A Startled Kitten (2)

Mikyle looked at his dueling partner, a boy with the name of Melvin Mallory. If his memory served him, this boy was from a distant family of the Mallorne line, which showed from his dark blue hair.

Melvin's silver eyes looked to Mikyle's left. Even though Mikyle knew that was where Melvin was going to strike him, he didn't dodge but made sure to bring his sword slowly up, having it counter Melvin's sword just in time. Mikyle then struck out with his sword, slowing the movement down just enough that the boy could see its line of travel.

The wooden fence separating the field from the wooded area was to his back while he had a good view of the open grassy area and the walking paths in front of him.

A slender frame dressed in gray slacks and a white button-up shirt was traveling along the walking path. The boy paused and turned to look to where Mikyle and the others were currently dueling. The boy's aqua-colored eyes widened in surprise.

Mikyle found himself chuckling silently as he made it look like he was focused solely on his dueling partner. He was suddenly finding it difficult to hold himself back, wanting to show off in front of the boy who was still watching him.

Mikyle wasn't an idiot. He had figured out rather quickly that he was interested in Adrien Mallorne. He had found the boy's countenance rather cute when he had bumped into him at the bookstore. And the vivid facial expressions only made Mikyle want to constantly tease him.

This was the first time that Mikyle had found anyone interesting. He had met many attractive gentlemen and young ladies, but none of them made his heart race nor did they draw his gaze to them.

Mikyle had surmised that there was something about Adrien that drew Mikyle's attention to him, and it wasn't just his looks. He had already realized how similar the boy had looked to Lady Aefre Ceciles when he had noticed the two studying in the library, and he had known Lady Aefre for a long time and had never once found himself attracted to her.

Although he found it odd that he had fallen for someone in just a matter of days, he didn't put much thought into it nor did he plan on fighting against it. The only thing that could deter Mikyle was if Adrien was into women, which Mikyle had figured that the boy wasn't with the way he had blushed and reacted shyly when he had caught Mikyle staring at him.

After three grueling hours of dueling and running around the outer part of the training field, their professor finally released them. Mikyle jogged to the shower room to shower and change into a fresh set of clothes.

When he came out, he noticed Adrien Mallorne sitting down in the grass, his attention focused on a book in his lap. Mikyle jogged over to where Adrien was sitting, keeping his footsteps light. He was already anticipating the startled look that he would receive from the boy.

As he drew closer, he was finally able to make out what Adrien was doing. I didn't know he could draw. Well, he is enrolled in the Art Department. But most of the people that were there were just killing time, were unable to participate in physical activities, or had a family business that focused on the arts. Hmm, but there are some who are genuinely into the arts. My future sister-in-law is an excellent violinist.

The page in Adrien's lap radiated with life. Mikyle could almost feel the earthly power and smell the sweet scent of flowers as the girl on the page released her Mana.

"Hmm. You're pretty good."

Adrien jumped, and unfortunately, the fountain pen in his hand skidded across the page, pressing a dark mark through the vibrant drawing.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you ruin your drawing."

Adrien rapidly blinked his eyes, confusion written all over his startled face. His cheeks, which were pale, started to turn pink. "When did you get here, your highness?"

Mikyle frowned. "Didn't I ask you to address me differently?" I'll have him calling me by my name and without any of those damn titles shortly, Mikyle vowed to himself.

Adrien looked down before slowly looking back up, the pink on his face slowly fading away. "When did you get here, Prince Mikyle?"

"Better. But I would like for you to drop the titles in the future."

"I can't do that."

Oh? The little kitten is arguing back. Mikyle found a smirk tugging his lips. He leaned down further, leveling his face with Adrien's. "Even though I want you to?" He asked, putting on a rather coy act.

"Why are you doing this to me?" Adrien asked in an exasperated voice.

Mikyle chuckled, finding this little kitten extremely cute. "Shouldn't that be obvious, My Kitten? I like you." Mikyle hadn't given Adrien any time to answer before he answered his own question. He leaned in closer, watching as Adrien's face and ears turned a beautiful scarlet. Adrien's lips parted open and Mikyle found his eyes drawn to them. It really was strange with how he felt when around this boy. If he had been a true gentleman, he would have probably been feeling a little ashamed and embarrassed at the thoughts that were running rampant in his head at this current moment.

Mikyle cleared his throat and pulled his eyes away from Adrien's soft-looking lips. It was not the time to act on his impulses.

His eyes found themselves going back to Adrien, and Mikyle almost lost it. The boy's eyes had fallen to Mikyle's lips and his pink tongue slowly darted out to wet his bottom lip.

This-this kitten. Is he not aware of what he is currently doing?

Mikyle stood up straight, breaking the spell that his proximity was putting on the boy, and thus on himself. "I think you might like me too. Or you at least find me attractive." Mikyle's voice came out thick, and his mouth was suddenly feeling dry. He was now fully understanding the words that his older brother always spoke about when talking about his feelings toward Lianna Silva.

"Wh-what?! I-I! Is it that obvious?" Adrien finally asked, looking much like a kicked puppy.

Mikyle blinked once slowly. He then blinked again. Before the pink on Adrien's face could fade, Mikyle found himself bursting out with laughter.

Adrien jumped. He quickly rose to his feet, shoving his things back into his bag. He grumbled under his breath.

Mikyle laughed even harder, finding this kitten just too adorable. He had a feeling that he would be coined as a bully in the future because he could see himself teasing Adrien over and over again just to see that expression.

Mikyle pulled himself together, gently wrapping his finger around Adrien's slender wrist. He was momentarily stunned by how thin Adrien's wrist felt, especially after the way he had seen the boy eat.

"I'm not teasing you, I promise. I find your bereaved expression endearing. Hmm, actually I find all of your expressions endearing, and I would like to see more of them."

Adrien looked down at the ground, his face that wonderful shade of scarlet again. "How can you say you like me, you don't even know me."

"That's true. But I find myself attracted to you, the same way you are attracted to me," Mikyle admitted, his hand still wrapped around Adrien's wrist.

"You. . .are surprisingly good at reading people."

Mikyle leaned in close, nearly touching his head to Adrien's. "You make it obvious."

Adrien turned his face away, gently tugging his hand free at the same time. Mikyle let his hand go without putting up a struggle.

"Can I have time to think?" Adrie slowly asked, his eyes never looking at Mikyle.

"Sure. Just remember that my confession is genuine. And if you decide to act on your desires, I would like to take you out for a date this weekend. So I hope to hear a favorable response by then."