I stared at the Sanctum, smiling. It was perfect down to the tiniest details. Thyrian moved around in the glassy tank, and I moved closer, admiring his silver tail shimmering from the light's reflection, circling around the tank. I placed my hands on it, carefully tracing his every motion with my hands. He moved closer, also placing his hands in the same spot, matching my pace. It felt like we were dancing hand in hand, it made my heart flutter…
After we had circled the entire tank, I turned and stared straight at the Architect. "It can't be broken, right?" I asked, and he hummed in understanding.
Veyra moved closer. "I've never seen anything like this!" he muttered, staring at it in awe. "Yeah, it's amazing, I even placed it in my personal study so I could watch Thyrian as I work."
"Can it be moved too?" I asked, and the Architect stared blankly at it for a while before flashing a low smile. "Of course, Young Duke, it can, but it won't be easy!" he said.
Tomorrow I was to leave for the academy. I had already asked the maids to pack my things and gather all necessary essentials, but I also needed to move my merman, he won't be able to move on land, so he needed water…
"I want him to be moved to Beast Bond Academy in a comfortable manner!" I paused and stared at the Architect. "Can it be done?" I asked again, and he placed his hands on his temples, massaging them, seeming to be in deep thought.
"Okay!" he said. "But really, why now go to the academy, Young Duke? It's really inappropriate for an older lady like you, shouldn't you be chasing other ventures?" and my eyes darkened. Even my beast-men glared at him with dissatisfaction. I watched as he bowed down respectfully, fearful of what he had brought upon himself. My reputation for being a mad tyrant had really spread far within the kingdom and empire, just a look and he was scared.
"Learning never ends. Besides, who would dare deny me my right to learn?" I asked and turned to stare at Thyrian.
"I would love to see anyone who'd dare to get on my bad side at Beast Bond Academy, maybe then they'd know why I was called the mad tyrant," I said in a terrifyingly calm voice.
He didn't say a word at first and only gently raised his head. "No one would dare." "Licking my boots as always," I said inwardly, and rolled my eyes.
"Are you perhaps scared of me, Architect? Afraid of what I could do, afraid to see how much weight my words actually hold? Lick my boots!" I said, and he choked on his own saliva.
"I dare not," he said, but my smirk had stretched far and wide. "Would you rather have your tongue cut off?" I said and watched as his soul gradually left his body.
He gradually got on his knees, preparing to actually lick them. "I hate uninteresting people, you're no fun, I expected more of a fight, sigh… you may rise, but next time be more careful with your words or it won't end with just licking my boots," I said and gently walked to my table to retrieve a sketch I had made previously. I had used my spare time to prepare for moving. I walked closer to him, placing it in his hands. It was a drawing detailing how to properly move Thyrian's tank.
I watched as he stared, and his eyes, formerly filled with dread, brightened with amusement and intrigue.
"How did you think of this?" he asked, trailing every line. I knew this would pique his interest, but it was nothing important. It was just a drawing of a basic pool structure. I had already chosen a room at the academy, I wanted a pool by the side of my room so I could watch Thyrian.
"Well, I had a vision and decided to bring it to life. Besides, it's a good, comfortable living structure for my beast-man," I said, and he smiled for the first time.
"Very good, Miss. May I ask if you would want to learn architecture? Your drawings, the structure, the details, they are very good!" he said, and I laughed.
"I'll think about it!" I replied, but I really did need architecture lessons? Although I was the Duke's daughter, my allowance was basically covered by my mother. I don't know what is coming in the later chapters, as the original villainess never survived to this day… my allowance could be cut. Having another source of income could be a good thing, so I better give it some thought.
"Apart from that, we are done here. I already sent the written address of my personal room at the academy to your assistant. I do hope it can be done in a week." My voice was seemingly calm but carried a very threatening aura. He froze hearing my words, trembling.
"Young Duke, I'm afraid this job cannot be finished in that time. Although it's exciting to try something this unique and I would hate to disappoint you, but with the current personnel on hand, just the equipment for the structure might take a month to build," he announced, and I paused for a second.
"Then use high-ranking craftsmen. I'll pay in coins and expensive jewelry," I said, and he froze at my words and stared at Thyrian. All for a beast-man? I could see that look in his eyes. The air felt thick, and Ryker made a step forward.
"You prepared so much. He must be your favourite!" he said slowly, but I could feel the sadness in his voice and the weight to his words. My eyes sharpened. "Are you perhaps jealous?" I asked, taking a step closer to him while my index finger roamed around his shirt. He stared, frozen.
"Ahem," the Architect cleared his throat. "Then I'll get to work and inform you when it's ready!" he said and walked out…
I stared for a while, admiring. To be honest, the Architect was the one character I loved in this novel. He was smart and had taken Elowen as his apprentice later in the novel. I wanted to snatch such a rare opportunity; I could learn a lot… I didn't plan on staying idle here and dealing only with scheming men and villains.
Before I realized it, Veyra was standing between me and Ryker. "Huh? How did you get here so fast?" I asked, still in shock, and heard Ryker's retreating steps as he left the room.
"Let's go back to eating," Veyra's words snapped me out of my thought, but I shifted my gaze to Thyrian. His bright eyes bored into mine, and I shook my head. "I'll stay behind for a while. Best to send me the dish, I'll eat them while they're hot… you can keep me company too," I said and watched his eyes smile, his lips parted.
"You really do pamper Thyrian a lot! Than the rest of us," he said and turned to walk off…
Wait! Was that jealousy or what? "I pamper all of you the same way, Veyra… same way!" I yelled as he walked out, and yeah, I saw that subtle smirk.
"Master, am I really your favourite?" Thyrian's voice came from behind… wait! His lips didn't move. Did he mindlink with me or what?
"You aren't hearing things, Master. I can tell you stuff with my mind," he said, and I gasped. How did I forget? He could, even in the novel…
"Why aren't you talking in the water? Can't you breathe?" I asked inwardly, and he chuckled.
"I'm a merman, master. Breathing underwater is my thing," and I nodded in understanding.
I reached for my desk, trailing my hands on the works I had written down…
"Am I your favourite, Master?" he asked again suddenly, and I froze.
"Of course you are. You are my strongest beast-man, and my cutie pie," I replied inwardly… I didn't realize his cheek went red hearing my words…
And in that split second, I felt a magnetic pull. Like I was being dragged by an unknown force. I teleported…
…and gasped inside the water, reaching the surface…
He teleported me into the sanctuary. Before I could say a word, his forehead pressed into mine, and I gasped, staring at his silver glowing eyes. My lips parted, doing nothing… I forgot who I was for that split second… he was gorgeous up close.
"Master," he said softly, and I felt my legs tremble.
"Kiss me!"