Cygnus was impressed that Ezio was able to follow what was happening and his reaction was genuine as it could be, so the people who do not know about them won't notice about this little charade they were playing.
"That's because I was afraid that you won't want to talk to me if you know that I'm from a family of a certain status." Cygnus answered, which made Ezio silent.
"Well, it doesn't matter now what's important is that I know now that you are someone of status. I won't treat you any differently and as for your brother…" he looked towards Linius who was smiling in his direction then he looked at Cygnus once again.
The master knew that he was still unsure so he gave the child a nod. After he gave his approval, Ezio nodded at the major but didn't do anything more. He stuck to Cygnus and was only focused on him. From time to time, he would talk to the butler and ignore everybody else.
"He seemed really close to the both of you," Linius whispered when the child's attention was on the butler.
It was not foreign for him to feel ignored but to even get permission from the master before he acknowledged the presence of the others only showed that he trusted Cygnus. He watched as the child talked with a smile on his face, very different from how he looked when he first entered the room.
"As it should be," was his only answer.
The major was rendered speechless because of how confident he sounded. He was looking smug for no reason. The major felt that if he continued to talk about Ezio, the master would become prouder. In any case, he had more time to ask about the child once they returned to the manor.
"He must have been a happy child before he entered the tower," the headmaster, who was sitting with them, commented. He was now calmly sipping his tea as the shock from what he saw earlier slowly faded.
"Yes and he would never think of hurting someone. He will feel anger but not to the point that he would attack someone," Cygnus answered. He was also calmly sipping tea because right now Ezio was not focused on him.
"If you really know Ezio, why didn't you want the tower to know that you are visiting him?" This time Aurellius was looking at them with deep eyes, as if observing them and wanting to know if they were hiding a secret from him.
"Because it might create a misunderstanding. The tower might get the impression that we want to take their most promising disciple." Cygnus chuckled after saying those words.
It was the truth so there was no need to hide it. Although it was the truth, he really didn't mind creating a misunderstanding between him and the tower. Instead, he would rather welcome it.
The headmaster looked at him in silence for a second before he returned to his tea. He did not speak after that as the room fell into silence except for the conversation of the butler and Ezio.
After an hour, the headmaster finally stood up. "It's about time, you can visit again some other time."
Ezio frowned, then he looked at the master. He was reluctant to part with them. He did not want to stay in that place either.
"Can you give us privacy?" Cygnus looked at all the people in the room. Linius nodded and so did the headmaster, so they all left leaving only the master and Ezio in the room.
"Are you really going to leave? Are you leaving me here?" He asked with a shaky voice. He clenched his fists and he stood there all stiff.
"Yes but you don't have to worry because we will get you out from the clutches of the tower. You just have to be more patient." Cygnus answered. His voice did not waver and Ezio saw the glint in his eyes which assured him that he will do what he has promised.
Ezio took several deep breaths and closed his eyes so that he could calm his mind and body. Cygnus waited for him and when he was finally calm, Ezio slowly nodded his head.
"I'll be waiting for you then," he said with a steady voice.
Cygnus grinned and patted the child in the back. "I thought you are going to throw a tantrum."
"No, I'm just curious, master, how did you become part of the Ginehart Dukedom?" Ezio also took that chance to ask the question he had been meaning to ask,ever since that short charade.
"Oh that, I made a deal with Major Linius. It is also the reason why we can easily enter the capital without any hassle," Cygnus simply answered. It was better to inform the child of the situation so that they won't get caught. "And oh, please do not forget the story that the butler told you."
Ezio nodded his head. There's no way that he would forget it. Now that the master is in the capital he was more confident that everything would be alright.
Linius and his entourage left the academy. Although he was disappointed, William was still happy to see the major. He looked at the other person who watched them leave and furrowed his brows.
"I didn't expect you to act like a child in there," he commented after they all left and only the two of them remained.
"So, do you have a problem with that?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at the major's cousin.
"Yes! Because you are actually pretending to be this dangerous and cold guy that nobody can approach," the frown in William's face deepened.
He couldn't believe how fast the other changed the moment that his cousin left. William had not experienced something like this for his entire life but now it opened his eyes to other possibilities.
"I'm not pretending. I act like that because I don't want anyone approaching me because I don't like it." Ezio did not even blink while saying those words. He was straight forward that William was taken aback.
"Well, your way is effective but now that I know how you are in private, I think I can be friends with you. Your attitude seemed to be cold but oh well, who cares and besides you are close to that other cousin of mine." He crossed his hands on his chest and uncharacteristically grinned towards Ezio's direction.
Now that the misunderstanding was cleared, it was no use for him to hate the guy without any proper reason. He was just caught in the flow and now he was enlightened.
"Suit yourself but don't blame me when you can't make me your friend." Ezio turned around and walked away. William was left to watch his back but he didn't make any move because he was busy plotting a plan in his mind. He was sure that this plan would blow Ezio's mind.
Inside the carriage, Linius was blatantly staring at the master. They left the manor without him knowing what was happening and now he needed some explanations.
"Why do you keep on staring at me? Is there something you want to know?" Cygnus retracted his gaze from the outside of the carriage and looked at the major.
"Don't play dumb, you know what I want to know. If you plan on taking away that child then I want to know what your relationship is with him." Linius was serious and he had an inkling that this must be the reason why the master was going through such lengths to go against the tower.
"You really want to know? Are you sure you want to know the truth?" Cygnus frowned and looked at the man with a serious face.
Linius could feel that he was being teased but the look in the master's eyes felt like he was not joking. He didn't know but he also didn't care.
"Yes, in any case I still want to know."
