Chapter 9:A New Beginning

Jasmine walked out of the room after having the longest bath of her life. She wore a white dress which had been arranged by housekeeper Albert. She was on her way down the stairs but stopped when her eyes fell on a crowd of people who were busy doing their chores. She remembered what housekeeper Albert had told her the night before. She was flabbergasted as she did not expect this many people. She also noticed her dress looked the same as theirs. It seemed like it was some kind of uniform for Lord Deimos' workers. As expected of the infamous lord of lords. 

She headed down slowly without making a noise. When she stepped on the last stair, a fair young lady walked on her way and stopped in front of her. 

She bowed respectfully and said, "Goodmorning, my Lady."

"Morning to you too."

"My name is Cora. I was assigned by housekeeper Albert to tend to you."

"Thank you, Cora. My name is Jasmine. You can just call me Jasmine."

Cora smiled at her like she had found her long lost treasure and nodded.

"This way my la...I mean...Jasmine."

Jasmine smiled back at her and followed her quietly. She was taken to a dining table which was to the right side of the hall. Cora guided her to a chair, and Jasmine sat down obediently. Breakfast was served and as expected, it was a sumptuous meal she would never have eaten in her lifetime. There was a plate full of dumplings, baked bread with and some few things were added to it which did not recognize. Those were the two dishes she knew the others she had never heard of nor seen them. She started eating eager to taste each dish. She was a foodie and only her close ones knew that. Cora excused herself and went back to work.

Jasmine was left alone in the dining table. All her life she had never dined alone. She always had her parents or her best friend, Laris, with her. She wondered how Laris was fairing after she left without any explanation. Whether she was accepted as a palace maid or not. She had zoned out to not notice someone appear in the room.

"Is the food not to your liking?" a voice she was now familiar with asked surprising her. 

She turned her head sideways and saw the mighty Lord Deimos standing on her left side. She blinked her eyes twice to be sure she was not daydreaming. She thought he had left since the workers were already in the mansion and housekeeper Albert told her, the man loved his peace.

"Why are you here?" she asked unconsciously, then realized how absurd her question sounded. It was his house, and he could be there whenever he wanted.

"Why shouldn't I be here?" Deimos asked bending towards her. His face was so close that Jasmine could hear his even breathing. Her heart leaped and started beating faster than usual. Her heart had been reacting a lot since she met him that she feared it would stop beating one of these days.

"I thought you already left. Please don't mind my words, my Lord," she said looking back at him.

"So, where should we begin?" Deimos said as he took a seat next to her.

Jasmine blinked her eyes in confusion, her gaze still fixated on him as if they were asking what he meant.

Deimos let out a dry chuckle as he leaned his head on the chair.

"You don't think you came on a vacation here, do you?" he asked staring at the roof his eyes blazing with a certain emotion.

"You did not specify what my task would be," Jasmine said feeling a bit worried what she would be doing. She just hoped it was something doable.

"That's why am here!" He said standing up from his seat. "We are starting your training right away, and I'll be training you personally."

Jasmine almost choked on the tea she was drinking. She stood up and faced Lord Deimos for more explanation.

"What training? Aren't you supposed to be busy with the kingdom's matters?" she asked not realizing her bold questions. She was not used to holding back her thoughts and doing so now was really hard.

Deimos step closer to her and said, "Am neither the king nor anyone's servant, little dove. As for training, I thought about it and it's only logical since you want to be a warrior. If you can survive both training and being my personal maid at the same time, then I'll grant one thing you want."

Jasmine's eyes lit up. She already knew what she wanted. She would do whatever he wanted.

Little did she know she had fallen right in a trap. This is what Deimos wanted without making her suspicious. He needed to make her stronger. If the immortality essence forcefully entered her weak body, then she would die, and he did not want that. Maybe not yet.

"Can we start now?" Jasmine asked not able to hide her excitement.

Deimos looked at her from top to bottom then shook his head.

"These clothes won't do. Follow me."

He left the dining room and Jasmine followed him impatiently ready to start with the training.

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After half an hour, Jasmine was standing in the training ground, behind the mansion, sulking as she stared dagger at the ruthless man. She was wearing a heavy metal armor which was chosen by him and holding a heavier sword which was also chosen by him. She could barely move with those things. She wondered if this was really training, or he was punishing her.

Deimos felt satisfied watching her angry red face burning under the raising sun.

"If you can't handle these little things then how do you expect to enter a battlefield?" he asked restraining the smile that was threatening to form on his lips.

Jasmine stood up and straightened her body. "Who said I can't handle these little things. Just wait and watch," she said as she used all her strength to swing the sword in her hands.

BAM!!!

Jasmine held her back as a groan left her mouth. A painful expression was all over her face as tears threatened to fall from her eyes.

"Am still waiting and watching," Deimos said standing before her.

He stretched his hand and helped her to stand up.

"The sword is too heavy, and I have never worn an armor before," Jasmine said cleaning the dust off her face.

"You need to get used to it."

"But I can start with something lighter. Even if it's a change of the sword."

Deimos sighed and gave her a lighter sword from his collection.

"You can use that for now." He took another sword and swung it looking at her wickedly. "Let's see what you got, little dove." With that he matched towards her.