19 Preparation

As I walk at the side of the river, I remembered what he said.

"This place is forbidden, but you're special and that's interesting."

He doesn't interact much with women? But he does to me? Plus what he said yesterday. Does he find me interesting?

I suddenly felt cold. Of course, he finds me interesting. I told him I replaced Reenste, that I transmigrated, which is really unheard of. That's why maybe he's interested in me. Maybe he finds it entertaining that I said those things to him.

"Erden."

But then again, he gave his name, despite the rumors circulating about him. He even smiled. Does it not mean something. Like friendship? Maybe he's misunderstood or he just didn't have that much time to interact because he's the Emperor's closest confidant.

"AAA! Whatever! Erden you weirdo!" I shouted as I thrown a stone to the lake.

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Somewhere in the Palace, Hue returned with the carriage. After leaving it to the servants, he went to a study room where a man in blue robe is sitting down in a chair as he reads through a couple of documents.

"Greetings, My Lord." He greeted. The Lord just nodded to him.

"My Lord, about the goods and supplies you have me send to Lady Ermyntrude. She refused and said that The Lord didn't have to do this as Lady Ermyntrude said she have her own money."

Hue reported and waited for the Lord's reaction but it just continued with a straight face, but Hue didn't notice the subtle movement from his eyebrows for a moment after continuing to read.

"That aside, My Lord. This was sent from the Palace."

Hue handed out the Red Invitation to the table and the Lord looked at it.

"What was her thoughts about this?" The Lord asked. Hue was caught a bit of guard, but then proceed to answer the question.

"The lady was excited when she received the invitation, then asked if the Emperor would attend." Hue answered.

There was a cold glint in the Lord eyes as he heard the answer. He put down the document in his hands then dismissed Hue. The lord looked at the invitation then took out a jade ring in his pocket that is wrapped in a white clothe.

"Are you really set to be with the Emperor?"

The Lord asked whispering it to the wind before turning off the lamp to his side.

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After venting out some frustrations on the lake, I called the kids to check on their condition and also to know more about them since I haven't really got their names yesterday.

"I am Ava and this is my twin sister Eva, my lady. We are happy to be in your guidance." Said the twin with the longer hair. They are both really identical besides the fact that Ava have longer seemingly chestnut colored hair than Eva. Plus I noticed their personality, Ava is more assertive and direct, she gives me a vibe about her fierceness and wit. While Eva is more gentle and quiet, she gives me vibes that she's passive yet observant. They contradic each other on the first glance but perfect for match each other for support.

They both look frail, but Ava is a lot more skinnier than Eva, I can tell Ava really looks after her sister to the point of giving something up for herself just to give to her sister Eva. Their hands have bruises and callouses, pale skin and face, malnutrition body, overall they really need to eat more before proceeding to train.

"My lady, I am Agni the eldest." The little guy said and bowed. I noticed something in his left neck area a seemingly red birthmark on it going upward to his lower jaw. He didn't looked frail as much as the girls do, but for a growing boy, he needs more than just building up muscle. He has tan skin, probably working a lot under the son since a guy servant works outside more. Personality, he gives off the feeling of strong willed kid. Pretty stubborn too, I noticed it yesterday when they're arguing about who gets the last piece of chicken wing.

"I am Aspen, the second Brother, your Grace." Now this kid is a bit lighter skinned, but not to light like the girls, I checked his neck for birthmark but he doesn't have any besides a mole below his right eyes. It doesn't look hideously big, just enough to give charm to his overall face. About his personality, he clashes to Agni about certain things, he's more of a scheming type of person. He thinks things through to get what he wants like how he got the chicken yesterday by utilizing his words to make Agni give it up and compromise. Pretty good actually, as Agni was really stubborn to get that chicken wing.

"I'm Elvio, the youngest, my lady." If I weren't as keen in seeing body structure or movement, I would have thought that Elvio is a girl. He has a bright skin and face. His eyes are sparkling bright like it hasn't seen anything bad in this world. He has a long light brown hair in contrast to his brothers having a chocolate shade of brown hair. He's a bit slender and he's action are more refined comparing to Agni and Aspen, even Ava.

I looked at the five of them, Eva and especially Ava, needs to be nourished first before I can even have them to train. Agni, Aspen, and Elvio, well I should just let Elvio be nourished too before he can train with Agni and Aspen.

"Agni and Aspen. Try to attack me. If one of you can land a hit on me, I'll give you both a whole chicken for yourself." I said and positioned myself in the middle. We're currently at the center of the courtyard where it is open but private enough so I can teach them freely.

"But my lady, that is--" Aspen was about to speak when Agni shouted and came forward to attack.

"FOR CHICKEN!!" I chuckled when I heard what Agni shouted. He came forward with his fist trying to struck my left side, which I easily avoided by stepping to the right then turning myself to him, but not completely ignoring Aspen to my side.

"Agni you idiot! I was thinking of a plan!" Aspen shouted then stepped forward to me with a kick to my right side. Which again, I just avoided easily by stepping forward then twirled to face them. I muy say that Reenste really did trained hard. Although comparing to my experiences before, training wise, former host of this body beats me, but in fighting experience? I think I have a lot comparing to Reenste. Now that I am in her body and witj my knowledge and memory from all the fighting I had, it's perfect. Although of course, I need to train too as to assimilate Reenste's knowledge to mine.

Agni and Aspen took turns on attacking me. I struck them time to time, but not much, just to give them a little nudge and also to asses there endurance and reflex. They have a bit of basics in them, like just teenagers throwing kicks and punches here and there, but they got the flexibility and strength right. I think for a month of constant training, I can get them to master the basic of Reenste's routine for them to have solid foundations.

"Go!" Aspen shouted and Agni attacked coming from the front, then Aspen got to my back preparing. I smiled as they finally thought to work together after an hour of trying.

Agni attacked using his both fist aiming for both my shoulder, while Aspen is aiming at my legs using a quick sweep from the right. I quickly bend down and used my right hand to cartwheel away. Halfway through, Aspen stopped his sweep to the right and tried to kick my right hand, but I landed my left hand and raised my right hand before kicking them both. Agni in the stomach and Aspen on the face.

I landed on my feet and they are both knocked out to the ground.

"Wow! That's amazing, my lady!" Ava said and enthusiastically clapped. Eva was staring as if she can't believe what just happened, while Elvio has his eyes sparkling as he looks at me.

"My lady! You guys!" We looked at Rory who just arrived from being summoned by the Matron of the Palace regarding about the goods in each house. The real ones.

"My lady, why haven't you prepared for--for the banquet? And why---" I felt a small thud on both my calves.

"Hit.." Aspen and Agni said as they weakly punched me to my calves then passed out. I chuckled then looked at the distressed Rory.

"Prepare two whole roasted chicken for them and I'll get ready." I said and looked at the two kids lying down.