Lady Catherine and General Rosa

It was six in the morning when Alex decided to barge into my room, with, of course… a spare key in hand to unlock the door whenever I refuse to open it… and decided to ruin my slumber this early.

The weekend finally came, but as what I learned from my past experiences…even on weekends, I never get to have my weekend off. Yet, that's fine with me. I already did enjoy my past rest days.

Alex gave me again the threat that if I do not get up from my bed right this instance, he would surely swing me out of it with a flicker of his magic skills.

"Alright! Give me a moment to get up!" I muttered while I forced myself out of the bed and looked at him. "Now, get out while I prepare myself."

The heartless, cold jerk only rolled his eyes in response and went out of the room. As for me, I started to go towards the shower room.

---

As soon as I was done changing myself into the prince's clothes prepared by Lancelot, I immediately went towards the office where I will be meeting my three mentors.

Like the usual scenery, Lancelot and Lucas greeted me with their bright smiles plastered on their faces while Alex frowned and complained about how long I got here.

"Try to smile sometimes. It will help you calm your nerves." I said in response which pissed him off.

The other two lads only chuckled at that.

So far for today, with the past few training sessions I had with Lancelot, I somehow managed to remember all the necessary table etiquette. Without further supervision, I was able to know which spoon to use, fork, knife, etc.

Plus I already partially mastered the art of eating with poise, grace, and beauty like the archbishop.

As for the speech training, I can now construct my own speeches on the spot. I really don't know how, but ever since that fateful day when I gave my impromptu speech in front of the citizens of Cordova, I improved in this field drastically… according to Lucas.

For the fencing part, well… I am still learning the art of using the sword and how to utilize it properly in battles. Thinking that I already got this, Lucas was a little hard on me when we did a little training exercise and almost knocked me off the ground.

But he's got really quick reflexes and managed to catch me in his arms super fast.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern is truly evident in his tone right now.

Feeling awkward about our position, with me still depending on his broad arms supporting my back while our faces were only a few inches apart, I felt my cheeks instantly turn bright red.

"Y-yes. I-I'm fine!" I mumbled then quickly pulled away from him, being careful not to be hit by his sword which was placed on his other hand.

"Again… but I will go easy with you this time," he said. And we indeed continued our training exercise.

And at last, I've finally come into my training sessions with Alex, my demonic mentor. It was nearly ten in the morning when we began our training.

"I heard your magic skills test is fast approaching?" Alex suddenly brings up the test that I was so worried about these past few days.

"Y-yes. And I don't think I'm ready for it yet."

"Of course you are not yet ready! You're still a dummy after all."

Ouch! And here I thought Alex had changed a bit and would have said some words that would somehow comfort me.

But I guess, he would never change--

"That's why I'm here…" Alex continued, when I thought he already dropped the matter. "... to help you pass the test."

I was stunned for a bit the moment I heard his remark… like I just felt my heart skipped a beat for a split second before it went to its normal pace.

"Well, are you going to stand there or what?"

Alex's demanding tone immediately snapped me out of my thoughts and was surprised he is not standing in front of me anymore but already distanced himself. I will be performing the four basic spells to summon the four basic elements of magic.

"Ah, right! I'm so sorry about that!"

"Dummy."

After getting insulted for a moment, I hurriedly tried to focus and forget all the things that can easily distract me.

As I was about to chant my first spell, the doors of the prince's office suddenly opened, and in came Lucas, who went out for a while. He looks like he is in some kind of hysteria as his chest moves up and down… like he hurriedly ran his way just to get here as quickly as he could.

Lancelot, who was seated on a chair in front of the desk, looked at the troubled lad and asked, "What seems to be the matter, Lucas?"

"I saw Lady Catherine and General Rosa's carriage coming this way! They decided to visit the prince unannounced!" Lucas announced, still panicking.

Upon hearing their names, I did not miss the chance to see Lancelot's face tensed and Alex's eyes widened

O...kay?

It did not take long before the two lads composed themselves, quickly recovering from the shock. Lancelot showed his friendly smile as usual.

"Very well. Let them in and tell them to wait for a little while we prepare the prince."

With that being said, Lucas was off to greet the sudden visitors while closing the door behind him. The moment he left, I turned towards Lancelot and Alex with my forehead puckered and my brows snapped together.

"Who is this Lady Catherine….and General Rosa?"

No one from them responded to my question quickly, but after a few seconds of remaining silent… It was Lancelot who did the talking.

"Lady Catherine is the second princess of King Richard from the ally kingdom of Malcedonia. And General Rosa is her personal bodyguard… and, well, my past schoolmate."

"Ahh, another annoying fangirl of the prince." I heard Alex mumbled more to himself than to us.

"Let's go, shall we? They might be waiting for too long now." Lancelot quickly added, yet he himself is not pleased to go out of this office himself.

Judging by their looks and reactions just now, it seems that these two gentlemen have something to do about those two royal visitors we have today...