Matthieu-Philippe. Tori thought the General looked like Piers, but as he greeted the Emperor in a surprisingly annoyed, if not cold, voice, she thought he sounded more like Sebastian and Kasen when they talked to Piers.
Maybe its an older brother thing? Tori wrinkled her nose a bit. Perhaps the General also thought no one was good enough for his sister. The Emperor didnt look at all bothered by the unimpressed look on the Generals face. It was likely that this is how the General always looked at him, and Tori was sympathetic.
The Empress had told her that the Emperor wasnt very athletic, and Tori had seen that firsthand at the spring festival when he only hit four pinecones. If she were the General who was lauded as the best living swordsman in the empire, and that was the quality of the spouse her sibling married, shed be sowhat disappointed, too.
At least the Emperor loved his wife.
Love should be considered, Tori said to herself with a nod.
What? Her brother appeared beside her and gave her a confused look.
Nothing.
When the crowd around him clears a bit, well go and greet him, Sebastian told her. Tori nodded and looked towards Piers.
You look like the General.
Piers nodded once. Many people say that.
Axton chuckled and grinned. Godmother used to brag that her blood was strong; as expected of marquis' blood. Then she had the second prince, who is a spitting image of the Emperor.
Tori lifted her hand to cover her mouth to keep from laughing.
Piers! A voice called out to the man next to her, and she suddenly began to walk forward. She looked towards her hand, wondering when it had returned to Piers arm. Sebastian and Axton followed behind them as they stepped out from the dark corner they were waiting in and towards the area just below the imperial couples thrones.
The General looked towards them, and his face seed to brighten. Tori squinted her eyes, feeling almost blinded by the man. She quietly admonished herself. She thought she was used to seeing handso n. Nearly all the n around her were good-looking; she shouldve been numb to it.
Is this our little Victoria? The Generals low, deep voice was smooth and gentle as he looked at her with thoughtful affection.
Tori stopped and took a step back. She grasped the sides of her dress to give him a curtsy and lowered her head. She could feel the warmth on her cheeks at his attention. It was as if she was acknowledged.
Good evening, General Marquis von Schwert.
He let out a barreling laugh and stepped forward with his arms open. Why are you so formal? he said as his arms pulled her into a strong embrace. I used to carry you around when you were still in diapers! Look how big and healthy youve gotten!
Tori was sure she was red with embarrassnt. She couldnt stop herself from cringing as the announcent of her in diapers, even as a baby, filled the area. To the side, she caught both her brother smirking and Axton snickering while he was still hugging his godmother and telling her happy birthday.
Thank you.... Tori trailed off as she was released.
The General continued to hold her at arms length as he studied her face. You definitely have Gregorios hair and eyes.
Yes, but at least her face is like Tonis, the Empress said firmly. She glanced at her son. Shes here tonight escorting Piers.
The Generals eyes widened, and he turned to his eldest nephew with mirth. Is she?
Piers bowed his head to greet him. Hello, Uncle.
The Generals face softened, and he looked at Piers fondly. He took a step closer and lifted his arms just a bit, but stopped. He seed to want to embrace Piers as well, but restrained himself. Its good to see you, my nephew.
Piers nodded his head and the General turned to Sebastian. Amusent filled him and he reached for Sebastians arm. The two n grasped each others forearms and pulled themselves into an embrace.
Its good to see you again, Master, Sebastian said as he gave the General a firm hug and pat on the back.
How are you doing, Sebastian? The General stepped back, still holding Sebastians arm and giving it a shake.
Sebastian took a deep breath before looking towards Tori and Piers with a disappointed expression. Tori drew her head back and gave him a questioning look.
Why are you looking at ? I didnt do anything.
Ah.... The General tightened his lips and gave him an understanding nod. He patted Sebastians shoulder sympathetically. We will talk.
Uncle! Another voice rang out and the General turned around. Tori looked past him and tried not to show her displeasure as Gideon arrived with Alessa on his arm. When they were close enough, he released Alessa and stepped forward to embrace his uncle.
Gideon! The General smiled and returned the second princes embrace. I heard you did very well at the tournant this year.
Gideons smile faltered a bit as he stepped back and nodded. I will do better next year.
To be able to lead a team at your age, and to the final match of the tournant, is very good, Piers said, calmly. At his words, Gideons eyes seed to sparkle.
Thank you, Piers!
Tori was impressed with his admiration of his brother. With Piers at her side, Gideon hadnt glared at her once that evening. Hes like an anti-Gideon forcefield....
And who is this young lady at your side? The General asked as he looked past Gideon and gave Alessa a small, acknowledging nod.
Alessa took a step forward to curtsy as Gideon introduced her. Uncle, this is my classmate and friend, Lady Alessa Hart. She is escorting tonight and is from Anlar.
Lady Hart, a pleasure. The General gave her a more formal greeting. You mustve traveled far.
It was no trouble, Your Grace, Alessa said as she stood up straight. My father and I have co to Horizon and plan to stay until Lyce starts in the fall. He will be attending chamber etings during this ti; perhaps youll be able to et him.
The General nodded and his sister looked at him curiously. How long do you plan on staying?
Not long, actually. I only ca to see you for your birthday and to drop off Axton and Fabian, he replied.
Fabian has returned? Gideon asked, appearing surprised.
