Married To A Traitor General

05

When I entered the room, the sound of mellow chattering instantly stopped. The student-nobles eyed me with their piercing gazes. Again

'This is to be expected.' I comforted myself with these words.

But I can't stop feeling uncomfortable when these penetrating gazes won't leave me.

"This way, Ms. Asteria." Lady Sier spoke as she held her hand out towards that back of the class.

I followed her, ignoring the stares that didn't want to leave.

"This will be your space for the semester, Miss," Lady Sier spoke.

I bowed slightly and muttered a soft thanks which she received with another formal bow. She then stepped back and proceeded to walk to her space in the room.

I sat on the chair as I watched her sit down on her space and burrow her face on her desk.

I put my hand under my chin as I leaned slightly on the desk, observing Lady Sier some more.

This young lady seemed to ignore the things surrounding her and only focused on the things at hand.

Never have I seen her flustered when strong gazes would swept past her sometimes as those nobles tried to catch a glimpse of me.

Her, being this class' representative is a good choice. She carries the words 'responsible' and 'dignified' within her. I think I'm liking her.

A bell rang out of nowhere and the burning gazes flashed on me were diminishing slowly. The students that were inside this room slowly lessened in number. This was when I noticed that there are only ten spaces in this room. And from the looks of it, there are only seven students occupying this room with me as the seventh.

My brows raised as I realized something. Looks like the students that filled the room earlier were here to fawn at the nobles here. Higher ranked, maybe?

Fate seemed to love playing cliche. Five of them were the youths I encountered back at the palace. I've already noticed them as soon as I entered the room but if they don't want to greet me, I can always do the same.

The sixth is the class representative with the eighth being me.

The seventh student is who I presume to be this kingdom's crown prince. I don't know if he's concealing his identity or he just doesn't want to flaunt his status but he's not wearing anything fancy except for the boots he's wearing that's imbued with the kingdom's crest.

I was waiting for them to look for trouble but not even one of them spared me a glance.

A soft sigh of relief was released from my lips. At the very least, no one would bother me at this time.

A short while later, a middle-aged man entered the room. His back was straight while walking. His posture emitted a hint of arrogance or dominance or intimidation.

When he faced us, I could see his slightly wrinkled face that grew with time, as fine as wine.

His eyes caught mine and for a second, I felt like my soul was being eaten up with that deep gaze.

There has only been one person who made me feel that way, my grandpa.

Those eyes. Those were the eyes that reflects the experiences as that clock hand move. It represents the heavy challenges of their youth.

Some time ago, I tried to ask my grandpa about it.

'In time, you'd understand. But I hope your story would be different,' was all he said.

"Ms. Nesrin Asteria," he said, so certain. "I am Rolan Vers, the advisor of Warrior class."

I stood up and curtsied but then my mind suddenly went blank.

'Warrior?'

I suddenly raised my head as I gazed at the instructor with disbelief. My calm facade cracked at this moment.

Who did not hear about the warrior class? It's the kingdom's military defense apprentices. In it is the strongest talent this kingdom has.

But that is not what bothered me more.

Why am I sent to this class? We are feared because we are traitor's, right?

I breathed in slowly to calm myself as I sat down. Thankfully, Mr. Vers doesn't seem to mind my unusual reaction and my fellow students did not glance at me either.

But if this is the warrior class, why is there only eight of us and moreover this lineup is full of fragile nobles.

"If you're wondering why there's too little of you. That's because of the number of students. If one instructor handles numerous students, they won't be able to carefully follow them up one by one," he said.

Right. I remembered that I was in Class 2, so that's what it meant. Maybe that's also why grandpa said that they were not weak. With this kind of class division, the kingdom can ensure that every talent they're producing is crowning the word genius.

If that is so, what's with this fear of us?

I cleared my mind from all of these doubts and questions and proceeded to listen to this gorgeous instructor who did not even bother to introduce my fellow students to me.

"The last mission you've finished was done completely but not very clean. All of you stayed at the Medic room for almost a month. I am very proud." Mr. Vers said. The only thing missing is a sentence that would say, please note the sarcasm.

The seven of them kept their heads down as they listened to the words our instructor said.

"Years of training and your performance is very great. Your cooperation is very formidable. No one can beat it."

Mr. Vers spoke in a low voice. Not happy, not even dull. It was so calm that it sent shivers down my body. Creepy.

I wonder what kind of mission these kids were sent to?

"Herb, you're the team leader. What happened?" It was an empty question. After every mission, a report would be given to the team's adviser and from what their adviser said, their mission has already passed and a month at that. Surely, a report has already been given.

Herb stood up. The prince.

"The full report has been received, Sir!"

My lips curled as I watched how dignified the prince spoke… even with the subtle humiliation the person in front of him is giving.

"Training grounds," Mr. Vers commanded, then he walked out the room.

"Yes, Sir."

I noticed that even when the prince respects the instructor, he does not bow to him. The pride of the royal blood.

They all stood and headed for the door. I watched step out of the room, not missing the faint gaze of that girl, Hunle.

I stood up and followed them out the door when I noticed Lady Sier waiting for me.

She gave me a bow and led me to where the training ground is.

The academy is really huge. Lot's of school buildings and a very wide field of green training ground.

"This is our class' space," Lady Sier said as we stopped in a very grand piece of land.

On the north side is a stand for silver and golden weapons that may vary from whips, swords, daggers, shields, arrows, staffs and some things that I didn't know of.

On the opposite side are comfy benches that are big enough for us to not bother each other.

East side is a small house-like room which as Ms. Sier said, contains a living room, ten bedrooms with their own restroom, and a kitchen.

West side is a… place for snacks and tea.

I know I've readied myself for these kinds of luxury but I can't help but sigh. For bitterness, enviousness, pettiness or because of wastefulness.

I watched them enter the room to change into more appropriate attires.

I followed them with a thought in mind, ' Perks of being a noble.'

°°°

I don't how this became an appropriate dress for battles but I guess this is how the kingdom does this.

The dress is like a robe that reaches your place slightly above your knee but with a more sturdy cloth.

I'm wearing a smokey green one with sage boots.

Hunle is wearing red, her two lackeys are wearing purple and pink… good for them.

Ms. Representative is wearing black.

The boys are wearing normal combat attire. Long pants with combat boots and black shirts.

"Since there are eight of us, let's par in pairs. I hope you did not forget the results of our last mission."

A prince's air of leadership. His voice might be commanding but you will never fail to notice the threat laced within it.

"I'd take Lady Asteria as my partner!" Lady Hunle volunteered.

I was right, that gaze was a provocation, a challenge. Well, I'm not one to back out.

Her lackey's paired with each other, Ms. Rep and the boy with Aqwin, then Aqwin and the prince; the ruler and the traitor. Quite a beautiful story if I may say.

"Uhrm!"

I bent backward when I felt an intense emotion coming from my left.

I lifted both of my feet as I interlocked it with the sword that was aimed for my throat and gave it a twist for the wielder to release it.

I held the ground as I crouched down with my right foot stretched out. My stance is ready for another strike.

"You're good," I should've known.

"Marquis' daughter," I commented. I gazed at the sword out of her hand. "Not bad," I said, my brows raised provocatively.

I can see the annoyance in her face which slowly turned smug.

Suddenly I felt hot everywhere, like everything was on fire, burning.

I watched Hunle smirk when she noticed me being cautious. She lifted her hand in front of me and slowly raised it up.

Out of nowhere, a huge fire surrounded me, the air thinning as I struggled to breathe. It got closer and closer until I could feel it hit my skin, my dress already burned emitting an unusual odor.