Montmorency invites Michael into her room. The two spend time discussing their feelings and their bond grows stronger.

All the while, Louise contemplates why the two blonde's sharing a kiss bothers her so much.


Heart-to-Heart

Montmorency opens up her bedroom door, stands to the side, and holds out an arm in presentation after bowing her head politely

"There we go. Please, do feel welcome in my humble abode."

"I'm grateful, Montmorency, thanks," I say, stepping through the open doorway.

My eyes widen at what I find inside.

These nobles sure don't do things in half measures.

The blonde girl's room is similar in shape and size to Louise's, though the wall to the left is totally taken up by a series of massive glass cabinets, each packed full of delicate-looking, glass vials, flasks, potions, and the like. There are candles placed sporadically about the room on holders, and numerous magical tomes and volumes are strewn everywhere. The relaxing scent of lavender incense hangs in the air, also.

There is a large bed on the right side of the room, which lies next to the window. I notice a small pile of black nightgowns sitting at its foot. The covers are a royal purple, the same as the dark curtains. And below the bed, on the floor, rests a patterned, woven, orange, black, and brown rug.

A large mahogany wardrobe with its doors opened wide is pushed up to the wall beside the bed. A pair of elegant knee-length black cocktail dresses are suspended from wooden hangers inside.

"I hope this place is to your liking," Montmorency says to me from just outside the doorway.

I whistle, genuinely impressed by the place.

"It's nice and lived in. Honestly, I prefer that in a room."

Stepping in fully, the sweet noble girl sets her hands on my shoulders after shutting the door. When I turn to face her, she sighs with an exhausted shake of the head.

"I'm truly sorry for that all of that happened out there, Michael. Despite his being somewhat dramatic, even I didn't expect Guiche to react the way he did when I ended our relationship."

I dismiss the apology with a wave of the hand. "It's alright. He's embarrassed, and, even though I hate to admit it, feels hurt. Partly because of me."

Smiling grimly, I give the floor a brief glance. "Like I said earlier, I went through the same sorta thing you did with Guiche with my ex. So, I have all the sympathy in the world for you, Montmorency."

Montmorency steps closer and slides her arms around me. I return the hug warmly.

Once we release each other, the beautiful mage gives a big, satisfied, almost flirtatious grin.

"Well, that being as it may, I am pleased to finally be done with all of it. And, on a lighter note, I should probably change and prepare a spot for you to sleep in for the evening." She walks across the room and collects one of the nightgowns from the pile at the foot of her bed. When she looks over her shoulder, her devious smirk grows in size. "Though I would kindly ask that you turn away while I undress, of course."

Oh man. Wow. A part of me seriously wonders how much of the kiss we shared was staged with her being so flirty!

Instead of voicing as much, I avert my eyes and lift my hand in obligatory, solemn duty.

"Aye, mam."

As Montmorency gets undressed, I turn my back and fold my arms.

My heartbeat quickens as I hear rustling fabric and the faint twang of elastic behind.

"I appreciate your understanding and sensitivity, Michael," she says after a bit. "Most young noblemen would have had no issue with observing as I disrobed before them."

"No problem, really," I answer her, my face heating.

Draws bang and glass bottles clank. I wait another good minute before the all-clear comes.

"Alright. You may look. I am presentable."

I turn around.

My eyes go wide and my breaths catch in my throat.

Montmorency wears a black, velvety nightgown over her bare skin that goes down until her thighs, white ribbon lacing up the front of the dress tight from her groin to the top where it leaves just a few centimetres of her chest exposed. Her stunning eyes, with her pupils blown large, stare into me amorously from across the room.

The noble girl draws herself up before me, arms crossed, breasts pushed against each other. Beneath the fabric of her nightdress, they ripple with every movement.

My heart starts slamming like a sledgehammer inside my ribcage.

"Now, allow me to fix you a place to sleep," she hums huskily, walking forward as she speaks. When we are inches apart, she lowers her eyelids, peering directly into me. "Just lay there on my bed for now, Michael, alright? If you truly wish, however, you may remain standing."

I bite down on my bottom lip.

