When Viktor mentioned "two and a half years," Liya froze for a moment.
The same confusion arose in her heart.
'Agreeing was one thing, but why did he have to set a time limit?'
She really wanted to ask Viktor what he was planning to do, couldn't he be a bit more rational?
But instead of being upset, Emperor Aubery chuckled after hearing him. Smiling with narrowed eyes, he looked at Viktor and said, "Two and a half years, really?"
Viktor bowed slightly to the emperor and said sincerely, "In two and a half years, that will be enough time for Her Highness the Princess to learn everything I know. By then, if I were to stay any longer, it would be discourteous."
After hearing Viktor's explanation, Aubery slapped the arm of his chair and burst out laughing. He laughed so hard that it triggered a coughing fit, and the servants nearby quickly came forward to pat his back.
Aubery waved his hand, signaling for them to step back.
"Viktor! The more I look at you, the more I like you."
"How can you be so clever?"
Aubery Sol.
As the strongest man in the Empire, Aubery was well aware of his physical condition.
In truth, he knew that at most, he had two years left before his energy and blood would be completely depleted, and he would die.
His shortened lifespan came from a hidden ailment he had developed when he was young.
It was a barrier that every powerful warrior eventually faced.
Unlike mages, warriors couldn't use magic power to cast spells.
They relied on their own strong life force and qi-blood to strengthen their bodies and power.
Although eating well and resting could replenish that qi and blood, the rate of consumption was enormous.
Burning one's qi and blood allowed a warrior to gain incredible strength, even the power to challenge those above their level.
But in turn, it also burned away their life.
As the Emperor, Aubery's life story had long been dug up by the players.
At seventeen, Aubery Sol had already become one of the Empire's most valiant generals.
Alone, and with nothing but his own strength, he killed a dragon that had caused a natural disaster.
He skinned the dragon and made armor from its hide as a trophy of his success.
In his prime, Aubery was even stronger.
He once faced a fourth-tier evil mage head-on under a sky-shattering spell and survived.
Although his skin had been torn and his ligaments ruptured, thanks to his powerful regenerative ability, he recovered completely within days.
The state Aubery was in now was because he had consumed far too much of his qi and blood in his youth and never properly recovered afterward.
Maybe he had simply been too battle-hungry.
The warrior profession was notoriously short-lived, not even emperors were exceptions.
That was why, despite being of the same age, Levi looked so young, while the old emperor seemed like a flickering candle in the wind.
But Aubery had never once regretted it.
Smiling, he looked at Viktor and said, "Your father, when he was young, was my finest subordinate."
"When I ascended the throne, I rewarded everyone who had followed me."
"But when it came to him, he only asked for one piece of land."
"I asked him, what about a title? Don't you want a higher rank?"
"He shook his head and told me that being a noble was already enough."
"After that, he left the capital, laid down his arms, and returned to the countryside. We never saw each other again."
Even Liya, who had never heard of such a thing before, was shocked by this revelation.
She had never known her father had such a past.
Viktor listened to the old emperor's story without expression.
"After that, twenty years passed… until I finally received news of his death."
"Viktor, you are his child. In the end, he left that land to you."
Aubery sighed, and the effort made him cough again.
"You are even more outstanding than he was, even more intelligent. But knowing when to advance and when to retreat isn't always a good thing."
"Sometimes, aligning yourself with power isn't necessarily wrong."
"Take the Raysers, for example. No matter how big their mistakes, as long as they still have their use, I'll protect them all the same."
Aubery opened his eyes and said to Viktor, "Viktor, I will give you a choice, two and a half years, or…"
Viktor placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.
"Your Majesty, within two and a half years, I will do everything within my power."
Aubery sighed again, though there was satisfaction in his expression.
He stroked the little princess's hair and smiled.
"Enough, this child just doesn't have the fortune for more."
"I hope in these two and a half years, you can fulfill your duty."
The last line was said to Viktor.
Viktor stayed silent, and Aubery knew that meant agreement.
"You two wait outside for now. I want to speak with my child for a bit."
"When I come out, you'll both accompany me to the banquet."
Liya and Viktor nodded.
Once the two had left, Aureliann looked up at Aubery with a puzzled expression.
"Father, why do you want him to be my teacher?"
"I don't really like him…"
"Why not?"
Aubery chuckled. He looked at Aureliann nibbling her finger, so adorably innocent.
"I think he's cold. He must be a very strict teacher. I don't like strict ones."
"But he can protect you, and make you stronger."
Aubery patted her head affectionately, watching his daughter's confusion deepen.
"But I already have Father to protect me, don't I? Father's so powerful."
Aubery gazed at her, his eyes full of tender sorrow.
"My child."
"I cannot protect you for a lifetime."
"No one can."
