Chapter 379: Made Up Her Mind

Five days had passed since my date with Cecil.

Nothing happened in these three days except that I ordered Sandra and the twin nuns to investigate Mr. C, Mair Steelwill's location. Not only that, but I also informed Queen Eve about this information so she could order her subordinates to investigate Viscount Steelwill and his family.

Linda and Jane also returned from their vacation and began to work in the mansion again, helping Vivian to hold a small tea party with people I knew very well, such as Alesia or even Emilia, almost every day.

I also stopped by the same store where I ordered the green gem for Tristan's engagement ring to order another one with a blue gem with a similar design for Eliza.

Honestly, I took my time a lot, only lazing around, and didn't even attend the academy. Emilia asked me whether I was bored with the Academy and her because I didn't visit her often, but no. I was just preparing for something as I waited for news from Beatrice. But I made sure she felt loved that night.

During that time, I also visited the church again to check on Ertha's condition. I didn't find the monster or someone who cursed her. It was still mysterious who did that and for what reason. Alesia also didn't know anything, as her eyes never watched the church out of respect.

For safety reasons, I gave her a magic item that could protect her from any curse or physical attack. It worked as long as she fed it with 5MP, and the effect would last for 10 minutes. That would be enough for her to contact me or someone else.

The church's shadow squad also investigated it but got no result. It seemed like our mysterious attacker this time was really skilled and hidden.

I went to the training ground on the same day and brought my knight squad to train outside.

Rania had established her position as my vice-captain because she won the duel against Tristan. But the latter didn't really mind that much because we would get engaged soon, and she showed a smug smile to my masochistic sister.

Tristan and I power-leveled them. They only needed to land a hit on monsters, and I would kill it in one go. Training their newly founded power could be left to Rania, as she definitely was experienced in something like this.

As a result of the five days of grinding, Rania's Level increased by 1, while Sophia increased by 2. Lea and Natasha hit Level 30, making them enter the level of experienced knights. They couldn't believe their Leveling speed and were happy about it.

Sandra and the twin nuns hadn't returned yet to the mansion. The job of protecting and taking care of the garden fell on Garcia and the two maids, respectively.

Of course, I gave Garcia a barrier magic item; she only needed to maintain it using her MP, nothing too fancy.

I also lent her Scylla, the tentacle monster, to help her if there was any intruder. The tentacle girl was strong enough as she had recovered her energy. If I needed to Level her, she was already as strong as a Level 70 Knight with Lv 6 skill in Swordsmanship.

On the afternoon of the sixth day, before I headed to the Royal Castle to train the Princes, I received a communication from Beatrice while having tea with Vivian.

Gesturing to Vivian that I needed a bit of silence because someone was contacting me, I put my hand on the blinking gem of my earring to take the call after she nodded. As soon as the gem glowed a bright light, an excited voice rang from it.

(Master! Eve told me she has decided on her coronation!)

Finally!

I wasn't in a hurry and could wait for another month while influencing her slowly using Beatrice and her sons, but it was great that she finally decided on that.

"Alright. I will visit at 3 P.M. to teach Prince Thomas and Prince Edison. Tell me the details after I finish."

(Yes! Fufufu, I did my best to make her make up her mind.)

"Yeah," I grinned, leaning my back against the chair, "You did a great job. See you later."

(See you later~)

The gem in my left earring dimmed slowly, and I lowered my hand.

"Who is that, Arthur?" Vivian asked curiously. "Do you have something urgent to do?"

"Hmm, something like that." I hummed and drank the remaining tea in my cup. "I am sorry, but I can't accompany the tea party until the evening, Madam."

Clink!

Vivian put down the cup she held on the table and smiled softly.

"Don't worry about it, Arthur. Cecil will return soon from her shopping with Eliza and have tea with me. You can go and see the Princes. Oh, please send Queen Eve my regards. It's been a long time since we met and had a tea party together. I remember when she was still a Princess and I a student."

She giggled elegantly with her mouth hidden behind her gloved hand. So Vivian knew Queen Eve? I meant... their ages were similar, and both of them were famous as a flower and a butterfly of the society.

And the similarities also lay where both of them knew Alesia. Vivian was the headmistress' student, taught privately by her. The Queen also seemed to know the old elf. It wouldn't be strange if they attended the Royal Academy at the same time.

I nodded at Vivian and smiled playfully, "I will relay to the Queen that the flower of the society had given her regard."

Her face flushed red slightly from my teasing, "Don't say that. I am already an old woman. Rather, how did you know about that name?"

"Hahaha, Royal Castle has some interesting people talking about various things," I answered with a white lie, making Vivian's face turn redder.

Even if she called herself an old woman, she was still beautiful and had a rather innocent reaction. She made me promise not to call her by that name anymore with an excuse that someone else should've gotten that name already after she retired from the society party after her marriage.

I promised her not to call her that again before heading inside the mansion to change my clothes. While my Paladin uniform was formal clothes that were fit to be worn to meet Queen Eve, that was not what I would wear this time, as my goal was to teach Prince Thomas and Prince Edison.

So, I chose to wear the black shirt and pants given to me for the Annual Tournament instead. It made me look like a fitness instructor.

Readying myself, I waited for the time to arrive while planning on what I would teach them. Queen Eve probably wouldn't be there this time, as she would prepare for her coronation. Grand Marshal Garland was a different story. He probably would watch what I taught the Princes and learn himself.

As I noted the training menu for 15 and 13-year-old Princes on a paper, I nodded to myself. It was perfect for a start. I would also use <Appraisal> on them to see their <Swordsmanship> Lv before actually letting them learn my technique.