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nYvonne sighed when she noticed the Captain's scrutinizing gaze at the horse just like she had done earlier.

n'Won't receive an answer from him!' She sneered and tried to think of a possible reason why Demon had been discovered in the grazing field behind the stables in her estate.

n

"Maybe it was Father who had brought horses into the estate and one of them turned out to be an etcher?

" She rubbed her chin while throwing out her theory.

nWhen Desmo heard this, he paused for a moment and then gave a hesitant nod.

n'Ford did say that he would bring new horses into the stable for this girl to choose from.' He recalled the conversation they had in this regard.

nUsually, etchers looked just like any other in their species and one could not easily make out the difference without paying close attention to them.

nTherefore, the possibility of an etcher getting mixed in with the other horses was something that they could not deny.

nHowever, they never would have believed that this etcher hand escaped its bounds in the stable of the Royal Palace and had sneaked into the Estate of the St. Claire family to graze.

nDemon had planned to take a snack break before it went its merry way but that strategy of his had been thwarted when he met Yvonne who became his etched.

n

"I see…

" Desmo Reel muttered and then rose from the boulder that they had been seated on until now.

nYvonne did not accept his hand which had been stretched out to assist her and jumped down, landing successfully on her feet.

n'Let's see how long she can stay that confident about doing things on her own.' He rolled his eyes and took his hand back.

nYvonne dusted her clothes and then stood straight before her new trainer whose first class should have started almost an hour ago.

n'What can I say? I lost a class but gained an etcher!' She giggled and then shrugged the matter away.

nWhen she heard her trainer clearing his throat to get her attention, she quickly wiped the smile on her face and looked up at him in all seriousness.

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"We cannot begin our class today since it is almost time for me to leave.

" He disclosed his thoughts and sighed when he saw her frown.

n'I've already spent two days in bed and the first day out ends just like this?' She sneered at her faulty luck.

nWhen he noticed her disheartened expression, his stern face softened just a little.

n'One of the reasons why I had accepted her as a student even when she had failed to complete her task in the allocated time was this…' He recalled his reason for choosing her.

nThe stubborn desire to accomplish what she had decided and the want of learning without giving up is something that had impressed him greatly.

nThe same desire to learn and dismay that she cannot do the same was now apparent in her eyes which pleased him.

n

"I had called you out here to choose a horse and it looks like the horse chose you.

" He chuckled while pointing at Demon.

nThe main agenda for today was to pick a suitable mount for her and to give her the basics in horse riding.

nThough the mount had been selected by a strange stroke of fate, the chance of giving the lecture on the basics of horse riding would not be possible today.

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"You have other classes after this. Therefore, tomorrow we shall meet at the same place and shall begin our official first class.

" He informed her as he stepped along.

nThe same haughty actions with the confidence that Yvonne would surely follow after him and everything he said without speaking a word, made the little girl who witnessed it to frown deeply.

n

"Captain…

" She called out to him, making him turn around.

n'I need to get this through to him before we can begin our classes.' She expressed her plans and then stepped forward.

nStanding before the man, she raised her head and looked him in the eyes with determination evident in them.

nCaptain Desmo Reel observed her in silence as he waited for her to speak further.

n

"I am willing to follow everything you say but I have a request that I need in return.

" She enunciated each word in a calm and composed manner.

n'Be impressed with my confidence and agree with whatever it is that I ask of you.' She chanted as though he would be hypnotized by her.

nThough the fluttering lashes that she had been batting for quite a while would have worked wonders on her father, Rutherford, they did not work just as efficiently on this man.

n

"Hmm?

" That was all she received in answer.

n'Is it not sufficient that I have to come over here like a thief through the backdoor to teach her, I must also fulfill her other demands?' He sneered at her yet continued to maintain a neutral face.

nAs she gazed at his stern face, Yvonne steeled herself and decided to just rip the bandage off in one go.

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"Please teach me close-range combat as well!

" She blurted with her eyes closed.

nThe silence that soon took over the surroundings after she had mentioned her request made her peek through one eye only to find that the man before her was staring at her with his eyes wide open.

n'Did I hear her right?' He pondered as an incredulous look appeared on his face.

nNot only was it enough for her to learn horse-riding, self-defense, and swordsmanship, she wished to learn another skill that was meant solely for men?

nThis thought made him frown as he let out a mocking chuckle.

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"You surely think too highly of yourself, Miss St. Claire.

" He spat out with his eyes narrowed.

nYvonne could not help but take a step away when she saw him moving in her direction.

nThis subconscious action of hers made him stop as he pointed at the space between them.

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"I take one step and you retreat… How will you learn when you fear the close distance between us?

" He explained with a sneer appearing on his face.

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"But… But…

" Yvonne's words were stuck in her throat even when she wished to defend herself.

nHowever, the man had never thought of giving her a chance to explain herself.

n

"You haven't completed the month-long training and cleared your assessment yet you have such enormous plans? Don't you think that this is arrogant of you, Miss St. Claire?

" He interrogated further.

nYvonne frowned when she was reminded of Howard's test that would take place at the end of the month when he returned from his Academy.

n'I am confident that I will pass that test! I will make sure of it!' She confirmed in her heart and once again the determination that had been clouded by the veil of confusion reappeared on her face.

nThe amusement that Captain Desmo was feeling at this moment was nowhere to be found yet its presence could not be denied.

n

"Would you train me in the skills that I wish for if I can pass big brother Howard's assessment?

" She inquired to make him give her his word.

nThe man fell into her trap and gave her a languid nod while waving his hand around.

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"Yes, I would but that is… IF you can pass the assessment.

" He announced and then turned around before walking away with his precious.

n'What an annoying man!' She scoffed at her new trainer yet followed after him nonetheless.

nAs she strode ahead, Demon followed after her like a lost puppy as the two pairs of etcher and etched made their way towards the mansion.

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