Sophie was even more puzzled by his claim.
Even before, probably ever since she had become the maid of her Young Highness, Regulus told her that he was suspicious of his son, believing there was a massive change unto him.
Hence, Sophie had been monitoring yet found nothing strange except for his dislike of the sunlight.
However, she only assumed it should be a natural trait or even a disorder, so she paid little attention to it.
Yet, when she reported it to Regulus, he gave her an ambiguous answer as if coming to a conclusion yet not.
Nonetheless, Sophie was out of the matter now, for all she knew and understood as to why she was continuing living was to serve her Young Highness till the day she died.
Even if her Young Highness asked her to die, then she would gladly do so.
After all, she was living for him.
"Forget about that." Regulus sighed. "No matter, he is still my son. The only gift that Natalia bestowed to me."
Sophie was still puzzled but nodded nonetheless.
She was assured that her Highness didn't plan to create trouble with his son just because he suspected something.
"Anyway, does his cousin bring any trouble again? Forget about verbal insults; report to me the extremities."
When Regulus mentioned those horrible people who brought nothing but trouble to her loving Young Highness, she quivered in rage.
The accumulated hate wasn't even bothered being concealed, and Regulus could only shrug helplessly after seeing it.
Sophie met Regulus' eyes again, and hatred flickered in her eyes.
She said with a quivering voice, "They wouldn't stop insulting Young Highness, so how could it be not extreme? Furthermore, I suspected they were plotting something.
However, I couldn't be sure if I only based it on my guts alone. You might even think I'm only accusing them just because I hate them."
"I will."
Regulus giggled and gestured for her plates, which were now filled with a bit of food.
"Eat while we speak."
It is normal for the noble to chat while eating, except if they were in the military post or something.
Hence, as an Admiral, Regulus has developed two personalities, so he wouldn't disagree with the thought of chatting while eating.
Sophie motioned her head below, gazing at the food that would be colder if she hadn't eaten yet.
It helped her calm down somewhat.
Taking the knife and the fork with a noble movement, she sliced the portion of the meat like butter and ate them.
It melted in her mouth, making her feel a stream of gentle honey embrace her while she was drowning in bliss.
It obliterated all her stockpiled stress, which she hid even to her Young Highness.
In front of the person she deeply admired, she couldn't just let her vulnerability be shown, right?
Regulus saw the scene and couldn't help but beamed a smile.
However, it didn't last long when a thought arose.
He was feeling guilty for Sophie.
He had an idea of two about his son, possibly being something different from the rest.
Yet, there was also a conjecture that assured him.
That his son was really just an ordinary individual, and he respected and loved that idea more.
He could only hope that his son wouldn't bring trouble to Sophie, for he knew that Sophie could aid him a lot.
As a Warlock, his prowess attained a whole different level.
He could even sense the potential that an unblessed person possesses.
And what he saw from Sophie… It was bright.
Bright like those people who awakened exceptional blessings while each of them slowly created achievements one after another for the Empire.
And he was one of them.
That's right! Sophie could even possess the same talent as him!
However, sometimes, even possessing talents was not enough.
There was a need to possess high survivability skills.
And this was the problematic thing right now.
"You're not wrong," said Regulus suddenly, startling Sophie.
She was confused for a while before Regulus clarified to her what he wanted to say.
"Your assumption about his cousin plotting something based on your guts."
Sophie's eyes widened.
"D-Does that mean…"
"Yes." Regulus cut her off with a firm tone. "However, I won't be interfering."
"Why?"
Her heart raced in terror.
"I want this to be a test."
"WHY?!"
Sophie couldn't help but raise her voice, even almost standing up on her feet, if it wasn't for Regulus' releasing his mana to force her not to make any rash move.
Yet, Shopie was not bothered by it, just staring at Regulus with a questioning look.
"Calm down first."
Regulus couldn't bring himself to be angry at Sophie.
He knew fully well how naive this girl was. All her actions have reasons, unlike his son…
Hence, he was patient enough to let her calm down.
Sophie, in the meanwhile, as instructed by her Highness, forced herself to calm down.
He was, after all, right.
She should calm down first.
Furthermore, she knew that her Highness wouldn't just be putting her Young Highness, his own dear son, into jeopardy if he wasn't confident he would come out alive.
It helps her calm down a bit.
"You should know why I have given so many artifacts to him to protect himself. I taught him how to make them recognize him as their master even though he couldn't conjure any mana. We can only rely on the talisman.
Anyway, I have to gauge his survivability skills to some extent. If he couldn't even survive some assassinations, he doesn't deserve to rule the kingdom with just his brain alone."
Suddenly, Regulus grinned and gazed at Sophie's hazel eyes.
"However, if it is him, I know this won't be difficult to achieve. Hence, aside from treating this as a Test, it should be better to assume this is nothing but a better remembrance for him to learn."
Sophie heaved a sigh of relief and relaxed her body, leaning it on the splendid chair.
However, Regulus wasn't finished yet.
"But, Sophie, this will be putting yourself in danger…"