Chapter 34: The New Tutors (II).

Chapter 34: The New Tutors (II).

Elizabeth's POV

"Good morning, your highness and former general Crumwell.."

We were both greeted by a line of familiar soldiers standing on the side of the library, they were being led by Tobias as always he was here on time. I gave him a proper curtsy, "Good morning to you as well, Sir Tobias. Has all my new tutors arrived?"

He nods in answer, meaning the people who are bound to teach me are within reach. Hired by my uncle, hopefully not used in some personal plot to which he could gain.

"It's not only… the tutors, Princess Elizabeth."

"I wasn't expecting anyone else in my schedule other than the tutors?"

Victoria only said that we'll be meeting the tutors in a few minutes.

"It's… the emperor. He's also been waiting for you to come inside of the library. It seems urgent." (Tobias) added, giving me a headache hearing the news. I really didn't want to see my father now when I've just turned into a good mood after learning a good command spell to try.

"How wonderful." I replied, trying to sound happy of seeing my father whom I haven't had contact with in years only having met him through stories of the people here. The stories they have told about him were slowly getting blurrier the more that I tried getting to know him.

A warrior, a kind king and a rational man.

…

The door opened and we were ushered in to come inside.

I walked inside, immediately I saw my father's figure looming into one of the library seats and behind him were almost a dozen people lined up in their scholar robes and hat.

"Good morning, father." I curtsied holding my dress, lowering my body down as a sign of respect towards him.

"..."

He turned silent looking conflicted with my morning greeting. I looked at him not knowing what I did wrong- is it the way that I dressed today or was it the way that I curtsied for a greeting?

"...?"

Father raises his hand slightly, telling me to stop, shaking his head looking mad and disappointed. "Call me emperor, not father."

It was my turn to be speechless at his reply but not at all surprised. A line has been drawn between us both, and he's the one setting it.

"Yes, emperor. My deepest apologies, I will do better next time." I lowered my head making sure that he's not going to see me making a hurtful expression.

Perhaps he's a stranger, my biological father of this world wouldn't give a damn about me either.

He ignored me and gestured to the scholars behind him, explaining that these people will now daily educate, record my progress and see to it that I'll be prepared to take the heavy responsibility of being a royal.

"I have found educated people that will teach you all the things that you will need to be prepared for your duties in the future. I expect at least ten hours of studying, no distraction and once you'll be set of age you must understand your true purpose."

My true purpose.

To you, emperor. I already know what you seek from my birth.

The emperor stood from his chair with a smile, perhaps it's one of the most genuine smiles I've ever seen him make.

"An engagement will be in order."

An engagement, so he says. I scoffed in my mind seeing this coming from a mile away. I must find a way to not get trapped by his plans.

However, if my suitor is someone I can negotiate with seeing this is a loveless marriage we may be able to see other people if we wished.

I only need to spare time.

"Am I clear, daughter of mine? I've already found you a few candidates in your hand in marriage that will help boost your image and the assets of our kingdom." He tells me, and I nod pretending to obey his orders.

I grit my teeth a little angry that I can't do anything in the present.

In my current state, my power and influence is weak. This is not the time to give an act of fight against my father.

"Yes, emperor." I replied like a good little puppet for his schemes. He gave a satisfied expression, sighing tiredly.

"Good, you may start today with your lessons. I will excuse myself to continue my duties in my office." (Emperor Alastor) takes off with haste, he opens the library door and with that he is gone.

Leaving me with these dozen scholars that will be paid to teach me things I… most likely will learn better if I self studied.

"Princess, good morning. We are the scholars chosen by your father to teach you the ways of knowledge and wisdom." The head of the scholar group bows their head towards my direction and all follows suit.

"We are honored to teach you, your highness."

Seeing this many people, almost a dozen- my mind immediately ransacked and judged a few scholars on who might be a spy or an assassin.

Each one of them I can't trust not until they proved where their sides lie.

"I am honored as well," I reply with a faint smile, taking another courtesy of greeting before continuing. "I have a few rules I would like for all of you to follow. You may have been hired by my father but I am the student."

"I have a right to address my worries."

I asked them a few things and they answered very quickly, they are apt for every concern I had. "The schedule system on which subject and scholars will be going first. Has it all been decided?"

