“What?!”
“Do I really need to repeat myself?”
I furrowed my brows. What is he planning now?
“Does it have to be me? Young master… Sir Asmodeus, your secretary, was also adept in swordsmanship.” I brushed my hair. “Isn’t it practical to ask your secretary for this?”
“We’re both attending the hunting competition, Haleya, and Tyrell is busy enough with something. You are the only one I know who is good at swords.”
I heaved a deep breath.
Of course, I am the only one who could help you aside from Sir Asmodeus. Other than me, Amber, Sir Asmodeus, and the duke, everyone was harsh on you as you let them do whatever they wanted.

If it were me, I could have strangled their neck.
My anger issues wouldn’t let me leave them alone.
“Then I'll take you as my disciple,” I concluded.
Arnold furrowed his brows. “What disciple?! I just asked you to teach me, not to be your disciple!”
I chuckled. “Do you hear what you are saying, little duke?”
Arnold pressed his lips.
I smiled. “You are asking me to teach you, aren’t you? And teaching you would make it seem like you are my disciple. Is it not logical to say that you are indeed one? You aren’t a knight, young master. And if you aren’t my student, then what?”
He sighed and pressed his lips.
I brushed my hair. “If you have nothing against it, can I go now? I still have a lot to do.”
Arnold unruffled his hair. “Are you busy flirting with that commoner, Haleya?”
I bit my lip. “What are you saying?”
“You held his hand and kissed his forehead. Isn’t it called flirting?”
There’s no doubt that he really was an idiot.
I glared at him. “Are you sick? You are especially annoying me today.”
He sighed. “Just… just tell me the truth. Are you having an affair with the commoner, Haleya?”
I bit my lips and looked at his golden lustrous eyes. “Fine! I’ll only explain this once so you’d better listen carefully, young master. Callisto is my newly appointed student, young master. I held his hand to infuse my mana in him to activate his mana circles. I kissed his forehead as a means of a blessing.”
Arnold nodded his head. “Then, I’d be your disciple.”
I looked at him curiously. What made this idiot change his mind easily?
What is playing inside his small mind?
When I was about to get up, a bunch of knights suddenly entered Arnold’s office.
Their faces weren’t pleasant. Behind them was the Baron.
Arnold remained silent.
I sighed. “What brings you here, Baron Cohen?”
The Baron looked at me and bowed his head. “Pardon me, milady but could you please leave us alone? I have something to tell the first young master.”
I chuckled. “Are you commanding me right now?” I asked. “I am not just the lady of this estate, baron, I am also a knight. Seeing these knights makes me uneasy. I have to be sure that my young master is safe and you’ll do nothing that would harm the first son. I’ll stay.”
Baron Cohen pressed his lips. He looked at Arnold angrily. “Young master, I heard you’re the one who spread the rumor about Kevin.”
Arnold stayed silent.
He isn’t the one who would dare to do that. If there was someone as sly as a fox here, it would be Jaeda.
“That would be a baseless accusation, baron. That's libelous against the young master,” I stated.
“Shut up!”
I chuckled. “You dared to shout at the lady of this territory?” I asked. “I seemed to misjudge you, baron. I thought you’ll stay at your quilt and do nothing to offend anyone at the house. But look at you standing firm in front of the son and the adopted daughter of the duke. It seemed like you got brave on a slim chance that Kevin could be the next duke.” I got up and walked near the baron and leaned my head closer to him. “I have already warned you, haven’t I?” I whispered. “I already warned you at the princess’ funeral to never get involved in this house yet, you dared to do it in front of me.” I grinned. I left him and went to Arnold’s back. “Be careful on your way back home, baron. I might just kill you as punishment for invading the first young master’s territory.”
The baron clenched his fist and turned his back on us. He walked out of the office. His lowly knights followed.
I sighed and was about to leave when Arnold held my hand.
I looked at him. “What now?”
Arnold looked back. “I am your disciple.”
I tilted my head.
How could he act as if nothing happened just now?
“Yes. And so?”
I see him gulp. He avoided my gaze. “B-Blessing.”
I could not understand what he wanted to say. I looked at him with furrowed brows. “What?”
“I said give me your blessing! I just became your disciple!”
I glared at him. “It is not really necessary, little duke.”
“You blessed the knight which is a commoner and you’re not going to do it with me? Are you taking sides now?”
I closed my eyes.
How come he could be so petty?
I’m not gonna kiss that forehead because he’s Arnold, for fuck’s sake.
It’s awkward.
I closed my eyes. “You’re strong enough.”
Arnold glared at me. “I just wanted your blessing, captain. Is it that hard to do? Or is it that you prefer that commoner than I, the first son of the Duarte family?”
I bit my lip. “Don’t be so petty, young master.”
“I am not being inconsequential, Haleya! I am just trying to avoid such a ridiculous rumor. What would happen if they knew that I and that commoner are your students yet the mere commoner was the only one whom you blessed?”
I hate to say this but this idiot got a point.
It did not come to my mind because the thought of me kissing his forehead was just absurd as the idea itself. If I kiss Arnold, it would make us more awkward
I shook my head and walked near him.
He was still sitting in his seat. He turned to face me.
He had bangs covering his forehead. I could smell the alluring fragrance of his blonde hair. As I saw his eyes nearer, I realized that his eye color wasn’t pure gold. There was a tinge of black and blue. His jaw was also strong and well-defined.
As if his eyes had enchantment in them, it beguiled me to stare at them. As if I was enthralled, I stared at it. He was indeed God's work of art. Even the duke at his young age could not be compared to how beautiful Arnold was.
He was like the god of Libarnia himself.
“I’m waiting.”
I gulped. I brushed his hair up and leaned my head closer to his head.
I started uttering the chant of bliss. I tried my best not to be distracted.
After memorizing the chant, I kissed his forehead. I immediately retreated and looked at Arnold. I saw him close his eyes. His long eyelashes were lovely.
Unlike when I did it to Callisto, I felt a strange trail of force infused in my body. I felt my heart clench.
The strange energy was making my body ache all over. It felt like it was absorbing my vitality.
I stepped a few paces back and clenched my chest as it felt like something was piercing a hole in it. My knees gave up.
I saw Arnold get up and approached me.
I smiled, trying to hide the pain.
What’s wrong with me? It’s not as if this is the first time I’ve felt excruciating pain.
“I… I’m okay, little duke.”
Arnold furrowed his brows as he carried me in a bridal style.
His touch made the pain soothe a little, making it a bit bearable. I bit my lip.
“Call the physician to my room immediately.”
I don’t know who he ordered but as soon as he said that, I heard the footsteps and they gradually faded.
I closed my eyes.
This is fine compared to the nightmares I had inside the darkroom. This is much better compared to when I was shot by Jaeda.
This is fine. As long as I stay alive, feeling this kind of pain is fine.
Just… Please don’t kill me.