BOY IS TOO MUCH OF SOFTIE

**Grace's POV:**

Currently, I am going through the documents about the dukedom. Ever since the death of my husband, it's only been me holding the fort down.

Thinking about my husband, Austin comes to mind. That boy has grown a lot these days. Thinking about him, I remember the report given about his trip outside.

To think Austin wanted to be a bow user, and to think that I didn't know it! To become a bow user to provide support and protection—he's just like his father. Unknowingly, a smile formed on my face.

*Sigh, they are growing up so fast without me even knowing.*

*I need to investigate that woman who owns the shop. Mia had said that her strength might be above origin level 8.*

And that idiot son of mine wants to learn cooking to provide for me. I chuckle a little at this. That boy is too much of a softie.

While I was in my thoughts, I suddenly felt a presence in my room. I jumped up from my seat and started creating a shield.

A person capable of entering the room without my knowledge is not at all simple.

Then I saw in front of me a woman in a one-piece dress and a veil covering her face, giving out a graceful aura.

*She's!!*

I suddenly felt a dreadful feeling as if the world was pressing on me. As a person who had been to the battlefield, I could at once say that I am not at all her match.

*An imperial.*

Coming to my conclusion, I became more respectful. An imperial, be it any, are people capable of affecting the world.

"What does an esteemed imperial want from me?" I asked in a respectful tone.

She indifferently waved her hand. "Don't be still. I am not here to kill you or anything."

"I came here to tell you one thing: I wish to take your son as my disciple."

"What!!" I exclaimed in surprise.

*An imperial wants to take my son as a disciple?*

No matter how lax she said it, the very possibility of someone becoming the disciple of an imperial is a very huge thing. Being the disciple of an imperial is basically a rise to the life of a king. It means that you have a chance of becoming an imperial yourself while receiving the protection of an imperial.

I tried to control my emotions by taking deep breaths. After a few minutes, I controlled myself, but my heart was still beating in excitement.

"Why do you want to take my son as your disciple?" Imperials don't just simply take disciples. There had to be something special about them. Just what is so special about my son??

Instead of answering me, she looked me up and down with a questioning gaze.

"You don't know?"

"Know what?"

"That your son has finished his foundation, that he's reached tier 3, and that his plate is rank 10."

Silence...

"Haa, looks like I haven't been sleeping well. I am starting to hear things nowadays too."

"I am not joking, you know."

I froze and looked directly into her eyes as if asking her if what I heard was true, and I received a nod back. This time I was totally floored.

Just when did my child become such a monster??

I took a seat in my chair to get some support. I tried taking control of my emotions by taking deep breaths. After a few minutes, I got my bearings back. To think my son was such a talent, and I didn't know about it. Am I such a bad mother?

Pushing such thoughts away, I started to focus on the topic at hand. An imperial wants to take my son as her disciple. It will grant him protection, and seeing who I am talking to, her character is good too.

"So, does the bow empress think my son has the talent to inherit her bow?"

"Don't worry. Your son's talent with the bow is great too."

Hearing that, I gave out a sigh.

"I have no problem with you being Austin's teacher, but Austin has to agree to it."

"That's no problem."

With that, she disappeared from in front of me. It was only then that I could take a deep breath to calm myself. Then I noticed that I was covered in sweat.

*Dealing with an imperial is no joke. I should take a bath.*

With that, I headed towards the shower.

**Austin's POV:**

"Say ahhhh."

+20 affection.

Right now, I am feeding my little sister and filling in my daily dose of affection points while planning my next move. Suddenly, I felt a pull on my shirt and looked down to see my sister looking at me.

"What is it?"

"U-um, brother, can I sleep with you today?"

"Sure, why not?"

After sleeping with me for the first time, Elda sometimes comes and sleeps with me. It doesn't hurt to have a cute little girl laying in your embrace, so I always agree to it.

It was during this time that I got a summons from my mother, so I headed towards her. Entering the room, there was another person. Yup, it's Eleanor.

*Um, it's time to begin the act.*

When I entered, two pairs of eyes moved towards me. Smiling, I ran into my mother's embrace, giving her a hug.

"What is it, mother?"

"It's nothing. I just wanted you to meet someone."

Saying so, she pointed at Eleanor, who was seated in a chair. "Surprised," I responded.

"What are you doing here, big sis?"

I am pretty sure that I saw my mother's lips twitch when I called her "big sis."

"It's nothing. I just came to ask if you would be interested in learning to use the bow from me."

"Use the bow?"

I turned to my mother, "confused," as if I couldn't understand what she was saying to me.

"Do you know who this big sister in front of you is?" my mother asked.

I shook my head.

"The person in front of you is the bow empress, an imperial."

"What!" I shouted in "surprise."

I turned towards Eleanor, my eyes displaying "admiration" towards her. Seeing this, Grace felt a bit sour in her heart as if her son's love was being slowly sipped away.

Seeing my "admiration," Eleanor smiled. *Good, looks like my disciple knows respect.*

"Are you really the bow empress? Will you really teach me to be amazing as you?" I asked in "excitement."

"If you become my disciple, of course, I will teach you."

I nodded in excitement as if I couldn't wait to take her as my teacher. Seeing me nodding so readily, Eleanor's smile widened.

"Good, then from tomorrow onwards, I will be your teacher."