"None of them worked anywhere before. It would be good to hire all of them." Ruby mumbled.
Afterward,Ruby started going through the bookshelf,trying to find something more about the Romaria and the royal family.
"Her highness,can i come?"
"Come in."
"Princess,the king has come to see you."
"The king?"
"Yes."
Ruby sighed unable to understand why the king has come to see her so early in the morning.
...
...
...
"Greetings,your majesty." Ruby bowed.
"Sit,sit. I have come to discuss something very important with you." the king dismissed everyone.
"What is it?"
"I think it's time for you to get some education. I can tell that,you can read and write. But as a princess,you need to know more about etiquette,geography,history,mathematics and many other things.
Ruby glanced at the king, "Are you suggesting a private tutor for me?"
"That's right. I will hire someone who can teach you everything." the king smiled.
"I have already learnt many things from my mother."
"You mother might have taught you many things. But as i said,you are a princess now. Learning more about the world will be beneficial for you." the king looked at Ruby with a cold eyes.
"I will follow your majesty's lead." Ruby bows her head avoiding the king's gaze.
As a princess,Ruby was unable to state her opinion. She needed to do what she was told to do. Every step she took,she needed to be mindful of it.
After a week,a man came to the west palace. He is the private tutor,the king hired for Ruby. "Ahem,i am your private tutor,princess,my name is Leonardo." the man bowed.
"It's nice to meet you,mister Leonardo." the princess smiled.
"[What a stupid girl! A princess born out of a wedlock dares to be taught by me. I will teach her a lesson she will never forget.]" the man glared.
"Excuse me?"
"Ahem. Forgive me my princess. I was distracted by something. Let's start our lesson. But before that,here is some questions. Please try to solve them within an hour." the man smirked.
Ruby was a country girl but not a stupid one. She looked at her foolish teacher who was eager to bring her down. However little did Leonardo knew,his student wasn't a ordinary girl. She finished the test within the time limit.
"Here,i have finished." Ruby smiled.
Leonardo carefully inspected Ruby's answers. The more he read,the more he tensed up.
"Teacher,did i do wrong?" Ruby asked with a playful eyes.
Leonardo laughed nervously, "How can this be. All of your answers are right."
Ruby chuckled again covering her face not to be seen by Leonardo while Leonardo shook his head and inspects the book and tries to match her answers.
"Princess."
"Yes?"
"Let me be your teacher." Leonardo grabbed Ruby's hand with a shimmering eyes.
"Huh." Ruby unable to understand looked at Leonardo with disbelief.
"Don't you worry. I will teach you everything."
"Is that so. Aren't you already my teacher?" Ruby laughed nervously.
"That's right. Just you wait,princess,i will make you a perfect lady."
Leonardo has never seen such a genius for a while. All of the royal members are war fanatics. He had to go through a lot just to teach them.
"You are a genius princess."
"A gen-ius? You must be mistaken Leonardo."
"Of course not. I have never seen such a genius like you. All of your answers were so detailed and it was so neat. You are really a genius."
...
...
...
"Ugh. That bastard really taught me a whole new history." Ruby scoff as she flop on the warm bed.
"Princess,the head maid asked,what you wanted to eat for dinner."
"Something simple but warm."
Ruby slowly opened her door knob scanning her surroundings. The hallway was dark as there was no light. She had a lamp in her hand not to get lost in the palace.
"Ouch." Ruby scoffed rubbing her ankle.
"I should have gotten my slippers."
At the end of the second floor,it was her chamber. She slowly opened the door.
"Victor." Ruby smiled.
Victor was sleeping on the sofa. He was unaware of Ruby's presence. It won't be good for them to meet in Ruby's room so she decided to meet at the chamber. The reason of their meeting was to play chess until dawn. Ruby set up the board.
"Victor." Ruby caressed gently on his forehead.
Victor yawns, "Princess?"
"I thought you wanted to play?"
"I did. I was waiting for you and fell asleep."
"Let's play untill dawn."
"Won't you get sick if you don't get enough sleep?"
"I am a witch. I don't get sick Victor." Ruby smiled.
Victor however didn't respond to Ruby's jokes. Just like usual,they played untill dawn and Victor was defeated by Ruby every time. Amelia pull off the curtains to wake Ruby up.
"Lia,can you not pull off the curtains?" Ruby scoffed.
"Rise and shine,my princess."
After breakfast time,Leonardo waited for the princess. He was happy to teach the princess but at the same time,he was afraid that Ruby would be mistreated by those who looks down on her.
The other day.
"Leonardo,how is the princess?" the king asked with a murderous eyes.
"Sh-e is rea-lly a good student,your majesty." Leonardo shivered.
"Really?"
"Yes,yes. She is a genius. I have never seen such a genius like her. If we te-
"Stop. You talk too much Leonardo." the king glared.
Leonardo still get chill whenever he thinks about that day. It was like a life and death battle for him.
Ruby tried to walk slowly to pass the study time. It's not that she hate studying,it's beacause of Leonardo who is very obsessive about teaching. Just as Ruby was about to go down the stairs,a strong force grabbed her from behind. Before she could react to the situation,she was pushed down from the stairs. Due to excessive bleeding,Ruby couldn't keep her eyes open. Just before shutting her eyes,she noticed a shadow as tall as a woman.