"You are interrupting Gracie's training, please leave." Maeve declared directly.
Maya, on the other hand, didn't like Maeve's tone. Since the start, she has never put Maeve in her eyes, for her, she was only someone blessed with some beauty nothing else. Of course, she did have her uses, for example, telling her about Ace, his likes, his dislikes, and all.
For Maya, Maeve was merely a stepping stone in her way to get closer to Ace. She even looks down on her as she tells her everything she asks about her own husband. Maya laughs at the fact that even though Maeve clearly knows that she is after her husband she doesn't dare to confront her.
Hmph! It can't be helped, at least she knows her place and understands that her beauty won't help her every time, in the end, she is just a waste.
That was Maya's thinking when Maeve told her everything she wanted, but now, this waste actually had the Audacity to talk to her so rudely! And that too in front of her beloved!? This won't do, she has to teach her her place.
"Ha? Why are you wasting little Gracie's time? What would she achieve after training so hard? Hmph! According to me, you should just wait for her to awaken as a mage and then let my Gracious Flower Sect train her. I am pretty sure our sect would do a much bett-" Maya wanted to continue but she suddenly felt something on her neck.
She looked down and noticed Maeve's wooden sword was placed on her neck.
This horrified her.
Not because she felt threatened, but because... because she didn't even see Maeve move.
Yes, Maeve's movements were so fast that Maya couldn't even catch a glimpse of them.
Maeve, on the other hand, had a smile on her face as she replied, "If this was a real sword and I actually wanted to kill you, you wouldn't even know how you died.
I don't want my little nightingale to become a weak idiot who doesn't even know basic self-defense and still acts like the whole world is under her palm. It would be rather shameful.
That is why I believe that I should train her well so as she would not grow up like certain people she often sees"
Hearing Maeve, Maya's initial surprise turned into anger, of course, since she was in front of her beloved, she controlled her emotions but Maeve didn't fail to notice that slight eyebrow twitch. After a while, Maya grabbed the wooden sword with her index finger and thumb before she gently moved it from her neck with a smile.
"I am sure you wouldn't want her to become a coward who attacks someone who is completely off guard and then brag about it right? People like them sure are the lowliest of the lowlifes"
This time, Maeve's lips twitched.
She was once an Empress so of course, she was pretty good when it comes to her emotions but it sure has been a while since someone dared to talk to her like this. She then dropped all the barriers and questioned,
"Are you trying to say that you would have been able to dodge that if you knew it was coming?"
"I am surprised you actually understood" Maya replied with a disdainful smirk.
"Oh really? Then how about we have a 'friendly' spar?" Maeve suggested.
As if waiting for this moment for ages, Maya quickly jumped in and replied, "That would be great" She then turned to her beloved Ace and questioned, "It will also help Gracie as she will know more about the world and would realize that pointlessly training like some sort of barbarian would not help her get stronger and only with better guidance would she improve in future. What do you think Mr. Ace?"
Ace raised his eyebrows due to the interesting turn of events as he questioned Maya, "Are you sure you would like to spar with my Maeve?"
Maya completely misinterpreted Ace's question as she declared, "Ah, don't worry Mr. Ace. I would be careful and won't hurt her. She is like my sister, after all. And if you still feel unsure, then I will not use magic for the first whole 15 minutes of the match."
To this, Ace's response was simple.
"You are overestimating yourself"
This reply shocked Maya but again, blinded by her one sided love, she misinterpreted Ace's words yet again.
Hmm? Does he want to warn me that this waste is stronger than I think?
Is he telling me this as he is afraid that I would get hurt if I underestimate her and he doesn't want to see me in pain?
Ahh!! That's so nice of him! I knew he had some feelings for me deep inside. He is just too shy to express it but it is as clear as a day!
But still, I can't take my words back or it will spoil my hard earned reputation in front of him.
Maya then smiled gently and nodded, "Don't worry, I will be careful"
Now it was Ace's turn to furrow his brows, what is this girl even talking about?
"What ar-" Ace tried to question but was interrupted by Maeve.
"MY Love, what's the problem, let's just start the spar. It will only help OUR nightingale to learn more about swords and will develop her interest." Her tone was extremely gentle, she also made sure to emphasize 'my' and 'our' as she completed her sentence.
This caused a small frown on Maya's face but Ace on the other hand had a small, sly smile on his face.
Oh? Is that jealously I feel?
Hahaha~ it's so amusing to see that expression on your face, My Love.
Tonight, it would be my victory~
Be prepared~