Lian Hua finished dressing Junior Edina in elegant robes befitting her status. The fabric felt heavier than usual, weighed down by her guilt and anxiety. Lian Hua then handed her the cane, the polished wood cool to the touch. Junior Edina accepted it silently, then grasped Lian Hua’s hand for support as they began the slow walk toward the classroom. Each step felt laborious, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of what her interference might have set in motion.
The corridors of Jinwei Mansion were quiet, save for the soft echo of their footsteps. Junior Edina’s eyes drifted over the familiar surroundings, yet nothing felt the same.
As Junior Edina entered the classroom, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. This was not the grand classroom in the Mu Mansion where she had been attending lessons with her cousins ever since her parents’ deaths placed her under Aunt Li Mei’s guardianship. Instead, this was the intimate, sunlit room in Jinwei Mansion, where she had once been tutored by her mother herself. The memories of those days lingered in the air, making her pause for a moment as she glanced around. The room, with its polished wooden floors and shelves lined with scrolls, had always felt more like home than anywhere else.
In the past, it had been rare for her to attend classes with her cousins in Mu Mansion. Though she would occasionally join them for important lessons on the sect’s history, governance, and other significant topics, her primary education had taken place here, under her mother’s careful instruction. The warmth and personal attention she received in this very room had always made her feel special.
Now, with the arrival of the new teacher sent by the Leon Empire, it seemed as though that tradition would continue—at least in part. Junior Edina couldn’t help but feel a flicker of relief. The Leonese teacher’s presence meant she wouldn’t have to make frequent trips to Mu Mansion, where studying alongside her cousins always felt stifling. While she has grown accustomed to their bullying but she never wants to return.
Of course, she would still need to return to Mu Mansion for certain lessons. The intricacies of Han language and the deep-rooted history of the Blazing Dawn Sect were subjects only the scholars within the sect could properly teach, and it wasn’t something a foreign instructor from Leon could be expected to know in detail. Those particular lessons, she would still need to endure alongside her cousins.
But for everything else—matters of statecraft, warfare, and international relations—the Leonese teacher would take the helm. It was a role her mother had once filled, and Edina was quietly grateful that, at least in this regard, she wouldn’t be entirely separated from the legacy of her past. She would be educated in the same room where her mother had once imparted wisdom to her, and that connection gave her a sense of grounding amidst the uncertainty of her life.
This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.
As Junior Edina finally settled into her seat, she took a moment to observe her new teacher more closely. He had a striking appearance that immediately commanded attention—sharp, angular features framed by dark hair, and piercing blue eyes that gleamed with intelligence. His sun-kissed skin hinted at a life lived in the Western continent and his attire, richly embroidered with intricate designs, spoke of both high status and wealth. The threads of gold and deep crimson that adorned his robes shimmered subtly in the light, a testament to his connection with the powerful Leonese Western Merchant Association.
The Leonese teacher offered a respectful bow, his voice steady and smooth as he greeted her in his native tongue.“Ee sevakudu mee maharanini vandanalu telupotunnadu” (This servant greets Her Highness), he said in formal Leonese, the standard greeting reserved for imperial members.
Junior Edina, still a little unsteady in the language, replied with a slight hesitation,
“Meeru... levavachu” (You... may rise), her words fumbling just enough to betray her inexperience. She immediately felt a twinge of embarrassment but was met with a kind smile from the teacher, who seemed unfazed by her clumsiness.
The teacher straightened up, his smile widening as he gracefully switched to Han.
“I am Richard Von Clause, a Sequence 4 Mage from the Leonese Western Merchant Association. Though I have been hired as your teacher, Your Highness, please treat me as your humble servant and subject. If there are any tasks or needs you have, do not hesitate to call upon me.”
Edina nodded in acknowledgment, though she suddenly found herself chuckling. The tension in the room eased as she allowed a small, shy smile to surface.
“Mistar Richard… Mee uccharana… Naa nannammanni gurthuchesindi” (Mister Richard... Your accent... it reminded me of my mother’s), she admitted softly, her voice tinged with warmth at the memory.
Richard’s eyes softened, and he returned the smile.
“Mee chirunavvu choodataniki santoshamga undi, mee adikaranni, ee samayallo mee navvu ento viluvainadi” (It’s good to see you smile, Your Highness, especially given the sect’s atmosphere).
The mention of the current state of the sect weighed on Edina’s heart for a brief moment, but she quickly pushed the thought aside, focusing on the present. She was grateful for Richard’s attempt to lighten the mood, and it had worked, even if only for a fleeting second.
“Well then,” Richard continued, his tone becoming more formal again.
“Chinna parikshato modalu pedutdam. Mee Leonese nerpanta undani ardham chesukovalanukuntunnanu” (Let us begin with a short test. I’d like to gauge how much Leonese you already know so I can tailor my lessons accordingly).
Edina straightened in her chair, her mind sharpening as she prepared herself for the challenge. Despite the gravity of recent events—the uncertainty surrounding Lu Shun’s condition, the rising tensions within the sect, and the burdens of her own future—there was a quiet comfort in this small room. Here, away from the pressures of leadership and family dynamics, she could focus solely on her studies, on improving herself in ways her mother would have been proud of.
Richard, with a calm and encouraging demeanor, began the test, asking simple questions in Leonese. Edina responded as best she could, her voice steady but cautious. As they continued, she grew more confident, though there were moments when she stumbled over unfamiliar words or phrases. Each time she faltered, Richard gently corrected her, his patience never wavering.