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“LORD Miguel, do you have a moment?” Oriana beckoned to him as he stood with the rest of the Special Class. Vincent was already gone; she’d researched his routine and knew he’d left on his own to head for the Herbology facilities. He was either with Professor Heinz or out in the fields experimenting with his implement.
Reeled along by her invitation, Miguel slipped out into the corridor where she was waiting. She continued motioning him closer, so he hunched over his gigantic frame, casting a shadow over her. As they stood in the corner of the hall, Oriana fished for something inside her robe.
“Here…” She slipped out a box of lollipops she’d had her dad send her from a famous confectionery.
“Are you bribing me?” he asked.
“Most certainly, milord.”
“Well, I’ll take it.”
“You honor me.” Oriana exaggeratedly pressed her hands together and bowed, as if showing reverence.
Miguel exaggeratedly held his hands together in reverence before accepting his prize and examining it, eyes lit up and a grin spread from ear to ear. “So? What’s up?”
After they made their way to a nearby lounge, Oriana bowed her head low in gratitude before broaching the topic. “What does Vincent like? It was easy to figure out what you like, but I can’t even begin to guess what Vincent prefers. I’d like to give him a gift, as thanks for how much he’s looked after me.”
They were standing close at the edge of the room, near some bookshelves. Part of the reason they had avoided the couches was because there was only a limited number in the lounge, which meant people often couldn’t find an open seat. On top of that, Oriana and Miguel were pulled in so close so that they could whisper to each other, which was ill-suited while sitting down, so they opted instead to exchange words at the corner of the lounge.
“Whaaat? I wish you’d have asked for mine too. I’m not that hung up over candy, y’know.” Miguel pouted.
“You don’t like them?! Even though you eat them all the time?”
He shrugged. “Guess you could say it’s a habit. Having a bit of sugar helps calm your nerves, right?”
“I guess…? Well, I never dreamed you didn’t like candy that well. Sorry about that. Should I take those back?”
“No, I need them, so I’ll happily accept your gift.”
Oriana found that odd. If he didn’t particularly like them, why did he need them? Regardless, she nodded. “All right, well either way, tell me what your preferences are while you’re at it. I want to get you something you like, too.”
“Huh? Seriously? Yay! Hm, what should I ask for… Mind if I give it some thought?”
“Go ahead. Just keep it within the limits of what I can buy with my allowance.”
“Gotcha.”
Oriana was pleased, seeing that he was satisfied, but in the process, she nearly forgot why she’d called him here. Flustered, she shook her head and said, “Anyway, do you have any ideas about Vincent?”
“Hmm… Things Vincent likes, huh? How about you give him you?”
“Me, huh? True, that is far more valuable than anything else I might buy and offer,” she answered cheekily. Her own value far surpassed a child’s allowance or even the dowry her father would put together for her.
“Pretty sure Vincent would love that. If you became his bride, I mean.”
“Sorry, Miguel, but I’m going to have to put an end to this little joke of yours.” Oriana held up a hand and shook her head. She was not so easy she’d sell herself short; she knew how to say no.
Besides, she wanted to keep it a joke. She knew she had to. Alas, it’d become more and more difficult to do that as of late. Not only would her cheeks light up and give her away, but she struggled to find a way to brush it off naturally.
I can’t help it, she thought. Vincent’s just so kind to me.
Not only that, but he was also always there for her, too. Oriana often felt like she was given a special place at his side and doted on. Every time, she felt so happy as if she was floating on air, her heart singing, until the inevitable crash when she reminded herself that Sharon was the girl Vincent truly loved.
Ever since the night of their so-called date, Oriana hadn’t spotted Sharon at Vincent’s side anymore. Sharon hadn’t been present at all when they were third years though, and since Oriana wasn’t in class with them, perhaps it wasn’t all that surprising. There was, after all, quite a gap between the Special Class and Class 2.
“Sorry. Did I upset you?” Miguel, the 6’2” giant, suddenly peeked at her face as she stared down at her feet. He gave her a perfectly calculated sad puppy dog look.
“I can’t believe you! Please, milady, you’re married, and besides…I already have a wife to whom I’ve promised my future!” Oriana pressed her hands over her mouth and trembled dramatically, moved by how adorable Miguel was being.
“How could you?” Miguel feigned hurt. “When you promised you’d consider being with me!”
“What are you two doing?”
In the midst of their theatrics, pretending like a married couple in the middle of a tryst, Oriana froze solid as ice. Her voice hitched as she squeaked, “D-D-D-Did you hear our conversation just now?!”
“I did,” said Vincent. “Though, this is the first I’ve heard of you having a wife.”
Oh, thank goodness. At least he didn’t hear the part I wanted to keep from him, Oriana thought, relieved.
Vincent eyed her. For some reason, his gaze seemed almost accusing, which made her shrink back.
Nervously, Oriana asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” Vincent said, being unusually cagey.
Miguel clapped him on the shoulder, leaning in close to his ear and dropping his voice low enough so Oriana couldn’t hear anything. Whatever it was, it prompted Vincent to glare at him.
Miguel smiled mischievously and turned back toward Oriana. “Welp, see ya. If you want an answer to your question, try asking the man himself.”
“W-Wait, Miguel!”
He ignored her, innocently waving as he said, “Bye-bye!” No, there was nothing innocent about it. He was only pretending to be innocent.
“Ask ‘the man himself’ what, exactly?” Vincent inquired with a smile.
With no way to stop Miguel from leaving, Oriana stood there, now alone with Vincent.