" What!"Sloane jumped from her bed.
"Yes, it is true," Patricia replied blushing a little as she explained to clear up things to her.
"So you are saying that the commander and his assistant are engaged. And you will have your wedding after the training program ends."
"Yes, we were betrothed as kids. Although he is seven years older than me. We are cousins. So our parents thought of what was best for us." She smiled.
"It pains me to see him like that. He was never like this. Until he went to that war..."
Sloane could see the suffering in her eyes. But she didn't say anything to comfort her.
Many people fought in the battle and many small towns and villages were engulfed in flames and despair. Many lives were lost from both sides and the battle ended without a conclusion.
—"Father came back injured as well. Lord Sebastian, Sir Lucas, Sir Laurentius, and Elyas...even brother Orion they all returned with piles of corpses in solitude. I know what it means to lose a loved one. We all have one common enemy. Though with different people they will have to face the one among those who hurt them the most."
"Well now isn't the time to be agonizing over these things. We've got to wake up early." She stood up and untied her bun letting her long hair fall.
"R-right.Good night."
------------------
Nirvana Estate
"My Lord a letter has arrived for you."
"Who's it from?"
Azriel didn't look up and continued to sign the pile of papers that came in that morning.
"It's from the Palace, my lord."
Azriel frowned and looked up.
"Bring it here."
He reached out for the letter Jonas brought to him.
"How's Yulia's health today?"He asked opening the envelope with a blue and gold seal.
" She is more lively and healthier than before. Sometimes she just stares at the sky. But rest assured she is following her daily routine as we speak."
"You needn't worry yourself unnecessarily Jonas."
"Yes, Master..."
-"She is missing Sloane."Azriel looked at the letter.
-" Her being away caused an impact on her lady. I know the master realizes that the Lady filled in the position of the marchioness for her younger sister."
"My Lord?"
"Jonas..." Azriel responded still reading the letter.
"Yes my Lord."
The air around Azriel grew darker and his face stiffened.
"Prepare the carriage and bring me my coat."
He left without another word.
"What is he thinking?"
———————
"Alright! I need you to spar one on one. Choose a partner. This is to improve both your defense and offense. Observe your opponent's moves. Then find out how to work on your shortcomings."
"Yes, Sir!"
"Sir you've been summoned," Patricia informed him.
"Understood. Look after their training until I'm back."
"Roger."
Sloane helped Jack to stretch before their duel.
Nine and one of the assassin brothers were paired up. Whereas the other one was paired up with another person.
"I am not good with swords." Nine groaned as he looked at his.
The assassin did the same thing.
"Oi!Part two..."
"It's Leonhard."
"So you have a name too." He raised his brow.
"Is it weird to have a name? It's better than having a proper name than having named after a number."He retorted with a blank look in his eyes.
" Now you've crossed the line."Nine replied grinning furiously.
"Come at me then." He moved his sword to action.
"I would be honored." He darted at him.
"Oh~Look at those two. They are already sparring."
The knights slowly gathered around them to watch the match.
"They're fast!" The knights started to cheer on one after another.
"Students please resume your training with order."Patricia tried to calm them down.
But they didn't lend an ear to her. She tried it for some time until she ran out of patience.
Clang*Clang*
" But they aren't very good at swordsmanship." some of the knights among the crowd mentioned several times.
Sloane analyzed their movements for some time when suddenly she felt an unpleasant aura behind her. She slowly looked behind her and was startled to see that the usually calm and collected Patricia was emitting aura of a dictator.
"She took out her whip?!"
Whack*
"They are all disciplined! Was she a dictator in a past life?"
Sloane was unconditionally involved with them in their scandal.
"Who asked you to make things flashy?" She asked him irritated.
"But he was the flamboyant one, my lady," Leonhard retorted.
"You guys don't have shame, do you?"
"Sh-she is a demon!" Jack thought sweating as he avoided looking at her.
"You youngsters sure are carefree to forget discipline."
"W-we sincerely apologize for our ignorance ma'am." They replied trembling in fear.
"Well, in the name of Valentino it seems like I will have to whip up some respect and manners in you."
"Y-yes my lady."
-"She's going to murder us. She is scarier than the commander."Nine took a glance at her.
Five hours later...
Whack*
"Don't you dare slack off!"
"Y-yes ma'am!"
"Patricia!Sorry for being late. Were they still practicing in my absence?"
She turned back and reassured Laurentius with a smile.
"No problems here. They are even better than I thought. As expected of your students."
"We will protect the honor of the great Valentino knights in history. We cannot be outdone by Nirvanas."
-"He will succeed in motivating them." she looked at him with a different light.
"By the way, what took you so long?"