Breakfast was quiet, and occasional laughter was emitted occasionally but otherwise quiet. Valerie's father leaned into her ear and told her to meet him at the training grounds later. she couldn't believe he was already back to his old ways, and Valerie had to work harder than before.

other than that, her father remained scarily silent after Sebastian proclaimed she was idling. the sun was hitting Sebastian in the face she thought about how with one swoop she can slice his ear off.

after the king left the dining hall with his ten guards, the crown prince and Harvey left afterward with their personal guards tailing behind them. Valerie looked around once more, hoping shed find Michael waiting for her, but the only guard waiting for her was Gina, her second-in-command guard. gina wore her red hair in a ponytail and dressed in the beige attire appointed for the guards, a short skirt, a tailcoat that fit her perfectly, and her sash laid across her chest, holding the badges she earned proudly.

Valerie got up to leave, as she was the only person still in the dining hall, she didn't want to face her father, so she stayed for a little longer, but she had to do it eventually.

"shall we leave, my lady?" Valerie left the hall with Gina.

"yes, I was just-"

"what is wrong, cousin?" a vicious sound came from behind them. of course, Sebastian was still in the room.

"Nothing is wrong, cousin" Valerie gave Gina a look, before turning to talk to her 'cousin'. the rest of the room was empty and Sebastian was standing by the large window at the far back, the sun illuminating his hideous face. She gave him a smile, putting up a facade, if Sebastian didn't know anything, she couldn't risk him finding out now.

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"your father is a hero! is he not?" he gave her one of his smiles "he won a war with a kingdom we have been fighting for years...how did that happen? all by himself? is that not madness?"

"Perhaps those before him weren't so competent"

"oh, I don't think Aunt Helga and Uncle Hector would appreciate your words very much" he laughed, he was now standing closer to them, the ferocious smile not reaching his eyes.

"I don't care what they think. they are not celebrating their own brother, so why should I care what such people think?" the smile was fading, Valerie's anger was resurfacing and she tried her best to keep t under control and stop herself from screaming at him.

"Valerie Valerie Valerie" she hated hearing her name on his tongue, he walked up to the table and sat at one of the chairs by the end. she wished he would make this quick and get it over with. "you are not happy for your father either. why are you judging others?"

"watch it, Sebastian" she glared at him.

"no, really" he got up from his seat, content with the way he managed to rile up Valerie "Why aren't you happy for your father's successes? is there something the rest of us should know?" Valerie was glad Sebastian had dismissed his guards. if they heard what he was saying and the rumors started spreading...she didn't want to think of the results.

"step back, Sebastian" Gina moved to shield Lady Valerie from him. her hand on her sword, ready to unsheath it at Valerie's command.

"Woah, relax red. I'm not gonna hurt her" he put his hands up "Besides, I think she can fight for her own self, her previous guard taught her well in their nightly runs" his words stunned Valerie, and she couldn't think of anything to say back, so she glared at him, wishing she could punch him hard on the face without facing consequences. he was in a joyous mood as he left the dining hall, he had Valeries family in the palm of his hands. he knew about Her father's scheme and gathering from her words, he also knew about the secret affair between Valerie and Michael.

but Valerie couldn't shake one thought away, for a moment she forgot about her family and all she could think about was how Sebastian had referred to Michael as a 'previous guard'