with a polite smile, but she felt Alistair next to her was likely seething. Auden probably didn't see the signs—the gentle trembling of his hand, the overly polite but forced smile, and the cold stare that might be mistaken as friendly if you didn't know him well. But Melina knew him, and she knew that a bit more, and he just might lose his temper. "I'll be expecting that shipment."
Auden bowed and then finally left. Melina closed the door and let out a sigh of relief. "That's over at least."
Alistair didn't seem to share her sense of relief. Instead, he was glaring at the door as if his anger could somehow pierce through it and reach Count Speziale.
"Melina," he suddenly turned towards her, grabbing both of her hands in his. "I'm going to have to leave for Fenrora for a bit."
"Why all of a sudden?" She blinked in surprise.
"It's time I faced my father properly. Not to mention that he needs to know about everything that happened in Sunglow. About Adrien and Church and the Monster Lord," he said.
"Are you going to try to convince us to join our cause?"
"Yes. Although I'm not sure if the current events are enough to convince him. If only we had some proof of what the Church is going to do." He clicked his tongue in frustration.
"What about the spy documents?" Melina suggested.
"I don't think that's enough. If only I could tell him everything I know. I'm sure if he knew the disaster that the Church is trying to cause, he would try to stop them."
"Then tell him."
Alistair looked at her in shock. "Tell him? You mean about… everything?"
"He's your father, right? If he's not going to understand, then who will?" Melina said. She had the impression that the Duke's heart was in the right place, even if he was somewhat rough on the outside.
"You will, I imagine," Alistair said, gently brushing Melina's cheek. "Just wait for me for a bit longer."
"Wait for what? You're already here," Melina cocked her head quizzically.
"You'll see," he smiled brilliantly, and pulled her into a hug.
She could sense that the meeting with the Count had shaken him, but she didn't understand why. Was it all because she had met with him alone? If she had known that it would bother him so much, she never would have done it. But hopefully now that the Count was gone, he'd be able to calm down over the matter.
It was Sunday, which meant another intensive day of magic learning. Leon had arrived at the bakery early in the morning, eager to show his progress. It was honestly impressive. The mage was making leaps and strides in understanding the flow of mana and how to control it.
He demonstrated his fireball spells, and Melina could instantly see the difference. Hardly any mana was being wasted, which meant that he could make much more powerful fireballs. There was still room for improvement, but it was much better than a month ago.
Melina gave him special exercise for finer mana control—namely, burning holes of specific size into paper. It was a tricky exercise since the paper burned so easily. One had to control mana perfectly to burn the exact necessary spot and not have the fire spread to the rest of the paper. It was an annoying exercise usually given to those at a more advanced level.
But Melina had a feeling that Leon would be able to do it. He had the grit and determination to see things through. He'd be able to do it eventually, and even if he didn't, his mana control skills would improve dramatically.
Adrien, on the other hand, wasn't progressing much at all. He could levitate the rock occasionally for a brief moment, but most of the time it ended with him overpouring his mana and causing the rock to explode. Which meant that Melina had to intervene and stop the explosion.
Little mango was running in circles around them, levitating a whole flurry of rocks. Sienna chased after her, both familiars playing and enjoying the warm weather.
"I don't get it!" Adrien huffed in annoyance, kicking the rock into the bushes.
"You're trying too hard. You need to relax your grip on mana. Let it flow more freely rather than trying to restrain it so hard," Melina said calmly.
"I AM letting it flow! But there's too much. I think. It just seems to do whatever it wants," he huffed, sitting down in the grass.
Melina thought about it. She didn't quite get why he was struggling so much. He certainly hadn't had any problems with mana control in the Church. Maybe the problem was that he was still too young and his mana too unstable. His being frustrated wasn't helping either—magic was often influenced by one's emotions.
"Why don't you take a short break, then we'll try the meditation method again?" She suggested.
"Sure…" he muttered, slinking inside the bakery.
Melina thought she should talk to him some more, but this day she had another student to take care of. Leliana had joined their magic class at the suggestion of Elowen. The elf was trying to teach her how to levitate the rock, but the redhead hadn't had any luck so far.
By Melina's estimates, Leliana had a medium amount of mana. Not enough for her to become a battlemage like Leon, however, she certainly had enough to learn to apply magic in her daily life. Her main goal was to learn how to imbue plants with mana, and for that, she needed to learn how to control it. Not to the same degree as Leon and Adrien, but enough so she could at least sense how much she's pouring into the plant.
"Are you sure that this is correct? How can staring at a rock make it fly?" Leliana asked Melina suspiciously.
"It's not the staring that levitates the rock. It's you guiding your mana to it and then lifting it. Much like you would with your hand," Melina explained. "Besides, Mango can do it."
The fox was swirling the rocks in a circle around its head, making them appear as a rocky halo of sorts. Little rascal had such precise control that even Melina was envious. Some creatures were just born with it.
"Still, I don't know how this mana thing is supposed to feel like," Leliana huffed.
"It's like I showed you the other day, remember?" Elowen said and touched Leliana's hand.
She flinched a little, and Melina deduced that Elowen must have guided a bit of his mana into her hand so she'd feel it better.
"Oh, right… That did happen," she said somewhat sheepishly, Leliana's cheeks nearly matching the color of her hair.
"Do you think you can find a similar feeling within yourself and try to guide it to the rock?" Melina prompted.
"I can certainly try," Leliana said, but didn't sound very confident. Nonetheless, she did her best, and Melina did notice the mana within her body stir. A little.
"When did you show her your mana?" Melina asked Elowen conspiratorially.
"When we were trying to grow feyfruit. They need mana to thrive," the elf replied.
"That they do," Melina nodded. For a moment, they observed the scene quietly.
Then Elowen cleared his throat and whispered. "I saw a vision. Of what happened to Sunglow."
Melina barely managed to contain her expression. She had been hoping that Elowen would remember. Her heart rate increased. "What did you see?"
"It was Leliana's recounting of events. She said that everything happened suddenly. One moment, Sunglow was peaceful, and the next it was replaced with a completely foreign scenery."
Melina exhaled a sigh of relief. "So the problem was the passageway after all."
"Yes. We don't have to worry about that. But she did say something else concerning," the elf continued.
"What?"
"The Church arrived soon after everything happened, but they refused to help the survivors."
"How soon after did they arrive?" She asked.
"I'm not certain, but from my understanding, they arrived on their own and very soon."
That was concerning. If the passageway had gone berserk, then there wouldn't be any proper communication channels left. How could anyone deliver the news of the disaster quickly? It was almost as if they knew the disaster would happen, yet still chose to let it happen. Not to mention that they refused to help those who remained. Had their goal been to get rid of Sunglow from the very get-go?
But if that was true and this whole plan failed in this timeline, then what would they try to do this time? Especially after Melina, Alistair, and Elowen had captured their spy.