The Old Duke never imagined that he had a brave granddaughter. He has never been to the palace after his wife's death because of his anger towards the King, and especially he doesn't know how to communicate with his grandchildren. He didn't want to leave his wife because until now he has been mourning and blaming himself for not being with his wife upon her last breath.
The Old Duke never discriminated between genders regarding becoming a commander at the battlefield. He fell in love with his wife because of how brave she was when they met and that martial arts is essential to life. Though he wanted the princess to have a carefree life, as a master of the Blood Sect, he is very proud of his granddaughter.
"Then I am giving you this day as your rest day. You meet me tomorrow morning at the training ground."
"Grandfather, I know—wait. WHAT!!! Grandfather, did you just agree, just like that?" Amishta stared innocently at her grandfather.
"Yes," Old Duke was reminded by his wife and daughter. He can't keep his hand from touching his granddaughter's face. Amishta was stunned but smiled with his grandfather. The Old Duke smiled back.
"You looked like your mother," the old duke almost whispered. Amishta hugged him as if trying to comfort him. The Old Duke couldn't help but shed a tear and wiped it in a snap. Butler Li was the only witness, as Amishta was too happy to realize what just happened.
"Grandfather, I will be a good student." She smiled, but Old Duke had a stern face, which made Amishta curious. They just hugged, but in a moment her grandfather distanced himself. She mentally asked herself if she did or said anything wrong.
"I will not be lenient to my disciple. Since you've accepted me as your teacher, then expect a harsher training from me. You are my granddaughter, but starting today you are my first and last disciple; therefore, you can't slack off.
Amishta doesn't know what to feel because she was longing for a grandfather, but her grandfather was just being a good teacher. Amishta nodded and curtsied. She can feel that she won't be treated as a princess from now on but just as a lowly disciple.
She felt that she somehow didn't think right about being a disciple; shouldn't she just state that she only wants knowledge from her grandpa but never mind being a disciple? So far, based on his grandfather's statement, her first step is somehow done.
Butler Li escorted Amishta to her room after her chat with her grandfather. She felt the warmth of having a grandfather, but also she had doubts about some facts.
"Princess, your grandfather loves you very much. He never accepted a disciple before and determined that he wouldn't accept one, but he suddenly accepted you. He believes that you can achieve your goal, and I feel like he sees his young self in you. He was not good at expressing himself, but as you can be with him from now on, you will just naturally feel his love." Amishta smiled like crazy and tried to think of her grandpa.
"I understand."
"But I need to warn you, Princess, that your grandfather can become a monster in training. Though he won't hurt you, you will surely be exhausted tomorrow, so prepare for it."
"Thank you." Amishta looked at Butler Li with utmost gratitude that stunned the old man.
"You're welcome, Princess."
"No. Thank you for always being with my grandfather. I saw that he is very lonely, but with you around, he won't at least think of committing suicide."
"It is my pleasure to serve my master, Princess. He is just a hero to me."
Butler Li smiled and secretly praised the princess and was very happy for his master. Butler Li takes his leave and reports to the Old Duke.
As soon as the sun rose, Amishta and Jane walked to the training ground. It was actually big, and soldiers are currently having a drill. She just watched it from the side and was amazed by it.
"Wow, Princess, I never thought it was quite exciting to watch soldiers while they are training." Jane almost clapped her hands because of joy. Amishta was amused, but she couldn't comment, as she also thought it was a wonderful sight as the soldiers moved in synchrony. She felt like they were actually dancing.
"Princess, you are quite early, but that is a good thing; your grandfather doesn't want to waste time." Butler Li noticed Jane and questioned Amishta with his eyes. Since meeting the princess, Butler was already attached to him, and he thought that it would just be fine to not be so formal.
"Grandfather, good morning. I hoped that you had a good night." Old Duke just nodded and immediately softened when he saw how she was trying to act cute.
"It is teacher for you, young lady."
"Yes, teacher." Butler Li laughed at their banter.
"Teacher, this is Jane, my servant, but I don't just consider her a servant but someone very important to me." Jane instantly shed some tears and stared at the princess.
"I see. I will not teach her anything if that is what you wanted because she won't stand me as her teacher, especially since she is so soft."
"My Lord, I will endure everything for the Princess. Please teach me too." Jane kowtowed, but Amishta couldn't see her like that and thus helped her instead.
"Very well, I won't be your teacher because you are just too weak."
"Grandfather, please---"
"I won't, but I will assign Butler Li to train your servant. He will be the best teacher for her. And you, young lady, call me teacher." Amishta didn't even mind her grandfather's anger and jumped to hug him.
"Thank you." Old Duke can't help but hug his granddaughter. Then suddenly he regained his composure and was back with a stern face.
"Butler Li, please take me as your disciple," Jane bravely asked.
"Sure. I can see that you are as stubborn as your master." Butler Li smiled and patted her head.
Butler Li asked Jane to start training to give space for the Old Duke to start training the Princess.
"Come with me." The Old Duke starts walking at the back of the training ground. Amishta just followed him and saw that they were walking up a mountain. It seems that it was also a training space, but she isn't sure what for.
"Hold this." Old Duke gives a bag with weights to Amishta. It was rather heavy, but Amishta can somehow manage it.
They climb up the mountain, and Amishta is very exhausted halfway. The Old Duke was always attentive with her, so she knew that her grandpa knew that she was in a bad condition. The way was not simple, as it could easily trip someone, and the bag Amishta was holding just added up.
"If you can't even reach the mountain top yourself, then you will never become strong and will remain a princess caged in the palace." The old duke stared at her coldly. Amishta nodded and seriously took him as her teacher. Her body has not been prepared for this, but she will persist.
The mountain was very high, and the Old Duke arrived at the top while Amishta was just passing the halfway point. Old Duke was mentally fighting with himself because she was his lovely granddaughter, but he wanted her to be stronger with herself.
Amishta keeps pushing herself even if her body can't take it. The sun was brightly shining, and her sweat was covering all her body. Amishta might have been able to run with such a scenario in her past life, but her body as a princess was just too soft.
She tumbled away but got up slowly and tried to stand up. She was not totally stable, but she just wanted to climb to the mountain top. She knew that this was not part of her training but likely a test. She now understands why her dear grandfather agreed immediately.
The Old Duke can't help but nod his head as he watches his granddaughter almost crawling upward. He is not happy that his granddaughter was in a bad situation, but he is proud that her granddaughter has exceeded his expectations. He loves Amishta, so he will still train him even if she slacked off for today.
He will blindly pamper her if she just asks for his help, but since he finally saw the determination in her granddaughter, he will train her hard and make her stronger. He will train her as a real teacher and take her goal to push her to become stronger.
Amishta was finally relieved upon reaching the mountaintop, but her body couldn't take it, and she blacked out. The Old Duke was fast enough to hold Amishta from falling.
"I will not make the same mistake again. I will surely protect you and your brother. If you will not be successful in becoming a great warrior, then I will patiently train you." Old Duke smiles and takes the princess back to the doctor.