Before the shock can rise beyond that, I cast a glance around her room, anywhere except Montmorency's face, or her perky mid-sized bosoms hanging temptingly before my eyes.

Swallowing sharply, I glance at Montmorency anxiously, hoping to God I can keep my cool. Too much temptation, man!

I nod stiffly and sit down on the edge of the large four-poster bed as was offered. It feels soft and smooth to the touch.

Nodding approvingly, Montmorency gets to work laying out some folded sheets and a pillow over the rug for me, her beautiful backside pointed invitingly in my direction.

"They will do," the voluptuous girl whispers to herself. "Just for the night, that is."

Turning back around and smiling, she holds her hands in her lap.

"Although, you are more than welcome to stay where you are whilst I go downstairs to brush my teeth," she offers politely.

My throat going dry and my eyes threatening to stray from the floor to her toned, creamy thighs, I simply grunt in approval, not sure what to say or how best to express my current uncertainty.

Chuckling, Montmorency sways up to the doorway and stops with her toothbrush in hand. She places her small hand over the front panels and pulls the door handle in quietly.

When she walks out into the corridor, her blonde hair sways beautifully and teasingly, leaving me utterly breathless.

"...Well, I, uhm..."

Clearing my throat, I begin, standing up.

"I'll get comfy on the bed you made me; I think."

"...Go ahead. I don't mind," the noble girl smiles. She licks her full lips, shooting me a sensual smile. "Not a bit. Trust me, Michael."

And with that, I watch her depart. Her hips sway as she does.

The minute she vanishes and closes the door, my mind begins buzzing at a million miles an hour.

Pair that with my heartbeat's wild flutter, and I'm seriously struggling to keep my shit together.

"...There was more to that kiss for her, Mikey," I decide, swallowing hard and patting my burning cheeks. "Waaaay more..."

I mean, sure, there was a fair bit more to it for me when the moment burned bright, too. For Montmorency, though? I feel like the kiss liberated her in some sort of deep and meaningful way.

This is easily the most excited I've been with any woman since Anna. The prospect both warms and terrifies me.

Man, I've so got to fix all this with Louise so I can get back into her room, quickly.

Pulling off my shoes, I kick off my trousers and dress down to my vest. Making myself comfortable, I plop myself against the makeshift rug bed. Comfy, I close my eyes.

But my pounding heartbeat rings in my ears. It does so so loudly that I can't relax, either.

All I see behind my closed lids is Montmorency, waiting to step inside with me again. With only her bare, sumptuous curves on show beneath a thin layer of velvety, provocative fabric.

"Fuck sakes, Mikey... Fucking Hell," I reprimand myself, forcing out a thin breath through my teeth. "Get a grip."

Out in the corridor there are the faint sounds of bare, pattering footfalls. I grow tense and aroused with each passing moment of waiting.

In the end, it isn't too long until they're back.

They stop outside, followed by a quiet sound of release, likely the turning of the door handle.

A moment later, soft, eager feet hurry in.

I fight against wanting to open my eyes to meet with my host's.

Laying here with them closed, I can pretend to be sleeping. I can maybe delay the inevitable, just a little.

Montmorency sighs longingly from the foot of her bed. The warmth of the candles dims slightly. Then, through a crack of one eye, I see her moving quickly from the left side of the bed and crouching by me, on her knees.

Montmorency swallows and glances back at me, like she's checking to see if I'm really asleep or not.

Unable to resist for much longer, my eyes flicker open. They meet with hers.

"...Hey there."

Smiling tiredly, I roll over and hold a hand out to her.

"Michael..." she purrs, leaning into me when I stroke my hand down her hair. When I retract my hand, the blonde girl frowns disheartenedly, like she fears the touch is going away for good.

It is not.

Instead, when my hand moves from her head, I glide it down her elegant back and settle my fingers over her rear. Her nightgown has pooled in my lap with her approach, not really covering too much more than her school skirt had earlier in the day.

"One more kiss, okay, Montmorency?" I breathe, my voice barely a whisper. "Then I really need to sleep."

"...Oh, absolutely," Montmorency purrs, nodding enthusiastically. "Or... as many as you like."

At that, I swallow and put on a levelled smile.

