Chapter 25: Tutoring the Sons of the Gacier Family
....
It had been a few days since the Incident.
Christopher had been placed on strict bed rest by the royal physician, who insisted that the first prince needed proper recovery time if he wished to heal completely. Thankfully, the poison had not spread too deeply through his mana veins, though the palace healers still hovered around him like anxious hens guarding their chick.
Honestly, seeing such a loud person forced to stay in bed all day felt strangely unnatural.
Outside Christopher's room, I sat in one of the palace's common lounges alongside the second prince of Buarheld, Oliver min Gacier. Sunlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the room in a soft golden glow while servants quietly moved around delivering tea and snacks.
Oliver calmly sipped from his porcelain teacup before smiling gently.
"You did well, Lady Shiori."
I lowered my gaze toward my own cup, watching the reflection ripple slightly.
"No, no... it was my fault things turned out that way. I'm just thankful Christopher is alright."
Oliver tilted his head slightly, observing me with quiet interest.
"I'm impressed you're willing to take responsibility for something that technically wasn't your fault."
"It's better to take accountability than constantly shift blame onto others," I replied while taking a sip of tea. "Though I'm not such a pushover that I'll accept fault for things completely unrelated to me."
"I see..." He grinned knowingly.
Silence settled between us for a moment before another thought crossed my mind.
"But I still don't understand something." I frowned. "I get why they kidnapped Chris since he's royalty, but why abduct me too?"
I didn't have any royal status aside from the newly established Ethereal City embassy.
Technically speaking, I was just some suspiciously overpowered nobody who happened to hang around nobles.
Oliver rested his chin on his hand.
"There are many uses for demi-humans. Beast women, especially attractive ones such as yourself, are often targeted for trafficking..." he explained rather casually. "Some are sold as servants. Others... as slaves."
My face instantly paled. The mochi I had been eating nearly slipped from my fingers.
Oh hell naw.
Just then the lounge doors opened. King James Gacier entered with his usual imposing aura, though today he looked oddly relaxed.
"Oh, Lady Shiori. How are you feeling?" he asked.
"Good, thank you..." I smiled politely.
The king sat beside Oliver before suddenly clapping his hands together dramatically.
"So, Lady Shiori! I have a request for you!"
"...Yes?" I replied cautiously.
"I want you to teach Christopher magic!"
I blinked.
"Huh?"
"I know your official role is tutoring general subjects," he continued while rubbing his temple tiredly, "but that boy has been pestering me nonstop to ask you all day."
For real?!
That diva sent his father to negotiate for him?!
"If the first prince wants me to teach him magic," I stated flatly, "then he should ask me himself."
The room instantly became heavy.
"What?" the king narrowed his eyes intimidatingly.
"I'm simply worried," I clarified calmly, "that his pride may stop him from asking for help in the future. That kind of mindset could eventually lead to his downfall."
The king stared at me for several seconds before suddenly exhaling.
"Hmph... well said."
He stood up and inhaled deeply.
"CHRISTOPHER!!!" The entire room shook.
I nearly dropped my teacup.
"MY EARS—"
A few moments later, Christopher came sprinting into the room.
"Father! Did you ask her?!" he panted.
"Christopher," King James said sternly, his voice slightly hoarse from yelling, "if you want something, ask for it yourself."
"But you said you would—"
"Christopher."
The prince froze. He looked genuinely conflicted for a moment before turning toward me.
Crossing his arms with an irritated scoff, he forced the words out.
"P-Please teach me—"
"Is THAT any way to ask for something?!" the king barked.
Says the man weaponizing his vocal cords.
Christopher's ears flattened in embarrassment.
His expression shifted completely. He stepped forward elegantly, one foot slightly behind the other, golden eyes sparkling as a dangerously charming smile spread across his lips.
"Please teach me magic, my lady... meow~"
His cat ears twitched.
I stared blankly.
"Huh?"
Wha—
King James immediately slapped Christopher proudly on the back.
"That's my boy! No one can resist beastman charm!"
Oliver nodded seriously. "Brother, sway your hips more. It emphasizes the tail."
Christopher looked spiritually broken.
"Teach me magic meow~! Strong spells meow~!" he repeated with visible emotional damage.
"The hell is happening?!" I shouted internally
A few days later...
I sighed dramatically while laying face-first across my bed.
"I'm exhausted..."i whined as Mochi patted my head comfortingly.
"Thanks, Mochiko..." i rolled over while staring at the ceiling thoughtfully.
I had been tutoring the princes for over a week now. Oliver was doing wonderfully in both magic theory and academics
Christopher, however...
Had the educational discipline of a raccoon digging through trash. The problem wasn't intelligence.
No.
The problem was that he only attended lessons involving combat or flashy magic. The moment mathematics or politics appeared, he vanished like a fugitive avoiding taxes.
"What do I even do with him...?" I sighed. Mochi made a squeaky noise of agreement.
"Maybe my teaching approach is the problem..."