The General smiled a bit. Yes, but he is likely in his quarters. We arrived at the Cosora Delta quite late this morning, then it took so ti for us to travel here. Thankfully, Axton called one of the instructors working on the islands and they arranged for a carriage to co to bring us here. Fabian must be exhausted after the journey.
Alessa took in a sharp breath and tensed. Is Sir von Dorn all right?
Yes, Lady Hart. He is fine. He wasnt injured. Its more that hes tired, the General told her patiently. I made sure to keep him away from any major skirmishes and he was only allowed to join minor ones with an auxiliary team.
Most of his ti was spent doing drills and participating in the daily training of the soldiers, Axton said. He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. However, they are adults with years of experience. It was difficult for soone as young as Sir von Dorn to keep up consistently.
The General nodded in agreent. Especially when he doesnt practice often enough. He turned to look at the Emperor with a stern look. If he is going to continue being Gideons personal knight and aide, I suggest he join in more consistent training. Having him join La Garda or participate with the training regi of the imperial knight cadets is recomnded.
The two n stood across from each other with formidable looks, as if discussing sothing serious. Then again, the ability of the second princes personal knight was sothing important. They could not approve of one who could not do their job.
Tori looked at Axton and wondered if his training was more rigorous. Shed only sparred with him once and she could barely hold out for a few minutes. Axton also left Piers side periodically to go to the eastern front to train under the General. That was more than shed seen Fabian do.
Now that she thought about it, when did Fabian practice? He didnt join the sword association and from what she overheard from the General, he also didnt train with knight cadets. When would Fabian have ti for professional instruction when he was in school and following Gideon around?
Did he practice on his own? That was fine for foundational work, but experience, even just sparring with another person, was an absolute necessity for improving ones reaction and flexibility. After all, empty space didnt fight back. In the sword association, Captain Connor also had them cycle through each other for partners in order to be exposed to as many styles and levels as possible.
The Emperor seed to take the Generals words seriously. I will take this into consideration, General. Thank you for taking him this sumr.
The General shook his head. He is protecting my nephew; his training should be his top priority. We cannot let him beco distracted.
Until Sebastian returned to Sur, there was no need for Axton to accompany her to the delta. He and Piers had co to see off the General when he left, but they had returned the next day. They left behind Tori, Sebastian, and nervous new swordsmanship pupil, Ewan.
Axton had agreed to take ti to guide and train Ewan in order to prepare him for La Gardas physical and skill tests. Tori initially thought hed be hesitant. She didnt know his workload at Universit and then there were matters of his businesses, though he didnt appear too involved in their managent.
However, Axton seed interested. Hed apparently never really instructed soone before outside of leading training sessions.
I think this would be a good test of my knowledge and ability, he had said. Id like to be soones Master Swordsman one day.
After Axton agreed, he suggested that Ewan et them in the delta before Lyce started so they could get an early start. Tori called Ewan from the garden imdiately, and he almost didnt believe her. It wasnt until Axton took the comcry and confird it that Ewan was left speechless.
Sebastian said if Ewan wanted, he could leave with them the next evening. He had so ti in between helping his own master on Anahata Island and could observe Ewan and make notes for a training regin. Tori didnt require as much supervision when she was working, so he had free ti.
One of Ewans brothers overheard and assured them that Ewan would be ready to leave the next day and that he didnt need to co back until Lyce started. Ewan seed to want to protest, but his brother wouldnt hear of it. After all, it wasnt just any instructor who was offering to guide Ewan. It was Sebastian de Guevera: the legendary monster who was responsible for ending the anniversary tournants.
As a result, Ewan stayed in the spare tent Henrik usually used, which was next to Axtons, and joined Sebastian on his morning runs and training regin. Hed also go to Anahata Island to practice his form and do drills as Sebastian worked with Master Ramos. Sebastian was spending quite a lot of ti on the island and Tori was starting to suspect he was avoiding their other guest, who had arrived the day after they returned to the delta after the banquet.
Your brother is on the island again? Lady Idunn asked as she looked around Toris tent. Sebastians cot was pushed to the side and his blanket was neatly folded and piled atop his pillow. Lady Idunns eyes had a distant look as they settled on the cot, as if wishing for sothing more.
Tori looked up from her desk, where she was comparing islands for her and Ilyanas dream resort spa. Yes, he took Ewan and went. Theyre going to start placing the first of the stone pillars that will hold the crystal pillars in place today, so its kind of an important mont. All the calculations, placent, and processes need to be correct to get it up smoothly.
Lady Idunn nodded her head once and seed to tighten her hold around the papers in her arms. Her blue eyes lingered on Sebastians cot for a mont longer before tearing them away. She walked towards Toris desk and placed the papers on it.
I have selected a few acres of land upriver from the map. Miss Sima and Mr. Reiter, who was one of the farrs in the old village, will co with to take a look. Do you want to co, Lady Tori?
Tori nodded. Id like to see. Will we need more people?
I was put in touch with so students from Universit through a colleague. They will co with us to take soil samples, asurents, and record the existing plant life there.
When do we leave?
Ive arranged for so ti after lunch, Lady Idunn said. If that is all right.
That works out fine. I have to bring my brother and the others lunch on the island, anyway, Tori said.
Youre going to Anahata Island? Lady Idunns arms lowered, and her eyes grew just a bit. May I join you?
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