"Yes, your highness. We've talked about that matter and settled on the schedule before coming inside the library making sure we would be all available on that specific day or hour." One scholar replied by taking out a thick paper with drawn ink of the schedule, making me impressed by their preparation and presentation.

Perhaps… Uncle Damien didn't hire people that're at least not good at their given subject and course.

"We'll each be with you for at least an hour and a half."

"Will I have a well deserved break after every end of the subject?" I ask looking up at all of them and they shake their heads.

"None, you only have thirty minutes of time to eat before we give you to the next designated scholar to teach you." They answered, a horrible one. I would have to take all of my time studying, everything I'm hearing now just makes me remember how my past life would go.

Eat, School, Sleep.

Eat, School, Sleep.

Eat, School, Sleep.

Will I also wake up today and tomorrow feeling depressed and worthless on how I viewed learning without a break- no time to breathe.

"Pardon me-"

I turned around seeing Victoria who has been behind me looking angry with a nerve popping up on her forehead. "Do you intend to kill her highness with that ridiculous schedule that you all made?"

Victoria!

You're also seeing how horrible this schedule is! I'm so glad that you're with me right now because I cannot handle seeing this schedule alone. Almost fifteen hours of education- reading, re-learning math again- and this kingdom's history is very different and complicated to study.

"It's been approved by the emperor- to call it ridiculous would mean you are committing a horrible mistake. Everything the emperor decides we follow, he's very satisfied with our suggestions after all-" One of the head scholars towers over Victoria with a shit eating grin if I've ever seen one.

"We're scholars, educated people unlike- your kind." He continued to berate Victoria.

"Huh-" (Victoria) was speechless, she didn't fight back with them but instead walked behind me keeping her distance.

The words echoed in my mind.

Your kind?

What does he mean by your kind?!

…

I have had it- I couldn't help myself from standing up and yelling at him. I didn't think my voice would echo the moment that I did. "DON'T YOU DARE! TALK TO HER LIKE THAT!"

"IF YOU DO IT AGAIN I WILL HAVE YOU OUT OF THIS CASTLE!"

"Grrr…" I must've looked like a dog getting ready to bite his prey but this prey didn't even look an inch scared of my yelling.

He continued to smile ignoring me, bending down to meet me, eyes leveled.

"See… if this is the princess' true nature- I could only blame the company she hands out with. Yelling? How immature- and inelegant for someone inheriting the throne someday." He smiles widely, looking like he'd won. I was shocked looking at my past action, letting my anger get over me and it displayed me like a maniac princess.

My mind said to hell with what they think of me-! I don't care! I'll tell them how stupid they are as much as I want!

"...!" I felt a hand landing on my shoulder and it was Victoria's. Her lips mouthed me a message, 'Not worth it.'

My rage didn't die down, I tried my best keeping a calm face and demeanor but with all of these scholars slowly revealing their true colors I don't know how much this can hold.

"Little princess, it is a good thing that your father has called us to help you with your problem." The scholar turns to Victoria eyeing her from head to toe. "It seems that this servant is stopping you from reaching your full potential. Has she been spoiling you too much that you've turned out like this?"

"I've studied children like you, and sooner or later they'll end up ineligible for something great."

So defending one of my loved ones is considered an inelegant action for someone to do? What a load of bull.

"Tsk." I crossed my arms not enjoying the view I was getting.

I would rather hurry up and have this day be over to get to my secret meeting spot where I could rest my mind and relieve myself of all the problems I have.

"Clicking your tongue at me? I have to write to the emperor about your behavior, but not to worry! We'll get you fixed… in no time with my guidance." He lowers his hand, expecting a shake from me.

"The name's Grigori Mockzak, a pleasure to be working for you."

I stared at his hand and his figure.

Green robes, a mortarboard lies on his head- and he wore glasses befitting for his ensemble.

"It's rude not to shake someone's hand, your highness, especially… if they are someone educated and generous- to be even sharing their knowledge with you." (Grigori) tells me, and I coldly smile at him.

The more he opened his mouth, the more I wanted to close it.

I shook his hand out of spite and we left it at that- but I made sure to wipe my hand on my dress and let him see that I won't let him go easily for disrespecting my maid like that.