"Father!" Princess Amishta happily jumped to his father and hugged him. The King was surprised but still wrapped his arms around his Princess.
"Amishta, are you okay?" He asked after breaking the hug. He stared at his daughter and scanned to see if she was in pain. Princess Amishta laughed and smiled at her father.
"Father, I am very fine. Look. How can your beautiful daughter not be okay if you are her father?" she innocently stated and posed cutely. The king just laughed at her, and she pouted.
"Ha! Ha! Yeah, I agree, you are stunning, as you have gotten it from your mother. So what brings my beautiful princess here?" he smirked as he sensed that she needed something. The princess immediately kept quiet and looked at her father.
"Father, I met Lord Brent this afternoon and was able to be enlightened by him." She nervously touched her hands and looked away from her father's gaze. The king was confused.
"Then, shouldn't that be a good thing?"
"I also agree, but I actually intended to be her disciple, but she declined, saying that my grandfather was the best teacher for me." She was pretending to calm herself.
"Your mother's father?" Amishta nodded. The king stared at his daughter and saw a new light from her. He knew that his brother, Lord Brent, is not someone who speaks without a reason. He already knew that something was indeed special from his father-in-law, but he never expected that he was even more powerful than he thought and that his brother would not be as good as him.
He was hesitant, but it was not a bad idea.
"Why do you want to be someone's disciple?"
"Father, I wanted to fight alongside my brothers in the battlefield. Father, give me a chance; I can dedicate myself and learn as much as I can. I won't let you down." Amishta bowed her head.
"Are you serious? Do you know what you are doing? If I agree, then you can't back out."
"Yes, Father, this is really what I wanted."
"Then, as a king, I will grant your wish. Tell me, what do you plan to do?"
"Father, I want to leave the palace and live with my grandfather---"
"NO!" The king clenched his fist and tried to calm himself. He can't take it if his princess will suffer pain outside the palace.
"Father! It is the only way for me to learn. If I stay in the palace, I won't really learn anything. I want to learn from Grandfather and apply it. I want you to give full support to how my grandfather will train me. Father, I only need a year." Princess Amishta kneeled and pleaded to her father.
"If that is what you wanted, then leave the palace immediately before sunset. If you are still around by then, you will not be going anywhere." The king walked away, leaving Princess Amishta crying. The king can't help but be angry at himself.
Princess Amishta was very sad while walking to her residence. She knew that it was a big decision for the king and wouldn't blame him if he was annoyed with her. The king will probably change his mind if she talks to him. It was still a good thing that she achieved what she wanted, even if it was not totally how she expected it.
She didn't even sleep that night, just thinking about her angry father, her next plan, and just her transmigrated life. She made up her mind that she would become stronger the next time she stepped again at the palace.
She doesn't know how her uncle and grandfather will react to her plan, but she will be doing it anyway. She already sent a letter to her uncle of her arrival after she talked with Marquis Brent. She knew that her father would be against her idea, but the thought that she sent that letter before asking her father means she already decided.
Before sunset, Almishta was already prepared to leave. She was very reluctant, but her plan should be executed as she needs to train. It was still dark, and only guards were outside. She was disappointed because her father didn't even bid goodbye, but she understood. She also wanted to see his brother, but she knew he would not want her to leave.
They traveled outside the palace quietly. It was just the princess, her servant Jane, the coachman, four guards, and 3 Shadow Knights. It was just probably a very bad day for Princess Amishta, but since she wants the future, then she must sacrifice.
"Princess, are you sure about this? We are still not that far from the palace."
"What? Are you scared? I can send you back." Princess Amishta pretended to be angry. Jane instantly kneeled and cried.
"No! Princess, I will always be by your side. If you want to go to war, then I shall join." Princess Amishta amusingly smiled with Jane. She helped her to sit and patted her head.
"I am not joking. I intended to train with Grandfather. If you want to serve me, then you need to be proficient in martial arts because I am really going to war." Jane was shaking as she noticed a dangerous aura from the princess. She now knew that she was not joking, though she didn't know if she could even do that, but she was determined and nodded her head.
"I will never abandon you and will serve you until I die."
Princess Amishta nods and holds Jane's hand. She knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together, and though she hated to bring trouble to Jane, this was the best for both of them.
They arrived in two hours. Her uncle, together with her grandfather, doesn't live in the capital but in the northern part of the kingdom, Jinya. It is a place where they are in charge and a place where her mother grew up. She noticed how good the life of the people is, and it seems that the economy can rival that of the capital. She is impressed.
After a while, she saw a huge gate indicating the Duke's residence. They successfully entered and were greeted by the servant. She noticed how few the female servants were and that most were male who dressed as guards. An old man was looking up to her and respectfully bowed his head.
"Princess Amishta, we are very happy for your visit. I am Butler Lilo and will be serving you in this mansion. You can just ask me for anything you want." Princess Amishta just stared at him disappointedly.
"I am very sorry, Princess, because your uncle has a mission in the South and should be back in 3 days. He went there for an emergency yesterday morning, so I was the one who opened your letter, Princess. I am sorry." Princess Amishta nodded and sighed.
"Where is my grandfather?"
"He was in his room. He intended to see you for breakfast, but if you are tired, you can rest first. I will show you---"
"I am not tired. Show the way to see my grandfather." Butler Lilo had never met the princess before, and he was eager to see how she could be as playful as the queen, but she was different. He felt the aura of his master to the princess and naturally liked her instantly. Though she doesn't seem to respect him, she actually does in a way.
"Master, the Princess is here," Butler Lilo reported to the old man who watered a bloomed flower. It is the old Duke. He may be old, but his aura is still powerful; he doesn't even seem to know how to smile. Butler Lilo arranged the table and let the servants leave.
"Grandfather!" The princess curtsied. The old Duke stopped his movement and turned to look at the Princess. He felt the presence of his wife and daughter near her. His eyes softened, and he tried to speak but didn't know what to say, so he just nodded.
Princess Amishta noticed the movement of her grandfather's eyes. She was very happy for it. She might not know her grandfather, but their connection seems to be rather good, as if they can understand each other by the eye.
"Master, Princess, the breakfast is ready. Might as well eat and talk to each other," Butler Lilo stated, as he knew that his master might say nothing. He was a trusted servant of the old Duke and considered to be part of the family; thus, he was quite bold to interrupt the two.
Old Duke and the Princess silently take their seat and start to eat. They were obviously very comfortable with each other, but only one doesn't dare to talk. Butler Lilo, watching from beside him, was smirking at his master's movement but very happy, as his master was very lonely these days. The death of his wife made him even more like an ice than before, but the presence of the princess melted it.
Princess Amishta picked up a vegetable for his grandfather and put it on his plate. She observed that he doesn't even eat meat, maybe because of his age or he just doesn't really prefer it. The old Duke half smiled and picked up a piece of meat and put it on the Princess's plate. They moved in sync and finished breakfast very happy.
"Grandfather, how are you?"
"I am fine."
"That's good. Grandfather, I intend to live here for a year and learn from you. Please take me as your disciple. I am willing to learn and be a good student to you. I want to become strong and lead into the battlefield. Grandfather, please grant my wish."