The next morning, I decided to change tactics. I dressed in a fitted grey vest, a crisp white shirt, black skirt, and gloves. My hair was neatly tied back while my glasses rested perfectly on my nose.
I stared at myself proudly in the mirror.
"Perfect. Now I look like a proper professor."
Pause.
"...A professor that can still throw hands."
Training began outside in the courtyard.
Christopher lunged at me with a wooden sword while Oliver calmly read nearby beneath a tree.
CLANG!
I sidestepped effortlessly. Christopher growled in frustration before charging again recklessly.
Poor guy. If I actually used my real strength, he'd probably challenge me to rematches until the end of civilization.
I parried another strike before intentionally leaving an opening.
THUD!
He kicked me in the stomach. I dramatically flew backward into the nearby river.
"Great job, brother," Oliver praised absentmindedly without looking up from his book. Christopher puffed his chest proudly before suddenly pausing.
"You're strong..." I admitted while climbing out of the water. "But you attack too impulsively. Charging without reading your opponent could get you killed someday."
"Big words coming from the loser," he smirked.
My eye twitched violently.
This little—
"I'll go change," I said calmly while wringing out my soaked hair. "Then we'll continue with basic commerce and mathematics."
Christopher visibly tensed.
Using air magic, I quickly dried my clothes before returning to the study room.
..........
"And that," I explained while writing across the board, "is why you divide the work share by two."
"I get it now!" Oliver nodded brightly.
I smiled proudly before slowly turning toward the empty seat beside him. A tick mark appeared on my forehead.
That brat skipped class AGAIN.
"Excuse me," I said calmly while standing.
The aura around me was not calm.
"If he keeps this up, he'll fail for sure..."
After searching nearly the entire palace, I finally arrived at the stables.
"For someone so loud, he's annoyingly good at hiding..." I muttered tiredly.
The smell of hay and horses filled the air.
Honestly...
I was exhausted.
Maybe just a tiny nap...
I glanced at the pile of hay nearby.
"Five minutes won't hurt."
Christopher's POV
I exited the laundry room quietly before noticing Lady Shiori asleep inside the stable.
"You'll catch a cold sleeping there..." I muttered. She looked surprisingly peaceful while sleeping.
Way less terrifying. My gaze lingered on her face.
"...Damn. She's actually cute."
I froze.Did I seriously just say that out loud?
I cautiously stepped closer before gently nudging her shoulder.
"Hey. Wake up."
Nothing.
Still asleep.
I sighed."Out like a light, huh..."
As she shifted slightly in her sleep, I noticed her skirt had ridden up a little from the awkward position.
Christopher immediately looked away.
Then back.
Then away again.
His brain was clearly fighting for survival.
"Nope. Bad idea."
He took one step backward.
Then another.
Then—
Lady Shiori's eyes slowly opened.
Their gazes locked.
Her eyes drifted downward
Christopher followed her gaze.
His hand was still awkwardly resting near her thigh from trying to wake her up.
Silence.
Deadly silence.
Christopher paled.
"Oh no."
WHAM!!!
Her fist slammed directly into his stomach.
"GAH—!"
Before he could recover, she kicked him straight into a wooden wagon.
"I'M SORRY!" he wheezed painfully.
"Get out of my sight," she growled.
Christopher ran for his life.
Then Shiori blinked. "Oh wait... I still need to teach him."She sighed dramatically.
"What a pain..."
.............
We all sat at the study table as I began my lesson on basic equation and the quadratic formula.
I kept stealing glances at Chris who seemed to be actually trying to understand the lesson.
I guess he must feel bad for his actions...
but after half an hour he was struggling to stay awake.
"Impressive prince Oliver..." I smiled staring at the notes that he took down
"Thankyou Miss shiori" he smiled
I turned to Chris who was scowling. His note were somewhat okay but his intelligence level is definitely that of a delinquent.
"Could you at least try to put in more effort..." I said, my brows furrowing with irritation
"I'm trying my best! I get it! I'm not as smart as my brother and I'm probably a lost cause, no need to rub it in!" He yelled in futstration before storming out the door as I chashed after him.
...
I found him sitting by a tree in the garden.
"I thought I'd find you here..." I said as I approached him, choosing my words carefully.
"I'm nothing compared to my brother" he clenched his fist
"I don't get it, why do you have such little confidence in yourself?"
"Ha! I've been compared to my brother since the moment we were born, no matter what I do I can hold a candle to him. He's more favored by everyone while I'm told I'm just a disgrace to the royal family..." He said with a humorless chuckle
"I think it's more of the matter of what your suited for.."
"Huh and what's that?" He mocked
"Well let's see, sure prince oliver is great at most things but there are a lot of things his bad at as well as you have some qualities In those columns as well there are things we all handle well and thing that we don't..."
