The Reincarnator's Inauspicious Route to Finding Love-Chapter 62: The Fall Festival? (3)

"During the Fall Festival, the Academy opens up an art gallery where the students can display their masterpieces. They also host plays and concerts which the students write and host themselves. Well, most people decide to just do renditions of famous plays and songs." Mikyle clicked his tongue as he said this, clearly annoyed that people took the easy way out. "And for the students of the Physical Department, a round of tournaments are held. There’s the Martial Arts tournament, and the Swordsmanship tournament. There are also smaller scale tournaments that feature Magic and Alchemy. Though the highlights of the festival are the concerts and the Swordsmanship tournament."

Adrien nodded along, taking in Mikyle’s words. It seemed like any other fantasy world festival to Adrien– not that he wasn’t looking forward to it. "Are you participating in the Swordsmanship tournament?"

"I am. Are you going to come and cheer me on?"

Adrien nodded his head, a bit more eagerly this time. "Sure." He had seen Mikyle practice the sword before but he had never seen him in a real fight. "I’ve never seen an actual duel before so I’m excited to see how the tournaments are like at the Academy."

Mikyle’s smile faltered before growing larger. He brought his hand up and cupped it against Adrien’s ear. "I was planning on taking it easy, but now I feel like I shouldn’t."

Adrien’s eyes widened at the implication behind Mikyle’s words. "I did–"

Mikyle’s thumb brushed against Adrien’s lips, stopping him from speaking. "I’m only joking. But I will take tenth place to make it a show for you."

Adrien found himself wanting to sigh at the ridiculousness that was spewing from Mikyle’s lips. But he had a feeling that Mikyle probably could calculate even that much if he had been honing his skills enough to even appear to be weaker than he really was even in front of an expert.

"That aside, do you know what you will be performing during the concert?"

Adrien felt himself blanching. He had to prepare a painting and now a music piece? Wasn’t this too much to do in such a short time? Or do most students start preparing something beforehand?

"I guess I need to figure that out, and soon."

Mikyle grinned and there was a playfulness about him. "Shall we listen to some performances to help you get an idea about what song you’ll be doing?"

Adrien shook his head absent-mindedly as he thought about the look Mikyle had given earlier when concerts had come up previously during his explanation about the Fall Festival. "I think I might want to perform something different?" He probably wouldn’t be able to write something original, but he might be able to rewrite a song from his old world to fit in with the music that was currently popular. That might be too hard for me to do though since it has been a while since I’ve last rearranged a song.

"Something different? Does that mean you plan on performing an original song?" Mikyle looked curious as he stared at Adrien with an unblinking gaze.

". . .I do." It will technically be an original for this world. Though I need to listen to more music to figure out what song I should use and how I should go about its rearrangement.

It was during those thoughts that Mikyle’s earlier words finally registered. "Did you say something about listening to different performances?"

The look on Mikyle’s face paused for a second before he burst out laughing. "I did. I had asked if you would like to join me in attending some concerts to help give you an idea for which song to perform. I had no idea that my Little Kitten was thinking about writing an original piece."

Adrien felt his ears grow warm as he was captivated by Mikyle as he practically shined in his merriment. His laughter was so captivating that it even drew in a few curious stares.

"Should we eat before we run out of time?" Adrien practically shouted as he stood up. Embarrassment flooded through him. He hadn’t intended to stand up so abruptly nor had he intended for his voice to be that loud.

Mikyle’s laughter died down but his smile remained. "We should."

Adrien glared at the obviously amused Mikyle. Even though he knew that Mikyle felt that same pull of attraction that Adrien felt, he still found it unfair that he was unable to hide the effect that it had on him or how strong his affection for Mikyle was.

Mikyle stood up from his seat and the two of them grabbed something to eat. As they were eating, Prince Nathaniel and Lady Silva joined them.

The Crown Prince smoothly and amicably introduced himself before sitting down. "I am Nathaniel De Velron. It’s nice to finally meet you."

"Greetings, your Highness." The words felt stiff and unfamiliar on his tongue as he offered his own introduction. "I’m Adrien Mallorne, the youngest son of Count Mallorne."

"I hope you’ll find your stay at the Palace this weekend comfortable. And if not, feel free to let me or Lianna know and we’ll take care of it for you."

"Stay?" What does he mean by that?

"Brother."

Adrien turned to look at Mikyle when he heard his voice which sounded flat. Flat? It sounds more like a warning.

Prince Nathaniel’s eyebrows furrowed together and a puzzled look crossed over his handsome features. "Don’t tell me that you haven’t informed him yet?"

"I haven’t. I was waiting until later."

"Tell me what?" Adrien looked between both of the princes before his eyes finally lingered on Mikyle. "What is it that you haven’t told me yet?"

"Huu." Mikyle visibly sighed. His shoulders were slightly stiff compared to before and that amicable smile that he had been wearing was now gone. "My family found out about our relationship and has invited you over for the weekend," explained Mikyle.

"Oh." Honestly, Adrien had expected this to happen sooner or later. "Do I need to prepare any gifts?"

Mikyle’s stiff shoulders relaxed and a small, amused smirk appeared on his lips. "If you want to, we can pick something out later in the week."

"You’ll have to help me pick out something good," Adrien warned him, his tone light and teasing as he smiled fondly. He should have been feeling pressured at suddenly being forced to meet his boyfriend’s parents, but he wasn’t. But that didn’t mean that he wouldn’t be feeling it later. He had a feeling that a bout of nervousness will hit him the day of the meeting, which was only natural since Mikyle’s parents were the literal King and Queen Consort of the kingdom they lived in.

"Hmm," Mikyle hummed in agreement. "Though I have a feeling that they’ll like anything you’ll bring."

Lady Silva watched them out of the side of her eyes as she pretended to be absorbed in her food, but the small smile on her face gave her away. While on the other hand, Nathaniel stared at them openly with mixed emotions of shock and disbelief.

"I guess you really were just waiting for the right person," Nathaniel mumbled quietly in an undignified manner.

"Of course," Mikyle answered him, not even feigning to pretend like he hadn’t heard him.

Prince Nathaniel then turned toward Lady Silva, giving her his full attention. "I heard from Jacobs that Lady Aisley met with you. She didn’t do anything, did she?" He asked as he placed some meat and colored greens onto her plate.

"No. Though she did say something strange. She asked me to join her and her sister in the concert during the Fall Festival."

A scowl appeared on Prince Nathaniel’s face. "She must be up to something."

"I agree."

Adrien found this situation puzzling. He couldn’t remember the events of the Fall Festival all that well, but he was pretty sure he would remember if the main female antagonists had forced the main character to join them.

What is Aisley planning?

Adrien felt eyes on him. He turned to find Mikyle staring intently at him. The corner of Mikyle’s lips lifted a fraction.

"I disagree," Mikyle stated as he turned away from Adrien. His eyes landed on Prince Nathaniel and Lady Silva. "And even if she is up to something, isn’t it best to keep a close eye on her?"

"That’s true," Lady Silva hummed quietly.

Prince Nathaniel glanced between the two of them with a worried look in his eyes. "I’m not sure. Let me look into House Ceciles first to make sure they aren’t planning something behind the scenes."

"Hmm."

"That sounds good."

Adrien resisted the urge to shake his head when he realized how easily Mikyle had led them into even considering Lady Aisley’s proposal. But what did Aisley stand to gain in doing this other than showing House Ceciles’ support and possibly gaining the Crown Prince’s trust? And does this have anything to do with whatever it was that she did to me earlier?