"Don't make promises you might not be able to keep, lovely. I can be a very selfish guy if you encourage me."

I sit up, hands traveling up to feel along her velvet nightgown. Sinking my fingers to the warm, slender curvature of her chest, I'm almost trembling.

"...Oh my goodness," Montmorency expresses with an encouraging smile. "I quite believe that too."

Closing my mouth in on her, our tongues entwined amidst our panting, Montmorency emits an excited whine as I cup her jaw in my hands.

In every way this is the very same as we did before. Except in one, very distinct way.

My body is red-hot and I'm trembling with feeling.

Deep inside, all restraint shatters.

We come up for air, both gasping.

"This is nice," Montmorency hums, her lips flushing wet and full. Sitting up, eases back a touch and sits with hands upon my shoulders, then tilts her head to the side questioningly. "If I were to confess to being the smallest bit jealous of Louise... would you believe me?"

My entire body wracks with nervousness as I take her in.

"Maybe a little. Why?"

Montmorency runs her fingers down my chest.

I can only bite down on my bottom lip like I've suffered the most beautiful pinprick from a rose.

"Perhaps it is simply because I wished to summon you for myself, in truth. Despite being sure that Louise's doing so was likely something of an... accident, given her magical skills."

Montmorency shoots me a heavy-lidded look that is just bordering on possessive, and her passionate expression fades the slightest bit with it.

"...Are you just saying all of this because I untangled you from Guiche?" I ask her gently and cautiously.

Montmorency shakes her head from side to side dismissively.

"No. It is not that," the noble girl declares, her smile fading. I can sense some genuine frustration within her about something as she looks down pensively to the side. "Though the assistance was certainly appreciated."

I move over, brushing the thumb of my left hand beneath her chin. Bending forward, I lift her face up tenderly with the fingers of my right.

"Then why, exactly, Montmorency? I've only been here a little over a week."

The blonde girl stares back and forth between each of my eyes. In the dim light of the candlelight I can tell that tears threaten to form from the corners of her own.

She looks sad but relieved. As she kisses my fingers, she stares me in the face with complete appreciation.

"Because of how you have treated me in that sparse time, Michael. With respect and kindness that I did not expect from somebody new to this land's norms and customs."

Montmorency stands up slowly and smiles through moist eyes.

"Hey, don't cry," I say to her softly, and perhaps a little too lovingly. "Being nice to someone isn't a matter of class where I'm from, Montmorency. I guess it's just... who I am."

Moving over a pace, Montmorency brings herself into my lap, resting her head on my shoulder and running her nose across the join of my neck and jawline.

"I know, and it is much appreciated."

Shivering, her fingers curl together and rest across the top of my stomach.

She rests fully, and I'm held fast in silent, speechless bliss for a handful of moments.

"Just one more kiss, Michael, please," the blonde pleads. "Then I shall retire to bed."

Feeling her weight across my thighs and her warmth pressing in around my heart, it doesn't take much convincing.

Gripping both her cheeks and holding her in front of me, I plant one more firm, yearning kiss on her lips.

Mewling in desire, Montmorency kisses me back passionately, gripping a hand behind my neck as though to pull me in closer.

Yet when the kiss ends, the noble girl looks slightly ashamed, especially with her moist, blue eyes. Like this one moment is some great indulgence on her part, despite her being more than willing to make the first move in the first place

She steps out of my lap and wipes her cheeks, then turns away.

"You may sleep now if you so wish," she states, climbing onto the bed and sliding beneath the covers. "Goodnight, Michael."

My eyes sting with slight, unexpected tears. A part of me is enjoying all of this way more than I imagined possible. Almost a little too much.

If there's one thing I'm learning from my time in Tristain, too, it's just how much my previous relationship back home lacked affection. Because I'm truly, deeply holding every tender moment I share with the girls in this academy close.

You never realise what you're missing until it finds a way to show up unexpectedly, I suppose.

"G-goodnight, Montmorency. Sleep well."

Montmorency does this odd little laugh and turns her head my way, smiling lazily. "That I will. In comfort, knowing that someone like you is so close at hand."

A part of me doesn't want this moment we're sharing to end.

