I feigned an expression of surprise, but the emperor continued calmly. "Don't blame your maid for it. She is obliged to report everything she knows to the throne."
I wrinkled my brows and lowered my head, making it look as I was unhappy. The emperor ignored it, though, and continued speaking.
"I didn't know you have a master. To think one of my sons acquired the favor of such a powerful powerhouse. Tell me, Claus, why don't you told me about it before?"
"I'm sorry, your majesty. But master told me that I had to keep his existence a secret."
"... I understand. Then, do you know how strong is your master? Also, how long have you been his student?" The emperor continued asking. I could feel his aura pressuring me from the throne to make me answer truthfully.
Well, all that story about a master is a lie. And I naturally don't care about this little pressure. But there was a reason I told darcy to speak about a mysterious master that rescued us.
Moreover, it's more credible if darcy 'reveals' everything after she is interrogated than if I mention a master suddenly.
So, I decided to follow his game.
"I don't know much about his strength. He just told me that he was stronger than most people in the world. I have studied under him for a few years. Actually, the reason that I focused on swordsmanship and not on growing my mana-layer was that he told me so."
The emperor fell into silence when he heard that. He looked at the people in the hall briefly as though asking if any of them knew something about such a person, but they all shook their heads.
He then looked at me again. "One last question, can I know the name of your master?"
My body tensed up instantly. I showed a hesitating expression before gritting my teeth and speaking. "I'm sorry, your majesty. Master forbid me of mentioning his name."
Before I could finish my words, a strong pressure shrouded the hall. The emperor was looking towards me with a furious expression, but I just gritted my teeth and showed a determined look.
Finally, after a few seconds, the emperor sighed and waved his hand. "I understand, you can go."
I bowed slightly and left the hall without hesitation.
Behind me, I could hear the emperor ordering something to a minister.
"Investigate that mysterious master for me."
I smirked inwardly and put on a disdainful expression. I want to see how you will find him.
Later at night, I was in my room waiting for Lena.
darcy wanted to sleep with me today, but when she learned that Lena was coming, she put on a dejected expression and looked at me with upturned eyes. I ended kissing her lips and promised I would sleep with her tomorrow.
Actually, I was tempted when I saw darcy's expression. I had to calm down my raging beast to not devour her immediately. If not because I was afraid that Lena would come and find us doing the deed, I would have eaten her.
I was lucky that I didn't do anything, because Lena did not take long to come.
"... Big bro, I'm here." Lena entered my room and lowered her head timidly.
She was wearing a blue sleeping gown and carrying a teddy bear on her arms. Her appearance was filled with a kind of innocent beauty that made me take a deep breath.
Feeling my gaze on her body, Lena lowered her head even more.
I coughed twice and smiled, patting the bed. "Come here. It has been long from the last time we slept together."
Lena nodded and walked shyly towards me before sitting down on the bed. I looked at her with a smiling expression and chuckled.
Lena turned completely red when she heard me chuckle. For some reason, she was incredibly embarrassed tonight. Furthermore, she could feel her heart beating quickly.
I stroked her head and spoke in a gentle tone. "Is something wrong?"
"N-No, nothing." Lena shook her head frantically.
I chuckled again and looked into her eyes. I could see the nervousness and shyness she was feeling clearly. Her eyes did not dare to meet mine, too shy to do it.
After looking at Lena for a while, I hugged her petite body and put her on my lap.
"Are you nervous?"
Lena nodded timidly. Although she was not sure why, Lena could feel her body panicking for some reason.
A bit afraid, She gathered her courage and looked straight into my eyes.
"Brother, I only want to sleep tonight."
I put on a startled expression before smiling softly. "Okay, let's sleep then."
Lena nodded hurriedly and sighed in relief. For some reason, though, she felt a bit disappointed.
I just chuckled and hugged her tightly. We lied on the bed like that, hugging each other. I could see her body turning red of embarrassment.
Seeing she like that, I took the initiative and gave her a quick kiss.
Lena opened her eyes wide in surprise. Her face turned completely red in the next instant and steam began to escape from her head.
She then closed her eyes and hid her face on my chest, trying to process what was happening.
I smirked secretly but decided to stop things here. I didn't want to rush things with Lena.
Like that, we fell asleep while hugging each other tightly.