———
Liya and Viktor waited obediently outside. When they saw no one around, Liya finally spoke up.
"What you said before, about thinking it over, were you really planning to refuse the emperor?"
Viktor didn't respond.
Liya understood. That silence meant yes. Her tone grew anxious.
"Why?"
"Do you realize what that means? It's an imperial invitation! Some people would give anything for such an opportunity, and you were going to refuse?"
"Liya, you're a merchant. You know that every commodity has its value."
Viktor took out a pocket watch, glanced at the time, and said, "So tell me, in His Majesty's eyes, what do you think my value is?"
Liya froze, thought for a moment, then said, "You're amazing, your value definitely isn't low. After all, he wants you to be the princess's teacher, that's a rare honor."
"Then how does my value compare to the emperor's family?"
Liya frowned, protesting, "That's not even comparable! How can you compare yourself to the emperor's kin?"
Viktor adjusted the watch's hands slightly. Liya saw faint magical letters forming inside the watch, growing clearer before her eyes.
'His Majesty has only two years left.'
"Wha..."
Liya's eyes widened in shock. She barely managed to suppress her reaction, not daring to speak it aloud.
This was the royal palace, even if no one was around, they couldn't freely discuss the emperor's death.
So that's what the two and a half years meant…
"The half year after that, I'll still be Her Highness's teacher," Viktor said.
At that moment, Liya immediately understood.
She was a merchant, but as the acting lord of her family, she was also a sharp politician.
Was Viktor valuable? Incredibly so.
He had displayed his power and received the emperor's favor, which elevated his reputation to astonishing heights.
Even those who disliked him would now go out of their way to curry favor.
So before the emperor's death, what would those contending for power think?
Whoever could win Clavenna's support would gain immense advantage.
The emperor didn't want to see such a struggle, and so, he sacrificed his youngest daughter, Aureliann. By binding Viktor to her as her tutor, he tied him firmly to the royal family.
That way, neither the First Prince nor the Second Prince could recruit Viktor.
Because that status had been decreed by Emperor Aubery himself, no one could defy it.
Unless the emperor died.
But once the emperor died, the new ruler wouldn't need Viktor anymore.
Viktor would inevitably face retribution.
Those in power would never show mercy for their siblings' sake.
Aureliann would likely be married off, just like Emperor Aubery's sister, Lady Cassandra, a pawn in a political marriage.
If Viktor wanted to avoid being purged, he had to prevent that from happening.
Which meant Aureliann had to remain a princess, only then could the Clavenna family stay safe.
So Viktor chose the two-and-a-half-year limit.
A new emperor would need time to stabilize his rule.
Viktor wouldn't be purged right away, so he could still protect Aureliann for another half-year.
After that, he would leave the palace and let his family keep their distance.
The new emperor wouldn't see him as a threat.
Liya stood there stunned. No wonder the emperor had said those things to Viktor.
She muttered under her breath, "Black. So damn black."
She had thought the scheming among nobles was bad enough.
But seeing this, the royal family's hearts were pitch-black all the way through.
"Then, aren't you afraid…"
'Afraid His Majesty might blame you?'
She wanted to ask, but held her tongue.
Viktor understood anyway.
He glanced at Liya and shook his head.
"No."
"How can you be so sure?"
Liya was speechless. She had thought aligning with the royal family was a blessing, but now it seemed both a boon and a curse.
She couldn't help worrying.
Being the princess's tutor was a double-edged sword.
Used well, House Clavenna would rise in status.
Used poorly, once the emperor passed, they would face the purge.
"Two and a half years is the guarantee I gave His Majesty," Viktor said calmly, his tone brimming with quiet confidence.
Liya blinked, momentarily dazed.
So, he and the emperor had already struck a deal in that brief conversation.
For the next two and a half years, no matter what the princes did, none of them would dare to touch Aureliann.
And part of that agreement, if anyone provoked House Clavenna, Viktor would have the right to handle it personally.
Simple. Because Viktor now had royal ties.
Even if only for two and a half years, he was bound to the princess.
He could act in her name, and settle any score.
"And… if Clavenna wants to become even greater," Viktor suddenly said out of nowhere.
"The final winner hasn't been decided yet."
Liya's eyes widened in disbelief. She looked at him in shock.
"Don't tell me you plan to support..."
Before she could finish, the grand doors opened.
Aureliann emerged, arm in arm with the emperor. She looked shy and delicate, her demeanor filled with quiet mystery. The emperor beside her still carried that air of awe-inspiring strength.
Father and daughter looked perfectly harmonious together, their faces softened by the gentle glow of the night.
Viktor and Liya bowed slightly in respect when they saw them.
The emperor smiled and nodded at them both.
"Let's go."
"Viktor, don't be like your father, no more refusing this time."