"Before you sleep, Montmorency, there's something I'd like to know."

Despite her yawning, her eyes sparkle just a little with interest.

"Ahuh? What is that?"

The blonde lays an arm under her pillow, beaming over at me attentively.

I breathe in and out. My heart thumps nervously at what I'm about to ask.

"Will you be alright? You know, given what happened with Guiche and Louise earlier?"

That somber look returns to Montmorency's big, blue eyes.

"As you've been looking after me, yes, I will. And what of you, Michael?"

I yawn, my eyelids fluttering in mild exhaustion.

I give her an honest smile and throw up an exhausted, middle finger salute.

"Yeah, I think so. Granted, I'm a little worried about Louise."

Montmorency nods, smiling warmly back at me.

"Thank you for asking. And I think Louise is a strong girl. Try not to worry too much about her."

I nod, fairly certain Montmorency is right.

"I'll do my best. Anyway, there's something else I'm wondering."

"And what might that be?"

"I mean, how did you, of all the students of the Academy, get stuck dating someone like Guiche?"

As if that reminds her of something traumatic, her face twitches.

"Well, the two of us initially attended a summertime outing in Le Pays de Gallia, a region to the south where many nobles have holiday homes." Her eyes water, her brow furrows. "All said and done, Guiche is someone I once thought I was compatible with, Michael. We did very many things together."

Then she sighs as if thinking back to everything they've been through.

"But, as with any relationship, you see more of a person as your time together grows."

I nod understandingly and let out a deep, thoughtful hum.

"Oh, I know just what you mean."

Montmorency giggles with me the tiniest bit. She gives the rug before me an intrigued eye.

"Could you, perhaps, elaborate on that? If it's not too uncomfortable for you, I mean."

Blinking, I shoot her a raised-brow look, at a total loss.

"How do you mean?"

Her pink, flushed lips set into an uncertain line.

"Well, Michael, you talked briefly about your previous love earlier, Anna. If I may be so bold, I'd like to know more about the kind of person she was."

Rolling over onto my back, I let out a grumbling sigh.

"Anna... Hell..." I close my eyes. It's not a subject I enjoy reminiscing on. "Okay, well, we went to the same high school. I first met her when we shared English class together. We were both fifteen at the time."

Inspired, Montmorency sits up, her eyes brightening up.

"Ooo, hmm."

I smile at her intrigue.

"She was struggling with her creative writing project for this one assignment and, well, one thing led to another and I offered to help her."

Montmorency returns a grin my way and snorts.

"I see. Kind of a match made in the heavens, then?"

Shrugging, I scratch my cheek.

"I dunno about all that."

I sit and consider Anna LeVay and our time together. About how happy I felt while the two of us were together. Well, at first, anyway.

"Anna was one of the gentlest, sincerest, most sensitive people I knew, Montmorency," I recall, the memories flooding back in. "She loved books and music most of all."

She didn't mind the occasional video game, either. Not that I can explain that to a Tristainian girl.

"Things just felt right together and, man, she was special to me. Honest to Christ, though... I started to realise towards the end of our time together that the very things I valued most in her - her sensitivity, her kindness, her creativity, too - were overshadowed by being seriously needy."

A thoughtful hum vibrates in Montmorency's mouth.

"In what ways?"

A wistful scoff blows past my lips.

"She couldn't stand the idea of me not dropping everything when she needed me. Over time, she even started becoming unhappy with me going out and spending time with friends. Not out of jealousy, just this irrational, over-the-top insecurity. Way I see it, the deeper she fell for me, the more she depended on me." I let out a breath. "I'll admit I grew cold and closed off near the end."

Montmorency's smile dissolves away and her brow knits upward.

"O-oh... I'm terribly sorry."

I roll over a little and meet her eyes with a sigh.

"No bother. Not that it matters now or anything; it isn't as though I can go home."

Now more anxious, Montmorency picks at her nightdress fabric, clearly in deep contemplation.

"For what it's worth, I don't believe I've ever had those sorts of reservations," she confesses, her words hesitant. "I mean, with how much I cherish my freedom and personal space."

I nod glumly. Then I shake my head.

