It has been 4 months.
The education for Vance is going well, but Hill reported that it is still work in progress on investigating the mysterious medicine Uld has been giving to Vance.
And the crown prince still haven't successfully meet me yet.
The influence from both my father and my brother would make even the emperor trembles, let alone his son the crown prince. To control Aspera, they need to control the weakest link in the family. That's me.
Well, that's what they think anyway.
"Master," Demetrius bowed down with his hands on his sword, a greeting that is given to their master.
I cleared the traces of hay from the training dummy on my sword with one slash on the air and hand it to Emmy who was beside me, swiftly wiped my forehead and headed me a glass of water. I ordered Emmy to leave as usual so I can have a private conversation with him.
"Stop calling me master, people might misunderstand,"
"But Master Xenia,".
I glared at him, and he quickly closed his mouth. Demetrius has always been an obedient boy, but I guess he became a little impatient and sensitive. Of course, I know the matter at hand. "You didn't tell your current master about this meeting right?,".
"Yes. Lady Uld is currently having a nap and I've come to meet you as ordered," he said, grimacing the moment I spoke the word 'current' master.
Because to Demetrius, his master had always been Xenia, or now, Carina. As much as he felt betrayed that his master left Frigore without saying a word, he is all grown up now. And just like his predecessor, he would continue to protect the queen of the Frigore clan.
As much as I want to reprimand Uld and him, I have no rights to do so. I left Uld because Helena wanted her to continue the Frigore legacy without my guide, but it is a fact that I do abandoned Demetrius. I thought there is no need for him to be under my training anymore.
But it's my fault that we left things like this without closure.
"Pick up your sword,"
"Pardon?,"
Demetrius questioningly look at me when I took out a sword from my scabbard, this time, a real sword and not a training one. I smirked, feeling a little excited. Although 20 years have passed for this disciple of mine, it's only been yesterday for me. My skill aren't rusty yet but nonetheless, I am excited to test out his efforts that he did for the past 20 years.
He eyes glinted, and he quickly rose up, taking out his sword from the scabbard.
"Then master, can we make a deal? If I win this duel, I want something,".
I scoffed. The little ruffian knows how to make a deal now.
"Aren't you a crafty little one? Fine, but if I win, I want something too. So, what is your wish?,"
Demetrius closed his eyes, taking in the heat of the moment. He knew what he is saying is going to have a huge impact. "Please, I want you to be my master back. We can both protect Frigore together,".
I frowned. I really don't like that idea. Of course, I was knighted a few months after I woke up from my coma, and that is how I am eligible to be an imperial tutor. But it is never my intention to be someone else's bodyguard.
And I am now a duke's daughter, so what Demetrius said is really disrespectful. It's like telling the emperor to become his butler.
"The audacity...," I chuckled. "But if I win, I want you to become my spy,".
"Spy?,"
I narrowed my eyes, remembering the medicine and Uld's behaviour. "Report every little thing that Uld does to me,".
Demetrius gulped. He knows that he is now trapped in the tiger's den. To betray one's master is the same as death, and this had always been a knight's oath. However, Carina knows better than anyone else.
That she comes first before the current master, because she is his teacher.
Which means obeying the teacher comes first.
He nodded his head reluctantly. I smiled, knowing I gained another card in my hand. Now, nobody in this world would expect a retarded person to become an emperor.
Yes, this is a plan only Vance and I know of.
We both readied our swords and our stance is facing each other. "I give you the honour of starting first, my honourable ex student," I said, haughtily.
He dashed towards me while exclaiming, "you won't call me an ex student anymore after this duel!,"
Our swords clashed, and my eyes met my opponent, Demetrius. He looked stressed, probably because of my cocky attitude. Putting pressure on the sword, I easily knocked him behind.
Demetrius gathered mana, and his body is quickly enveloped with a red aura, his fire element. Using a mana, this means he will triple his current strength and speed, quickly turning the tides of battle.
I smiled even wider. He's reckless, that part doesn't change at all. Demetrius dashed towards me again, but I quickly dodge it. Putting on my defence and focus on dodging his attacks, he was quickly exhausted because using mana can take a toll on one's stamina.
When I saw an opening, I quickly swing my sword and stopped immediately at his jugular. He staggered and dropped his sword.
"I-Impossible. Master, you didn't use your mana at all,"
I keep my swords back in my scabbard. My light element is a secret, and that is why I didn't take out my mana. While Demetrius is aware that as Xenia, I possess a light element, I do not want to disclose the fact that I still have the same element after my reincarnation.
"According to the deal, you need to call me Lady Carina since I am not your master,".
Demetrius bit his lower lip and went down to his knees, feeling despair. He thought he could turn things back just like the old days, but he lost the deal and he needs to keep his word. "Demetrius," I called him, but Demetrius' eyes is still plastered on the ground.
I smiled and sighed, remembering my disciple is quite the crybaby. I ruffled his hair. "The deal is on. You need to help me observe Lady Uld, but...you will always forever be my student,".
He jolted and raised his chin, to see his master looking at him with a warm gaze. Thinking back on his childhood days with his master at his side, he couldn't stop the tears. "Master, I miss you,".
"Child, you've grown strong. Do you like to work alongside this master of yours?,".
Demetrius grinned happily. "It is a pleasure!,".