The interview continued with a couple of health questions, these sets of questions in particular felt a bit more pointed than the rest, which I understood. I was from the boonies, and the health care there wasn’t exactly the best.

“Don’t worry, Feyt,” Father said. “You’ll be treated just like any other student here, and a doctor will be available if you ever need one.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Father really was awfully kind. Even though Feyt’s a commoner, he seemed to be very interested in having me as his student. I was beginning to change the way I thought of nobles in this world.

Mother though... her eyes were still as cold as ever. I swear she had cut someone with that gaze of hers.

After those sets of questions were done, we moved on to the last set of questions. Half an hour had already passed since the interview and both of me were still seated on the couches, our butts were starting to sore despite the soft cushion.

“So far, so good, Feyt.” Father set his quill down and smiled. “I just need a bit more to complete the picture. Tell me, why do you want to train with our family?”

I took a breath, going with my simple, honest answer: “To grow stronger and protect those I love.”

Basic answer, I know. But it was my one and true goal to accept Father’s invitation. I wouldn’t dare stomach Fray’s training if I didn’t have the determination to survive in this cruel world.

“Charming,” Mother interjected with a sharp tongue. “But are they just words? The Sareids don’t waste our training on anyone who won’t stand by their promises.”

Father turned to her, managing a strained smile. “Reyna, he did protect Carine back then. Surely, that should count for something?”

“Hardly.” Mother shook her head. “For all we know, he only stuck around Carine just so he could save himself.”

I opened my mouth, about to retort. But then, somewhere deep in my mind, it hit me like a slap. She was, technically, correct.

Mother’s eyes narrowed in satisfaction. “See? Even his silence confirms it.”

I was sweating bullets. I was botching the interview, at least in Mother’s eyes. Father seemed like he was ready to train me, especially with how enthusiastic he was with that thick schedule he was writing down. But if Mother won’t accept Feyt’s existence here, could I really train with an easy mind?

She truly had the worst impression of me, but why? Was it because I was a commoner? No, it felt a bit more personal.

Still, I couldn’t pass up the chance to train together with my other body though. Our synergy could be our main trump card, not to mention the pairing of Carine’s eyes and Feyt’s ears, which served me well back when we were kidnapped.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

The more in-tune both bodies were, the better.

As I was brainstorming how to get out of this corner that Mother pushed me into, I realized something.

I wasn’t cornered, not at all.

Mother’s challenge was with Feyt, right? And if she’d cornered him… well, why not let her handle it?

I slowly adjusted my seating, my nervousness shoved away. After both of my bodies were calm enough, I shifted my eyes to Mother, as Carine.

“Mother?” I called out to her with a tap on her shoulder.

Mother let out a small sigh, as if annoyed that I interrupted her interrogation. “What is it?”

“I just wanted to remind you of what happened in that cave. Feyt offered his help to me on his own accord. I don’t believe that he did it just to protect himself.” I arched an eyebrow, daring her to find fault with that.

Mother blinked, regaining her composure with a barely noticeable shift in her chair. Then, she let out a sigh, almost disappointed. “Carine, my dear, why are you defending this child?”

“I simply wish to tell the truth, Mother. I—I mean, Feyt… protected me and offered to fight alongside me, even when I told him to escape while I distracted the bandits for him.”

You probably know it already, but that last part was a lie. However, the only witnesses to that cave incident were me, myself, and that bandit imprisoned in the village. And since I won that battle, I had the right to rewrite history!

It was all to paint a better picture of myself. Feyt would seem like a courageous fellow, while Carine would be a woman with a noble heart.

I realized just then how powerful having two voices was.

Mother’s gaze softened, but only just. Her icy stare had morphed into something more like wary consideration, like she was appraising a rare fruit that might not be ripe just yet.

Mother stared at me in silence for a moment. Father couldn’t find the right moment to step in, so he too was silent.

Mother tapped her fingers on the armrest, sighing as if this whole thing was an inconvenience she hadn’t asked for. “Fine, very well,” she said, her tone annoyed. “You may train here, for now.” Her voice lilted, an edge that clearly signaled she wasn’t thrilled about it.

Father smiled, looking as if he was holding back a cheer, but Mother’s eyes darted over to him, shutting him up immediately.

She turned her gaze back to me, Feyt, and the intensity returned, sharper than ever. “But understand this: if you make a single mistake, if you show any sign of carelessness, especially against Carine…” She let the threat hang, but she didn’t need to finish it.

I could already tell my life was being slowly tied in a rope and ready to be hung at a moment’s notice.

My whole body stiffened, every muscle on edge, but I managed to keep eye contact as Feyt, just barely. I was surprised I wasn’t shaking even more though.

At last, she leaned back, and her gaze shifted to the ceiling, as if dismissing me already. “Do your best,” she said, her voice weirdly soft. “But know that the Sareids do not make allowances for mediocrity.” With that, she gave a curt nod to Father and rose to leave, glancing over her shoulder with one last chilling look to the both of me.

The doors were opened by maids from the hallways who somehow knew Mother was heading out. The doors closed with a click, and I instinctively let both pairs of my shoulders down as I let out a silent relieved sigh.

Father sighed, his smile returning now that the coast was clear. “Don’t worry about her too much, Feyt,” he said, scratching his hair. “She’s just… thorough.”

Thorough. That was one word for it.

“However, I’m still surprised.” Father turned his gaze towards the other me, Carine. “To think you would stand up for Feyt… Could it be I was right about—”

“Don’t even think about it,” I shut him up before he could speak the words.

I didn’t need that rumor in this mansion. Not a single word.

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image [https://i.imgur.com/RdC5Gde.png]