"Anyhow, it's in the past. And, I'll admit that I've really enjoyed us talking together today."

"Likewise, I have, too," Montmorency concurs quietly, smiling a little.

We stare each other deep in the face, entranced.

"That said..." I pause and breathe in and out to steady myself. "Want to keep on getting to know each other a little better...? Only if you want to, I mean."

Smiling tenderly at me, Montmorency's finger draws along her plush lips.

"In what way are you implying, Michael...?"

As I breathe in, my nostrils fill with the smell of her incense candles and perfume. With her beautiful eyes trained on me the whole time, my head spins with uncertainty.

"As friends, mostly. What I mean to say is- Well, you clearly like me. So, how about we spend more time together? Then, if one thing leads to another, maybe..."

"You wouldn't mind if I kissed you goodnight more often...?" she enquires.

Smiling hopefully, the blonde girl arches her back subtly so that her bust lifts, bulging subtly beneath her sheets.

My face flares and my hands tremble.

"Steady there, Montmorency," I quickly caution in a bid to cool her. "Right now, I want to see if I still have it in me to let someone close after everything with Anna."

But, realising just how lame that sounds, I clear my throat and smile up at the ceiling.

I don't know why I'm this nervous, exactly. Maybe because I've shut myself away romantically for such a long time, at a guess. I couldn't even imagine the possibility that any girl other than Anna would want to be with me, to be honest. My self-confidence took quite a hit when she cheated.

With her cheeks flushing bright pink, the blonde girl considers my feelings happily. "...Oh, of course, forgive my forwardness."

I force a thin smile and give an understanding nod.

"It's no bother."

Smiling back graciously, Montmorency taps a finger to her chin and ponders.

"Then, should we continue getting along nicely, would it be alright for us to go on a date together? In the future... perhaps?"

Okay, Mikey, choose your words carefully here. Real carefully.

"Provided I can patch things up with Louise first. You, uh, you seem like a nice enough girl. So, I'll take a chance if everything falls into place."

The corner of Montmorency's mouth thickens as she holds back a full-on smirk. She rolls on her front, her large, soft breasts lifting. It sends my heart racing.

"Then I shall do my utmost to help ease Louise's mind, Michael. Spending more time in your company would please me greatly."

Blushing, the blonde girl nods demurely. As her eyes peer, I catch a sparkle of something daring in them that makes her seem all the more enchanting to me.

"O-oh. Great," I find myself sputtering. "Awesome... That settles it, then."

Lying down, I fall still beneath my blanket. I curl an arm around my chest.

On the inside my body is white-hot.

"Crap. I can't sleep!" I mutter under my breath.

I turn onto my left side in an effort to subdue how wound up I am.

To think the sweet, beautiful girl lying across from me could go from someone I hardly know outside of a few meetings to something far warmer in a single day. It's got my head spinning and my heart going double-time.

Shit. Am I really doing this again?! Can I really take a gamble?!

The minutes pass by sluggishly. The more I lay here fighting to not turn around and steal another peek at Montmorency's pretty self, the less likely a good night's rest seems to come.

I roll back around to face my right and see if the blonde girl is still awake.

Montmorency doesn't notice at first. Gazing up at the ceiling, her slim neck and collarbones are caught in the light of the candles.

Then, exhaling thinly, I shut my eyes.

"Goodnight, Montmorency," I forcefully utter with a swallow.

I'm greeted by silence.

It feels as though I should be asleep long before her, all things considered.

A mental image of Louise, her expression writhe with hurt, flashes through my thoughts. It helps nothing.

"Why's she being so possessive over me...?" I muse tiredly in a whisper, cringing back.

And yet, despite my question, a guilty feeling hangs in my stomach.

After everything she and I have already shared since arriving here, the last thing I want to do is hurt Louise.

I sigh softly and thinly again.

"Sorry, Princess. We'll talk all of this out," I pledge in a whisper. "Tomorrow..."

The heart in my blood begins cooling and finally, I relax.

Seconds pass in silence while sleep's embrace claims me.

With a final, sluggish groan, I drift off.

...

