While the other participants dispersed, Fleur went back to her family’s manor near the east passage. The servants were more than happy to accommodate her return and informed the master of her arrival.
In her grandfather’s study, the old general was poring over documents with a knight on stand-by. His face wrinkled with exhaustion as he let out a sigh, looking up at his granddaughter, he smiled.
“Is it already that time?”
He could only imagine how hard it had been for his granddaughter. Living away from the capital for 6 years, only going home during the summer. If anything, her flawless skin dimmed a little from training under the sun, and her face was painted with exhaustion.
There was no trace of that delicate lady, but now seemed more elegant and exuded a grace that could be comparable to the Empress.
Fleur giggled. “Of course, grandfather. We all know how excited you are for this competition.”
“Well you’ll have to forgive me. I had been busy looking over the security of the palace. With the crown prince participating, the Emperor made sure to tighten security in and out of the palace.”
Somehow, with the crown prince competing, the general could feel that it was suspicious. After all, his highness was already 23 years old. Instead of competing at a competition for a a prize he already has, it was better to handle his majesty’s duties and assume responsibility for his future counterpart.
The empty position of the future prince consort had been left vacant for far too long.
“That silly crown prince sure is fussy, isn’t he?” Fleur made a mental note to avoid him in the future. She liked men and playing with them but the crown prince’s status was too lofty for her taste.
“My child…” The general sighed. Sometimes he had to wonder why on earth did her best friend’s personality rub off of her? “Please do not refer to the crown prince as fussy.”
Fleur shrugged. “He is, though? Besides that grandfather, have you any news of Yllion and their entourage?”
The prime minister had five children. The eldest was a knight in the first squadron tasked with the protection of the king, the second was the lady-in-waiting of the Empress, her being in the middle, the fourth was a talented mage studying at Yllion, and the youngest was currently attending Anfer Academy.
“Yllion has already arrived in the city two days ago. Your brother is currently training with them.”
“Yikes! Training already? I knew they were hardcore but isn’t that too brutal? As far as I know the distance between the capital and Yllion is much wider than the distance from Agora.”
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“I was told your brother insisted on training. His instructor couldn’t refuse. You know how stubborn he is.”
Fleur laughed. “Like you.”
“Now now, what’s with this commotion?” A woman opened the door to the study and had a gentle smile on her face. Dressed in a casual gown with her hair tied up in a bun, she radiated the freshness of spring.
“Mother! You were here!” Fleur jumped from her seat and gave her mother a big hug. She hadn’t managed to see her mother as much since she was busy overlooking the finances of the entire household.
Her mother smiled. “Of course I had to come. I wouldn’t want to miss my daughter and son, wouldn’t I?”
“You never know. But if you’re here, what about your work?”
“Oh I left it to the butler. He can handle it. I’ve already taught him everything. He can handle being my proxy for a little while.” Her mother was sneaky. As soon as she heard the arrival of her daughter, she dashed out of the office and left everything up to the butler without warning.
In the study of the Duchess, the butler was teary as he looked at the mountain pile of work on her table.
“By the way, is that child Ethel here? I’m sure she was chosen with you, she’s easily the strongest female warrior i’ve seen.”
Hearing her name, Fleur’s eyes drooped and she sighed heavily. “You wouldn’t believe it Mother. She wasn’t chosen!”
Her mother and grandfather looked confused. The general was well aware of that child’s skills. Although she liked to brush off her talent, it couldn’t be denied that she had potential to be even better than Baron Kapfem.
But he also couldn’t blame her. The highest and most lofty trees have the most reason to dread the thunder. Not only was she a woman, standing out in a sea of men was bound to attract trouble. He shook his head.
“Why was she not chosen then?” her mother asked curiously.
Fleur rolled her eyes. “That idiot purposely performed bad in our final assessment. Even the baron was quite disappointed. But rules were rules and those pesky nobles would find it easy to point faults at the instructor.”
“That’s too bad… I quite like that child. If she was a noble, I would always invite her to a tea party.”
Fleur found that idea a little funny. She couldn’t imagine that girl acting like a delicate noble at all. Sure, she was quite sarcastic and good at comebacks, but manners and etiquette… She would be hopeless.
“Speaking of parties, the Emperor is planning to hold a welcoming ball for all participants,” the general replied. He had received notice about it a week ago but never got the instruction to spread the word around.
“A ball?” Fleur looked baffled. “Why would the Emperor hold a ball for the competition that was two weeks from now?”
Her mother tutted. “Now now. Knowing the Emperor, I’m sure that the ball is for the younger generation to mingle. We hadn’t had a ball like that since your older sister’s debutante.”
It was a small regret in her mother’s heart that she hadn’t managed to hold a debutante for the middle since she was so far away in the North.
“Is he not aware that most of the younger generation participating are commoners? And the younger generation? Does that mean those nobles from Anfer Academy are also going?”
“Alright, calm down. I’m sure the Emperor has it all planned out. Since the participants have arrived. The Emperor will most likely announce it tomorrow. There’s still plenty of time to work something out,” the general consoled his granddaughter.
Fleur’s mother sighed. If only Ethel were here, she would’ve been able to settle down this daughter’s temperament.