Chương 39: Chapter Thirty Eight: Hello, Mediak? Mother explain.

This is not what I expected. I said no nobles or apostles. Did they pick this man off the street? Also, why is he tied up and gagged? Across from my tiny form was an average-looking man with a scruffy chestnut, salt, and pepper beard. He was tied up with a long white rope, and a handkerchief blocked his protesting mouth. Sitting next to me was my mother, who calmly drank a glass of red wine while watching the scene before us. He murmured again, and Niathe flicked a hand in the direction of Maria.

Who smiled mischievously and ripped the handkerchief out of his mouth nonchalantly. He sputtered and gasped for breath. Oh my god, he's old. Old people aren't common here. Nevermind that. This is elder abuse! My jaw continued to remain unhinged until Nanny closed it with a finger. This is not what I ordered. I squeaked, "Mother?" She sounded so pleased with herself when she replied." Yes, rascal?"

"Did you kidnap this man?" Please say no. I silently begged her with my eyes, and she blinked innocently like she didn't just traumatize this man for life. A resounding yes came not only from my mother's own lips but also from the poor soul still tied up in a chair. Why? Why can't she be normal?

"You're welcome, daughter."

"Thank you—" I caught and corrected myself.

"No. No, you can't just kidnap people. That's against the law!" She sounded genuinely curious as she asked,"Which one?"

"..." Knowing Illyria, there probably isn't one. Damn this world. I hung my head in silence while she hummed softly in victory. Mediak started to explain himself anxiously, "Listen—that was several decades ago, and I have repented sincerely! Gracious host, please do me the kindness of—" Niathe interrupted his desperate attempt to rescue himself.

"That's enough drivel. I have a question for you. You will answer with a yes or no. Am I clear?" Mediak's eyes darted wildly around the room. He took a few deep breaths and then nodded. Niathe smiled and parted her lips.

"Take my daughter as your pupil." Maria cleared her throat and coughed lightly. Niathe spared her a glance, fluttered her eyelashes, and rephrased her previous statement into a question.

"Will you take my daughter as your pupil?" Mediak's leg bobbed up and down as he processed that statement. Then his face started to get a bit sweaty. He took a good look at me and Niathe before taking a shallow breath. I think he just realized who she is and, by extension, who I am. He's getting really green. Please don't kick the bucket in that chair it's one of the comfiest in the house, and I don't want your ghost to haunt it. Niathe leaned back in her seat, crossed one leg over the other, and sighed.

"Take your time while you make the right decision." Mediak gulped and licked his dry lips. Wide, light grey eyes stared directly at me and rendered me speechless. I widened my eyes and tried to convey mentally. What do you want me to do? Trust me, I'm not in charge here. Mediak grimaced and started to speak.

"Your royal highness—" She cut him off.

"Yes or no?" His huge eyes widened, and he looked around the room in one final plea for help. Everyone averted their eyes. Sorry man. We just work here. He took another shallow breath and tried to relax his body.

"Yes, Your Highness." His gritted teeth betrayed the false jubilant expression he had painted on his face. Niathe smiled brilliantly, revealing her sharp teeth.

"Then it's settled. Maria call the tailor, and arrange a room for Sir Mediak, and a block in the schedule. I want this done as quickly as possible." Maria responded cheerfully.

"I will have it done and on your desk in the hour. Congratulations, Sir Mediak. Please cooperate with me." If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Niathe nodded in satisfaction and prepared to leave. Her lady's maids surrounded her and supported her to the door. Before she left, she turned around and gave me a wicked smile.

"I'll leave you two to get acquainted." Just like that? It's just settled like that? Then the door slammed closed and left me with my hostage—I mean tutor and Nanny.

"..." Mediak looked away from the door, and his entire face slipped into a deadpan as he stared at me.

"Can it even speak yet?" I blinked, and my head reared back. He's not talking about me, is he? A vein in my neck throbs, and I curb the impulse to curse. I am a noble lady, and I get points off for cursing and being unladylike. I responded with a light smile, "Yes, I speak, and I can hear just as well, Sir." Mediak tilted his head slightly to the side and regarded me with open interest. I met his stare and took in his sloppy appearance in the meantime. A whiff of his consuming marine scent almost rendered me blind.

Where on earth did he accumulate such a smell? His furrowed eyebrows, which matched his scruffy beard and greasy hair, led me to believe he was not too keen on maintaining his appearance. And the clothes… they hung off his frame and were patched. No noble would be caught dead in such clothes. She did fulfill my requirements, but who is this man? Did she fish him out of a drunk tank or something? What is that other smell? I got straight to the point." Who are you?" He scoffed and laughed humorlessly.