He was surprised, "you really think so?" He queried
"Yeah, for example, although your loud and hotheaded, you're also strong, gentle, straight forward and have an unshakable will, not to mention your sword skills, I find such qualities decent for a king" I said with a gentle smile
He was speechless
"With just a little more guidance I'm sure people would see you as I do, just have a little patience" I winked
He thought for a moment before standing up
"Very well! teach me everything you know! Sensei!" He smirks
"Very well!" I smiled proudly as I grabbed his hand and led him back inside not caring for his reaction.
...
I collapsed into bed head first
"I'm so exhausted~" I whined
At least we're making progress, now if only he could learn how to properly manage money.
"Man what a pain~!" I whined turning to mochi who seemed disturbed.
"Sorry. you know I think it's time you get some proper clothes..." I smiled
Ok! Time to prepare for the next pair of lessons!
I pumped my fist in the air with determination
....
The next day I took the princes out for a field trip to the local markets here.
Chris awed at everything as I and oliver giggled at his antics.
"Brother, don't go too far alright" Oliver said following his brother.
"If only his he was this proactive during studying" I sighed as mochi flapped he arms around in agreement.
I heard someone cat calling for my attention, it was a vendor.
"Yes? You're calling for me?" I quired.
"Fine clothes for a pretty lady like yourself, I reckon your from the palace?" He chimed
"Yes I am" I replied cautiously
"Then I've got something for you~" he took out a book and opened it revealing a pair gorgeous silver hairpin with a jade symbol engraved on them.
My eyes awed as I examined the artifact, My eyes suddenly scanned it as I had noticed it had a very sharp end.
{Insight activated}
{Analysis...}
{Object: Lotus poison needle}
{Made by a highly toxic plant, it's toxin can stop mana flow and paralyze enemies. Very rare}
So cool! Plus is lotus themed, prefect for an emmince like myself!
My eyes sparkled with interested but as I stared at the price tag my heart sunk.
"Damn it's too expensive" I whined. Taking down notes to buy them later after I'm done with this job...
"What are you writing?!" Chris asked looking over my shoulder.
"Hey?!" I jolted in surprise.
"What are you writing I can't read it!" He asked trying to study the Japanese note I had scribble together.
"It's my notes so it's only reasonable if i can read it" I said smugly
"As future king I demand you tell me!" He ordered
What a tyrant😒
"There notes of different merchandise sold here" I lied
"Huh? Why are you doing such a thing?" Oliver quired
"Time for a pop quiz! Look over there. That vendor is selling cooking ware for 5 copper coins but in Melvan it's sold for 3 copper coins, Now tell me! How much difference is the two prices for the same commodity?"
"Let's see, oh I know! 3 coins!" Chris answered
"Wrong!" I made an X with my hands
"Is it 2 copper coins?" Oliver said
"Correct! Good job Oliver" I praised
"I knew that!" Chris said with a frown
Of course you did😑
But he is trying, and he seems to want praise as well. maybe if I boost his ego he'll improve in his studies
"You seemed so close though so good job Christopher" I praise, He smiled proudly.
Meanwhile the vendor watched the whole thing with confusion .
....
We were currently in a book shop, I was staring and writing down the books that caught my interest.
One book on average is 2 gold coins, that's 200,000 yen! Damn why are books so expensive...
"What are you staring at the shelf like that?" Oliver asked
"The books here are interesting, but rather expensive" I explained with a defeated expression.
"If you want some books I can buy them for you" Chris said crossing his arms proudly
"Do you even have money?" I rose a brow
"I'll just let father pay for it" he said simply
Knew it! He can't keep depending on his daddy for cash like a spoiled rich boy. But I want the books, I really want the books...
"No thanks...sorry but if you're going to buy gifts for others, then use your own money not the money your parents worked hard for" I replied flatly
"Very well" he replied as he went silent.
Huh?! His quiet? Has karma caught up with him and damage his annoying vocal cords or something?!
As we left the shop and heading home I noticed something up in the sky. It was a large island floating in the sky.
"What the hell is that?!" I quired
"That's just a Migara, there floating islands that roam around the realm. some say it was once housed by a powerful demigod" Chris explained
"Wow! You know a lot! I guess history is one of your strong suits" I smiled
"Of course it is, I like the stories!" He spoke proudly.
"You have a lot to learn lady shiori " Oliver smile"
I stared at the island, it reminded me of the ones I saw in fantasy games.
One day... We'll go and see what's up there, sanemi.....
.....
We had just finished up another lesson for the day.
"I'm done!" Chris beamed as he finished his test, he's surprising a fast learner once he's motivated
"Well done!" I clapped
"Oh right" he walked over to a servant who was holding a small wooden box and took it from her
"This is for you" he opened it revealing the poison hairpin I was looking at in the market.
"How did you -..." I was speechless....
"I talked to father and I asked him to give me an allowance so I now I can buy stuff. You seemed very eager for it so I bought you the hairpin as a thanks for today" he explained.
I tackled the two in a hug as their cheeks flushed pink.
"Thankyou! thankyou! thankyou!" I squealed
"No prob" they blushed heavily, I pulled away with a bright smile on my face.