The Crown's Shadow [5]
Returning to his abode, Damien was greeted with a lot of stares.
'I must have been gone for some time.'
His assumption was entirely wrong. Since these experts were able to hide their emotions, they didn't show anything, but they were feeling something inexplicable from Damien.
If he was their equal before he left, he was clearly superior now. It was to the point where those who didn't speak to him as often were hesitant to even watch his training anymore.
He was an Emperor while they were merely nobles. That was the difference they felt.
It was almost disrespectful to thoughtlessly interfere with the training of someone like him.
None of them liked the feeling that invaded their hearts, but they couldn't deny it.
The few who did converse with him regularly came up and said a few words as they always did, but there was a subtle distance in their interaction that Damien felt clearly.
'I guess it isn't necessarily a bad thing.'