Louise sits at her vanity dresser in her nightgown and dries her teary eyes. Her hair is in desperate need of brushing.

She hasn't the will, unfortunately. This evening is like a bad dream to her.

"W-Why would she kiss him...? And why did that idiot actually let her?" the petite mage ponders in a soft, pained voice.

Noting Louise's questions, Toby floats on over from his place by the windowsill.

"Perhaps there is a greater question you must first ask yourself, Miss Louise," suggests the tome with his usual, upper-class flare. His front cover squeaks open the slightest bit like he would move a frowning eyebrow. "More specifically, why is Michael and Miss Montmorency kissing a problem to you?"

Unable to remain under Toby's curious gaze, Louise can't stop a brief spasm shooting through her body. Biting her lip and feeling a sudden wave of regret, Louise flops against her dresser and lets out a tiny, miserable sob.

"...I honestly thought that jerk was more the patient type. I swear."

Noting Louise's unintentional answer, Toby rolls forward and then backward slowly in thought.

"...Ah. I think I see where your mind lurks on this matter," he follows with understanding. "Tell me: do you care for the young fellow?"

An embarrassed and angry snort comes up out of Louise.

"Of course I do," she responds bitterly. "He's my familiar, isn't he?"

Toby's front cover twists open a little wider in wonder.

"Is it merely a matter of him being your familiar?" he asks pointedly.

At once, Louise falters. Her eyebrows knit tightly.

"Wh-what does that mean?"

For a quiet moment, Toby bobs slowly in the air in anticipation.

"It means this, Louise: think of why you're so emotionally attached to Michael. Rather than what he is to you."

"Att-attached?!" Louise stammers, only to blink and groan. "Are you even listening, Toby? Michael is my familiar; it is expected of me to care about him. That's all there is to it."

The two times she and Michael have kissed flash through her thoughts. The time they did so during the blonde idiot's duel with Guiche especially made her heart race.

"You yet miss my point, young lady," Toby remarks, flapping his pages as though shaking his head. "And, if you recall, Miss Montmorency made mention to having a good reason for kissing the young sir. You weren't willing to take her at her word, however."

Her chest pounding erratically, Louise scowls.

"Grrr... I don't appreciate you mocking me, tome!" Louise hisses childishly, shoving the book away from her and slumping to her bed. "Ugh! Stupid Michael! Stupid Montmorency...!"

"I am not mocking you, Miss, I'm merely stating facts."

"Well, you can stop whatever it is you're doing..."

"Your response holds my curiosity. Just why are the two stupid, exactly?" Toby presses further, undeterred by the pinkette's outburst.

Louise glares sideways at the spellbook. This might well be the most infuriating discussion she's had yet with the sentient tome.

She hurriedly pieces together an excuse. A shield for her glass-like feelings.

"B-Because the two have been hurt before...! They shouldn't be rushing into each other's arms!"

Glaring away, the mage girl purses her lips in anxious anger.

Then, exhaling a puff of air, she rolls over on her side and faces the wall.

"...Okay, so... I get why Montmorency probably wants to be with Michael. Even if he is stupid..."

As if to point out the blonde boy has some admirable qualities, a mental image of Michael summoning fire from his hand ignites within her mind. That same fire she felt towards him before - rage, desire, yearning - stirs in her again.

"Stupid idiot Michael and his stupid fire and his stupid green eyes and stupid smile..."

Before she can stop it, a memory of Michael holding her in his mattress bed fills Louise with a distinct longing. A deep yearning to be held like that again.

"Even so, I get it. And, truthfully, I want both my familiar and my friend to be happy together," she confesses sincerely.

Despite her jealousy and curiosity, Louise's conflicted heart thumps hard in her chest.

Another, terrible vision of Montmorency kissing Michael over and over crosses her imagination. With her anger rising, she pulls her blanket up higher until it covers all but her mouth and nose.

"Why do I feel this way...?" she whispers, closing her eyes and curling into a dainty ball beneath the sheets. "And why can't I make it stop…?"

Exhaling gently, Louise calms her racing thoughts. Then she drifts off.

To be continued...


Feel welcome to leave some feedback and share your thoughts if you enjoyed the chapter!