THE PRACTICE

- HELVETICA -

Three weeks have passed and Devourah has suddenly taken an interest in my maid. She would come in here to bother Serina and to tease her while working. She would bring food and borrow my maid if Serina had free time. Although, it's none of my business.

However, "You seem to have visited my maid A LOT these past few days, don't you think so, Lady Devie?" Her mere presence is beginning to aggravate me. My father is not opposed to it, but his opinion is irrelevant. I'm not sure why Devourah kept chasing after someone who couldn't even look her in the eyes.

Luna, on the other hand, reported that this woman's intention is pure. Just like what Camilla told me a few weeks ago. Devourah sips her tea as she looks at me. "Love can wait, Your Majesty. Unfortunately, I'm impatient." Camilla interjects while she's arranging the papers.

"I told the Duchess to visit frequently. Isn't the room a lot more lively now that Devourah is here?" She said as they exchanged glances at each other. It is more like an annoyance to me. Moreover, why do I feel like they're partners-in-crime?

"I'm also investigating an important matter, Your Majesty. Please pretend that I'm just a mere wind trying to ease the atmosphere." I sigh as a sign of defeat. As much as I wanted to throw her out of the palace, she might be useful to me in some ways. The room remained silent until a knock caught my attention. 

"Your Majesty, Sir Augustus sent a letter." So they're not dead. I'm impressed. They can adapt to a new environment. That's interesting. "Come in." Back then, Vien used to talk to the ground as if the ground would respond. But look at her now, proudly standing in front of me. She shouldn't forget who created her that way.

Devourah stands up as she locks eyes with Serina. "Don't you think you're working too much? It's suffocating. You should accompany me for a while." It's not a request, but an order. The audacity of this woman to command my maid around.

"Your Majesty," But before Serina could even refuse, I sign her to accompany the Grand Duke's daughter as Serina is just standing by my side for an hour now. As soon as they get outside, Vien coughs briefly before focusing her gaze on me.

"How courageous of them to have survived this long." They're becoming increasingly daring. That's my creation. "All of the first forces are doing well, Your Majesty. They're just waiting for your signal." They get accepted in just a blink of an eye. It might be too suspicious if they attack too soon.

"We'll have to wait until the end of the month. It means they'll only have to wait two weeks before striking the Empire. Of course, I will not allow them to engage in such childish activities. I wanted them to burn the Emperor's chamber and kill the Empress. "Whoever can give me the head will be rewarded handsomely." No one will suspect the new knights, of course. They're brand new. Don't be a fool.

"I will make sure to include that in the letter. Do you have anything to add?" I grin as I open my book. "Of course, they aren't authorised to die. But if one of them has to make a sacrifice, make sure the family is compensated."

"And also, what about the plan he's talking about? How was it? Is it working?" Vien greeted me with a broad grin, as if it were good news.

"Fortunately, the palace doesn't care about their knights, and so Sir Augustus is able to persuade them to join his side." Manipulation at its finest. That's one of the tactics.

"Tell them I'm not looking for a slacker. A strong stomach is required." Vien smiles as she bows. "Well then, I will include your statement in my letter, Your Majesty—" I cut her off for a while.

"The second force will be the last one to fight." They're not ready yet since the foundation is not that strong. "Allow the fourth group to compete for the position of second." When it comes to making decisions, I'm not prejudiced. Because your actions are part of the conflict. You're not just going to raise your sword; you're going to plan your life carefully. It's not enough to just kill.

"Yes, Your Majesty." She leaves as soon as she arrives. Although I'm pleased that my plan is working, I can't rejoice too soon because this is only the first step, and I still need to train those knights until they know how to survive in battle.

"Don't you think it's time for me to learn how to wield a sword?" I look at Camilla as she puts down her pen, looking at me with such determination. "We just talked about this. I can't let you—"

"I'm the Empress." And what's her position have to do with wielding a sword? "You instructed me to use my sword to protect the populace. But you're not even preparing me for the real battle. I can't just sit in here, being pretty, and watching you training. I need to train too."

When I was a child, being a part of the Knighthood was my dream. But then, my former father would say to me that a woman should stay in the kitchen. He says that men like soft women, so I toughened up. He said that men prefer women who can cook, so I learned how to poison a person. 

You never know the world.

"Instead of saying those words, why don't you give me an order? Like, you have to teach me if you want to win. " She has the power, yet she doesn't know how to use it.. How could I even teach her?

To begin with, humility should not be a part of anyone's vocabulary. "We'll practice first thing in the morning. I don't have time to wake you up, so if you want to come along, get up and get ready. I wouldn't let you eat anything until we're done."

"You can't complain since you're the one who wishes to learn. You're my bride, but it doesn't mean I'm going to be easy on you. You shouldn't be gentle on the battlefield." Her eyes sparkle as if she's already satisfied with my statement. Isn't she supposed to be scared?

"You look excited. We're not going to play." But she just smiles at me. "How can I not be excited? You're the one who's going to teach me. It's romantic, don't you think?"