Even his beard twitched as he got ready to roar in anger." Who am I? Who am I?! Child—" Nanny intervened." You may address Her Highness properly." He guffawed.

"Alright. Your untitled highness…As you may know, I am the scholar known only as Mediak. My presence here is tantamount to treason! You must release me at once!" I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion and tried to think of why on earth he would think that. Treason? For what? Who does he think he is? It doesn't matter much anyway. Mother and Nanny most likely ironed out the details. I took a deep breath and looked him in the eye.

"Honestly… I have no idea who you are. My first impression of you is less than what might be desired, but you were selected for a reason. Interrupting and attempting to intimidate me will not glean the results you may have in mind. You are now my tutor, and the sooner you accept that. The easier your life here will be." My lips were set into a firm line by the time I finished, and his were quirked into a disbelieving, indignant smile. He sat back in his chair and muttered to himself. There's the stick.

Now, here's a carrot.

"However, I can see how dissatisfied you are with this arrangement…" He lifted his head again, and I softened my face slightly.

"We can discuss a conclusion to this agreement contingent on good behavior." He jumps at the bait.

"One year." I shot that down with a quickness.

"Impossible." I warned him with my eyes not to be greedy. He squinted and started bobbing his leg up and down again. His eyes gleamed, and I knew he was about to hit the waterworks.

"Your Highness, please have mercy on this commoner. Unlike your esteemed self, this commoner is of human birth. As you know, we have such a limited amount of time—" Oh, brother. I rolled my eyes and gave him my offer."Seventeen years, take it or serve indefinitely."

"But—""You have three seconds. One. Two—" He jumped and spoke up."Take it. I'll take it. I want that in writing."

"I'll have it arranged. Nanny, I think we're done here." Nanny smiled and nodded before helping me down off the couch so I could walk out by myself. Mediak stayed seated in his chair, still bound in ropes when I left. Outside, waiting for me, was Kissae and Maria. Maria smiled and did a small curtsy before heading inside. Kissae and my Nanny followed behind me as we headed to my room at a snail's pace. It would've been faster had I not been thoroughly ingrained with manners since my birthday.

Even walking is subject to stupid rules. I rolled my eyes and headed upstairs with some difficulty. Once I was safely back in my room, I immediately questioned Nanny. I mean, she didn't really think I was going to let that slide, right?

"Nanny, who is that man?" She grinned and held out a rag to wash my fingers with. I gave her my hands and whispered a lie.

"Your tutor, of course." I gave her a stern look that refused to lighten.

"Nanny, is he a threat to the family? If not, why does he believe he is?" She gives me a pointed look.

"Do you believe that I would allow such a person to exist in your presence?" I shook my head no. Truthfully, no, I don't. Freesia is someone you'd call a loyalist. Her primary purpose is to ensure the stability and continuation of the royal family. Which is why her becoming my Nanny was such a hot topic in the capital. Someone as important as her is usually assigned to the next heir of the royal crown. I may be high up on the succession list, but I am nowhere near the top.

Azrian, as the crown princess, is the obvious shoo-in for the crown. God forbid anything were to happen to her. I believe she has three children. After them, I have a mysterious uncle, and after him, my mother is next in line. No matter. Moral of the story. Freesia is devoted to the royal family and would never endanger me purposefully. At least for now. She smiled and sighed.

"He is no threat to you or the family. However, he is in hot water due to that game." All at once, the dots connect. Holy shit. He's that scholar? The one who created Fae Strategems at a party. That person? I can see how harboring him might raise rumors of something as serious as treason.

"Nanny, is this really ok? What is father going to say about this?" Nanny blinked and then threw her head back in laughter. I stared at her like a deer in headlights. This is the most unladylike I've ever seen her, and I would be enjoying this if I didn't have very real concerns. The Duke will definitely oppose such a person living in his estate! Mediak is akin to an international criminal. And he's just tied up in my living room. Waiting to be fitted by a tailor. I feel like they skipped so many steps.

Nanny recovers from her laughing fit and reassures me with amusement dripping from her tone.

"Your father has enjoyed quite a few years of…" She struggles to find the word without sounding too disrespectful.

"Self-governance and indulgence. That will soon end, and he will become busy with the affairs of the world. Affairs that he has turned a blind eye to. Affairs that Mediak is more than familiar with. Once that happens, the estate's matters will fall into the right hands." The intention is clear by the end of the sentence. Mediak will become a plant by the Duke's side.

"He's never leaving." As for the right hands... time will tell. She smiles lightly and puts the rag in a basin by my bed. She doesn't need to point it out to me anymore. Everything is in place, and it's time for the fruits of labor to be harvested. A splendid end to an era.