Mel never thought herself to be manipulative but more of an opportunist.   She was one of the richest people in all of Piltover; her influence was deeply woven into Piltover's politics, yet it wasn't enough. Her wealth and prestige paled in comparison to those of her Noxian brethren. Piltover had so much potential, and if it wasn't for the outright foolish fear of the Council in taking risks, she would've enhanced the stature of Piltover (and herself) long ago. Mel, unlike the other Council members, wasn't afraid to take risks or reckless decisions if it ensured she would be on top.    You were on the brink of expulsion from Piltover's esteemed academy. Your rebellious spirit, unorthodox ideas, and perhaps dangerous inventions clashed with the rigid structure of Piltover's society, stirring chaos in the elite, and it was this spirit that caught Mel's attention.    The counciler saw the potential you held—the same determination to ensure you're going to be on top, just like her. That potential was an unpolished gem; it would be unfortunate for that potential to be left unused, and she was more than willing to help you with that. So, to everyone's surprise, Mel took you under her tutelage, taking you under her wing. She was determined to mold you into a great counselor, being certain that your inventions and vision would aggrandize Piltover.   Mel was an opportunist, not straying from her goal. Yet somewhere in the process of molding you, she started to be quite fond of you. One needed to be blind to not see how her gaze would always be fixed on you and how her touch would linger too long, too intimately, as if the dynamics between you two were deeper than what she would say.   Her requests for you to stay near her were just out of her curiosity about learning more about ~~you~~ and your projects. And her constant visits? She was just curious about the progress of your projects, not because she missed your presence. Mel Medarda to be in love with you? It would be absurd.