Unwanted Guest, Unwanted Training

I woke up with one goal in mind.

Sleep more.

Unfortunately, the universe had other plans.

I heard voices outside my door, low and serious—a sound that never augured well.

"Are you certain about this?" my mother's calm, measured voice asked.

"I have my orders, Duchess Ravenshade," came the reply from outside.

That voice was all too familiar.

Before I could process my growing sense of doom, the door swung open. My mother entered first, dressed elegantly as always, her crimson eyes appraising me as if deciding whether to spare me a warning or let fate run its course.

Then, behind her, Princess Selene Draconis stepped in, smiling with an almost irreverent cheer that made my stomach twist.

I sat up slowly, blinking away the haze of sleep.

"Good morning," I managed.

Selene tilted her head, returning a playful smile. "Good morning, Averis."

I frowned. "...Why are you here?"

My mother exhaled softly, as if the situation itself were an unexpected intrusion.

"The Emperor ordered Selene to leave the palace for a few weeks," she explained.

I frowned. "Why?"

Selene grinned. "Oh, you know—assassination attempts, demonic attacks, political chaos."

I stared at her. "...That's not exactly 'usual.'"

Mother sighed and said, "There was a coordinated attack on the Imperial Palace last night. The demons targeted both the Emperor and Selene."

That made me pause.

Even the Frost Raven, perched silently by the window, flicked its icy feathers in amusement.

> ["Well. That escalated."]

I rubbed my temples. "So your solution was to send her to my house?"

Selene, settling on the edge of my bed with an air of casual nonchalance, replied, "Obviously. It's the safest place I could think of."

I scowled. "...We live in the North. It's cold, full of monsters, and my father is terrifying."

"Exactly," Selene replied, her tone light as she shrugged.

I turned to my mother, a note of pleading in my voice. "Isn't there anywhere else she could go?"

My mother gave a calm, diplomatic smile that only made me more nervous.

"The Emperor allowed Selene to choose where she would stay. She chose us."

I blinked and slowly turned back to Selene.

"...Why?"

She tilted her head, her smile playful. "Because it's fun here."

Fun.

FUN, she said.

I tried again. "You could've gone to the Duke of Solheim's estate. Or the Verdantia Duchy. Or literally anywhere else in the Empire."

"Those places aren't as fun," she replied simply.

I sighed in defeat. Then, glancing to the window, the Frost Raven cawed softly:

> ["She has won. Accept your fate."]

---

Carriage Ride Back to the Ravenshade Estate

Before I could muster another word, I found myself crammed into a carriage. I sat stiffly across from Selene, while Mother quietly read beside me, utterly unfazed by my inner turmoil.

I eyed Selene again.

"...You're really staying with us?" I asked.

She hummed, "What, staying at your estate?"

"Yes."

"Obviously."

I groaned. "This is a terrible idea."

Selene smirked. "For you, maybe."

The Frost Raven let out a mocking chuckle.

> ["You attract suffering. It is your destiny."]

I wanted to argue, but after all that had happened over these past months, perhaps the bird had a point. Mother finally glanced up from her book, her crimson eyes shifting to Selene.

"I have no objections to your stay," she said smoothly, "but I do wonder—why not Verdantia? Your mother and my sister are close."

Selene leaned back and grinned broadly. "Because Verdantia is too peaceful. My aunt would have me drinking herbal teas and meditating all day, and that's simply not my style."

I frowned. "And that's a bad thing?"

"Yes," she said flatly.

I sighed in defeat. Mother chuckled softly, looking between the two of us. "Then, I suppose we will be your hosts for the time being."

Selene beamed triumphantly.

I knew, in my soul, that this was only the beginning of my suffering.

---

Arrival at the Ravenshade Estate & Sir Garret's Intervention

The moment we arrived at the estate, I felt a brief, fleeting moment of peace—about five seconds, to be exact. Then, like a punch in the gut, I saw Sir Garret waiting, arms crossed and smirking as if he'd been waiting for this moment all along.

"...Why do I feel like I'm about to suffer?" I muttered.

Sir Garret clapped a heavy hand on my shoulder.

"Because you are. Training grounds. Now."

I recoiled. "I just got back!"

"And you just woke up. Perfect timing."

I turned to Mother, my last hope for mercy. She offered a polite, inscrutable smile and said nothing.

Betrayal, I thought.

Selene, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow. "Oh? This should be fun."

I glared at her. "Why are you still here?"

"I live here now, remember?" she replied breezily.

I groaned.

The Frost Raven laughed outright.

> ["You may be doomed, but at least it's entertaining."]

I exhaled sharply. "Fine. Let's get this over with."

---

Training – The Dance of Suffering Begins

In the frost-bitten courtyard of the estate, Sir Garret stood before me, his expression as unyielding as the cold stone beneath my feet.

"Before you start swordsmanship, you need to master the basic footwork of the Ravenshade family," he commanded.

I nodded. "Understood."

It was just footwork, right? How har—

"Now, move."

I stepped forward, and my legs immediately betrayed me. I nearly tripped over my own feet, catching my balance only by sheer luck.

Selene snorted from the sidelines.

"Wow."

I shot her a glare. "You didn't have to come watch this."

"Of course I did."

Sir Garret ignored us both. "Again."

I inhaled deeply, focusing on the rhythm of my steps—step, shift weight, move back. Slowly, my movements began to feel a fraction more natural.

Selene grinned teasingly. "Averis, are you sure you're not actually an old man trapped in a child's body?"

I grumbled but kept my focus.

Step. Shift weight. Move back.

Gradually, the clumsiness gave way to a slightly smoother motion.

Sir Garret nodded once, barely visible, and then said, "Good. Again."

I exhaled. This was going to be a long, long day.

---

End of Chapter 32